‘Coolcations’ Are On The Rise This Summer. Here’s How To Take One.

As a result of climate change, temperatures and water are getting warmer, and frequent heat waves are disrupting the daily lives of many people around the world.

Even if the heat isn’t dangerous, it can be uncomfortable, so many people seek out cooler weather every chance they get – including when traveling.”Cool vacations” are an example of this travel trend, allowing people to escape the heat while still getting to interesting destinations.

Coolcations are one of the newer travel trends in the wake of the New Crown outbreak – people looking for cooler climate resorts, especially during the warmer summer months.

Temperatures are rising in some popular destinations, making it too hot for some, so traveling to other places with more pleasant daytime temperatures is becoming increasingly attractive.

Countries like Italy and Spain (two historically popular summer vacation destinations) have experienced record-breaking heat waves in recent years, making it difficult for tourists to actually get out and enjoy the landscapes they’ve traveled thousands of miles to see.

For a growing number of people, many popular destinations – especially vacation spots in the U.S. and Europe – may feel increasingly uncomfortable during the summer months, when temperatures may rise from time to time.

Some places that weren’t historically hot but now experience high temperatures – such as the English countryside, Scotland and even the Swiss Alps – often don’t have air-conditioned hotels or airports.

Therefore, choosing colder destinations can also be a way to escape overheated accommodations.

Coolcations are also a way to avoid the peak season crowds.

If you’ve ever been annoyed by long lines to get into the Colosseum in Rome or frustrated by the lack of available reservations at Mexico City’s must-visit restaurants, an off-season coolcation may be the trip for you.

Another way to enjoy a coolcation is to travel during the “flat” and off-peak seasons of your favorite destinations.Daytime temperatures in Italy are bound to be more pleasant in the fall than in the summer.

The flat season depends on the destination, but essentially it’s a time period that isn’t peak in terms of price, crowds and overall demand.

For example, you can travel to Italy or Greece outside of the peak summer travel season and still enjoy the hotel’s pool and other outdoor activities in mild fall temperatures!.

You can visit Tokyo during the flat seasons of September and October instead of the spring cherry blossom season, or try Portugal in March before the summer festivals and beachgoers arrive.

For many people, a coolcation doesn’t mean cold weather, but rather exploring a place of their dreams without thousands of other people around.

In addition to being less crowded, many coolcation destinations are more remote.

Want to plan your own coolcation?Here’s how:

The easiest way to map out of coolcation is to think about … flipping the seasons.

Do this by choosing a location that is not in a peak demand month – whether it’s Oaxaca after the Day of the Dead, or summer in Ireland.

As the Northern Hemisphere moves into late spring and early summer, choose a place in the Southern Hemisphere where fall is coming to an end and winter is approaching; temperatures will be milder, the chances of good weather will be high, and vacation crowds will be smaller.This could mean going to Australia in the summer instead of Croatia or the Grand Canyon.

Scandinavia and the Nordic region (e.g. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland) are also good cool vacation destinations because of their higher latitude – these countries are usually much cooler than other popular destinations.

We recommend visiting the Norwegian fjords (narrow waterways) and stopping in Oslo and Bergen to soak up the local culture.Bodø (Norway) is also this year’s cultural capital, so there are plenty of activities to enjoy in this part of the country as well.

The Faroe Islands are of increasing interest to tourists who want to vacation a little further afield, away from the crowds and with spectacular natural beauty.

Alternatively, you could head south of the equator in the summer and enjoy some cooler temperatures.Another option to consider is Argentina or Chile – there are plenty of options there, from skiing to glacier walks – it’s also the best time of year to visit the Southern Cone.

Make sure you plan appropriately for this colder, off-season trip.

While it’s easy to fit a few bathing suits, shorts, and t-shirts into your carry-on luggage when traveling in warmer weather, careful planning is essential for vacations in colder climates.

Choosing to share a room means packing will be different – bring bulkier clothes and therefore bigger bags.For some travelers, this means setting aside a budget for checked baggage, especially for international trips.

Some attractions may be closed during the off-season, and events and festivals may be reduced.So if you decide to visit a must-see destination during the off-season, plan accordingly – you don’t want to go home disappointed because a must-see tour is not open during the off-season.

Travel time also needs to be considered when traveling to off-the-beaten-path or off-season areas where traffic may be less frequent.Some cool vacation destinations are remote and difficult to reach, so in some cases logistics and travel time are factors to consider if travel time is limited.

While booking a coolcation may require some extra planning, it’s worth it.

You’re likely to see greater value and fewer crowds, not to mention better access to locals and inevitable trips to new destinations that were previously out of your sight.