Here are some suggestions for summer holiday destinations that are not too hot, the kind of summer vacation ideas that beat the heat but are very high on adventure and excitement.
If I could change one thing about myself it would be my intense dislike of the heat. I am so envious of people who come alive and thrive in excessive temperatures. I see them every time I go somewhere hot, lying on the beaches, basking in the sun. They remind me of contented lizards.
I have never enjoyed the heat, and I wilt and suffer in it. I am very lucky that both my son and my husband also dislike it, and we have become very good at avoiding it. However, like thousands of other families, we’re tied to the school holidays, which means that we are obliged to go on our holidays at the hottest time of the year, the end of July and August.
In many places near the equator the heat is accompanied by humidity, and that is much harder to escape from. Humidity can totally ruin your holiday.
Take India an example; August temperatures and humidity are extremely high, nighttime temperatures are around 26°C min, which I found unbearable! But it was the humidity that caused me the most problems. It became almost unbearable.
The simple rule of thumb is, if you are looking for best vacation destinations that aren’t too hot, head for the southern hemisphere, when it’s summer in the UK.
Here’s my short list of 5 destinations:
1. If you’re thinking of a safari holiday then head for South Africa.
The best time of year to visit the wild parks is between the months of May and September. These are the months where you will see animals at their best, and when the temperatures are very pleasant indeed. Also, because the South African school holidays aren’t during these months, the parks are not overcrowded.
2. Remember the further away from the equator you travel the cooler it will be.
With that in mind think of Canada! Either the east or western cost will mean cool breezes, incredible scenery, and wonderful outdoor experiences. Nova Scotia is definitely on my bucket list, because the sea keeps the temperatures low!
3. If you want an even bigger adventure then head for Alaska with its amazing landscape, culture, wildlife, and sense of wilderness.
There are fantastic environmentally friendly cruises to Alaska.
4. Other parts of northern USA are also very exciting places to visit, and they all have wonderful things to do and places to see that will delight anyone who is happy to be out of the heat.
Minnesota, Idaho, Colorado, and Maine are cooler than others, head for the mountains, they will reward you in so many ways!
5. Finally, if your dream is to holiday in Europe then keep north.
I would recommend Scotland in August, because it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Incredibly, most of them will be free of people, but delightfully rich in wildlife and fauna. Sweden, Finland, and Norway are also very beautiful and perhaps are a little too cold to visit during the winter months, unless you love the snow that is! Anywhere in this part of Europe is cool during the summer months.
Actually, those of us who hate the heat are spoilt for choice I haven’t even mentioned South America, for example. I was there in August and the sun was extremely hot, but stepping in to the shade brought on sudden shivers because the altitude kept the air cold. We experienced heat as well as snow all in one day. It was delightful traveling weather, the higher we went the colder it got, and boy was it exciting!
For more great ideas for exciting adventure holidays visit my website, the Adventure Travel Shop.
Enjoy your summer!
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