Read to the bottom to enter our competition and enter to win a copy of Wild Swim!
Bergli Books have come out with another amazing book with local interest. This time they partnered with Steffan Daniel for his expertise. Wild Swim guides you to nearly 100 alpine plunges, urban floats, and forest dips across Switzerland. With swim descriptions in English, German, and French, as well as convenient maps and practical insights into transport, safety and access, Wild Swim makes a new kind of summer adventure possible, from glacial dives to safe, family fun. We asked Steffan a few questions to get to know how this book came about:
What prompted you to do this book?
I've been living in Switzerland since 2013. When I first moved here I kept stumbling across amazing places to swim, usually during mountain bike trips in the Alps. With limited Swiss swimming guidebooks available and feeling inspired by its stunning landscape and swimming culture, I decided to write about the outdoor swimming spots here. Around 10 years ago, I was given the book 'Wild Swim' (UK) by Kate Rew as a gift, and I still enjoy flicking through it today. I guess that planted a seed.
I grew up in Wales about half an hour from the coast, which meant I spent a lot of time in and around the sea with family and friends. We'd sometimes drive to Mid-Wales to find waterfalls in the forest to jump from. It was always much more about the fun-factor than fitness. Today I also like to swim to clear the mind after work or cool down after a day in the mountains.
What is Wild Swimming? What's the outdoor swimming culture like in Switzerland?
Wild swimming has become quite a common term to describe swimming outdoors, away from chlorine-diluted, man-made swimming pools. You connect with nature and discover new places - I find the most remote places give you the best swimming experiences. That said, there are some amazing urban outdoor swim spots in Switzerland, a must-do if you're here in Summer. And it’s not all about distance or endurance - wild swimming can be fun, therapeutic, sociable, and thrilling.
Galleries are open again! Many of us have been itching to get our creative juices flowing after so long in confinement. Well, you now have an opportunity to get your photos seen by the crowds… crowds of under 300 at a time, of course.
Returning to Geneva again on 30 July 2020, the Swiss Photo Club (SPC) Photo Awards are a unique opportunity for every photographer – whether amateur or professional – to have their best work exhibited in a real gallery. Submit your best photos to the competition. They’ll be exhibited for nine days at Galerie La Cave in old town Geneva.
How it works
- A jury of Swiss Photo Club’s photography instructors will select 50 photos from among the submissions to be printed in a large size (offered for sale or yours to keep).
- All other photos will be printed in a smaller size and exhibited as well.
- The jury will select one grand prize winner, and public votes from the exhibition visitors will determine the other four winners (including one prize reserved for the most-voted small photo).
The exhibition is free and open to the public. During the exhibition, Swiss Photo Club also provides free photography workshops, as well as a festive opening and closing celebration that are also free to attend. Come and check out the photos of your talented neighbors — and try your own luck at the competition!
In recent months, our habits have been shaken up. It's time to indulge and Signal de Bougy that recently reopened on Saturday 6 June 2020 to the delight of families who have been holed up at home. Located between Lausanne and Geneva, Signal de Bougy is the ideal place for a family outing. The panorama is exceptional and several activities such as playgrounds, an animal park, and sand games are available free of charge.
Part of the park was under construction during the winter to offer three new attractions in a space called Kid'zland.
- A small train for the whole family
- A circuit with skidding cars (see photo below) for older children: they give the impression of skidding but in fact the vehicle turns on itself
- A sand play area - sand toys are available for purchase at the little shop near the restaurant if you didn't bring any
- Tokens can be bought there and will keep the kids happy and safe while parents can enjoy a beverage on the adjacent terrace
Parents can accompany children on some rides. Children from age 4 can go alone on the train or in a small cars. Under 4 years old the accompanying person does not pay. As soon as the child is 4 years old and if the parent wants to accompany him or her, he or she pays for the seat. The minimum age to drive the car, motorcycle, or boat alone is 4 years old, and from age 8 to drive a drift car alone.
It is possible that your next summer vacation will be spent closer to home than you previously thought! We've decided to take a virtual trip around Switzerland to help you get some ideas before you book your next hotel or Airbnb. The second in our series is the Valais region.
We tend to think that Valais is only about skiing, but think again! Valais has a lot more to offer:
Valais Thermal Baths
What better way to ease the mind and body than a soak in bubbling hot water naturally sourced from the beautiful Valais mountains? And what a view as these pools are outdoors! The Valais thermal baths offer rest and relaxation (R&R) for many tourists and Swiss residents alike. The thermal water relaxes muscles, stimulates the circulation, and its mineral content alleviates chronic joint pain.
Monte San Salvatore-1 © Milo Zanecchia 2017
It is possible that your next summer vacation will be spent closer to home than you previously thought! We've decided to take a virtual trip around Switzerland to help you get some ideas before you book your next hotel or Airbnb. The first in our series is the Lugano region.
Alessandra De Stefano, Media Relations Manager from Ente Turistico del Luganese, sent us an enthusiastic letter detailing many tempting activities and ideas for your next trip.
