Skip to main content

10 Things to Cool You Down On a Hot Summer Day

It's been hot these last few weeks here in Switzerland and weather forecasts predict that the heat will continue at least another two weeks. I know many people who would be quite happy if there were a few rainy and colder days coming but at the moment it sure doesn't look like it. Personally, I won't complain. Hot weather is great for swimming or camping and bad weather will return soon enough to Switzerland.

10 Things to Cool You Sown On a Hot Summer Day in Switzerland

So, what can you do to make the heat more bearable? Thankfully, Switzerland has a lot to offer to people looking to cool down. If you're looking for ways to refresh yourself on a hot summer day, I'm happy to share my personal 10 favorites!
  1. Popsicles: At Migros you can get a wide selection of popsicles (and at any supermarket or kiosk as well). Some of these have reached cult status, especially the vanilla one with the picture of a seal.
  2. Swim: Switzerland is full of lakes and rivers that are accessible and free for anyone. Enjoy the cool water (or even real cold water if you're swimming in a mountain lake) and refresh yourself. Public pools can be found in many places as well. 
  3. Frozen Grapes: Grape season is just about to start. For a cold treat put some washed grapes into your freezer and enjoy them as an ice cold snack.
  4. Salads: Hot food on a hot day seems impossible for many Swiss so we often opt for a fresh salad instead. Sometimes we have a piece of barbecued meat with it, but only if someone can stand the additional heat of the bbq.
  5. Liquids: Water is free and tastes great in Switzerland. Other Swiss drinks like Rivella or Schorle (apple juice and soda water) are a good option as well.
  6. Beer: Many people recommend to pass on alcoholic drinks in hot weather. If you don't want to give up on chilled bear you could try a Panache which has much less alcohol.
  7. Boat: Go on a boat cruise and enjoy the breeze on one of the many lakes in Switzerland. Or float down a river in a raft and enjoy the fresh river water.
  8. Mountains: It's cooler when you're higher up. The great advantage of Switzerland is that the mountains are close by and many of them have cable cars which allow an easy access. Mountain air is cooler but beware of the sun which can be even stronger in higher altitude.
  9. Indoors: For some, an air conditioned shopping mall might be the best option - if you can handle the crowds.
  10. Siesta: Although not a Swiss custom, a nap after lunch will help go through the hottest hours of the day. Plus it will give you more energy to stay up late to enjoy the long summer days.
günther gumhold  / pixelio.de 





© 2015 IRENE WYRSCH "A HUMOROUS GUIDE TO SWITZERLAND" ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

You have something to add or would like to ask a question? I would love to hear from you!

Popular posts from this blog

Schätzli, Schnüggel and Müüsli - Terms of Endearment in Swiss German

Kiss -  Oliver Haja  / pixelio.de If you've ever been invited to the home of a Swiss couple, you are probably familiar with the most popular Swiss German term of endearment "Schätzli" ('little treasure') or one of it's many varieties like e.g. "Schatz" or "Schätzeli" . Obviously, this is not the only pet name used by Swiss couples (or parents for that matter). Like many other languages, Swiss German offers a wide variety of words and phrases that you can use to address your loved one. Swiss German Terms of Endearment What most of these pet names have in common is the ending "-li" which basically turns the thing or person a word refers to into something small or cute. For example "Haus" means house and "Hüüs li " means small house. Plus, this ending "-li" can also be added to first names as a means of endearment, e.g. Benjamin li , Esther li or Fabienne li . I tried to come up with a colle...
4 comments
Read more

How to Say 'I Love You' in Swiss German

To be completely honest, I'm not very fond of hallmark holidays and Valentine's Day is probably the mothership of them all. In my home there will be no cheesy cards or flowers on that day and, personally, I'm happy about it. However, I know that there are many people who like to celebrate Valentine's Day and take it as an opportunity to show their love and appreciation to their loves. Even in Switzerland, there are plenty of people celebrating it nowadays. If you're short on ideas for this years Valentine's Day in Switzerland you might find some inspiration here: Valentine's Day in Switzerland . If you're already set and have the perfect date ready, how about surprising your loved one with a few romantic Swiss German phrases? You should know that the expression "I love you" has only recently made its way into Swiss German from the High German "Ich liebe dich". Swiss people used to simply say "I like you" or "I like ...
4 comments
Read more

How to Spot a Swiss Person

"You're not from here, right?!" These were the words the saleslady of a small clothes store on a busy Tel Aviv street directed at me a few years ago. I was surprised she had spotted my foreignness so easily. After having lived in Israel for a few years and mastered the local Hebrew, I thought I was able to blend in quite well by then. So, I asked her how she knew. She replied with a smile and said: "You nicely folded the clothes you tried on before bringing them back out!" Oh that! Something I assumed was 'normal' but, apparently, the locals didn't do that. My Swiss background gave me away.  A Stereotypical (Swiss) Person As an expat I can usually spot fellow expats right away even if at first they seem to fit right in. Be they Swiss people I encounter abroad or foreigners living in Switzerland. Mostly, I catch a word or a phrase in a foreign language or see clothes or other items that are clearly not local. Here in South America it's very easy t...
13 comments
Read more