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Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
10 holidays in Europe for people who hate the heat
Sizzling sights and sunbaked beaches. A heatwave gripped large parts of Europe this week. Spain was among the nations baking – where a record high of 46C was recorded in the town of El Granado on June 28. If recent years are anything to go by, this won't be the last of it. It looks likely that we are in for another long, scorching summer in Europe. Fine, if you like your holidays hot. But if you'd prefer to seek out a cooler corner of the continent, where to go? The obvious answer is to head north to explore the scenic shores and lakes of Scandinavia, the glacial landscapes of Iceland or the intriguing Baltic cities. The alternative is to head high, perhaps to the Spanish Picos or the French Alps, where there'll be plenty of high-altitude sunshine but none of the enervating heat and humidity. Whether you are looking for an active, cultural or fly-and-flop break, here's a selection of ten great ways to avoid the worst of the heat in Europe this summer. Lifts serving the Grande Motte glacier, which rises to a lofty 11,995ft above the mountain resort of Tignes, stay open for summer skiing until July 20. Lower down, in the resort, peak temperatures hover at around 17C and among the cooling activities are kayaking, paddle boarding and visits to the Acroland water park, where adults and children aged 10 years and over can plunge down slides into the icy lake water below. Peak Retreats (023 9283 9310) offers a seven-night stay in Le Nevada, Tignes Val Claret, from £317, self-catering, based on four staying in a two-bedroom apartment, including ferry crossing for car and passengers, departing July 12. The lakes, rivers and forests of eastern Finland offer a vast playground for active families who want a sunny outdoor holiday without excessive heat. Temperatures rise to a pleasant 21C in child-friendly lakeside resorts, which lie within a two-hour drive of Helsinki and offer canoeing, swimming, paddle boarding, fishing and local trails. Discover the World (01737 428 406) offers a five-night Taste of Finnish Lakeland from £525, including car rental. Excludes flights to Helsinki, based on two adults and two children under 12 years. Departures until September. Zealand, Denmark's largest island, offers peaceful backroads and uncrowded cycle paths, long hours of daylight and gentle sunshine. Relaxing itineraries loop through shady woodland, past sandy beaches and scenic fjords, and through small fishing villages, with a foray into the coastal city of Roskilde. Freedom Treks (01273 977961) offer a seven-night, self-guided Zealand Bike Tour from £1,033, including luggage transfer, maps and route information. Excludes bike hire (£86 for a hybrid with pannier; £205 for an E-bike), flights to Copenhagen and rail transfers. Departs weekly through July and August. The Côte d'Azur can see summer temperatures nudge 30C or more in July and August, but northern France enjoys a more temperate 20 to 22C. Hop across the Channel to stay near the sandy beaches of Normandy, the a chance to tour the wartime sights, sample the seafood and explore the rocky island of Mont-Saint-Michel. Brittany Ferries (0330 162 5457) offers seven nights at four-star Hotel Le Grand Hard-Domaine Utah Beach from £1,266, self-drive, including return Portsmouth to Caen ferry crossing, departing August 5. While temperatures sizzle in the Costas, the mountainous areas near the Cantabrian coast of northern Spain offer a welcome refuge from the summer heat. The Picos de Europa are best explored on foot with a network of well-marked paths through peaceful rural backwaters, the medieval town of Potes and the bucolic Valdeón valley. Pura Aventura (01273 676712) offers an eight-night, self-guided Rural Life and Mountain Hikes tour from £1,650, including four lunches, six dinners and luggage transfers. Excludes travel to Bilbao. Departures throughout July and August. In the nothern Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, temperatures barely reach 7C in July and August and nights can dip to 2C. These islands are home to walruses, whales and polar bears, which gather in the fjords near the capital Longyearbyen. Try dog-sledding on wheels for views of the glacier at Nordenskiöldbreen. Regent Holidays (01174 537640; offers a five-night Svalbard Summer Break from £1,750, including four excursions. Departures throughout July and August. Iceland's summer season is as short as it is cool. July and August see temperatures barely reaching 13C, but the long days (up to 20 hours of daylight), make this an ideal season to explore its unique inland and coastal scenery. From spectacular waterfalls to spouting geysers and from black-sand beaches to naturally heated lagoons, it's the perfect antidote to the muggy Mediterranean. Trailfinders (020 7368 1317) offers a seven-night Southern Iceland's Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls package from £1,899, including car hire and entrance to the Blue Lagoon, departing August 25. A Baltic Sea