Summers in the UK are, traditionally, not scorchers. Temperatures are mild, and frequent interludes of grey clouds and sprinkling showers are not uncommon. Complaints about the heat are usually a classic British knee-jerk response to the weather rather than actual cries of discomfort. This summer, however, which has been one of the hottest on UK record, is set to continue – and perhaps even worsen. If you’re looking for a summer getaway somewhere, that’s not too hot or cold but just right à la Goldilocks, keep reading for the perfect set of options to give you a little relief.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Predicted high for the year: 21°C in August.
If you’re the adventurous type, allow yourself to be swept up in the freezing alpine beauty that is the summit of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Ground-level temperatures are a little bit more reasonable than freezing in the summer, and the gorgeous green grass, mountain flora, and clear blue skies make it a stunning retreat from the British summer heat.
Getting to the town of Chamonix isn’t too much trouble: Geneva airport is about an hour’s drive away and a heavenly place to land. A charter jet is a great option as the scenery is so picturesque that there’s no doubt you’ll want the pilot to circle once or twice before going in for a landing. The road is an easy one in the summer months and the town is just as quaint as you would expect.
Anticipate a busy scene, as Chamonix is a popular mountain getaway in the summer months. Events like the Climbing World Cup, Cosmo Jazz Festival, and Bastille Day bring in a multicoloured cross-section of humanity, all there with the same purpose: appreciating a glass of wine in an Alpine sidewalk cafe, staring at the scenery and doing as little as possible.
Mont Blanc is the tallest mountain in the Alps – but don’t let that scare you. If you do feel like doing some physically stimulating activity and are an experienced hiker or climber, you can reach the summit in around three days. The less intrepid can take a seat on the aerial lift – which takes you from the lovely little town up to the Aiguille du Midi – 3,842m up in the Mont Blanc massifs.
Lofoten Islands- Norway
Predicted high for the year: 16°C in July
Few places in the world can rival the unbridled sense of joy and freedom that one finds in Norway in the summertime. The views in this part of the world are like something out of a mythological story or fairytale: great hunks of grey rock seemingly gouged from the earth and replaced haphazardly in the water, creating glorious fjords. The Lofoten Islands are a truly wild and beautiful summation of this almost unreal country.
Black stone, red walls, bright green moss, and the deep, dark navy waters that surround the Lofoten islands make for a lasting impression on visitors. If you’re hoping for a quieter experience, save your trip until August, when many of the tourists have headed home. There is a lot to see and do on the islands, and almost all of it is outdoors, so be sure you have comfortable hiking boots and walking shoes packed.
Hiking to Kvalvika Beach is well worth the effort and a wonderful time to watch the midnight sun. You may want to book to go fishing, which is one of the mainstays of the local culture and can be done at several locations. You could take it easy, see the sights, and go eagle- watching in Trollfjord, where steep cliffs rise up as high as 1,000m on each side.
Palanga, Lithuania
Predicted high for the year: 21°C in July
Instead of opting for a classic island beach vacation, where you’d likely be chasing the heat rather than escaping it, choose a beach destination for its incredibly mild weather: Palanga, Lithuania. Imagine soft, golden coasts carved out of the land like tantalising, wildly shaped pastries. Imagine bright blue water kissing the shore. Imagine tree-lined streets studded with beautiful, classically Eastern European architecture … because that’s what you’ll find.
Make your way north or south on the beaches to avoid the majority of the tourists and take a dip in the bracing waters to refresh your soul. Once you’ve had your fill of lazing on the sand, throw on a comfortable outfit and take yourself to Curonian Spit National Park, where you can go bird watching, see majestic dunes, and visit lonely lighthouses.
If you need a little rest and relaxation after all that hard work, check in to the Life Balance Spa Hotel and indulge in a muscle-melting massage treatment. After all that, there’s nothing left but to treat yourself to a glass of bubbles and some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat before wandering the warmly lit evening streets in search of further adventure.
Cool Down With a Coolcation
These getaways may not be the usual, run-of-the-mill summer holidays you’ve booked before – but then again, this is no regular, run-of-the-mill summer! Getting away from the worst of the heat while still experiencing as much summer fun as you can is the name of the game at each of these unique and stunning locations.