I’m not sure what the rules are for outdoor swimming pools in Scotland (probably because in the Frozen North nobody ever considered it a thing) but the English are dipping their toes back in today.
Swimming is one of the staples of many people’s holiday although I confess that I spend less time in a pool now than when I was a kid, preferring instead to sip cocktails by the bar.
In some places you can do both. Here are my five top pools on my travels.
Bim-ming pool
Sandals, Barbados: The ultimate in luxury where you can drink your Strawberry Daiquiri in the middle of the pool.
And then swim up to the island pool and have another. OK, waddle over.
A game of volleyball with the ultra-competitive Americans becomes even more fun after all that. You try spiking a ball with a cocktail in your hand.
Visit Barbados, or Bim as the locals call it https://www.sandals.co.uk/sandals-barbados http://www.visitbarbados.org and Let’s rumba in Barbados and My kiss with Rihanna.
To infinity and beyond
Kuramathi, Maldives: And you can’t beat an Infinity Pool where you feel you are swimming right into the Indian Ocean only for the end of the pool to stop you.
You’ll have to get out of the pool to get your cocktail though.
On a one-mile island surrounded by the Indian Ocean you would think you’d be in the sea all the time but I leave that to the fishes.
And instead dip into my own private pool which comes with my cabin and check out the restaurant pools. Where you’ll have company with the island’s herons.
See http://www.kuramathi.ie, https://island-marketing.business.site and Atoll tale – the Maldives.
Dive into Las Vegas
Palazzo, Las Vegas: For many Vegas is all about staying in and making your fortune but then you’d be missing out big time.
Head for the top of the Palazzo hotel on the Strip https://www.venetian.com/towers/the-palazzo.html and swim your little heart out before .
And look down below on the crazy city waking up. See http://www.lvcva.com and Strip… the light fantastic.
And if you see a pair of red-rimmed sunglasses there would you let me know please?
Swimming in the fjords
MSC Preziosa, Norwegian fjords: How’s this for a bracing swim? The Norwegian fjords.
You didn’t think I’d be dipping my toe in the isthmus did you?
But still I was fairly pleased with myself at taking to the pool in the Nordic drizzle while everyone (my professional photographer wife among them) hanging over the side taking piccies.
I never tire of swimming in a pool in the middle of the ocean… surrounded by a metal hulk of a floating hotel https://www.msccruises.co.uk, http://www.royalcaribbean.com, http://www.celebritycruises.com. And The call of the fjords, A Royal Party, Messi around on the water and I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out To Here.
Tenerife trunk call
La Laguna Gran Hotel, Tenerife: And just what the oul’ limbs need after a hike through rainforests, volcanic parks, arid hills and church towers.
Word to the wise. Be sure that you have someone with you or leave a wedge in the door.
Otherwise you could find yourself not getting back out. On second thoughts you don’t have to be anywhere, so don’t bother.
See http://www.CanariaWays.com, http://www.visitingtenerife.com and A walk through the ages… Tenerife.
PS: The Irish Sssssea
And an honorary mention to the Forty Foot in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin’s port https://www.dlrtourism.ie which is mentioned in Ulysses.
I’d always admired the locals swimming away in its ripples.
And I dipped in on the hottest day of the year a few years ago and jumped out just as quickly,
MEET YOU IN THE POOL