cruise is a great alternative to the sultry Mediterranean in the summer months, and although you can expect plenty of sunny days, you may also need to pack a jumper for cooler days. Highlights include shore excursions to see the mix of medieval and modern architecture in the region's cities, and the variety of coastal scenery. MSC Cruises (020 3426 3010) offers a seven-night Baltics and Scandinavia Cruise on MSC Poesia, from £2,559, full board, including children's clubs, on-board entertainment and excursions to Klaipeda in Lithuania, the Latvian capital of Riga, Stockholm and Copenhagen, based on an interior cabin. Excludes flights to Hamburg and transfers to the embarkation point at Warnemünde. Departures on July 27 and August 10. Snow-covered peaks and glaciers, which circle the Upper Engadine Valley in south-east Switzerland, provide an alluring backdrop to bucolic mountain pastures and larch woodlands, where mild conditions are ideal for a huge variety of alpine flowers. Spring comes late to this region and in July you can still expect to see orchids, primroses, glacier jasmine and foxgloves at their best. Naturetrek (01962 733051; offers a seven-night Switzerland - Alpine Flowers of the Upper Engadine from £2,595, full board, departing July 2 and 9. The clear, azure-blue seawater and sandy beaches on this far-flung Norwegian island may look reminiscent of the Caribbean, but the temperatures are quite a contrast. Averaging around 15C in summer, its scenic landscapes of moorland and mountains offer a range of spectacular walking terrain, with comfortable accommodation in small fishing villages and long hours of daylight. Inntravel (01653 617000) offers a seven-night Hike Senja - An Arctic Island from £2,510, half board, including car hire and walking notes. Excludes flights. Departures throughout July and August. Prices quoted are per person including breakfast, transfers and flights, unless otherwise stated, and are subject to availability.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
10 holidays in Europe for people who hate the heat
Sizzling sights and sunbaked beaches. A heatwave gripped large parts of Europe this week. Spain was among the nations baking – where a record high of 46C was recorded in the town of El Granado on June 28. If recent years are anything to go by, this won't be the last of it. It looks likely that we are in for another long, scorching summer in Europe. Fine, if you like your holidays hot. But if you'd prefer to seek out a cooler corner of the continent, where to go? The obvious answer is to head north to explore the scenic shores and lakes of Scandinavia, the glacial landscapes of Iceland or the intriguing Baltic cities. The alternative is to head high, perhaps to the Spanish Picos or the French Alps, where there'll be plenty of high-altitude sunshine but none of the enervating heat and humidity. Whether you are looking for an active, cultural or fly-and-flop break, here's a selection of ten great ways to avoid the worst of the heat in Europe this summer. Lifts serving the Grande Motte glacier, which rises to a lofty 11,995ft above the mountain resort of Tignes, stay open for summer skiing until July 20. Lower down, in the resort, peak temperatures hover at around 17C and among the cooling activities are kayaking, paddle boarding and visits to the Acroland water park, where adults and children aged 10 years and over can plunge down slides into the icy lake water below. Peak Retreats (023 9283 9310) offers a seven-night stay in Le Nevada, Tignes Val Claret, from £317, self-catering, based on four staying in a two-bedroom apartment, including ferry crossing for car and passengers, departing July 12. The lakes, rivers and forests of eastern Finland offer a vast playground for active families who want a sunny outdoor holiday without excessive heat. Temperatures rise to a pleasant 21C in child-friendly lakeside resorts, which lie within a two-hour drive of Helsinki and offer canoeing, swimming, paddle boarding, fishing and local trails. Discover the World (01737 428 406) offers a five-night Taste of Finnish Lakeland from £525, including car rental. Excludes flights to Helsinki, based on two adults and two children under 12 years. Departures until September. Zealand, Denmark's largest island, offers peaceful backroads and uncrowded cycle paths, long hours of daylight and gentle sunshine. Relaxing itineraries loop through shady woodland, past sandy beaches and scenic fjords, and through small fishing villages, with a foray into the coastal city of Roskilde. Freedom Treks (01273 977961) offer a seven-night, self-guided Zealand Bike Tour from £1,033, including luggage transfer, maps and route information. Excludes bike hire (£86 for a hybrid with pannier; £205 for an E-bike), flights to Copenhagen and rail transfers. Departs weekly through July and August. The Côte d'Azur can see summer temperatures nudge 30C or more in July and August, but northern France enjoys a more temperate 20 to 22C. Hop across the Channel to stay near the sandy beaches of Normandy, the a chance to tour the wartime sights, sample the seafood and