Timelapse: Land of the midnight sun

Editor's note: MainSail is CNN's monthly sailing show, exploring the sport of sailing, luxury travel and the latest in design and technology.

(CNN) -- Can you imagine a world where the sun never sets?

For scientists cruising Antarctica in a mammoth 94-meter ship, that's exactly the surreal realm they encountered.

Now their remarkable two-month expedition has been condensed into a haunting time-lapse video, following the floating laboratory as it plowed its way through some of the most brutal conditions on the planet.

"We arrived in summer, mid-February, when there was 24-hour sunlight," Stanford University Ph.D student, Cassandra Brooks, told CNN.

"The sun would move from high in the sky to very low, but would never completely disappear. I didn't get tired until 1.am -- it was very energizing."

'Touching infinity'

Brooks, who is studying international ocean policy, was one of 30 U.S. scientists monitoring Antarctica's unique eco-system, as part of a National Science Foundation research cruise.

The ship wound its way along the stunning Ross Sea -- believed to be the last untouched marine eco-system on the planet -- providing scientists with an important insight into one of our few remaining healthy waterways.

During the summer months, Antarctica -- the southern most tip of the globe -- is transformed into a bewitching "Land of the Midnight Sun," where the sun never dips below the horizon, instead continuously moving in circles.

After more than a week of this extraordinary phenomenon, the team finally saw their first sunset at 1.am -- an experience Brooks described as "like touching infinity."

"Brilliant orange light streamed through the portholes on the starboard side of the ship. I peeled myself away from my microscope, dashed across the room and peered outside to catch the sun blazing down on the horizon," the 33-year-old said.

"The sight took my breath away -- the sky was on fire, turning the ocean a deep purple red. Gusts of wind collided with the wide rolling swells, driving an arc of brilliant pink spray 10 feet into the air."

Life and death

Despite the breathtaking beauty of this icy underworld, conditions could also be brutal with winds of 110 kilometers per hour and temperatures plunging to -40C.

On these extreme days, scientists weren't allowed outside on the deck covered in a slippery -- and dangerous --layer of ice.

"If you fell overboard you'd be dead within minutes because the water is below freezing," said Brooks.

"Yet it's an environment that's also teeming with animals such as emperor penguins and Weddell seals."

Read: Arctic vagabonds -- Family living on polar yacht

Sometimes tightly packed ice up to 10 ft deep threatened to trap the ship -- Brooks admitted on previous expeditions it had been stuck for weeks -- and it was forced to spend hours reversing and ramming its way through.

The adventure was caught on film after Brooks attached a video camera to the bow of the boat -- capturing everything from blazing sunshine to fierce storms.

'Forget Friday night'

For more than two months, the team cruised Antarctica's wild Ross Sea -- more than 5,000 kilometers from the closest country; New Zealand.

Their ship, the Nathaniel B Palmer, became a floating island in itself, equipped with a helicopter hanger, gym, industrial kitchen, library, conference room and laboratory.

Brooks was part of a team measuring plankton in the water and would usually start her experiments at 7.am, working until 8.pm.

Read: Luxury superyacht doubles as science lab

During the summer months, Antarctica's green plankton bloom grows so large it can be seen from outer space.

"We were there to test what happens to all that phytoplankton, which provides a vital source of carbon -- or food -- to the system," Brooks explained.

"Does it sink out to the bottom? Get eaten over the summer? Does it get transported out of the system? Many think that this large source of phytoplankton is the reason why the Ross Sea has such large populations of predators.

"Some people would still be up sampling water until 4.am," she added. "The idea of weekends and normal Friday nights completely disappears."

Spiritual science

For Brooks, the journey was more than just a science expedition -- it was a spiritual experience which gave her a renewed appreciation for mighty mother nature.

"It just grabbed me in a very visceral way," said Brooks.

"It's such an obviously beautiful place but also surreal -- the conditions are so extreme so you're seeing a whole other world you've never seen before."

