Kochelsee and Heimgarten Mountain in Bavaria, Germany

© Reinhard Schmid/eStock Phot

Frosty days in Bavaria. Kochelsee in Bavaria, Germany

To English speakers, this is Lake Kochel. To German speakers, it's Kochelsee. Whatever you call it, this popular recreation spot in the German state of Bavaria looks great all decked out in winter white. Imagine how quiet it must be when the lake is blanketed by snow. It's quite a contrast to the warm summer months when the shores of Kochelsee are busy with tourists seeking a healthy dose of nature. The lake is just an hour's journey from Munich by car or train. Visit during summer and you're likely to see windsurfers gliding across the surface of the lake.