Daily Daydream: Europe's Most Surprising Lake

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

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Here’s a destination you’ll want to visit at least twice—since you can swim there during one season and hike it in another. Austria’s Gruner See (Green Lake) offers one of the world’s most unique diving experiences. During the winter, Gruner See is a dry park with a shallow lake that attracts numerous hikers. Come spring and summer, the ice and snow on the nearby mountains melt and fill the park with clear water—enough for people to swim in. (Levels can reach around 30 feet.)

Seeing divers and fish swim over hiking trails, under bridges, and around benches is truly surreal!

Where is it? Styria, Austria. The closest airport is Graz (domestic and European flights) (check prices) or for flights from America fly to Vienna (check prices) and connect or drive.

Where to Stay? In a converted 12th century medieval castle, Hotel Schloss Thannegg.

What Else Should I Know? The best diving is usually in June, when the waters are generally the deepest.

Who’s it For? Divers or hikers.

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(Photo: Shutterstock/Deep Green)

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