Eye on Europe: Heat waves affect European travel

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As we head into mid-August and the peak of Europe’s summer travel season, hot Euro 2022 is showing no sign of slowing down.

As I write this, my home in York, England is baking in sunny and 90 degree weather. one more timeWarm temperatures in London and dry southern England. Across the Channel, record-breaking wildfires are burning in many countries as the continent experiences another round of ridiculously hot and dry conditions.

This winter has seen a series of heatwaves rock the continent, each round setting records (England recorded its highest temperature in July) and triggering a series of head-scratching news stories about drought, heat-intensive infrastructure or the latest. How Swiss Army helicopters are deployed to fetch water for thirsty cows high in the Alps.

So why worry about high temperatures taking you or your client on their next summer trip to the pool?

Too much – no matter how little – the logistics of your trip can be affected by the heat, to put it simply: hot, sweaty and sunburnt Europe is impossible to pass.


The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
Photo: Eiffel Tower in Paris, France (Photo by Europhotos / Dreamstime)

Remember that you’re not coming all this way to sit indoors all day, regardless of the season, so any European trip will naturally include a good amount of city exploring – and sweltering in triple-digit temperatures can seriously sap your energy. And the eagerness to get from point A to point B.

That’s to say nothing of the buzzkill a heat wave can cause visiting outdoor attractions like The Colosseum or standing at the landmark Eiffel Tower.

Sunscreen, hydration, air conditioning (not as ubiquitous as at home, but common in most of southern Europe) and pre-booking attraction tickets can help. Traveling during the “shoulder season” (April – May and September – October) is always a good idea, but I can’t help but wonder if the future will see a surge in bookings for cooler climate European destinations. Especially during the peak of summer.

I also wonder if savvy travel advisors—especially those based in the sunbelt—will start pitching their clients to take “fun” cool-weather getaways to places like Scandinavia, the Baltics, and the northern British Isles. The heat-related dramas described above are – for now – basically unheard of.

If so, here are four destinations to consider.

Where to visit in Europe for cold temperatures

Bergen, Norway

Spend your summer days discovering your favorite fruit or chasing tall waterfalls on this naturally stunning beach. Bergen is an excellent base for sampling Norway’s natural wonders, with average daily high temperatures in July and August of 65° and 66° respectively.


Norway's main news
Waterfront scene in Bergen, Norway. (Photo by Colette)

Denmark

One of the continent’s most populous European cities, Copenhagen, the capital, is a stylish, green, sweet and cool destination. Feast at the world-famous New Nordic restaurants and sit on the docks of the old Nyhavn harbor with a drink in hand while the daily average July and August high temperature is 71°. Then a dreamy Danish island like Eero or Bornholm with its windswept beaches and charming cottages makes you wonder why you never thought of moving to Denmark before.

Scotland


Edinburgh, Scotland, City, UK, United Kingdom
Cityscape of Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Getty Images)

Even when the mercury rises in England and Wales, Scotland often escapes extreme temperatures, with 65° being the average daily high in Edinburgh in both July and August. Soak in the city’s stunning skyline views from Calton Hill before heading to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where the temperature will be even cooler. Don’t worry, if you get a little chilly, there’s always whiskey to warm you up.

Tallinn, Estonia

A fairytale old town full of cobbled streets and church steeples, Tallinn is the Baltic region’s most romantic city. It’s also a hub of hip cafes and shops and great modern restaurants. Oh, and the average daily high temperatures in July and August are 72° and 69°, respectively.



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