We just lived through the hottest year since recordkeeping began more than a century ago, but it’s unlikely that 2023 will stand out as the pinnacle of extreme heat for the foreseeable future. Our climate is changing, and our weather is changing with it. It's very possible this year may turn out to be hotter still.
In March, scientists from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service said February 2024 was the hottest February according to records that stretch back to 1940. The news came on the heels of their report in early January that, as expected, 2023 was the hottest year on record. Temperatures closed in on the critical 1.5-degree Celsius rise above preindustrial levels, after which we will see irreversible damage to the planet. These aren't freak outliers: The extreme heat we're experiencing is something we'll need to be prepared to deal with on a much more regular basis, along with storms, floods, and drought.
It's still spring but hundreds of millions of people across South and Southeast Asia have already faced scorching hot temperatures. The summer heat has arrived early, setting records and it's expected to get much worse through May and June as summer actually begins. Several parts of India recorded maximum temperatures over 110F (43) last month. On April 21, people in the eastern city of Bhagdora sweltered as the mercury touched 114.8 degrees.
Authorities in neighboring Bangladesh were forced to close all schools twice over the last two weeks amid the heat wave, and temperatures soared to nearly 110F (43). Several areas in Myanmar have recorded record high temperatures around 115F (46C), with a much higher heat index. The heat Index is a measure of what the temperature actually feels like, taking into account humidity, wind speed, and other factors. The heat wave conditions have been brutal in Southeast Asia, too. In the Philippines, authorities closed thousands of schools as vast areas of the country experienced drought and temperatures up to 111F (44C) - unprecedented for the region in early April.
In Thailand, authorities have urged people to remain indoors when possible, with 30 deaths already blamed on heat stroke this year. In the capital Bangkok, authorities said the heat index Thursday was an "extremely dangerous" 125.6F (52C). In Vietnam, where temperatures passed the 111F (44C) mark, the national weather agency warned of the risk of forest fires, dehydration, and heat stroke.
"Thousands of records are being brutalized all over Asia, which is by far the most extreme event in world climatic history," weather historian Maximiliano Herrera said in a social media post last week.
In the USA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released its seasonal temperature outlook with predictions for June, July and August. That outlook shows the majority of the U.S. likely seeing above-normal temperatures this summer. At least 20 states, including Washington, Texas, Colorado and almost the entire Northeast, are most likely to experience the out-of-normal heat. Only one small section of one state, southwest Alaska, is expected to have below-normal temperatures.
The NOAA says temperatures are expected to be hotter than average “across almost all of the contiguous United States,” with some areas, including the Great Plains, the Midwest, southeastern New Mexico, and western Texas likely experiencing the worst. If the trend of record-breaking heat continues, this summer could not only be extremely hot – but extremely dangerous.
Well, that’s all certainly heart “warming” news indeed. Taking all that into consideration, the burning question that comes to mind is, when it’s so hot out there, where to go on a holiday? (This week’s blog post is about travel after all).
We thought that, with chasing the scorching sun on the backburner, instead of focusing on just one destination we’d give you a selection to choose from. So here are a listing of some cool (and we mean that in both the literal and figurative senses) European places to choose from that will, hopefully, bring a cool breath of fresh air to your summer holidays.
Oslo, Norway: Avg high June - Sept: 17C (64F) / Avg low June - Sept: 13C (54F)
The Norwegian capital sits on the country’s southern coast at the head of the Oslofjord.
It’s known for its green spaces and museums including the waterside Norwegian Maritime Museum, Munch Museuam, and the Viking Ship Museum, with Viking ships from the 9th century. The Holmenkollbakken is a ski-jumping hill with panoramic views of the fjord along with a ski museum. Oslo is a tangle of hip districts – specifically buzzy Grunerlokka - boutique stores and al fresco dining spots fringed by the thick Marka forest (where you can go for active pursuits, including zip lining and mountain biking). Taking a dip in seawater pools and drying off in Nordic saunas nails the R&R element of a standard summer holiday. And be sure to have some smalahove while you’re there!
Just remember that the dish – made from sheep’s head – must be ordered with a couple of days notice.
