EUROPE HEAT ....does it put you off going?

A few years ago we holidayed in Sicily where the temperature was in the 40s and quite frankly it was a waste of a holiday. We were advised to stay in, which we did - the hotels grounds and pools were empty and everyone remain inside reading etc.

We used To venture out after dark but it never went below 36c. We tried one day visiting the tropical gardens (trees and shade) but honestly it was gruelling.

So when I do holiday abroad (I don’t at the moment because of my ancient dog) I shall choose to go during the cooler months, or choose an altogether cooler country. Mind you the Caribbean seems to still be the same temperature as ever?

We’re due to visit France (about halfway down) with various family in the 2nd half of August, and in early September, Greece, again with friends from way back - a couple of days in Athens (which will almost certainly be stinking hot) followed by the Pelepponesian (sp?) coast.

We’ll still be going to both, but having lived in very hot desert climates for 13 years I think we’ll cope - staying in the shade when outside as far as poss, a shady hat, and (for me, anyway) covered up with long, loose cotton clothing - certainly no shoestring strap tops!

Plus of course cooling off in pool or sea. Pool is better than nothing, but I do always love a good dose of Vitamin Sea!

Perfect time to visit the Alps or the Jura mountains- gorgeous weather, lots of lakes, river swimming and superb municipal pools and water parks- and it always cools down at night.

Wouldn’t put me off, our family home was for many years in Southern Europe, you adjust your day and do everything slowly.

We have an AS and his wife going to an Ibiza tomorrow for six days, they are not bothered in the least.

Had a very hot holiday in Egypt few years ago by the Nile and it was stifling - in the 40s ..also had a 4week stay in Singapore where it was so hot and humid, couldn't cope with air-con on everywhere, suffered with the air con sickness and daughter and I needed an inhaler as got tight chest and couldn't breathe..fortunately this passed in few days but really don't like air con...

These days we avoid the hottest part of the year, though it can be unpredictable. We're off to France in September, hopefully it will be dry but not too hot. My sis lives in southern Spain and when I spoke to her recently she was moaning it was too hot and that was before this latest heatwave. She's lived there for 40 years, is used to the heat, has a pool etc but she still doesn't cope well when it's too hot. She just lies in a dark room with a fan on her!

Just seen a broadcast from Las Vegas where the temperature is 30 degrees even at night and over 40 in the day. I spent a year working at uni of Nevada (just outside Vegas) back in the 90s and it was very hot in summer but a dry desert type heat. Everywhere even then had air con. I was in my 50s then and found it punishing and could not stand it outside now. Fortunately American academic life was very laid back.

The temperature previously has usually been in the mid-high 30s during the hottest part of the summer in Southern Europe - and yes I can deal with that very well.

But when the temperature reaches mid-high 40s it is neither pleasant nor safe to be out in it too long.

Our overseas travelling days are over now anyway, largely due to health issues. We've lived in Singapore (5 years), and on the Algarve (11 years), so back in the day, were quite accustomed to adjusting our lifestyle according to how hot (or wet!) it got, but these record temperatures brought on by global warming are something else entirely.
Even if were fit enough, I couldn't see us wanting to brave Southern Europe, North Africa, Greece or Turkey between May and October these days, particularly as it looks as though these extremes are set to continue, if not get worse. Many of those places rely so heavily on the tourist industry, that it must be a depressing outlook for them.
On the radio yesterday a climatologist was talking about the Sahara not only encroaching further towards the North African coast, but potentially, desert conditions developing in certain parts of Southern Europe. It probably won't happen until DH and I have both shuffled off, but what a toxic legacy we are leaving to our children and Grandchildren.

biglouis my US family in Cali want our rain...the air con is running constantly and the costs are like our warm energy bills horrific...

Been back. Just caught the very beginning of it. And on the edge too, so ok.
Cant say I saw a single person wearing a hat, locals or visitors. But we were definitely off the beaten track.

Yes it would, we lived in SW France where we’d get a few days at 40’ish, stone buildings, shutters and being careful meant it was fine, plus little humidity. But for an out and about holiday, no thanks.

It looks horrible - never liked hot weather at the best of times. I do worry for small children and babies who have no choice.

Would definitely make me cancel the holiday, I cannot tolerate heat above about 25 degrees.
I'm in SW France and it's creeping up to 30 here. Fans are working overtime.

We are currently staying with our family that lives in north east Italy. We were with them for 5 fairly hot days, then we all spent a week in the Dolomite mountains which was bliss - cooler temperatures, much less humid and with some impressive thunderstorms. We're now back at their house until Saturday and it's getting up to nearly 40 degrees every day. All I can say is thank God for air conditioning.

My husband loves the heat but even he is finding it a bit much. Being a redhead (well I was before I went white!) I need constant protection from the sun and I really dislike the unending sweatiness that the high humidity causes.

We've never had it this hot when we've been here before and we've been visiting for 20 years now. For once I shall be glad to get home to the English coolness and rain.

If DH and I could only afford it we would be out of here like a shot and heading for the Spanish countryside.

As long as we have enough water to drink, we are fine in the heat - we get up early, take a siesta during the hottest hours and stay up late - normal Spanish lifestyle in summer.

Air conditioning can be a bit of a mixed blessing when it’s very hot and humid - you get all sweaty during even a couple of minutes outside - and then the air con in shops etc. is bloody freezing, so you get all cold and clammy.

There was always a month or two (caused by tail end of the monsoon) in Oman when we lived there - 45 plus deg heat, coupled with humidity of up to 100%. So going from that into cold aircon was particularly unpleasant. It was the season when so many people fell ill with something or other.

One of the consequences of climate change will be more migration. I find it extremely worrying for people living in the hottest part of the world, crop failure due to drought = famine = people on the move just to try to stay alive. Sorry to spoil the thread but it's not about holidays, we can choose to stay home and stay cool.

We are going in September so I'm expecting it to have cooled somewhat by then.

foxie48

One of the consequences of climate change will be more migration. I find it extremely worrying for people living in the hottest part of the world, crop failure due to drought = famine = people on the move just to try to stay alive. Sorry to spoil the thread but it's not about holidays, we can choose to stay home and stay cool.

There will be areas of the world that become uninhabitable for humans.

Wonder what Braverman will make of those migrants?

We never go abroad in July or august . It’s too hot, too busy and too expensive. We were in Spain in early June and due to go to the Greek islands in early September, so hoping it would have cooled down a bit by then .

I’m off to Barcelona tomorrow. Really looking forward to it! Tickets for Sagrada Familia too.
DD2 has booked us a room with a private pool and terrace, so we can cool off later.

I wouldn't plan a European vacation for high summer, but then I have the luxury of an open schedule. For families with children, this is their only available time.

I do find on holidays, though, that you can time your touring around the hottest part, or take a slower pace. Unless you planned on a trekking or biking holiday!

As for hats, I'm a non-wearer. I have a lot of hair and I find hats just make me feel hotter, even if they are straw hats with ventilation.

NanaDana
Desert conditions have been forming for some years in southern Europe.