Travel expert Simon Calder has identified three European destinations that offer a guaranteed escape from the sweltering heatwaves gripping the continent this summer. With France and Spain experiencing record temperatures—France recorded its hottest day ever last week, and Spain saw its highest daily average temperature since 1950—many Brits are seeking alternatives to traditional sun-soaked holidays.
Scottish Islands: A Northern Refuge
Speaking on his weekly podcast, The Travel Expert with Simon Calder, Calder advised: 'It is very straightforward, just head north. Scotland, obviously being closer to the North Pole, has a lot more cool options. If you go all the way to Shetland, the northernmost group of islands, then you are two-thirds of the way to the North Pole. You are on the same latitude as Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.' He added that visitors are 'guaranteed not to be too warm' and recommended exploring these islands in midsummer, when the phenomenon of almost midnight sun occurs.
Tarifa, Southern Spain: A Microclimate Oasis
For those who prefer to stay closer to traditional holiday spots, Calder's co-host Greg Dickinson proposed Tarifa in southern Spain. Despite being in one of Spain's warmest regions, Tarifa sits on the Strait of Gibraltar and benefits from strong Atlantic breezes. Dickinson explained: 'As a result, it is four or five degrees cooler than places like Malaga and Almeria. My tip for a little microclimate in the South of Spain is Tarifa.' Calder expressed fascination that such a cool spot exists so close to Seville, often called the 'frying pan of Europe.'
The Pyrenees: Border Escape
For tourists wanting to visit France or Spain without the extreme heat, Calder recommended the Pyrenees mountain range, which forms the border between the two countries. He described it as 'incredibly easy to reach' by flying into Lourdes airport and then taking trains or buses into the mountains. Calder suggested basing oneself in spa towns and exploring 'to your heart's content,' adding: 'Fantastic food, lovely places to stay and you are guaranteed to be away from the excessive heat.'
These 'coolcation' options come as Europe faces deadly heatwaves, with hundreds of fatalities already confirmed in France and Spain. According to the Express, Calder's tips offer Brits a way to enjoy summer holidays without risking the dangerous conditions seen in popular destinations.
