Hot, hot, hot - summer in Europe

Talk about a hot summer! With temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius in Italy and Spain, Europe has been hit by a heat wave, and people are looking for ways to cool off. The Swedes, for instance, have headed to the country's 90,000 lakes. And those who want to dive into Helgasjön Lake in Växjö in southern Sweden need a bit of courage - the diving platform is 10 meters high.

On hot days like these, Berliners head to Wannsee, a popular lake with a historic beach. The lake often attracts more than 10,000 sun bathers and swimmers and has been doing that for more than 100 years. The only problem is to find a quiet spot on the beach on crowded days.

These young men doing somersaults obviously have too much energy to just lie in the sun. Trocadero Square in front of the Eiffel Tower is a particularly popular spot for performing acrobatic stunts on hot days. But be careful….

Italy is known for its scenic coasts but there are plenty of nice places to cool off in the Eternal City as well. This young girl is mesmerized by the array of water jets at a fountain in Rome. Italy has been baking in recent weeks from the "Charon" heat wave that has come from Africa.

Shade is the order of the day for those who can't deal with hot temperatures, even for those city dwellers who want to enjoy their balconies in Berlin. Sun umbrellas have sprouted in many of the city's highrises.

A designer in Belgrade has come up with an original idea for offering sun protection on one of the city's busiest streets - a canopy of colorful umbrellas. Serbia's capital has become a popular party destination in recent years. Many clubs and discos are located directly on the Danube and Sava rivers.

Animals in the Belgrade Zoo have also been struggling with the high temperatures. This elephant is clearly enjoying being hosed down in a stream of water. Like people, animals have natural ways to keep cool. Elephants, for instance, waggle their ears to lower their body temperature.

Horse-drawn carriages are a Viennese landmark but also the cause of an ongoing dispute this summer. Animal rights activists are demanding a ban on the tourist attraction during the tropical temperatures - but so far without any success. Instead the horses are being hosed down on Stephan's Square - after which they head out once more.

Unlike the horses pulling carriages in Vienna, this horse is enjoying swimming in the Arges River near Bucharest. And so, probably, is his rider.

Firefighters have been on constant call. The heat wave is drying up forests in southern Europe. There is a serious risk of forest fires in the region. Helicopters are being used to drop water, such as in Vallirana near Barcelona. Many forests in Spain and Greece are in danger.