The best way to cool down is by plunging into the clear, refreshing water. All the better if you don't even need to leave the city centre to do it. Zürich offers sandy beaches and grassy areas to sunbathe, diving towers, and panoramic views of the Alps. Read a book in the shade of the trees, swim in the lake or the river, Zürich has a bathing spot for every taste. The public bathing traditions in Zürich stem from the Romans. Today, you can find more than 15 open-air baths. Many locations are equipped with showers and changing rooms.

La Pelosa Beach in the fishing village of Stintino is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, maybe the most beautiful of them all, so while you're on Sardinia you shouldn't miss this gem. It is located about an hour from Alghero, so pack a picnic and let this be a day-trip.

On the 18 hectares of Azienda Agricola Leda' d'Ittiri, grapes and olives are grown. The landlady is more than happy to take guests around the estate to show the plants and then give them the possibility to try the wines and the olives.

The Botanical Garden of the University of Zürich shows off its broad collection of flora, both local and imported, on the 5.6 hectares that were laid out in the 1970s. Even when it's raining or when it's cold, you can visit the tropical greenhouses. Each glass bubble represents a distinct climate: the sweltering humidity of the tropics, the dry heat of the Mediterranean, and the flowering alpine meadows.