explore the rocky island of Mont-Saint-Michel. Brittany Ferries (0330 162 5457) offers seven nights at four-star Hotel Le Grand Hard-Domaine Utah Beach from £1,266, self-drive, including return Portsmouth to Caen ferry crossing, departing August 5. While temperatures sizzle in the Costas, the mountainous areas near the Cantabrian coast of northern Spain offer a welcome refuge from the summer heat. The Picos de Europa are best explored on foot with a network of well-marked paths through peaceful rural backwaters, the medieval town of Potes and the bucolic Valdeón valley. Pura Aventura (01273 676712) offers an eight-night, self-guided Rural Life and Mountain Hikes tour from £1,650, including four lunches, six dinners and luggage transfers. Excludes travel to Bilbao. Departures throughout July and August. In the nothern Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, temperatures barely reach 7C in July and August and nights can dip to 2C. These islands are home to walruses, whales and polar bears, which gather in the fjords near the capital Longyearbyen. Try dog-sledding on wheels for views of the glacier at Nordenskiöldbreen. Regent Holidays (01174 537640; offers a five-night Svalbard Summer Break from £1,750, including four excursions. Departures throughout July and August. Iceland's summer season is as short as it is cool. July and August see temperatures barely reaching 13C, but the long days (up to 20 hours of daylight), make this an ideal season to explore its unique inland and coastal scenery. From spectacular waterfalls to spouting geysers and from black-sand beaches to naturally heated lagoons, it's the perfect antidote to the muggy Mediterranean. Trailfinders (020 7368 1317) offers a seven-night Southern Iceland's Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls package from £1,899, including car hire and entrance to the Blue Lagoon, departing August 25. A Baltic Sea cruise is a great alternative to the sultry Mediterranean in the summer months, and although you can expect plenty of sunny days, you may also need to pack a jumper for cooler days. Highlights include shore excursions to see the mix of medieval and modern architecture in the region's cities, and the variety of coastal scenery. MSC Cruises (020 3426 3010) offers a seven-night Baltics and Scandinavia Cruise on MSC Poesia, from £2,559, full board, including children's clubs, on-board entertainment and excursions to Klaipeda in Lithuania, the Latvian capital of Riga, Stockholm and Copenhagen, based on an interior cabin. Excludes flights to Hamburg and transfers to the embarkation point at Warnemünde. Departures on July 27 and August 10. Snow-covered peaks and glaciers, which circle the Upper Engadine Valley in south-east Switzerland, provide an alluring backdrop to bucolic mountain pastures and larch woodlands, where mild conditions are ideal for a huge variety of alpine flowers. Spring comes late to this region and in July you can still expect to see orchids, primroses, glacier jasmine and foxgloves at their best. Naturetrek (01962 733051; offers a seven-night Switzerland - Alpine Flowers of the Upper Engadine from £2,595, full board, departing July 2 and 9. The clear, azure-blue seawater and sandy beaches on this far-flung Norwegian island may look reminiscent of the Caribbean, but the temperatures are quite a contrast. Averaging around 15C in summer, its scenic landscapes of moorland and mountains offer a range of spectacular walking terrain, with comfortable accommodation in small fishing villages and long hours of daylight. Inntravel (01653 617000) offers a seven-night Hike Senja - An Arctic Island from £2,510, half board, including car hire and walking notes. Excludes flights. Departures throughout July and August. Prices quoted are per person including breakfast, transfers and flights, unless otherwise stated, and are subject to availability. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Telegraph
10 holidays in Europe for people who hate the heat
Sizzling sights and sunbaked beaches. A heatwave gripped large parts of Europe this week. Spain was among the nations baking – where a record high of 46C was recorded in the town of El Granado on June 28. If recent years are anything to go by, this won't be the last of it. It looks likely that we are in for another long, scorching summer in Europe. Fine, if you like your holidays hot. But if you'd prefer to seek out a cooler corner of the continent, where to go? The obvious answer is to head north to explore the scenic shores and lakes of Scandinavia, the glacial landscapes of Iceland or the intriguing Baltic cities. The alternative is to head high, perhaps to the Spanish Picos or the French Alps, where there'll be plenty of high-altitude sunshine but none of the enervating heat and humidity. Whether you are looking for an active, cultural or fly-and-flop break, here's a selection of ten great ways to avoid the worst of the heat in Europe this summer. The French Alps: best for outdoor activities Lifts serving the Grande Motte glacier, which rises to a lofty 11,995ft above the mountain resort of Tignes, stay open