Yay, swimming weather at last! Now you can splash around, hike and picnic. We reveal unusual excursion ideas for an unforgettable summer.
For the spontaneous: Pool rating
If you have a lot of time, go in search of the best public swimming bath. Draw up a scorecard with ambience, facilities, ice creams and slides and fill it in after each visit. This will make summer swimming in Switzerland twice as much fun. How about starting with the largest pool in Europe? You'll find it in Bern at the Weyermannshaus bath. If you want to take a more leisurely approach, start at the lido in Biel.
For the ambitious: Neckertal treetop walk
This circular trail amidst the treetops is a great way to fly high. At 55 metres, you have a unique view of the Neckertal valley in Toggenburg. Below the trail there is a great playground with a ball track, balancing paths and barbecue areas. If you'd rather enjoy a meal, we recommend booking a table at the nearby Gasthaus Rössli in Mogelsberg.
Information under Treetop Walk Neckertal
For the attentive: photography expeditions
You can (almost) always inspire older kids to take part with a challenge. Everyone gets a camera and sets off on a walk or hike in search of the most beautiful flower, the funniest stone or the cutest animal. At the end there will be a small slide show.
For the hot-tempered: Diemtigtal water playground
Fancy a little cooling off? Then this playground in the Bernese Oberland is just right for you. Getting wet is part of the programme here and children can dabble to their heart's content. If you want, you can also barbecue on site. Don't forget to bring drinking water and, of course, a change of clothes.
Information at Diemtigtal water playground
For the bright-eyed: full moon walk
When it's really hot during the day, the night is even more beautiful. A walk under a full moon is a special experience. If available, the kids love to light the way with their headlamps and of course they love a midnight snack even more.
For the nostalgic: mini golf in the wave pool
Fancy a little trip back in time? The minigolf course at the Dolder wave pool in Zurich was built in the 1950s and has retained its charm despite renovations. The location in the middle of the forest ensures cool heads, regardless of the score. If that's not enough, there are two pools and a baby paddling pool waiting after the game.
For green people: Forest Olympics
To make a day in the forest even more special, simply organise an Olympics. The disciplines: Laying leaf-moss-snail shell mandalas, building a gnome house, mud slide race, cone throwing competition or tree trunk balancing. At the end, everyone receives a medal out of chocolate (“Schoggitaler”).