Many scientists now believe the Ross Sea is the last untouched marine ecosystem in the world.

If Brooks' stunning video is anything to go by, it's also one worth protecting.

Via: Timelapse: Land of the midnight sun

Naked, wet, free: 22 sexy skinny dips

(CNN) -- Bathing naked isn't just for babies.

While the brave might whip off their underwear for an impromptu dip whenever the chance arises, some of us need more reassurance.

That's why we've collated these 22 spots where you can swim the way nature intended, confident that you won't attract too much attention.

Anantara Phuket Villas, Thailand

These luxurious villas -- 83 in total -- come equipped with a private courtyard featuring a sunken pool and complete seclusion, which means you can swim naked without fear of offending guests or staff.

While this kind of skinny dipping lacks the excitement and back-to-nature feel of taking a dip in the wild, there are benefits -- including a hot tub for two, an outdoor shower and a fully stocked mini-bar within arm's reach.

Anantara Phuket Villas, 888 Moo 3 ,Tumbon Mai Khao, Amphur Thalang, Phuket, Thailand; +66 (0) 7633 6100; pool villas start from 13,500 baht ($429) per night, but the website often offers discounts.

Banyan Tree Lijiang, China

High tiled walls mean you can undress with confidence in the pool villas at Banyan Tree Lijiang, 7,900 feet above sea level.

Outside of May to August, when seasonal fields of rhododendrons reach full bloom, expect to raise a few goosebumps while streaking into these heated pools in the shadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and a Himalayan panorama.

Banyan Tree Lijiang, Yuerong Road, Shuhe Gucheng District, Lijiang City Yunnan Province, China; +86 888 533 1111; $618 per night

Black's Beach, La Jolla, California

Black's Beach is reckoned to be the best by the American Association for Nude Recreation. It's a spectacular location below Torrey Pines Golf Course, with a long stretch of sand protected by steep cliffs.

The beach attracts naturists and surfers and is a well-established haven where San Diego's anti-nudity law isn't enforced. The beach has a regular group of fans, known as Black's Beach Bares; their website has useful tips on how to enjoy a day on the beach.

Park for free at the glider port on Torrey Pines Scenic Drive and then walk down a steep trail to the beach.

Black's Beach, 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California

Capella Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Skinny dipping in nature can be laden with unexpected mishaps: Someone could steal your clothes, or you could get leaves and dirt -- even leeches -- stuck in places they don't belong.

Worse, your friends might photograph you and post the evidence on Facebook.

Most of these problems can be avoided with a private plunge pool.

At the southern tip of the Baja California, the Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas has 66 rooms with an ocean view and a pool just for you.

The luxury factor is high, and the privacy makes it perfect.

Capella Pedregal, Camino Del Mar 1, Cabo San Lucas BCS, Mexico; ocean-view room from $375 per night

Carpe Diem, Santorini, Greece

On the slopes of Pyrgos village overlooking Fira, capital of Santorini, this boutique hotel prides itself on the privacy of its 10 suites.

With a private terrace and pool in each apartment, guests can feel free to let their hair down and abandon their swimsuits for an uninhibited swim in the solitude of their own pool.

The hotel has a Turkish bath, which can be booked for private use.

Carpe Diem, Pyrgos 84701 Santorini, Greece; +30 22860 34090; junior suite with private pool from 240 ($333) per night

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Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

With every rattle of a palm frond, it's hard not to wonder what other creatures are taking pleasure in this dense bamboo jungle.

That and the occasional screams of rafters coasting along the Ayung River are the only sounds to intrude upon the privacy of each villa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

All 42 thatched maxi-huts come with an outdoor shower that overlooks the river valley and a plunge pool that releases itself into the jungle's steamy abyss.

Nudists notwithstanding, no one need fear overexposure. Farmers on the opposite bank are nearly naked themselves and too far away to make out the state of play.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Sayan, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia; +62 (361) 97 7577; $680-850 per night

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

Had Robinson set sail with Mrs. Crusoe in tow, he might have gotten lucky and washed up at Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives.