for summer skiing until July 20. Lower down, in the resort, peak temperatures hover at around 17C and among the cooling activities are kayaking, paddle boarding and visits to the Acroland water park, where adults and children aged 10 years and over can plunge down slides into the icy lake water below. Peak Retreats (023 9283 9310) offers a seven-night stay in Le Nevada, Tignes Val Claret, from £317, self-catering, based on four staying in a two-bedroom apartment, including ferry crossing for car and passengers, departing July 12. Finland: best for family adventure The lakes, rivers and forests of eastern Finland offer a vast playground for active families who want a sunny outdoor holiday without excessive heat. Temperatures rise to a pleasant 21C in child-friendly lakeside resorts, which lie within a two-hour drive of Helsinki and offer canoeing, swimming, paddle boarding, fishing and local trails. Discover the World (01737 428 406) offers a five-night Taste of Finnish Lakeland from £525, including car rental. Excludes flights to Helsinki, based on two adults and two children under 12 years. Departures until September. Denmark: best for cycling Zealand, Denmark's largest island, offers peaceful backroads and uncrowded cycle paths, long hours of daylight and gentle sunshine. Relaxing itineraries loop through shady woodland, past sandy beaches and scenic fjords, and through small fishing villages, with a foray into the coastal city of Roskilde. Freedom Treks (01273 977961) offer a seven-night, self-guided Zealand Bike Tour from £1,033, including luggage transfer, maps and route information. Excludes bike hire (£86 for a hybrid with pannier; £205 for an E-bike), flights to Copenhagen and rail transfers. Departs weekly through July and August. Normandy: best for being by the seaside The Côte d'Azur can see summer temperatures nudge 30C or more in July and August, but northern France enjoys a more temperate 20 to 22C. Hop across the Channel to stay near the sandy beaches of Normandy, the a chance to tour the wartime sights, sample the seafood and explore the rocky island of Mont-Saint-Michel. Brittany Ferries (0330 162 5457) offers seven nights at four-star Hotel Le Grand Hard-Domaine Utah Beach from £1,266, self-drive, including return Portsmouth to Caen ferry crossing, departing August 5. The Spanish Picos: best for mountains While temperatures sizzle in the Costas, the mountainous areas near the Cantabrian coast of northern Spain offer a welcome refuge from the summer heat. The Picos de Europa are best explored on foot with a network of well-marked paths through peaceful rural backwaters, the medieval town of Potes and the bucolic Valdeón valley. Pura Aventura (01273 676712) offers an eight-night, self-guided Rural Life and Mountain Hikes tour from £1,650, including four lunches, six dinners and luggage transfers. Excludes travel to Bilbao. Departures throughout July and August. Svalbard: best for wildlife-watching In the nothern Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, temperatures barely reach 7C in July and August and nights can dip to 2C. These islands are home to walruses, whales and polar bears, which gather in the fjords near the capital Longyearbyen. Try dog-sledding on wheels for views of the glacier at Nordenskiöldbreen. Regent Holidays (01174 537640; offers a five-night Svalbard Summer Break from £1,750, including four excursions. Departures throughout July and August. Iceland: best for spectacular landscapes Iceland's summer season is as short as it is cool. July and August see temperatures barely reaching 13C, but the long days (up to 20 hours of daylight), make this an ideal season to explore its unique inland and coastal scenery. From spectacular waterfalls to spouting geysers and from black-sand beaches to naturally heated lagoons, it's the perfect antidote to the muggy Mediterranean. Trailfinders The Baltics: best for cruising A Baltic Sea cruise is a great alternative to the sultry Mediterranean in the summer months, and although you can expect plenty of sunny days, you may also need to pack a jumper for cooler days. Highlights include shore excursions to see the mix of medieval and modern architecture in the region's cities, and the variety of coastal scenery. MSC Cruises (020 3426 3010) offers a seven-night Baltics and Scandinavia Cruise on MSC Poesia, from £2,559, full board, including children's clubs, on-board entertainment and excursions to Klaipeda in Lithuania, the Latvian capital of Riga, Stockholm and Copenhagen, based on an interior cabin. Excludes flights to Hamburg and transfers to the embarkation point at Warnemünde. Departures on July 27 and August 10. Switzerland: best for a group tour Snow-covered peaks and glaciers, which circle the Upper Engadine Valley in south-east Switzerland, provide an alluring backdrop to bucolic mountain pastures and larch woodlands, where mild conditions are ideal for a huge variety of alpine flowers. Spring comes late to this region and in July you can still expect to see orchids, primroses, glacier jasmine and foxgloves at their best. Naturetrek (01962 733051; offers a