Every year, our family looks forward to summer vacation—a time to bond and reconnect after a long, sometimes stressful, school term. European countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain are usually frontrunners, as they tick the necessary boxes: great food, spectacular sites, and the ideal balance of luxury and adventure travel.
However, rising temperatures, intense fire seasons, and over-tourism have made some of these ‘go-to places,’ places I no longer want to go to. Increasingly, European summers no longer have optimal conditions for bonding and reconnecting with my family.
Which begs the question, “Where in the world do we go now?”
What’s a Coolcation?
In 2023, Condé Nast Traveler predicted a surge in tourism to some of the cooler (as in temperature-cool) parts of the world. They called this travel trend a ‘coolcation.’ Condé Nast noticed that as many regions began to suffer from heat waves due to climate change, travelers were seeking respite in the extreme north or south. Simply put, coolcations are vacations taken in cooler climates, especially during warmer months. And they just so happen to be super cool, too.
Think British Columbia, the British Isles, and Scandinavia. Think Maine, Montana, and Alaska. Places once associated with cold are the new cool—and for good reason. The temperatures in these places are also rising, making them far more comfortable for travel than in decades past.
Why are Coolcations so Popular?
Coolcations are gaining in popularity for reasons beyond pleasant temperatures. First, many of these destinations have fewer crowds, making them more accessible and leisurely. Anyone who has hiked up to the Acropolis or circled the Colosseum in mid-August will surely agree. Overcrowded tourist attractions spoil the fun. Period.
Second, coolcations are typically slightly off the beaten path. This allows families to explore parts of the world they wouldn’t have considered previously. These remote locations offer unique activities, like canyoneering in Iceland, sea eagle safaris in Norway, and kayaking in British Columbia. For travelers looking for vacations beyond the beach, a world of adventure awaits.
Third, there’s something incredibly cool about vacationing in a part of the world that is less discovered, less Instagrammed, and less popular. Being on the cutting edge of a travel trend means the experience will be filled with surprises. Bragging rights are part of the package. Go ahead and make all of your friends green with envy.
Planning a Coolcation, by the Numbers
Are you ready to book a coolcation but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place. These up-and-coming destinations require slightly different planning. Everyone knows how to get to Rome or Paris, but it’s not as straightforward to travel to the Arctic Circle or the Alaskan wilderness. Thankfully, the team at CIRE has insight and experience with these far-flung locales, having recently sent clients on bespoke coolcations to places like the Netherlands, Norway, and Newfoundland.
Being prepared for these trending travel adventures is critical, especially in parts of the world less traveled. When planning, consider the following points:
- Flip the seasons. When it’s warm in the northern hemisphere, it’s cooler in the southern one, making destinations like Argentina, Chile, and Antarctica viable options. As always, shoulder seasons mean fewer tourists and lower travel costs.
- Timing is everything. How much time will you have to devote to the trip? Remote locations require more flights and, sometimes, additional means of transport like ferries and boats. Factor in the travel days, but don’t be daunted. The journey itself will be a highlight of the trip. A passenger ferry through the Norwegian fjords offers some of the best sights, as does a charter flight over an archipelago of uninhabited islands.
- Are you up for anything? The southern and northern parts of the planet are known for spectacular scenery but also changeable climates. Can you look at the bright side of a rainy day? Can you accept that half your bag might be filled with outerwear and clothing layers you may or may not need? Lean into the adventure, and you’ll be rewarded—rain and shine. These destinations know how to accommodate to their microclimates. Visitors are usually provided with some of the bulkiest gear, like wetsuits, drysuits, or muck boots.
- City stop. Consider adding city stopovers to and from your final destination. This cushion of time will ease the stress of a long travel day. In Norway, for instance, visit Oslo for a night or two on the way to the Lofoten Islands. Then consider traveling home via Bergen to experience a new city. Make it really cushy and have these stopovers include splurge-worthy hotels. CIRE knows the best ones. Just ask!
- Don’t forget to indulge. No adventure should be without well-earned downtime. Be sure to build a little luxury into your trip. This could mean a world-class sauna at your hotel in Helsinki or a five star restaurant in Maine. Indulging after a long hike or day on the water is an absolute necessity. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.
Where Your Coolcation Can Take You
North or South? Island or mountain? Narrowing down the options for your coolcation is half the fun. CIRE has ideas to suit you and your family’s travel style. According to a recent survey, travel advisors have noted a 27% increase in Scandinavian travel. Other coolcation destinations that have reported increased travel demand are:
- Alaska: +22%
- Antarctica: +32.4%
- Arctic: +235%
- British Isles: +33.3%
- Canada: +137.4%
So, what exactly do these places offer intrepid travelers? Prepare to get inspired. Alaska’s summer (June-August) means ziplining above Denali National Park, hiking waterfalls through Anchorage’s Thunderbird Falls, or going on glacier and wildlife cruises to see puffins, orcas, and sea lions.
Do you dream about the snowy plateaus and mountains of Antarctica? The best way to see the 7th continent is via ship. Quark Expeditions has multiple voyages during the Antarctic summer (December-February), where travelers can kayak the Southern Ocean, stand-up paddle with penguins, or camp overnight on the continent. Quark also has expeditions to the Arctic Circle. On these extraordinary journeys, travelers have the opportunity to observe polar bears, walruses, and reindeer in their natural habitats, as well as hike the tundra in 24 hours of daylight.
The British Isles are a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. They include the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, and over six thousand smaller islands. Travelers will find that the best time to visit these distant isles is spring and fall when they can take part in unique activities like canyoning, coasteering, and kite-surfing. For those not familiar with some of these extreme sports, canyoning combines rock climbing, swimming, and rappelling, while coasteering is a sport that involves maneuvering along an intertidal rocky coastline by foot.
British Columbia, the most western province in Canada, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Those who choose to visit this sensational region will enjoy whitewater rafting in the Kootenay River, scenic mountain drives along Rogers Pass, or testing their fear of heights crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge. But there’s possibly nothing cooler than caving in one of Vancouver Island’s 1000+ caves. It’s surely the best way to beat the heat.
Where in the World Do You Want to Go?
Now that you’re up to speed with the hottest travel trend, it’s time to spin the globe and start planning. Whether you’re looking to photograph wildlife in the Arctic, sail the British Isles, or go deep sea fishing in Patagonia, there’s a coolcation for you. Just don’t forget to weave a few luxurious activities into the mix. You’ve certainly earned it!
Jamie Edwards is an avid traveler, travel writer, and photographer. After 25 years of living and traveling around the globe, she launched I am Lost and Found, her adventure/luxury travel website. Jamie’s goal is simple: to inspire travel.
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.
Where in the World Do You Want to Go?
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