Turning the temperature down |
While lots of us will have basked in the heatwave last weekend, I’d venture to guess that just as many were thinking of any possible way to escape to sweltering temperatures. I'd always believed I was slightly unusual in that I tend to seek colder climes on my travels: this year’s trips so far have included the icy depths of Greenland, hiking across a Finnish frozen lake in –20C, and an out-of-season Polish beach break. But as the Mediterranean faces another sweltering summer – last year the mercury topped 45C in Spain, sparked wildfires in Turkey and closed tourist sites in Greece – it seems that plenty of holidaymakers are turning away from typical summer holiday beach breaks.
While Scandinavia consistently delivers when it comes to less stifling summers, this year I’m looking to the Baltic – and I’m considering switching shore for the city. My sights are set on Trakai, a little over 25km west of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. This city sits prettily on Lake Galvè, and temperatures hover in the mid-20s even in the depths of summer. Sounds blissful.
|
|
|
Slovenia’s Julian Alps are a magical getaway. Although summers are warm, they're not usually stifling – and if the mercury starts to creep up, you can always cool off in the fairytale Lake Bled, take a dip in the glacial waters of Lake Bohinj or head to the chilly peaks in Triglav National Park.
|
|
|
|
|
Mediterranean islands put most travellers under a magic spell come summer and it's easy to see why. Who doesn't love bathing in the sun on a sandy stretch of coastline as holidaymakers clink cocktails and suncream-slathered kids dip in the sea? While I love a sunny break in the Med, my sticky London flat has had me wanting anything but more heat, so this year I'm swapping the familiar holiday islands for a different kind of archipelago break closer to home – Shetland.
The subarctic islands make up the northernmost part of the UK, and stay very cool with temperatures hovering in the mid-teens. What’s more, Shetland will more than provide when it comes to sunlight, as the sun never truly sets during peak summer. When it does briefly dip for a few hours, a milky glow called "da simmer dim" transforms the landscape before the sun starts to rise again between 3am and 4am.
|
|
|
|
Shetland is known for its roaming ponies and other unique wildlife (Getty Images)
|
|
|
|
With cooler and longer days, Shetland has lots to keep me busy: spotting seabird colonies on a RIB boat, taking midnight walks during simmer dim or braving a swim at St Ninians Beach before hopping into the community sauna. There are plenty more beaches waiting for me too, which I've been told can be crowd-free even in the summer months – including the azure-coloured Meal Beach on West Burra.
While Mediterranean heat is ideal for poolside lulling, it's not so delightful when you want to stretch your legs around the local town or visit a historical site. The cooler climes in Shetland will allow me to pack my itinerary full with walks around the main town of Lerwick, browsing the wool jumpers at Jamieson's Knitwear, before drinking a draught pint of Lerwick Brewery beer at The Lounge Bar while listening to traditional music. That's not before we stop off at Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement for our history fix.
And even if rain showers do appear, I will be happy that I am staying cool this summer at my Shetland retreat.
Read the Travel Desk's recommendations for where to escape the heat in summer 2026
Do you have a favourite "cool" destination? Get in touch and let me know at [email protected]
|
|
|
|
Fancy jetting off to the sun-soaked Canary Islands? British Airways is offering some fantastic deals on week-long holidays this June to Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Deals are based on flights departing from London airports, with travel available on selected dates throughout June 2026. Learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
Explore beautiful Sri Lanka for less with Wendy Wu Tours. Includes flights, accommodation, meals and a range of guided excursions. |
|
|
|
Stay at the highly rated Ibis Bridgwater, just a short drive from the Quantock Hills and a range of stunning beaches. |
|
|
|
Enjoy a full day of canal boating for up to 10 people at a choice of 11 UK locations. |
|
|
|
With the promise of dramatic ocean scenery and quaint coastal villages, this Portuguese walking route is the perfect multi-day hike for first-timers. |
|
|
|
The first-ever Independent Travel Awards have launched this week – and your vote could bag you one of 12 extraordinary prizes. |
|
|
|
Among the juke joints of Clarksdale, Annabel Grossman discovers how the raw, authentic blues of the Mississippi delta is drawing an increasing numbers of visitors |
|
|
Before having my son, I was quite the avid traveller – these days, holidays need a little more planning. I spent time teaching English in China and Thailand, explored much of South East Asia, and even ventured as far as Mongolia.
One of my favourite adventures was a road trip through Africa. My boyfriend at the time and I bought an old Volkswagen Passat in Cape Town (I was assured it was the most reliable car we could find), and drove all the way up to Rwanda to see the gorillas before heading back again. There were definitely some nerve-racking moments, particularly at border crossings, but it was also the thrill of a lifetime, with some truly breathtaking scenery along the way. Aside from the gorillas, highlights included sandboarding in Namibia, driving South Africa’s stunning Garden Route, swimming in Lake Malawi, and braving a tiny plane ride over the Okavango Delta.
Of course, adventures like that require a few travel essentials – a good mosquito repellent, a sturdy rucksack capable of surviving months on the road, a broad-spectrum SPF, and a portable fan for when the heat becomes a little overwhelming.
If your backpacking days are behind you (I still hope I’ll squeeze in another epic adventure one day), this Kono suitcase is what I tend to take on family holidays now, and it has held up brilliantly. It’s currently reduced to just £35 at Amazon.
|
|
|
Join the conversation and follow us |
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email
You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter.
To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.
This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
