Switzerland s a landlocked country. Whats more, Switzerland is a cold country; even in the middle of summer temperatures can be downright chilly. But the Swiss, stoic to a fault, don't let the lack of a coastline or the brisk winds sweeping down from the snow-clad summer Alps hinder their summer beach outings. Instead of the ocean they head for the lakes, and one of the more popular places to spend a day at the beach is Lake Zurich.

This 24-mile long lake, which was gouged out by a glacier during the last Ice Age, sits in a densely populated region, surrounded by a beautiful pre-Alpine setting. Although almost a million inhabitants live around the shores of Lake Zurich, a third of the its shoreline is still freely accessible, and residents flock city beach resorts to swim and sunbathe, making the most of the country's short summer season.

Strandbad Mythenquai resort, located in Zurich proper, offers a long stretch of sandy beach complete with diving platform, children's playground, barbecue facilities, boutique, massage, aerobics, volleyball, and a good waterfront restaurant, all framed by the spectacular Alps. Close by, Seebad Enge is another popular lakeside resort that features floating rafts, designated women-only areas, massage, Yoga classes and saunas. There's even a giant Ferris wheel at the resort, which at one time was the tallest in the world. Singapore claimed the title for highest Ferrris wheel in 2008, but Zurich's wheel still provides stunning views across the lake.

Tourist brochures insist that the lake water climbs to 68 degrees in the midst of summer, and that folks actually swim in it, but on the day I strolled along its shores few had ventured into the water. I am, however, willing to give them the benefit of the doubt - it was rather gray and drizzly that day. And even in these less-than-perfect conditions, scores of people were sprawled on lawns and splayed on docks jutting into the lake, as if daring the sun to peek through the cloud cover.