Balanced on stilts above a shallow lagoon, the Robinson Crusoe Residences are the most photogenic over-water villas ever to take the character's name.

With the closest neighbor at least a thousand feet away and no sign of the butler (unless requested), couples are left entirely alone.

You can splash around the Indian Ocean or even snorkel naked.

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives, Lankanfushi Island, North Mal Atoll, Republic of Maldives, +960 664 0304; $1,635 per night

Golden Beach, Northern Cyprus

If you want to feel the sand between your toes and clear blue Med lapping around your face, Golden Beach on Cyprus has some of the best skinny dipping you'll ever encounter.

Clothed beach-goers gravitate to the area around the beach cafe, leaving a good stretch of sand free for anyone who wants to strip down and soak up the sunshine.

Note: This isn't an official nudist beach, so it's best to check who's around first.

Karpaz; take the Karpaz-Anayolu road going northeast to the tip of the peninsula. Golden Beach is on the right

Jerolim Beach, Croatia

Croatia is famed for its FKK (freikrperkultur, or "free body culture") beaches, and the island of Jerolim, the closest of the Pakleni islands to the town of Hvar, is renowned for its unspoiled, rocky shoreline and crystal waters.

It's popular with naturists (as well as non-naturists), who can be found sunning themselves on white rocky outcrops.

For more privacy, get away from the main tourist area, hike through the forest and find a secluded cove. You can also explore the island's coast by boat.

Jerolim Beach; ferries travel regularly from Hvar town on Hvar island

Lady Falls, Brecon Beacons, Powys, Wales

You have to be brave to go skinny dipping in Wales, no matter what time of year it is. Nonetheless, author of "Wild Swim" and skinny dipping connoisseur Kate Rew recommends a remote waterfall in the Brecon Beacons as one of the must-dip places in all of Britain.

Lady Falls (known locally as Sgwd Gwladys) has a mystical feel and is a popular walk for hikers, which means that if you want to feel that cool mountain water on your bare backside, you'll need to be quick and circumspect about it.

Sgwd Gwladys, Brecon Beacons National Park; set off from the Angel Pub in Pontneddfechan, on the road between Neath and Merthyr Tydfil. It's a 4-mile round-trip walk from the pub to the waterfalls.

Little Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Although nude sunbathing isn't permitted in Hawaii, there are some clothing-optional, nude and topless beaches where it's accepted and tolerated -- if not officially.

Little Beach on Maui is a popular, out-of-the-way cove in Makena State Park where visitors often swim, snorkel and lounge like lizards in nothing but their sun-protection cream.

The beach is recommended by the American Association for Nude Recreation.

Little Beach is west of Makena Point in Makena State Park. Travel on the Makena Alanui road and then park inside the state park and walk to Little Beach.

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Marina di Camerota, Campania, Italy

When it comes to nudity, the Italians aren't as liberal as their French neighbors. Naturist beaches are thin on the ground compared with the Cte d'Azur, but that's not to say there isn't a thriving nudist culture.

Although Rome's Capocotta (just south of Ostia) has been a haven for naked bathers (and posers) for several decades, a 300-yard strip of shingle beach near Marina di Camerota, in the Campania region, has been designated naturist-friendly.

On the southern side of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, the clear waters of this quiet coast feel like a stream of fresh air, just where it's needed.

Marina di Camerota is 55 miles south of Salerno and the naturist-designated beach (known as "del Troncone") is south of Cala Finocchiaro; Italian Naturist Federation

Maslin Beach, Adelaide, South Australia

South of Adelaide, Maslin Beach was declared Australia's first legal nudist beach in February 1975. But that's not its only claim to fame.

The beach was also the subject and location of an eponymous film in 1997, telling the story of a group of friends on the beach.