Ostend, Belgium: Avg high June - Sept: 17C (64F) / Avg low June - Sept: 14C (56F)
Though best known for its chocolate, beer and the hub of EU democracy that is Brussels, it would be foolish to give the cold shoulder to Belgium’s beach resorts. Let Flanders’s largest, Ostend, sweep you away to its golden sands this summer for mornings spent kitesurfing and afternoons filled with fresh oysters on the Albert I Promenade – all without the need to retreat from the heat.
Ostend is known for its long beach and promenade. Docked in the marina, the Mercator is a 3-masted 1930s ship that now acts as a floating museum. The neo-Gothic–style Church of St. Peter and St. Paul has soaring spires and distinctive stained-glass windows. Near the harbor, Fort Napoleon is a 5-sided fortification built in 1811. And, from late June to September you can experience the Zandsculpturenfestival! 40 artists from 12 different nations contribute sand sculptures to an extraordinary outdoor gallery on the beach.
Tartu, Estonia: Avg high June - Sept: 17C (64F) / Avg low June - Sept: 13C (54F)
Inevitably laden with sweaty vista climbs, winding refreshment queues and daily step tallies in the thousands, comfort is key on a city break, and the 2024 Capital of Culture, Tartu has just the climate for exploring eastern Estonia. Awarded the accolade of European Capital of Culture for 2024, Tartu is known for the prestigious, 17th-century University of Tartu. The old town centers on the university’s neoclassical main building, and the cafe-filled Town Hall Square, home to the Kissing Students fountain.
Sometime this summer Tartu will be hosting a mass kissing event in the square. The date of the event has not yet been announced, but will see “unprecedented simultaneous kissing action” to the soundtrack of Eurovision songs as a celebration of “openness, humanity and respect,” according to organizers. We’re giving this one two-thumbs-up!!
Sopot, Poland: Avg high June - Sept: 18C (65F) / Avg low June - Sept: 14C (56F)
Sopot is a town on the Baltic Sea in northern Poland. Along with neighboring cities Gdynia and Gdańsk, it forms the so-called Tri-City metropolitan area. Sopot, located in the “Baltic Riviera” is an affordable alternative to the big names further south and at its warmest come August.
Known for its health spas, 4km of sandy beaches, and Europe’s longest wooden pier that extends into the Bay of Gdańsk. The Crooked House is a surreal building modeled on fairy-tale illustrations.
It's on Sopot’s pedestrian-only main street, Monciak, also called Monte Cassino. Locals rave about Sopot for its beachfront nightlife scene and, of course, decadent waffles.
Lake Bled, Slovenia: Avg high June - Sept: 25C (77F) / Avg low June - Sept: 14C (56F)
Slovenia’s most famous attraction sparkles under the summer sun and Lake Bled’s inviting turquoise glacial waters will help you keep your cool on climbs up to the medieval Bled Castle and romantic rows around the fantasy island.
While the legendary lakes of Garda and Como sweat with crowds in Italy, Bled’s slice of the Julian Alps, though inevitably busy, offers forest trails suited for secluded alpine hikes. And you won’t want to miss the Museum of Apiculture, which houses the country’s largest collection of painted beehive panels.
Sylt, Germany: Avg high June - Sept: 25C (77F) / Avg low June - Sept: 14C (56F)
A magnet for the German elite, the North Frisian Islands’ mild microclimate, pinstriped strandkorbs (hooded wicker seats wide enough for two),
and pristine pale sands understandably attract travelers to Sylt’s west coast. Known as the Martha’s Vineyard of Germany, Sylt is famous for its long beaches, resorts, thatched roof houses, and the Wadden Sea mudflat.
With a Michelin-rosette gastronomy scene, Germany’s northernmost vineyard, and lighthouse-scattered peninsulas makes this balmy under-the-radar beach break one to add to your list.
Machico, Madeira: Avg high June - Sept: 21C (69F) / Avg low June - Sept: 18C (65F)
Leave the scorching Algarve for a more temperate Atlantic alternative on Portugal’s Madeira archipelago. Sandwiched between mountains, far east Machico – Madeira’s second-largest city – is a coastal beach resort nestled within lush mountains and natural wonders.
