Trade stifling heat and humidity for refreshing breezes and sweater weather at one of these (literally!) cool destinations
Thinking About a “Coolcation”? Here’s What You Need to Know
Updated Sep. 06, 2024
It was the second week of what seemed like a never-ending heat wave when my family and I were out to dinner, sweating while we discussed where we should go for an end-of-summer getaway. “No place hotter than this,” said my husband, and my son and I nodded in agreement. And then it dawned on us: Why not go to someplace where we don’t have to worry about the heat at all? We all perked up like someone had dropped a refreshing ladle of ice water down our backs. Enter the idea of the “coolcation,” 2024’s newest travel trend.
After excitedly surveying cool destinations north of our hot zone on the East Coast—including Ireland, Norway and Finland—we landed on Iceland. With “ice” right in the name, we thought, how can we go wrong? Not only would we get cooler temperatures there, but we also discovered it was significantly less expensive to reach the chilled-out nation than spots like Italy or Spain. In fact, flight prices on Icelandic carrier Play were less than half of those servicing (literal) hot spots.
Once we arrived in ReykjavÃk, we donned cozy fleeces and explored glaciers and ice caves, zipped into hoodies and saw geysers and waterfalls while sipping cups of steaming cocoa. And we had such a refreshingly good time, we’re thinking of returning next year too. If you’d like to put some sweater weather into your next getaway, here’s how to plan your own cool adventure.
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What is a coolcation?
A coolcation is an amalgam of the words cool and vacation. At its most basic, it’s a way to beat the heat when the temperatures are rising. It’s not a winter getaway or a ski trip—it’s a visit to a cooler destination at a time when the thermostat is heading straight up and you’re looking for a refreshing break. Think: temperatures in the 50s to 70s. While it’s not a sun-and-surf vacation at a time when one of those might seem like a no-brainer, I can tell you from personal experience that there’s still lots to do and see when you head to a cooler climate.
Why now is the time to visit a cool destination
It was a hot summer—in fact, July was the warmest ever recorded, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “extending the streak of record-high monthly global temperatures to 14 successive months.” So, yes, it’s hot and getting hotter, and even non-summer months are heating up too. I probably don’t need to tell you that September keeps cooking in many parts of the country, with temperatures sizzling all the way into October.
And it’s an idea that’s definitely taking hold with travelers. Play airlines, a budget carrier based in Iceland, reported its busiest season between June and August of this year. Play also encourages passengers to visit Iceland during off-peak times, like the fall shoulder season, to take advantage of the northern lights, smaller crowds and cheaper rates. Of course, it’s always a good idea to book ahead of time for the next balmy season—and your next stretch of vacation days.
Where to go on a coolcation
There are a few considerations when you start planning your cool vacation. First, check the weather history for your destination at the time you want to go, as well as the weather for the next two weeks. Go back a few years. That way, you can verify that you’re heading to chillier temps with guaranteed breezes and the need for a sweatshirt. Also consider how you’d like to enjoy the cool weather; you’re going to want to get outside, but consider whether you’d rather have on a land-based itinerary or a water-based (i.e., cruise) vacation.
Cool destinations in North America
Cooler places that are emerging within the top 40 most booked destinations this summer, according to Vrbo travel expert Melanie Fish and the Expedia Summer Travel Outlook report, include:
- Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Bend, Oregon
- Flathead County, Montana (home to Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park)
- Seattle, Washington
- White Mountains, New Hampshire
- Lincoln City, Oregon
- Poconos, Pennsylvania
- Bar Harbor, Maine
For cruising, Alaska is where to head for an itinerary where you can bundle up and see both glaciers and snow. And be sure to keep destinations in Canada, like Banff, in mind.
Cool destinations overseas
Tour company Scott Dunn reported a 400% rise in inquiries about Finland for summer 2024, adding that both Norway and Iceland are increasingly becoming perennial favorites. With the promise of low temperatures, “sun-filled days and short nights, blue skies against snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, blossoming trees and buzzing cities, which come alive in the evening, the summer months are swiftly becoming the preferred time to visit the Nordic region,” according to the company.
Here are some top European coolcation options:
- Iceland
- Finland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Scotland
What to do on a coolcation
As you probably already guessed, you won’t be lounging on a beach if you’re visiting one of the cool destinations above or another of your choosing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t spend time outside—in fact, that’s one of the highlights!
As I discovered in Iceland, an outdoor swim isn’t out of the question: My family was able to float in the warm geothermal pools of Sky Lagoon, hot springs located on the outskirts of ReykjavÃk. (That was a fabulous way to beat jet lag too.) We also booked excursions through Play that took us to an ice cave; even though it was the height of summer, the mid-50s temperatures and long, freezing winters are enough to keep the ice in place even in summer. And the slightly chilled air made hiking and exploring everything from glaciers to waterfalls on a scenic Golden Circle tour a literal breeze. We never heated up or even broke a sweat.
Here are some top activities for a coolcation:
- Soaking in a hot spring
- Quad biking
- Mountain or glacier hiking
- Horseback riding
- Whale watching
- Exploring national parks and natural wonders
How to prepare for a coolcation
Whether you’re traveling in the middle of summer, early fall or spring, you’ll need to prepare for sweater weather even if it’s still blazing hot in your part of the country. Layers are key because the weather will heat up over the course of the day, and you might get hot while engaging in your activities!
What should you pack in addition to shorts and tees? Long pants, a sweatshirt, a waterproof outer jacket or windbreaker, closed-toe shoes or sneakers and a hat. (If you’re going glacier hopping, throw in some gloves too, and you’ll probably want to skip the shorts.) Two of my favorites for great layering gear: Eddie Bauer for basics and Coalatree for waterproof pants and jackets.
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this story on cool destinations, Melissa Klurman tapped her longtime experience as a travel writer and an avid traveler who had recently taken a coolcation. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Play Airlines: “Traffic Reports”
- NOAA: “Earth just had its warmest July on record”
- Reuters: “World breaks hottest day record again, despite El Nino’s end”
- Melanie Fish, Vrbo travel expert
- Expedia: “Summer Travel Outlook”
- Scott Dunn
Originally Published: September 06, 2024