Like other nudist beaches in Australia, Maslin Beach holds an annual Nude Olympics. Events include "best bum" and a three-legged race.

The beach also attracts visitors for its surf and sunsets.

Maslin Beach, City of Onkaparinga, 21 miles southwest of Adelaide

Naked cruising, Cte d'Azur

You can take naked swims in the Mediterranean any time of day or night on a naturist cruise along the Cte d'Azur.

Cruises set off from Marseille and can be planned to suit your interests: If you've always wanted to sail around the Calanques au naturel, this is the holiday for you. All you need to do is persuade a group of family or friends to share the experience.

Croisiere-med; +33 6 81 98 91 13; cruises cost 110 ($152) per person per day and usually last one week

Orient Bay, St. Martin, Caribbean

On the east coast of the island, on the French side, a broad sweep of yellow sand attracts a variety of visitors.

If you walk along the beach from north to southeast, you'll notice people wearing fewer and fewer clothes.

By the time you arrive at the Club Orient resort, even the Speedos and thongs will have disappeared. A naked swim in the Atlantic Ocean is the cure for anyone feeling awkward at disrobing.

Orient Bay is a little less than 4 miles directly east of Marigot, St. Martin, Caribbean

The Pavilions, Thailand

You can roll straight from bed into a deep, 40-foot-by-13-foot infinity pool outside each Andaman Sea-facing villa at Phuket Pavilions.

The motto, "no tan lines, no interruptions," means exactly that for couples yearning for none other than each other.

Stealthy staff deliver service without a sound. That includes poolside massages.

The mini-bar is stocked with Veuve Clicquot champagne and Haagen-Dazs ice cream.

The Pavillions, Phuket, 31/1 Moo 6, Cherngtalay Thalang, Phuket, Thailand; +66 (0) 7631 7600; $629 per night

Praia de Galheta, Santa Catarina, Brazil

About 12 miles south of Florianopolis in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, this white sand beach attracts die-hard naturists and the nude-curious alike.

It's fine to turn up for a skinny dip even if you don't want to spend all day getting your pale bits burned.

Praia de Galheta is a naturally preserved area, with no restaurants or other buildings nearby, so bring lunch.

There's also an archaeological site, and the surf is good. The Association of the Friends of Galheta lobbies and looks out for the interests of nature and naturism on the beach.

Praia de Galheta, Santa Catarina, 12 miles south of Florianopolis, north of Praia Mole

Racquet and Tennis Club, New York, United States

This private members club in the heart of New York is a strange mix of pro-establishment-conservatism with near-Nordic enlightenment.

While its male-only members (women are allowed entry only for special events if accompanied by a male member) include the city's great and ambitious (bankers, lawyers, senior execs), its after-work men-only naked swimming sessions have become legendary.

Much has been conjectured over what really happens during the bare swims. They certainly provide New York's businessmen with an opportunity to think outside the box.

Racquet and Tennis Club, 370 Park Ave., New York

River House, Sri Lanka

Wake up in a pillow-strewn four-poster bed in the River House's east-facing Menik Suite, and you'll be looking at a private plunge pool as the sun rises over coconut palms.

The inland retreat on the Madhu River is three hours' drive south of Colombo's international airport.

From November to March, you and yours can play Adam and Eve around this seven-acre slice of tropical paradise.

The River House, No. 70, Uthamanyana Mawatha, Welagedara, Balapitiya Sri Lanka, +94 11 576 9500-2; $373-485 per night

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Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Maldives

Before exposing delicate skin to sun, guests at Taj Exotica can build up to swimming in the buff with four hot and cold experience showers, and seaside sun beds with Maldivian herbal mud-loving therapists plying their trade.

After being slathered in mud and loosened up on cocktails and exotic fruit snacks, its time to drop the pretense (and bikinis and trunks) and swim with the lion fish and wrasse.

The couple's treatment in the Alepa Suite at the end of a private jetty is as the name of this Taj property suggests: exotic.

