The heat wave affecting several European countries continues to wreak havoc. Never before in France have thermometers reached 45 degrees Celsius, while in the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany citizens have been amazed at the temperature records for this period of the year. Faced with such heat not a few decide to escape to other destinations that have a more pleasant climate.
COLD IN SUMMER
Finding a cold place, in summer and in the middle of a wave of heat extended by all Europe is not at all easy; although in these destinations, by its geographical position, it is still possible to enjoy benevolent temperatures.
The Serra da Estrela, in Portugal, is the coldest place in that country and a perfect place for nature lovers and hikers.
The place stands out for its waterfalls, rivers and forests. The diversity of flora and fauna is spectacular; it is also possible to visit a ski resort, which has almost twenty slopes. One of the attractions of Serra da Estrela is its cheese, famous throughout Europe and recognized as the oldest in Portugal.
Picos de Europa is one of the coldest places in Spain and this cannot be changed even by global warming. Even at this time temperatures range between 12 and 22 degrees. This national park is enormous, occupying almost 65 thousand hectares. Mountains, lakes and forests abound there, making it an ideal place to escape the heat wave.
France is melting with heat, but in Tignes, in the Tarentaise Valley, southeast of the country, there is a ski resort known as "Espace Killy", famous worldwide because it allows skiing all year round. This mountain hosted the Winter Olympics in 1992.
For those who are looking for even colder days, there are two icy destinations to choose from: Inari in Finland and the Skogafoss waterfall in Iceland. Inari is a small village on the shores of the lake of the same name, 300 kilometers above the Arctic Circle. From this fabulous lake you can appreciate the auroras boreales; in addition, it is possible to realize different tourist activities like walks in a snowmobile or in a sleigh pulled by Huskies or by reindeer, Nordic skiing, fishing, hiking. Starting in June, temperatures are around 17 degrees Celsius.
The Skogafoss waterfall is located in the south of Iceland, on the course of the river Skoga. Its drop is 60 meters, so it is considered one of the largest in the country and is the most visited. The view from there is great and the place is also famous for a legend. It is said that a Viking hid a huge treasure behind the waterfall's water curtain. For centuries many have searched for this supposed wealth, without success, but the legend continues to attract tourists.
Those who prefer even colder find Greenland the perfect place. In winter the temperature is almost -30 degrees, but in summer, in the capital Nuuk, the temperature is around 10 degrees. The main attraction for visitors is the country's beautiful arctic landscape, where they can appreciate islands, fjords, glaciers and gigantic icebergs.
Another interesting getaway is to the Norwegian fjords. These arms of sea that enter the land are a symbol of the Nordic nation. There are more than a thousand of them, although the most famous are Nærøyfjord, Sognefjord, Lysefjord and Geirangerfjord, located on the country's west coast.
The fjords are sometimes intertwined, so tourists can navigate from one to the other. The fjord areas are not complex to explore, and there are plenty of trails for glacier walks and mountain hikes.
A WINTER ESCAPE FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
The southern hemisphere is in winter, so those fleeing the heat wave can find attractive destinations there with a pleasant climate.
Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia are located very far south of Argentina. The city is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel and its privileged position allows tourists to enjoy impressive forests, mountains and the sea. Today it is a cruise port and the closest deep-water port to Antarctica.
Another place not to be missed is the Torres del Paine National Park, located in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, near the border with Argentina. Its natural environment is very diverse, so tourists can appreciate from valleys to rivers and glaciers and spectacular lakes that change color depending on the origin of its waters. This park is one of the favorite for lovers of hiking.
These nine destinations are very attractive for all those who flee from the high temperatures. In several European countries there have been deaths due to "heat stroke" and the truth is that for many not even taking the constantly suggested measures such as drinking plenty of liquid and protecting themselves from the sun is enough. It's time to go and here we've suggested possible "escape routes".