seven-night Switzerland - Alpine Flowers of the Upper Engadine from £2,595, full board, departing July 2 and 9. The clear, azure-blue seawater and sandy beaches on this far-flung Norwegian island may look reminiscent of the Caribbean, but the temperatures are quite a contrast. Averaging around 15C in summer, its scenic landscapes of moorland and mountains offer a range of spectacular walking terrain, with comfortable accommodation in small fishing villages and long hours of daylight. Inntravel (01653 617000) offers a seven-night Hike Senja - An Arctic Island from £2,510, half board, including car hire and walking notes. Excludes flights. Departures throughout July and August. Prices quoted are per person including breakfast, transfers and flights, unless otherwise stated, and are subject to availability.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- The Independent
The best holidays to book for March 2025, from Puglia's coastline to Moroccan adventures
When spring finally arrives in March, make the most of the longer days of sunshine with a welcome change of scenery. Easter isn't for another month yet, so prices should remain stable. Keen hikers will want to head to southern Italy for pleasantly mild days along the Adriatic's coastal paths, while skiers in France can head to quieter slopes now that the February half-term crowds have gone. Soak up the sunshine in Tenerife, where you can hike Spain 's highest mountain or just relax on an Atlantic beach. Mix the mountains and deserts of Morocco with a spell in Marrakech. Stay closer to home and roam the hills of the Peak District, or revel in the sea breezes of the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. Whatever type of holiday you're planning for March, you'll find some ideas here. Italy Southern Italy's Puglia region can be blisteringly hot in the summer, but hikers who want to explore this part of the Adriatic coast will find March's mid-teens temperatures much more pleasant. Ramble Worldwide has a four-night self-guided walk along Puglia's coastal trail from Otranto to Gagliano del Capo, through orange orchards and olive groves amid the scent of spring blossom, and with sea views stretching to the Albanian mountain on the other side of the Adriatic. Then you're transferred to the baroque town of Lecce for a final day of cultural exploration. Prices start at £599pp and include breakfast, one dinner, transfers and luggage transport, but not flights. France Many skiers love March's longer days and slightly milder temperatures. Samoëns in Haute Savoie's Grand Massif ski domain – the fourth largest in France – is full of village charm, great restaurants and food shops. Plus, it's on the doorstep of 265km of pistes. Peak Retreats has a week's self-catering at La Résidence Club Samoëns Village on 29 March from £1,210, including a free FlexiPlus upgrade on Le Shuttle. The residence's wellness centre has an indoor and outdoor pool, and there's a packed schedule of events for children. Book before 5 February for a 15 per cent discount. Peak District Springtime walks in the Peak District and a village pub within 500 yards make a pretty good combination. Bosing Barn in the tiny village of Kniveton north of Ashbourne is an appealing base for a family or two couples (plus dog). High beamed ceilings, a wood-burning stove, exposed stone walls and oak floors make everything cosy, and it's all done with great style. If there's a hint of springtime warmth in the air, use the barbecue on the large patio outside. Available through Peak Cottages, it costs £669, down from £737, for a week's self-catering from 10 March. Morocco Spring is a good time to visit Morocco, before the heat becomes oppressive. On this four-day Desert with the Nomads tour with Fleewinter, you start in the High Atlas before carrying on to the Draa Valley with the chance to camp in the desert and drive across Lake Iriqi, perhaps going on a camel ride and quad bike tour of the dunes. Prices start at £550pp and include breakfast and transfers. Flights are extra, and you can top and tail the holiday with a stay in Marrakech. Tenerife It's carnival season in Tenerife, which can make finding accommodation tricky. The main carnival in Santa Cruz continues until 9 March, with more festivities going on in Los Gigantes and Puerto de la Cruz. Come after the carnival for a more laid-back experience, especially in one of the Villas Coral La Quinta, a short drive from Puerto de la Cruz. They all have three bedrooms and private pools, and a week's self-catering with Cachet Travel departing 21 March costs from £1,948pp based on two sharing, or £998pp based on six. The price includes flights and car hire. Wales If you fancy doing a bit of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, then stay at one of the former lighthouse keepers' cottages at the tip of St Ann's Head. Number 1 cottage has three bedrooms, a wood burner, an Aga and a large patio with a pizza oven, barbecue and panoramic sea views. Booked through Wales Cottage Holidays, it costs from £703 for seven nights' self-catering, and up to two dogs are welcome at an extra charge.
