Coolcation – the new trend
Your guide to summer destinations without the heat
By Dahn
A cool holiday
Today it's May and 20 degrees in Gothenburg, and this is probably the only time we're not thinking about temperatures. But down in Europe, this year's first heatwave is raging, and we know how it is in this new world: increasingly sudden swings between cold and warm. This makes planning the trip a bit trickier.
Of course we can still hike and cycle in southern Europe in perfect temperatures, but more and more often a bit earlier in spring and a bit later in autumn. During the summer half of the year, it's advantageous to look either northward or up in altitude.
In this article, we tell you a bit more about coolcation – cool vacation – and how to find the right destination. There are more than you'd think, and in unexpected places!
Coolcation in Northern Europe
Destinations like the Nordic countries, the British Isles and the Baltic Sea coast are obvious cool destinations. But even the Atlantic coast in northern France and northern Spain are well shielded from extreme heat. This means you can enjoy wine and tapas even during summer without having to hide inside an air-conditioned bar. Don't forget the hidden gems of the Channel Islands either: we have several hiking trips to Jersey, Guernsey and Sark.
So it's not enough to just choose the more northerly parts of France, Germany and Poland. It can absolutely be super pleasant in Champagne and Alsace, and in Masuria a refreshing lake swim is never far away, but it's near the coasts that the climate becomes mildest. This actually works all the way down to Spain, where Atlantic landscapes like Galicia (see picture) and Asturias become pleasant thanks to nature's own air conditioning: the great oceans.
It's safest of all in Norway, Scotland, Ireland and most of England (e.g. the popular coastal path in Cornwall).
Cool trips up north
Coolcation in the Alps
Southern Europe also has cool summer destinations – but then we need to go up in altitude. It's fortunate then that the Alps offer some of the most beautiful settings for hiking and cycling on our entire continent. Many hikes take place at 1500-2500 meters above sea level, and here it's often "Swedish summer" conditions. Down in the valleys it can heat up in July and August, but by then the day's tour is already over.
The stately Dolomites, the great mountains around Mont Blanc and Valle d'Aosta, or the untouched gems of Piedmont – and not to forget Austria and Slovenia's Julian Alps. All of them are brilliant destinations from June through September.
Epic's world doesn't end there. Cool heights can also be found in Georgia (Svaneti and Kazbegi). The sun shines, but the altitude keeps daytime temperatures pleasant even in the middle of summer, often with delightfully cool nights for a good night's sleep.
Cool trips closer to the sky
All our Coolcations
To help you, we've gathered all the destinations on this page.
When it heats up
If you should still happen to encounter unusually high temperatures on your hiking trip or cycling trip, there are ways to handle it. Some tips:
- Set off earlier in the morning and finish before the afternoon heat sets in
- Slow down the pace, take more breaks, and drink more water than you think you need
- Always wear a cap or sun hat – your own "shade tree" makes a big difference
- Bring swimwear if there's a chance to cool off in water along the way
- Give it a couple of days. The body adjusts
- Ask the hotel to book a taxi to skip a stage – no shame in that when the mercury shoots up!
Good luck choosing your destination, and take it easy out there!
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