In response to the well-worn question, "How hot is it?" according to preliminary data from climate change experts, Sunday, 21JUL was recorded as the hottest day ever. Wildfires are once again burning in British Columbia, and tourists are feeling the heat in Europe.
As summer heat waves increase in intensity, travellers are looking at cooler destinations for their summer holidays.
Erin Florio, executive editor of Conde Nast Traveler, recently told CBS News that North Americans are increasingly booking trips to Canada and northern Europe to escape the heat.
According to a 2023 report by the World Travel & Tourism Council, there has been a 25% rise in bookings for cool-weather destinations compared to previous years.
Misty Belles, spokeswoman for Virtuoso, recently told Bloomberg News that Scandinavia is “having a moment.” Belles said Sweden has seen a 47% bump in bookings, while Italy bookings are up just 3%.
“A coolcation is one of the newer post-Covid travel trends — people seeking out cooler-climate vacation spots, especially during the warmer summer months,” Gabe Saglie, a senior editor at Travelzoo, told the Huffington Post. “Some popular travel destinations are seeing rising temps, making them too hot for comfort for some, so heading to alternative places that see more pleasant daytime temps is gaining in appeal.”
Here are 10 suggestions for a great “coolcation.”
Cornwall, England
Delightful coastal villages such as Mousehole and St. Ives, as well as famous sights like Tintagel Castle and the truly remarkable Minack Theatre, make the southwestern corner of England a delightful place to visit. Average daytime high temperature in July: 19C
Hobart, Tasmania
It’s winter Down Under, which means cooler temperatures and fewer visitors. Hobart is a wonderful city with excellent hotels such as The Tasman, great restaurants, and MONA, the wild and sometimes wacky Museum of Old and New Art. Average daytime high temperature in July: 12C
San Francisco
The City by the Bay keeps cool in summer due to coastal fog. Take a ride on the city’s famous cable cars, grab a meal at one of the delicious food spots at the Ferry Building, or take a boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge. Average daytime high temperature in July: 21C
Stockholm, Sweden
It is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with brilliant waterways surrounding 14 islands. Try a picnic in the park, tour the Old Town and explore the maritime wonders of the Vasa Museum. Average daytime high temperature in July: 21C
Akaroa, New Zealand
This is a small city east of Christchurch that was briefly settled by the French. You’ll still see the odd French sign and boulangerie in town. The coast is gorgeous, and the bay is home to tiny Hector’s Dolphins, said to be the smallest and most rare in the world. Average daytime high temperature in July: 11C
Dawson City, Yukon
This once rough-and-tumble Gold Rush town is a compact marvel with fun shops and tons of colourful history. Take a tour of Jack London’s cabin, try a Klondike Spirit riverboat ride, and head to the Sourdough Saloon to try the Sourtoe Cocktail, which contains an actual human toe that you have to allow to touch your lips. Yours truly has tried it twice, with certificates to prove it. Average daytime high temperature in July: 22C
Edinburgh, Scotland
One of the world’s great cities, with majestic architecture, wonderful shopping and fabulous history. Take a tour of the Edinburgh Castle, sip whisky samples at the Johnnie Walker Experience, and bed down at the opulent Balmoral Hotel. Average daytime high temperature in July: 18C
Santiago, Chile
This is a busy city with wondrous colonial buildings and lively street art. It’s only a short drive (as little as 30 minutes) to the fabulous wineries of the Maipo Valley. Santiago is also a great jumping-off point for a visit to the majestic Torres del Paine National Park. Average daytime high temperature in July: 15C
Reykjavik, Iceland
This city has fine museums that trace the island nation’s Viking history. Head to the top of the Hallgrimskirkja church for sweeping views of the sea and the nearby hills, then spend the afternoon soaking in the nearby Blue Lagoon Spa, a famous geothermal pool. Average daytime high temperature in July: 11C
Cape Town, South Africa
Perhaps the world’s most beautiful city setting, Cape Town, is delightfully comfortable in the winter. Take a gondola to the top of Table Mountain for exquisite views, sample the beaches, visit Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island, and head down the coast to check out the penguins at Boulder Beach. Average daytime high temperature in July: 17C
