The school summer holidays have begun, and families are planning getaways. However, wildfires are tearing through popular Mediterranean destinations, potentially disrupting plans. Regions of France, Spain, and Italy have been severely impacted, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in some areas.
Cooler Alternatives in Scandinavia
Travel specialists are pointing UK holidaymakers towards cooler northern destinations. Many experts recommend Norway and Scandinavia due to milder temperatures. Norway offers stunning views and is easily reached from the UK with direct flights from numerous British airports.
Expert Recommendations
Emily Grossman, travel expert at TrustedHousesitters, said: "For holiday travellers still weighing up their plans, it's worth considering destinations less exposed to extreme heat and drought. We're already seeing cooler summer climate choices reflected in TrustedHousesitters' booking data. House-sitting stays in Norway up nearly 30% year-on-year, and Denmark is up over 24%."
Jacqueline Mondelli, of travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth, added: "Similar to last summer, we're seeing coolcations draw travellers away from the traditional European hotspots like Italy, France, and Spain, in lieu of cooler climates and outdoor adventures."
France's president Emmanuel Macron called the situation the nation's worst wildfire crisis since World War Two. Fires are also raging across Spain, Portugal, Sicily, and southern Italy.
Alicia Hempstead, travel insurance expert at MoneySupermarket.com, said: "As wildfires are unpredictable and can arise at any moment, especially during periods of extreme heat, it's difficult to say where people should choose instead. However, the safest approach would be to choose destinations that are less prone to extreme heat, for example, countries in Scandinavia such as Denmark or Sweden."
Tim Gunstone, from HotelPlanner, remarked: "Tourists are choosing cooler European destinations and to travel to the hottest destinations in October rather than August. The biggest winner has been Scandinavia. This has seen August bookings grow by a massive 120%."
Bryce Collins, founder of INTRO Travel, commented: "If you're set on Europe, head north. The nordics rarely see the extremes, and anywhere on a coast or a big lake stays cooler, there's something calming about having all that water around."
