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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Seaside ice cream, French Riviera
Where: 90 Bd de la 36ème division du Texas, 83700 Saint-Raphaël, France
Price: €230 for a poolside bed for the day
Click: beaumier.com
Every afternoon at Les Roches Rouges, the modernist hotel designed by Festen Architecture along France’s “Golden Corniche” (a coastal road linking Cannes to Saint-Raphaël) will be serving up poolside ice cream from a vintage trolley (also available to day visitors). Expect rainbow flavours and glossy views.
Lagoons with a view, Iceland
Where: Laugarás Lagoon, Skálholtsvegur 1, 806 Laugarás, Iceland
Price: from £45
Click: laugaraslagoon.is
The cascading, two-tiered Laugarás Lagoon opened last autumn and marks the newest addition to Iceland’s Golden Circle (the sightseeing loop that takes you from Reykjavík to the country’s southern highlands). Flit between the “wondrous waterfall” and “secluded grotto” before heading to the Lagoon Bar for a mid-swim cooler.
Sauna island, Helsinki
Where: ferry departs from Eteläranta, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Price: from €108 per person
Click: saunasaari.fi
Just a stone’s throw (and water taxi) from Helsinki you’ll find Saunasaari: a private island devoted to saunas. Unwind in its large traditional smoke sauna, take a plunge in one of the wood-fired tubs and cool off in the Baltic Sea. The entire island can now be rented out exclusively to accommodate larger groups or retreats.
City dips, Milan
From Thursdays to Sundays, Milan’s beloved 1930s lido Bagni Misteriosi opens for evening swims and aperitivi at its on-site bistro (think Patron Palomas and Santa Teresa Coolers made with rum and ginger ale). Every Wednesday, swimmers can also enjoy performances from local artists.
Thermal circuits, Madrid
Where: Riela, Calle de Apodaca, 20, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Price: from €38
Click: rielabathhouse.com
Contemporary bathhouse Riela, which opened its doors last year, is the perfect pit stop on your gruelling urban itinerary, blending Roman thermae, Japanese onsen and Russian banya. Rotate between dry sauna, hammam, hot pool and cold plunge in a sultry setting.
The boat lounge at Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi Coast
The luxury hotel has introduced a sexy mahogany Riva Lounge, named after the Italian yacht builder, for cocktail hours overlooking the Med. For those seeking out beach, booze and culture, head to the gallery next door for an exhibition of archival photographs celebrating Riva’s 180-year history.
Swimming in the Seine, Paris
Eleven supervised swimming areas have opened in Paris to help battle summer heat, including two new pools and an “urban beach” in Bercy (12th arrondissement). The largest freshwater spot can be found in Bras de Grenelle (15th), where visitors can splash around with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Water quality is closely monitored each day.
The floating bathhouse, London
One of London’s newest bathhouses can be found along its canals. Soak is located on a restored 56ft barge, accommodating up to 12 guests at a time. Conceived as a “floating work of architecture”, the sleek, timber-clad space is fitted with a built-in bar area, showers and two stainless-steel ice baths – ideal for an after-work plunge.
