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Destinations

Here are 6 of Europe’s cleanest river swimming spots

These destinations offer safe, clean places to take a river dip on a warm day this summer.

Culture news

No holds Bra-ed: Women can now swim topless in Berlin

A French woman launched a lawsuit against the state of Berlin after she was kicked out for sunbathing topless last year. The new rule is the result of her victory in court.

Experiences

Hate cold water but want to wild swim? Here’s what you’ll need

Whether swimming close to home or on a winter sun holiday, get prepared for an endorphin rush by investing in some good kit.

Climate

Why are wetsuits compulsory at this French swimming pool?

Cutting the heat could save pools up to €50,000 per month in the coldest months.

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Travel News

Drowning is 'not like the films': Here's how to protect yourself

Drowning victims mostly slip below the surface without a sound, a veteran lifeboat volunteer has warned. Follow these safety tips to stay safe.

My Europe Series

'If I want a shower, I boil a kettle': Spain strife over soaring bills

In just two years, the average household electricity bill has gone up from €780 a year to €1,371, according to the Spanish consumer organisation OCU.

France

Fury as France closes 30 swimming pools amid soaring heating bills

It comes as French president Emmanuel Macron has called for a 10% cut in the country’s energy use to avoid the risk of rationing and cuts this winter.

Sport

Remembering the 1972 Olympics: Mark Spitz talks of tragic games

Mark Spitz is a former American competitive swimmer. He is also Jewish and competed at the 1972 Olympics in Munich winning seven golds. He talks of his experience at the tragic event.

Europe News

France uses AI to detect more than 20,000 undeclared swimming pools

Tax authorities have used the technology on a regional basis, but will now roll it out nationwide.

Green News

Is Brexit to blame for the UK’s poor quality bathing water?

New data analysis has shown that sewage discharged into the environment isn't being properly monitored and some say Brexit is to blame.

Conscious Travel

Paddleboarders scared to fall into the 'green soup' of this UK lake

The Lake District's biggest lake could be on the verge of "ecological collapse" due to algal blooms linked to sewage pollution.

Travel News

Lake Garda, Italy: Tourists shocked by drought devastation

Italy's largest lake is losing 2 cm of water a day as an unprecedented drought grips the country and much of Europe.

Experiences

Swim with whales under the midnight sun on this epic Icelandic trip

This is a meeting that has been months and thousands of miles in the making, taking you into Iceland’s ethereal north.

Destinations

Discover Istanbul’s secret beaches to escape the crowds

Istanbul has more than 85 swimming spots close to the city centre.

Travel News

Mexico beaches: Swimmers warned over dangerous bacteria levels

Three beaches in Acapulco have dangerously high levels of bacteria in the water.

Green News

Wild swimming warning: Group falls ill after swim at popular UK spot

12 out of 13 people fell sick after swimming in Kent, in an incident Surfers Against Sewage has described as 'shockingly common'.

No Comment

Thousands plunge into cold Magellan Strait waters

Thousands of people plunged into the frigid waters of the Magellan Strait in Chile on Saturday during the "Splash of the Strait", an event suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sport

'She wasn't breathing': Coach rescues swimmer who fainted in pool

"I went as quickly as I could as if it were an Olympic final," said Andrea Fuentes, describing how she rescued a swimmer that had fainted underwater.

Ukraine

Ukraine swimmer wins World Champs medal while his dad fights Russians

Elite swimmer Mykhailo Romanchuk doesn’t know if his father was able to see him winning a medal for Ukraine at the swimming world championships in Budapest.

People

Ice swimmer breaks 2 world records crossing dangerous Antarctic waters

Barbara Hernandez is the first person ever to swim three nautical miles in the world’s ‘most feared waters’.