Swimming along the river Tiber could become the newest way to experience the Eternal City, and cool off in the summer, under plans launched by Rome's mayor. Roberto Gualtieri - who will be seeking a second five-year term in office once his current mandate ends next year - has tasked a working group with assessing the Tiber's suitability for swimming, according to a report by La Repubblica newspaper.

Gualtieri has discussed the project in the past but this seems to be the most concrete step so far towards achieving the aim of opening the Tevere to public swimming. Earlier this week Gualtieri broached the topic again at the Festa dell'Unità - an annual event organised by his centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) party - at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.