Escaping the heat: cool countries for summer travel

High temperatures often ruin vacations. To avoid this, it's better to travel to places where there is no scorching sun in the summer. Read below to find out where to go in August.

Ireland

The island nation is located in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a temperate maritime climate and high humidity. The least rain falls from July to September. The air temperature ranges from 15°C to 20°C.

One of the main tourist destinations is Dublin. Here you should visit Trinity College, where the Book of Kells, the most valuable manuscript of the Middle Ages, is kept. We also recommend a walk along Temple Bar. The area is famous for its brew pubs and live music. For those who want to enjoy nature, we recommend a trip to the Glendalough National Park. Glendalough Valley is known for its picturesque lakes and ancient monastery. In Killarney, you can enjoy hiking along the trails. Here you will see amazing ponds and waterfalls.

You can also admire the incredible natural wonder of Cliff Moher. The height of the cliffs reaches 214 meters above sea level and is 8 kilometers long. It offers breathtaking views of the ocean.

Be sure to try the traditional cuisine. The most famous dish is a stew made from lamb and vegetables. Do not miss boxty - potato pancakes with various fillings - too.

For music lovers, we suggest visiting the Galway International Arts Festival. It takes place every summer and includes concerts, theater performances and art exhibitions.

Norway

The Northern European country is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. By the way, it was here that skiing was invented and the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. The main wealth of the kingdom is its vast nature. The country owns a huge number of neighboring islands: Svalbard, Bouvet, Jan Mayen, and Bear.

On the coasts of Norway, a temperate maritime climate prevails, while inland regions have a continental climate. Summers are cool, especially in the north, where the average temperature ranges from 15°C.

Be sure to take a cruise along the fjords - long, narrow bays with steep banks. The most famous of them is Geirangerfjord. In 2005, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the city of Bergen, you can get acquainted with Norwegian architecture and culture. We recommend visiting the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene, strolling through the historic Bruggen Shipyard district with its interesting commercial buildings, and taking the funicular to the top of Mount Fløien.

For lunch, we recommend trying a traditional Lutefisk fish dish and cinnamon rolls kanelboller.

By the way, if you go north to the Tromsø region, you can watch the aurora borealis.

Iceland

A Nordic island nation on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is a place of incredible contrasts: from hot geysers and volcanoes to glaciers and crystal clear lakes. The maritime subarctic climate prevails here. Summer temperatures range from 10°C to 15°C.

Interestingly, the country has no regular armed forces. Only the coast guard operates here. The population is protected by NATO.

In the capital, we recommend visiting the Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral. The church is the tallest building in the country. Also go to the modern Harpa buidings. The concert hall and conference center received the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture. Here we recommend going for lunch at the Kolabrautin restaurant, which offers a panoramic view of the historic center of Reykjavik.

The Golden Circle is considered a popular tourist route. It includes Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the geothermal Reykjadalur Valley with Geysir and Strokkur geysers, as well as the Blue Lagoon hot spring. The spa resort is located among lava fields. The lake's incredibly celestial color water is rich in minerals and healing properties.

The national dish of Iceland is hákarl, rotten shark meat with a very specific taste.

Switzerland

The Scandinavian country is located southwest of Sweden and south of Norway. In summer, the weather is quite warm, but not too hot. The air temperature ranges from 13°C to 20°C, sometimes up to 26°C. Interestingly, the country ranks high in the rankings of quality of life, health, education, and protection of civil rights and freedoms.

In Copenhagen, we recommend going to Amalienborg Palace. It serves as the winter residence of the royal family and is a prominent architectural landmark in the Rococo style. We also recommend a walk along the Nyhavn waterfront with its charming colorful townhouses and narrow cobblestone streets. You should also visit the 19th-century Tivoli amusement park. There are roller coasters and various entertainment for adults and children. In Aarhus, visit the ARoS Museum of Contemporary Art, and in Odense, the house of the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen.

Be sure to try the traditional Danish open sandwich, smørrebrød, and danish, a pastry with various fillings.

If you're tired of the heat, go to countries with cooler climates. Have a nice vacation!

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