Our wet travel guide focuses on destinations and events where swimming in clothes is either easy, or encouraged by the social norm, or an absolute necessity. So Asia features more than Coney Island, exciting waterparks more than your overregulated local pool.

Pack your Swimming Clothes

Worldwide, most people normally swim in clothes. Think of India with more population than Europe and America combined. Think of Latin America or Africa. In Southeast Asia, again with a population the size of Europe, it is considered indecent if you go swimming in your skimpy shorts or briefs.

Travel light

Leave your swimming briefs, trunks, thongs or whatever at home. You'll save some weight if you choose clothes that look good on land and in the water. If possible, travel only with carry-on luggage, at least on the outbound journey, and you travel faster. You also avoid trouble with lost or mis-directed bags.

Pack a few T-shirts and a couple of jeans or cargo pants, one for swimming whilst the other dries out. Sports shirts are great for the pool or beach, as well as the mall or restaurant. They dry quickly overnight after an evening swim in the hotel pool. Also bring a tracksuit, a hoodie, an anorak and a poncho. That should be enough to see you through most wet adventures.