Zeeland: The Netherlands' Best-Kept Secret
Chris Oberman, author of the Moving Jack travel blog, recommends Zeeland, the southwestern coastal province of the Netherlands. While southern Europe bakes at 35-40°C, Zeeland stays around 25°C in July and August thanks to cool North Sea winds. It boasts the longest coastline in the Netherlands, with wide sandy beaches at Domburg and Renesse that rarely feel crowded. Visitors can cycle on dikes, enjoy fresh Zeeland mussels and oysters, and explore medieval streets in Veere and Middelburg.
Lithuania's White Sand Coast
Lucy Daltroff, a travel writer with 18 years of experience, praises Lithuania's Baltic coast. Summer temperatures reach a pleasant 23°C, attracting local crowds but still offering quiet spots on the sand. Direct flights from the UK to Palanga start from £88 return. Daltroff describes it as wonderfully underrated, with inviting beaches, beautiful nature, and consistently good food.
Normandy's Historic Beaches and Alpine Retreats
Brandon Shaw, COO and co-founder of The Tour Guy, suggests Normandy's D-Day Beaches, where summer temperatures typically peak around 24°C. The area offers natural wonders like the iconic chalk arches and white cliffs at Étretat, plus belle-époque boardwalks. Alternatively, Chamonix sees pleasant highs of about 19°C, with cool mountain air, hiking, and cable cars to glacier views. Shaw calls it a genuine break from the heat rather than a milder version.
Andorra: High in the Pyrenees
Alex Andreichuk, CEO of Altezza Travel, recommends Andorra for its high altitude in the Pyrenees, creating a natural cooling effect. Day temperatures in July and August range from 24-28°C, with nighttime lows around 14°C. It's perfect for hiking, cycling, and outdoor adventures, and is less crowded and more affordable than Alpine hotspots. Must-visits include Mirador Roc del Quer, Tristaina Lakes, and the old streets of Andorra la Vella.
Norway's Southern Shores
Davide Guzzardi, founder of Exped Tribe, suggests southern Norway as a forgotten gem. The route between Oslo, Stavanger, and Bergen offers stunning mountain and sea landscapes, including Folgefonna National Park and pristine beaches like Åkrasanden. Visitors can drive through majestic fjords, swim in the Nordic Sea, and camp under the midnight sun.
The Faroe Islands: Atlantic Jigsaw
Alice Murphy, Metro's Travel Editor, recommends the Faroe Islands, a short flight from the UK. This 18-island archipelago lies 200 miles north of Scotland and 300 miles southeast of Iceland. Even in summer, temperatures rarely exceed 13°C. The scenery is breathtaking, with fjords and mountains, and the food scene is top-notch—especially at Roks in Tórshavn.
Iceland's Laugavegur Trail
Oliver Browne, mountaineer and founder of True Summit Adventures, highlights the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland as one of Europe's best cooler destinations and a top multi-day hike. The trail features glaciers, hot springs, and volcanoes in an otherworldly landscape. Travelers fly to Reykjavik and then drive or bus to Landmannalaugar, the northern start point.