It’s home to one of the very few golden sand beaches in the country (with golden grains imported from Africa), well-groomed gardens, and a vision of terracotta roofs dotting its landscape.
Pori, Finland: Avg high June - Sept: 16C (61F) / Avg low June - Sept: 13C (55F)
On Finland’s west coast, the city of Pori is a center for jazz music (the Pori Jazz Festival has been an annual event since 1966), Finnish street eats (including porilainen, an elevated sausage sandwich), and, the star of Scandinavia, Yyteri Beach: 6km of white sand geared for windsurfing, bird watching, beach volleyball, and barbecues. With the Kokemäenjoki River and Bothnian Sea National Park, this diverse destination has mastered sub-30C summer culture.
Haarlem, Netherlands: Avg high June - Sept: 19C (66F) / Avg low June - Sept: 15C (59F)
Head to Haarlem for tulips, beers, hidden hofie’s (almshouses built around leafy courtyards), and a fair share of canals. Located in the northwest Netherlands, Haarlem was once a major North Sea trading port. Surrounded by a defensive wall, it retains its medieval character of cobblestone streets and gabled houses.
Amsterdam’s less-crowded neighbor serves a slice of Dutch cool without the sweaty shoulder brushes with strangers. It has a popular shopping scene as well as a brewing culture dating back to the 14th century. It's the center of a major flower-bulb-growing district and is famous for its outlying tulip fields and art museums.
La Gomera, Canary Islands: Avg high June - Sept: 28C (82) / Avg low June - Sept: 21C (70F)
While mainland Spain sizzles, an Atlantic onshore breeze blows through the Canary Islands, making balmy year-round La Gomera an inviting destination for holidaymakers to indulge in hiking, black-sand bathing, and foodie feasts of melon lobster and marmalade rabbit.
La Gomera, the second smallest of the main islands in Spain’s Canary Island chain, is marked by craggy volcanic mountains crisscrossed with hiking trails. In higher altitudes, dense forests of ferns and moss-covered trees grow in the mists of Garajonay National Park. Toward the coast, the Valle Gran Rey canyon leads past the whitewashed cliffside village of La Calera and ends at black-sand Atlantic beaches. The bearable heat doesn’t sacrifice sunshine, with around nine hours of vitamin D on offer in August.
As we stare down the barrel of what could very well be another scorching summer, it's hard to ignore the glaring truth of our changing climate. With temperatures on a relentless upward trajectory, the heatwaves gripping regions from South Asia to the United States are not merely aberrations but harbingers of a new normal. The consequences of this warming are stark: from closed schools to deadly heat strokes, the toll is palpable. The urgency to confront these realities couldn't be clearer. Yet, amidst the sweltering heat, there's a glimmer of hope — a chance to pause, recalibrate, and perhaps even find solace where the air is still crisp and the breeze whispers of respite.
Enter our roster of European escapes, where there is still a chance to flee the inferno and seek solace in the cool tranquility of distant shores. From the rugged beauty of Norway's Oslo to the tranquil shores of Slovenia's Lake Bled, each destination offers a sanctuary from the oppressive heatwaves. But this isn't just about escaping the heat; it's about embracing a different narrative, one that speaks to the urgency of climate action. As we sip chilled drinks on the beaches of Ostend or wander the cobblestone streets of Haarlem, let's not forget the stark reality awaiting us beyond these idyllic landscapes.
In the face of unprecedented heat, our choices matter more than ever. So, as we plan our summer getaways, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. Let's choose destinations that not only offer a good break but also inspire us to confront the climate crisis head-on. Because in the end, it's not just about finding cool places to travel to - it's about forging a path towards a future where our planet may yet find salvation.
We leave you with this song by one of the coolest singers of all time singing about cooler times.
Wow, that is two weeks of depressing stats! You do know that MAGA land believes it’s all bogus!
It’s just a bunch of nonsense! Ted Cruz says that the freeze in Texas for the last years prove it!
Okay so your stats are fact based, but let’s not allow facts to get in the way of a good story. So all those places to stay cool, sound great because our heat and humidity are sometimes oppressive.
Hmmmm Sounds like you might want to head north because you are definitely in the hot zone!
Next week, how about some fun news!
Keep on writing!!’