Travellers ditch beach holidays for stunning 'cooler' locations
As the summer holidays approach, folks are gearing up to flock to sunny coastal resorts or enjoy a UK seaside staycation. But, some are bucking the trend and opting for chillier locales as soon as the British heat kicks in.
The travel scene's seen a real shake-up recently with 'coolcation' destinations gaining steam among Europeans looking to dodge the scorching sun. Google's been ablaze with a whopping 624% surge in searches for these cooler getaways this year.
Inghams Walking has delved deep, scrutinising almost 100 spots across Europe to reveal where the cool crowd will head come 2025.
Inghams Walking's Head of rambling, Laura Mason, chimed in: "While countries like Greece and Spain have offered holidaymakers a chance to soak up the sun and get some much-needed Vitamin D, the heatwaves rippling across Europe in the past couple of years have undoubtedly shifted travellers to alternative travel for their summer breaks.
"Coolcations allow holidaymakers to foster a deeper connection with nature, often prioritising exploring the outdoors and personal wellbeing, and we hope our findings inspire those looking to mix up their typical travel this summer."
Iceland's Akureyri, fondly referred to as the 'Capital of the North', tops the chart as the most popular 'coolcation' hotspot. Inghams experts have revealed a staggering 264.13% surge in interest for Akureyri as travellers seek cooler climes for their summer holidays.
This idyllic city, with its mild summer temperatures of 10-12°C, boasts the northernmost botanical garden in the world, an eye-catching church by the architect of Reykjavik's famed Hallgrímskirkja, and some of Iceland's finest whale-watching excursions," reports the Express.
Tisvilde, known as the 'Danish Riviera', is next on the list, offering tourists the perfect mix of urban exploration and relaxed coastal vibes.
Experts at Inghams extol Tisvilde's virtues: "Tisvilde is rich in culture and has several palaces and castles, charming colourful beach houses, miles of sandy beaches, and restaurants serving fresh catches from the surrounding waters."
With average summer temperatures ranging from 19 to 21°C, Tisvilde provides a warm yet comfortable beach experience, avoiding the intense heat found in more traditional European destinations.
From seaside towns on Iceland's 'Arctic Coast Way' to unspoilt and rugged landscapes in the Scottish Highlands, there are plenty of choices for those looking for the perfectly cool getaway.
Popular 'coolcation' destinations:
Akureyri, Iceland
Tisvilde, Denmark
Nuuk, Greenland
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Lahemaa National Park, Estonia
Lucerne, Switzerland
Malmö, Sweden
Arlberg, Austria
Belgian Riviera, Belgium
Ghent, Belgium
Kraków, Poland
Dolomites, Italy
Glen Coe, Scotland
Montreux, Switzerland
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Galway, Ireland
Bern, Switzerland
Schaan, Liechtenstein
Alpach, Austria
Gdańsk, Poland
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Getting there A number of airlines offer flights to Australia and New Zealand from the UK, as well as onwards to various Pacific islands: Qantas, for instance, has flights from Australian hubs to several Pacific destinations including Norfolk Island, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga; Virgin Australia flies (from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane) to Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji; and Air New Zealand flies from Auckland to Samoa, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Niue and Tonga. Air New Zealand no longer flies from London to Auckland direct, but does code share with the likes of Singapore Airlines. There are no direct flights from Pacific islands to London (you'll need to return to a major hub like Sydney or Auckland first), though Air Tahiti Nui does fly from Papeete (Tahiti's capital) to Paris via Los Angeles. If you want to island hop, Air Tahiti and Air Moana both have multi-island passes, while Air Rarotonga flies from Tahiti to Rarotonga, the largest Cook Island. 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