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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes
lakes introUrban pools are a cool way to stay fresh in summer, but sometimes you just need to reconnect with the natural world. We’ve selected a few of nature’s best swimming pools, all under an hour’s drive from some of the world’s popular major cities.
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
reykjavikReykjavik: On the other end of the outdoor swimming temperature scale, no trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to its famed hot pools, where you can literally rub shoulders with locals as everyone relaxes in the geothermically heated water. Most tourists head for the famous Blue Lagoon, but the luxurious Lake Laugarvatn baths are a classy alternative. swimminginiceland.com, south.is [Photo: PapaPiper/Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
berlinBerlin: Berlin’s swimmers are spoiled for choice, with dozens of lakes dotted all around the city, and Nature Park Märkische Schweiz in easy reach. Head to the duo of large and little Müggelsee for busy sandy beaches, secluded bays and the novelty of dining at the floating chip ship. You can get there in less than an hour by car, train or even by boat. visitberlin.de [Photo: © visitBerlin, Foto: Philip Koschel]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
londonLondon: If you’re looking to dive in for an outdoor swim in the UK, the Outdoor Swimming Society has you covered. Their wild swim map shows over 500 swimming spots in England alone, and lists swimming events from all over the world. For a lake swim near London, head for the idyllic Frensham Common and its two “ponds” managed by the National Trust. wildswim.com, nationaltrust.org.uk [Photo: National Trust Images/Joe Cornish]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
helsinkiHelsinki: Get a glimpse of Finland’s great lakes and partake in a true blue Finnish ritual. Less than an hour from Helsinki, the Kuusijärvi recreational centre offers a traditional smoke sauna. Going for a dip in the lake after breaking a sweat is a must – even in winter, when the ice is broken to provide access to the invigorating water! cafekuusijarvi.fi [Photo: Alberto/Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
viennaVienna & Bratislava: An outdoor swimming paradise straddling the border not only between two European nations, but also bridging the short distance between their capitals, the Donau-Auen National Park offers 9,300 hectares of pristine wetlands. To preserve this green corridor, only a few select spots have been designated for swimming, all of them accessible in under an hour from either city. donauauen.at [Photo: Nationalpark Donau-Auen © Kern]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
romeRome: Italy’s famous lakes are all found to the north; the further south you go, the stronger the allure of the nearest beach. However, to escape the heat of the capital, many Romans head to Lago di Bracciano, a gigantic reservoir with clean water, thanks to a strict motorboat ban. italia.it [Photo: Nick Peters1Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
madridMadrid: Madrid is located in a dry region at the best of times, but come summer, the Spanish capital is parched. A trip to the beautiful Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and its many lakes, such as the Peñalara Lagoon, provide the perfect escape on a hot day. parquenacionalsierraguadarrama.es [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
joburgJohannesburg: Despite the fact that Johannesburg is landlocked and far from any significant body of water, the city offers heaps of urban swimming. Of the many municipal parks, Zoo Lake is the most idyllic spot, but you’ll still find yourself swimming in a chlorinated pool. If you fancy more than just a swim, Bass Lake (40 minutes out of town) is also a scuba diver training venue. gauteng.net/zoo_lake, gauteng.net/bass_lake_adventures [Photo: Wikimedia]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
vancouverVancouver: Outdoor enthusiasts love Vancouver for its proximity to the mountains and the ocean, but the number of nearby lakes is also impressive. Many of them are impossibly scenic, nestled between spectacular peaks, some only to be reached on foot. Sasamat Lake, one of the warmest lakes near the city, however, is easily accessible – and accordingly busy on a sunny day. metrovancouver.org [Photo:Jeremy Plotkin]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
austinAustin: Forget oil! Come summer, water is the most precious commodity, even in Texas. Luckily, Austinites can choose between beautiful lakes, such as Lake Travis, with its alluringly named Hippie Hollow beach, and countless swimming holes, like the slightly surreal Hamilton Pool, with its cascading waterfall curtain. parks.traviscountytx.gov/hippie-hollow, parks.traviscountytx.gov/hamilton-pool [Photo: Darrell Miller/Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
denverDenver: Is Denver, Colorado, the most landlocked city in the USA? Probably. Does it make up for its lack of oceans, major lakes or rivers with a plethora of smaller swimming spots? Most certainly! Take your pick from one of the large reservoirs, such as Chatfield Reservoir, which is also close to Boulder, CO. cpw.state.co.us [Photo: Kent Kanouse/Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
nyeNew York City: To escape the melting tarmac of the Big Apple, Manhattanites can escape in every direction: Oceanfront and sandy beaches (like Brighton, Montauk and Orchard Beach) await on three sides of the island. Head inland for sanctuaries like Harriman State Park, which offers a total of 31 lakes and reservoirs. nysparks.com [Photo: Tom P/Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
beijingBeijing:If you’re wary of wild water swimming in or near a Chinese city… you’re probably absolutely right to be. On the other hand, Beijing’s Houhai Lake is a popular swimming spot with locals, who brave the murky waters and live to tell the tale. If the proximity to urban pollution is too much for you to stomach, you can still enjoy the serene setting from the shore, or drift across to the idyllic island in a rented boat. beijing-visitor.com [Photo: See-ming Lee/Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
perthPerth: With its abundance of white, sandy beaches and a swimmable river winding its way through the city, Perth (like most other Australian cities) isn’t exactly wanting for aquatic distractions. Still, if you prefer to swim as far away as possible from the local sharks, Lake Leschenaultia is a family-friendly alternative to the beach. westernaustralia.com [Photo: graham earnshaw/Flickr]
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The Lake Escape: Top 14 Swimming Holes.
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