Picturesque Lake to swim w/ nearby village?

I%26#39;m looking for a lake that my family and I can enjoy during a 2 week Bavarian vacation. The characteristics we are looking for are: not too crowded, beautiful Bavarian setting, beach or at least a gentle shoreline that a 3-year old could enjoy, and water that is warm enough to swim in.

We also need lodging at or near the lake, and, ideally, are looking for a quaint, local village nearby for restaurants and food shopping.

I%26#39;ve heard the Alpsee fits some these characteristics though I don%26#39;t know if there is loding near or a beach/shoreline for swimming.

If you have any recommendations I would really appreciate it.

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You can just about take your pick of any of the Bavarian lakes as far as scenery is concerned.They are almost never too crowded even in summer.Most have beaches and all have quaint local villages dotted around.My particular favorites are- Tegernsee,Ammersee,Starnbergersee.

All of which have rail links to Munich and can be reached cheaply and quickly(within 1/2 hour)

The Bodensee is very beautiful and fits all the criteria-I stayed at Meersberg which is like being transported back to the middle ages.You can hop on and off the boats from there to see other towns and villages or go accross to Konstanz in Switzerland.

The most beautiful views of all are to be found approx.8 miles from Garmisch -Partenkirchen at the Eibsee.Stay at Grainau village(short walk)for cheap accommodation or check out the awesome hotel of the same name right on the lake where you look out over the lake and up to the summit of the Zugspitze.

The cablecar and cogwheel railway stations are right next door and take you to the top.Its also a great base to visit the castles from.

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