Scottish Islands: A Northern Escape
Travel expert Simon Calder has recommended three European destinations for a "coolcation" away from the intense heatwaves sweeping the continent. Speaking on his podcast, The Travel Expert with Simon Calder, he highlighted the Scottish islands as a top choice. "Scotland, obviously being closer to the North Pole, has a lot more cool options," he said. "If you go all the way to Shetland, the northernmost group of islands, you are two-thirds of the way to the North Pole. You are on the same latitude as Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. You are going to be guaranteed not to be too warm." Calder added that midsummer is the ideal time to visit, with the phenomenon of the midnight sun enhancing the experience.
Tarifa: A Microclimate in Southern Spain
For those who prefer to stay in southern Europe, Calder's co-host Greg Dickinson suggested Tarifa in southern Spain. Despite being in one of the hottest regions, Tarifa benefits from Atlantic breezes due to its location on the Strait of Gibraltar. "As a result, it is four or five degrees cooler than places like Malaga and Almeria," Dickinson noted. Calder expressed fascination that such a cool microclimate could exist so close to Seville, often called the "frying pan of Europe."
Pyrenees: Cool Mountains Between France and Spain
Calder also recommended the Pyrenees mountain range, which separates France and Spain. He described it as "incredibly easy to reach" via flights to Lourdes airport, followed by trains or buses into the hills. He suggested staying in spa towns and exploring the region. "Fantastic food, lovely places to stay and you are guaranteed to be away from the excessive heat," he said. The Pyrenees offer a refreshing alternative to the heatwave-affected lowlands, where France and Spain have recorded hundreds of heat-related deaths this summer. France experienced its hottest day ever last week, while Spain reached its highest daily average temperature since 1950.