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Maldives, South Male Atoll, Maldives; +960 664 2200; $800 per night

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Traditional onsen, Japan

Despite being a massive concrete city, Tokyo has plenty of natural thermal springs.

Among the best is Toshimaen Garden Spa. It has a tranquil setting inside a garden designed by Kenzo Kosugi.

If you want to get even more back to nature, there's Seta Onsen Sanga-no-Yu, where you can contemplate views of Mount Fuji while soaking in the buff.

Toshimaen Garden Spa, 3-25-1 Koyama, Nerima,Tokyo; +81 03 3990 4126

Seta Onsen Sanga-no-Yu, 4-15-30 Seta, Setagaya,Tokyo; +81 03 3707 8228

Trisara, Thailand

At Trisara on Phuket's northwest shore, all 39 villas are well endowed for maximum pleasure.

All-glass French doors open onto a 32-foot-long cerulean plunge pool that appears to drip into the Andaman Sea.

No swimsuits are required, thanks to a profusion of jungle foliage expertly tended by Thai gardeners who turn each of these outdoor playpens into secret sanctuaries.

Piles of plush towels are scattered about the area.

Between diving in and winding down, you can feed your companion from the villa's trays of aphrodisiac chocolate truffles and Thai mangoes.

Trisara, 60/1 Moo 6, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket; +66 76 310100; $600-1,230 per night

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Via: Naked, wet, free: 22 sexy skinny dips

Europe's top spots for surfing

(CNN) -- Ever surfed the cold waves of the North Sea? Paddled through a Sicilian lagoon?

Europe might not be of the same caliber as Hawaii or Bali when it comes to surfing, but it does have incredible spots for those who love hitting the water on a board.

Whether you're into surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding (aka kitesurfing) or the more relaxed standup paddling (SUP), these 12 European destinations will get you wet the right way.

Sylt Island, Germany

This North Sea island at the Danish border has long been a top vacation resort for Germany's upper class.

But it wasn't until the 1960s that surf fanatics discovered it has some of the best waves in Europe.

Today, spas and luxury resorts mingle with surf shops and wild beach parties.

Each year Sylt's Westerland area hosts the world's biggest international windsurf competition, the Windsurf World Cup.

This year's event is set for September 27-October 6.

Despite the cold and frequent rain, an average of more than 200,000 spectators join the 10-day event to watch 140 pros compete in the Super Grand Slam.

Winds are strongest in autumn and spring, but Sylt is a solid spot for novices, who can ride their first waves on the shielded east side of the island.

The area's two main surf schools are Sylt Sunset Beach and Sylt Surfing.

Sardinia, Italy

With strong winds blowing an average of 15 days a month and waves cranking up to five meters, Sardinia attracts surfers and kiteboarders from all over Europe.

Despite being at the heart of the Mediterranean -- a closed sea -- you'll still get to feel open ocean thrills.

On the western coast, along the Sinis Peninsula, surf spots include Capu Mannu's giant granite cliff, home to Italy's first surf school as well as Mini Capo, Putzu Idu, Is Arenas Reef and Is Benas.

In southern Sardinia there are top spots for kitesurfing, which is set to replace windsurfing as an Olympic sport in 2016.

Chia, with its spooky fort, and Cagliari's Poetto Beach, which hosted the kiteboarding world championship in 2012, have excellent facilities, clubs and schools, open all year and for all levels.

Run by Italian windsurf champion Mirco Babini, the Chia Wind Club features a superb entry canal. There's also Tribal Surf, founded by a group of top-class instructors.

From Chia you can easily reach Sardinia's main city, Cagliari, another kitesurfing hotspot. At Poetto Beach you'll find Kite Generation, a school-club currently setting up beach weather forecast stations to give wind riders real-time data.

Specializing in kiteboard lessons, the shop also offers holiday packages that include courses, equipment rental and accommodation.

