Six dream destinations to swim

The thing to remember about Canouan, the green Grenadines bolthole of A-listers such as Robert Downey Jr, is that much of its Atlantic shore is sheltered behind natural reefs. That means the water inside its coral remains almost pool-like – terrific for snorkelling. Given the abundant marine life around the island (its name is native Carib for ‘Island of Turtles’) you can’t go far wrong anywhere, but head to Windward Bay and also L’Islot in the south for carousels of tropical fish and resident nurse sharks. Refresh with something chilled at the aptly-named Turtles bar overlooking Godahl Beach.

On a still, late-summer afternoon, when the sun gilds the water and bells toll from campaniles, Lake Orta captures all the romance of Italian lake swimming. Smaller and calmer than Lake Como 40 miles east, it has numerous spots for a dip – and lunch. Lido di Gozzano at Buccione is best for Blue Flag quality-water, parasols, food and cocktails – and also for crowds on sultry days. For tranquillity, slip in from a tiny pebble beach at Orta San Giulio, where you’ll swim through jade-green water, past shuttered handsome villas, towards the monastery that sits on San Giulio islet like a mirage. Closer to home, the iconic floating pool at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como is another impossibly lovely swimming spot.

Should you ever arrive in Geneva and notice the streets are unusually quiet, head to Les Bain des Pâquis. Strung out along a jetty in Lake Geneva, this public bathing area provides the city swim par excellence. You come to sunbathe and swim from its ribbon of shingle, and to drink coffee as ferries thrum into quays or sip Aperol spritzes at dusk. It’s equally appealing for a massage, hammam or perhaps a winter sauna before a frigid dip – not so silly if you follow up at La Buvette with a legendary fondue. Keep the relaxed vibes going back at the hotel with a room-service pisco sour direct from the mixologists at Yakumanka.