Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat
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Most summer vacation plans might start with sun, sea and sand, but not everyone copes well with blistering heat. If that sounds like you, then help is at hand as we round up 10 mild-weather destinations around the world.
Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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BANFF, CANADA: This beautiful resort town is imbued with appealing historic charm, and given that summer temperatures average 22-23°C, visitors stay cool while still enjoying the brightest of blue skies. The Experience: Banff itself can be explored in a day, but it’s also the perfect base for venturing into the surrounding Banff National Park, with spellbinding Moraine Lake and Lake Louise both within an hour or two’s drive.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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CONWY, WALES: Hordes of tourists descend annually on Cornwall in southwest England, yet the rugged north and west coasts of neighbouring Wales are far less crowded, making it an auspicious alternative to consider. The walled mediaeval town of Conwy is a particular highlight, adorned by its UNESCO World Heritage-rated mediaeval castle. The Experience: Use Conwy as a springboard to explore the surrounding region, either into Snowdonia or with a short walk along the Wales Coast Path to Abergwyngregyn. With thermometers rarely rising above 20°C, you may not even work up a sweat.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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COPENHAGEN; DENMARK: If city breaks are more your thing, then ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’ offers an enticing mix of attractions. Its sophisticated, eco-conscious urban cool is matched by temperatures in the low 20s – just warm enough to justify an ice-cold Danish beer by the waterfront or canalside. The Experience: The local københavner live largely outdoors in the summer months, unwinding in the city’s garden parks and taking short trips to coastal hotspots such as Amager Beach Park. Our tip: head north to the quaint town of Humlebæk, and hit the beach after a tour of the acclaimed Louisiana Museum of Art.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND: We guarantee you won’t feel too hot in Scotland’s historic capital, with summer temperatures averaging just 18-19°C – although you may feel crowded by the throngs of tourists eager to soak up the atmosphere during August’s renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Experience: Escape those crowds by combining your visit with trips to Fife or St Andrews (both less than 100km away) or head north to the Scottish Highlands just over 200km away, but well worth the journey.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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FAIRBANKS, ALASKA: Think of cities in Alaska, and many will struggle to get past its largest city, Anchorage, or the state capital, Juneau. However, its second-largest city, Fairbanks, is an increasingly ‘hot’ destination, despite its minimal humidity and temperatures seldom exceeding 23°C. The Experience: Similar to parts of Scandinavia, summer in Fairbanks revolves around its status as a ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’. Use that as an opportunity to spend even more time exploring the majestic landscape surrounding the city, or perhaps enjoy a midnight round of golf. Or, if you want to sample the pioneer spirit, why not spend a night panning for gold? The choice is yours.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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LAUTERBRUNNEN, SWITZERLAND: You may think of Switzerland more as a winter destination, but its beautiful landscape is every bit as stunning in summer. The village of Lauterbrunnen is a good example: as if lush alpine meadows and charming architecture weren’t enough, it also boasts 72 waterfalls in the vicinity and surrounding valley. The Experience: Explore the beauty of the surroundings with a long hike. At just 19°C, the average summer temperature won’t be enough to slow you down, although the region’s tempting cheeses might…
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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LOFOTEN, NORWAY: This extraordinary archipelago beguiles with its landscape, wildlife and history, which includes evidence of human settlement dating back over 11,000 years. There’s even one of the world’s most unusual football pitches, with the Henningsvær Stadium perched on its very own rock islet. The Experience: Lofoten is all about getting closer to nature and wildlife, and whether you’re seal-spotting, eagle-watching or simply kayaking or surfing, you’ll stay cool with summer temperatures averaging around just 16°C – no surprise there, with Lofoten lying partly within the Arctic Circle.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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POTES, SPAIN: While you might associate Spain with soaring summer temperatures, the region of Cantabria is pleasantly warm – only rarely reaching extreme highs. Given the close proximity of mountains, forests and coast, savvy visitors can adjust their preferred environment and temperature simply by changing location hour-to-hour or day-to-day. The Experience: Potes is noted as one of the region’s most beautiful towns, famed for its historic mediaeval centre, and thanks to its location, it’s also a perfect starting point for your Cantabrian adventures. Hitting an average summer temperature of around 24°C, you’ll have plenty of energy left for exploring.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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SAINT-MALO, FRANCE: Most summer tourists in France converge on Paris or head further south to chase the sun, but a visit to Brittany may be a more clement choice, with year-round temperatures generally in the Goldilocks zone – not too hot and not too cold. Brittany also presents visitors with a quite different take on France, given the region’s status as one of the six Celtic nations. Locals in Saint-Malo see themselves not only as French and Breton, but also as Malouin, in honour of their local roots. The Experience: Embrace that local culture through the fine seafood, strolling along the famed Grand Plage, browsing the maze of ruettes (alleys), and discovering the town’s pirate history.
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Staying Cool: 10 Destinations To Beat The Summer Heat.
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SKAFTAFELL, ICELAND: If our list still seems just a little too hot for your cold clime cravings, there’s no need to despair. If you really want it colder, then the Icelandic glacier of Skaftafell should be just what you’re looking for. The Experience: While Skaftafell might impress with its pristine glacial beauty, it can be dangerous for anyone unfamiliar with the natural hazards. If you intend to tour the area, visiting ice caves or perhaps planning a glacier hike, it’s recommended to seek advice and explore the location with a local guide.
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