Amsterdam

With more than 100 kilometers of canals, plus the major Amstel River, which cuts across the city, Amsterdam is a fabulous standup paddling (SUP) destination.

No waves, no wind.

SUP isn't as easy as it looks. You need to find your balance while paddling upright on a board -- referred to as a "boga." It's a tough, total body workout.

Guided tours by locals who know their way around the water vary from one to several hours.

You can paddle through sheep-filled tulip fields, cross through dams and glide under bridges. If you're fit, there's an eight-kilometer excursion to the fortress island of Pampus.

SUP pioneer Morene Dekker has two paddle schools, called M&M SUP. One is in the center of Amsterdam, the other at nearby beach Blijburg. The latter offers "boga yoga" lessons to help newbs find balance and correct posture.

Once a month M&M SUP organizes a Friday Night SUP tour through the city -- a boat and blasting music accompany almost 200 paddlers.

St.Peter-Ording, Germany

Sylt Island is to windsurfing as St. Peter-Ording is to kitesurfing.

Not far from Hamburg, this holiday resort town on the North Sea has one of Europe's widest beaches, a therapeutic climate and constant sea winds, making it a top spot for wind riders.

It's particularly windy in summer, blowing up to 40 knots -- perfect for leaps and acrobatic moves. The town will host this year's Kitesurf World Cup from July 12 to 21.

Competitors perform in three disciplines: freestyle (quick tricks), course racing (high-speed) and air style (action-loaded show).

On the side are concerts, beach parties that last till dawn and other events.

Unlike windsurfing, kitesurfing requires strong winds as opposed to powerful waves. When the sea gets too wild, kite addicts turn to the kite-buggy, a land version of the sport in which the board and waves are substituted for an elongated tricycle and the beach.

Leucate, France

Leucate is located on the southern Mediterranean coast, but the waves here can be as fierce as on the Atlantic side.

Dubbed by locals the city of "wind and slide," it features nine of Europe's best windsurf and kitesurf spots -- both at sea and on the surrounding lagoon, including Coussoules Beach, La Franqui, Le Goulet and Les Pilotis.

Each Easter Leucate hosts "Le Mondial du Vent" (The Wind's World Cup), France's top international competition. Windsurfers compete against kitesurfers and even standup paddlers take part.

Winds here blow 300 days a year and the slightest sea breeze can create miracles when they channel through the dunes.

There's an incredible number of facilities for surfers, ranging from cool beach clubs (La Payote, Sky Fly) to surf schools that also rent gear (Adrenaline Kitesurf, Weshcentercrew)

The wide selection of fully equipped surf shops includes Surf Wear Saint Claire and Surf Shop Neway.

Stagnone Lagoon, Marsala, Sicily, Italy

Located on the southernmost tip of Sicily, Stagnone Lagoon is famous for persistent hot breezes that flow in the summer.

All that air pressure brings in kitesurfers from around the world.

It doesn't hurt that the place is incredibly beautiful. More than 20 square kilometers, the lagoon is surrounded by an archipelago of small islands dotted with ancient saline windmills that separate it from the open sea.

The surf is often flat and winds blow up to 30 knots -- perfect conditions for kitesurfers, who can reach speeds of up to 100 kph.

This year, Marsala's Stagnone will host the Kite-Surf Freestyle World Cup on June 25-30.

Along the lagoon, clubs and schools offer courses, equipment rental and repair service. These include Sicily Kite School and Sicily Kite Lounge.

Avon Beach, Dorset, England

Probably the most trendy windsurfing spot in Great Britain, Avon Beach is located at the mouth of the Avon River in Christchurch harbor.

Part of the attraction is that it's ideal for all levels.

The sand bar is shallow enough to pick up waves (up to four meters) even with a limited swell running beneath.

After storms pass, the spot turns into a magnet for addicts who come for the high waves and break points.

Most of the area's shops rent gear and there are plenty of surf schools (Shoresports and Avonmouth Watersports), where you can find all the essential equipment.

