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How to be a beach bum in a landlocked country

From Lake Geneva to Lake Constance, from the Rhone to the Rhine – the summer heat is driving the Swiss into the water. The record air and water temperatures seen in recent weeks are reflected in record turnover for beach areas and swimming pools. 

Particularly popular are leafy areas where people can go swimming in natural bodies of water.

Flotillas of dinghies and countless heads can be seen floating down rivers – simply going with the flow. Often dogs bob along with them, sometimes with their own life vest. 

But for many people, cooling off and relaxing aren’t enough. Some attract admiring looks as they perform daring jumps into the water. Others enjoy showing off their bodies or tattoos. 

If you want to cool down for a longer period of time, you’ll have to head for higher regions. Some mountain streams and lakes currently guarantee water temperatures of under 20 degrees Celsius. 

(Images: Keystone, ex-press, Text: Peter Siegenthaler, swissinfo.ch)

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR