Holidaymakers to Turkey, Spain, Greece and Cyprus in Foreign Office warning
Those heading to the popular hotspots have been told to be aware and to take care.
With the school holidays here, thousands of families will be preparing to jet off to sunnier climes. But they have been issued a stark warning over the current temperatures in favoured destinations.
The Foreign Office has issued advice for those heading to Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus ahead of peak summer holiday season as a heatwave sweeps across Europe. And even northern Europe is experiencing high temperatures which will affect those travelling to France.
In southern Europe the scorching temperatures are already causing issues with wildfires and local evacuations.
In Chios, Greece, locals have been moved out after fires over the weekend.
Portugal has recently recorded it's highest temperature this year of 40.5C and in Spain there have already been temperatures of 42C, reports the Mirror.
And the French national weather agency, Meteo France, has echoed these warnings, cautioning that the high temperatures put "everyone at risk, even healthy people."
On its website, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has warned about extreme heat in four countries, including in Greece, where nighttime temperatures are above 30C in large parts of the country.
The FCDO has also issued heat-related warnings for Turkey, Cyprus and Spain:
Greece: "Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.
"Take extra care when planning a hike or walk, especially during higher temperatures than you are used to. Trails often lack shade and the quality of route markings can vary.
"Do not light fires as it is both dangerous and illegal due to the high risk of wildfires."
Turkey: "Extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Turkey over the summer months. Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer."
Cyprus: "The Department of Meteorology of Cyprus issues warnings for severe weather, especially during summer. Weather can sometimes cause travel disruption."
Spain: "Temperatures in some parts of Spain can change very quickly. Take extra care when planning a hike or walk. Check local weather reports for warnings of extreme heat or cold temperatures."
Bas Amelung, Wageningen University environmental systems analysis professor, said that popular holiday destinations loved by Brits could become unbearably hot in summers to come and could change the tourist landscape for places like Spain, Greece and Turkey among others.
He said: "Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional 'sun and sand' summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer.
"People take decisions based on their perceptions," Amelung further explains. "So if a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be 'too hot', they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season."
In Chios, the government declared a state of emergency following the outbreak of the fires on Sunday, leading to several villages being evacuated.
As of Tuesday, the wildfires are still raging, with hundreds of firefighters, aided by aircraft, tackling multiple blazes.
The fires have caused significant disruption, including power cuts, water shortages, and property damage.
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'By the time I did get involved, I'd made some connections with people, so I was more relaxed. My first experience was a soft swap. My first full swap was the next time we went to a club. 'A soft swap might mean switching partners, but not having full sex. It might involve kissing, or foreplay. 'A full swap is having sex with them. It's like experimenting, but with other people. It opens you up to a new world of different experiences.' I'm more of a voyeur – I'll be in among the fun. I like being in the vibe Katie Katie says the word swinging is now considered old-fashioned and those involved in the lifestyle call it ethical non monogamy – ENM. After splitting with her partner, she met her current boyfriend, Steffan, through the scene six years ago. About a year later, they took off to Cap d'Agde after learning about it from friends on the scene. 'The first time I went, it opened my eyes even wider,' says Katie. 'There's all sorts of stuff going on. You've got adults playing freely, having sex on the beach and in the sea. Some couples like to stand on the sidelines, enjoying the voyeuristic side where you watch others enjoying themselves.' Voyeurism is Katie's particular thing. 'There might be a handful of people I'll interact with, kissing or dancing,' she says. 'But I'm more of a voyeur – I'll be in among the fun. I like being in the vibe.' 'Freedom and empowerment' Katie and Steffan loved their first experience so much that they have returned every other year since. You could call it a swingers' pilgrimage. Katie says that contrary to what appearances might suggest, Cap d'Agde is not a free-for-all. Well, not most of the time. 'Everything is about consent and respect,' she explains 'When you go to Cap d'Agde, you'll be on one of the lifestylers [swingers] apps, such as one called Wyylde. If you have a profile, you explain what you're looking for, there is a conversation, then you meet. 'For single guys and adventurous couples, you could have over 10 interactions, from soft swaps to full sex, in a day.' Interacting with complete strangers is not unusual. 'If you're on the beach, for example, people might start to watch. You might say, 'Do you want to join us?' and there's the joy of the spontaneous situation. 'But there's always consent. There's no pressure. You do get people you're not interested in making approaches, but you can politely decline.' One of the curious things about Cap d'Agde is that while all this sex and wild abandon is going on, parents with kids might be eating picnics and building sandcastles just metres along the coast. 'There are families on a different part of the beach,' says Katie. My parents' initial reaction was that they wanted to make sure I was OK and it wasn't something I was being forced into Katie 'And Cap d'Agde was a naturist village 20 to 30 years ago, before swingers started going there. So you'll see naturists walking about, who are not there for sex.' Surprisingly, Katie claims she doesn't get jealous when she sees Steffan having fun with other women. 'No, actually I find there's less jealousy,' she says. "It's about sex positivity, freedom and empowerment. It can strengthen your relationship.' Katie believes swinging has 'skyrocketed' in recent years. 'From our research on Google, it's around five per cent and growing. It's opening up in the mainstream,' she says. "Most of my friends are now in the lifestyle. We told them and they were interested to see what it was all about. People questioning the standard monogamous relationship structures. 'There are ENM clubs across the UK, and events at mansions. From our research, 30 to 60 years old is the main age group, but the 20 to 30 age group is growing.' What is Swinging? SWINGING, also known as partner swapping, is a sexual activity where partners in a committed relationship engage in sexual activities with other people. All parties involved must give explicit and enthusiastic consent. Open and honest communication between partners is crucial. Many swingers engage with a community or attend events specifically for swinging. Such activity can enhance intimacy and trust within the primary relationship. It provides an opportunity to explore sexual fantasies and desires. But it is not suitable for every relationship and requires a strong foundation of trust. Jealousy and emotional challenges may arise and need to be managed. While Katie wishes her identity to remain unknown to the wider world, her friends and family know her secret. 'My parents' initial reaction was that they wanted to make sure I was OK and it wasn't something I was being forced into,' she says. 'But they're fine with it because they know I'm fine with it. Family members find it interesting – they're all very inquisitive.' Katie and Steffan recently started a family. Their baby son is just four months old, so they won't be heading out to Cap d'Agde this summer. Being a new mum, my attention is on the little one now Katie 'Being a new mum, my attention is on the little one now,' says Katie. 'But I'll definitely be going back at some point. My family will be able to look after my son.' Despite the demands of motherhood, Katie says she's very much still part of the 'lifestyle'. She and Steffan recently set up a website, Playful Pineapple, aimed at improving the experiences of swingers. 'Playful Pineapple is a destination for people in the lifestyle. The online experience was dated,' says Katie. 'You get a lot of fake profiles on websites. We want to make it safe, so people know they're talking to a real person, a social networking space for the lifestyle. 'On our website, you've got profiles, what you're looking for in lifestyling, what your travel plans are, where you might be heading. It's a safe environment.' The logo is an upside down pineapple – a swingers' symbol. 'Upside down pineapple cake, that was the essence of offering, of hospitality, in countries like Hawaii,' says Katie. Now you get necklaces, earrings and so on, to showcase the lifestyle.' Pineapples are used as a secret sign to other prospective swingers. At Cap d'Agde, however, there's no need for pineapples or any other secret sign. When you hit the beach, there's not a chance of mistaking what it's all about.