Peniche Peninsula, Portugal

One of the most powerful swells in Portugal is located on the coastline just south of Peniche Peninsula.

Local wave riders have nicknamed the perfect wave here "Supertubos" ("Supertubes"), a fast, barreling tubular wave.

Those supertubos are for advanced surfers with barrel experience.

Due to the quality of the waves, this spot gets busy in the summer.

SBOSurf, a well equipped surfing school and shop, organizes surf safaris to the peninsula's Silver Coast, as well as surfing holiday packages.

Les Culs Nus Beach, Hossegor, France

Les Culs Nus -- "the naked butts" in French -- was originally a nudist beach.

Today, it's a crowded surf hangout tossing out one of the best beach breaks in the Hossegor area, right in front of the Bay of Biscay.

Surfers flock here in winter, when the consistent, powerful five-meter waves break on the exposed Atlantic coast.

Thanks to the fame of Les Culs Nus, the entire Hossegor coastal area has become a surfing microcosm filled with outstanding schools, surf camps and hostels where you'll find everything from equipment to accommodation, food, lessons, surf tours and events.

Located on a long sandy beach within walking distance of the best surf spots, the Koala surf camp is a 13-person guesthouse for traveling surfers who don't mind sharing an open space loft.

Eisbach River, Munich, Germany

Munich authorities have long tried to ban canal surfing in Eisbach's artificial stream, a trend that kicked off in the 1970s and remains a top tourist attraction.

It's tough though, and not just because the "ice brook" ("eisbach" to Germans) is freezing cold.

River surfing is more difficult than any other type of surfing. You've got to surf in place, on a "stationary" wave, trying to keep your balance as water churns beneath you.

Eisbach's swell is the result of fast pumping water pushing at a rate of 20 tons per second, which crashes into a rock and forms a crest.

Just 15 meters wide and five meters deep, only one person can surf at a time on Eisbach's rough, one-meter standing wave.

Surfers wait in line along the banks of the river, which runs through the city's main park.

More than 100 surfers hit the wave each day (even at night) to train for the yearly Munich Surf Open. A testament to Eisbach's quality: Munich continues to produce the best river surfers in the world.

As boards get easily damaged, there's no place to hire one, but you can find surf stores in the center of town. There's Santoloco and Surferspirit, which also give lessons.

Venice, Italy

It's in Venetians' blood: they live on water, travel on water and paddle on water. To them, a SUP boga board is just another style of gondola.

Venice is hot ticket for SUP fans.

Founded by local Eliana Argine, SUP In Venice will take you through the city's maze of canals on a two-hour guided tour across Venice's secret waterways, passing major sites, such as the Church of the Miracles.

The meeting point is a small shop near San Marco Square. Bear in mind it's forbidden to wear swimsuits in Venice away from the beach, so it's best stick to a shirt and surf trousers.

Eliana also organizes honeymoon SUP tours and runs a SUP school out of Venice's Lido, at Pachuka Beach.

On July 7, more than 100 paddlers from all over the world will take part in the Surfin' Venice parade along Canal Grande to San Marco Basin.

Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain

An international winter sun destination -- though not geographically Europe -- we couldn't leave the Canary Islands off our list.

With more than 150 beaches, it's considered Europe's Hawaii: big and dangerous surf guaranteed.

Popular for fast breaking, shallow, hollow reef breaks, if there's a good swell with an offshore wind there are tons of great tubes to ride.

Lying just 90 kilometers from the African Coast, its desert-like scenery offers an exotic kick.

Warm climates all year round make Fuerteventura an ideal location for all levels of surfers.

Professional schools are scattered across the island, founded by surf addicts and instructors, mostly foreigners.

Among these are Flag Beach and Nalu Surf School, which offer accommodation and surf tours.

If you'd rather stay at a surf camp, one of the best on the island is Star Surf Camps Fuerteventura, which features everything you'll need for a complete surf holiday.

Via: Europe's top spots for surfing