Escape Northern Hemisphere hot spells at these chilly locales.
Patagonia, Argentina. Luca Galuzzi. CC BY-SA 2.5.
Does this summer’s heat feel unrelenting? Is the heat wave beating against your skin uncomfortably? Are you bored of traditional summer activities like laying out at the beach, swimming at the pool, hiking your favorite trails, and playing at your favorite park? Do you crave a non-traditional summer, one of chilly landscapes and winter activities? Escape the heat by traveling to these refreshing, cold travel locations:
1. The Svalbard Islands, Norway
Bear Island of the Svalbard Archipelago. Gary Bembridge. CC BY 2.0.
The Svalbard Islands, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, offers fresh crisp air and a taste of arctic tranquility. Discovered by Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz in the late 16th century, these islands are covered almost entirely in glaciers and the arctic flora and fauna that accompanies them. Polar bears are not uncommon to see, while native reindeer, arctic foxes and marine mammals abound. One hundred and seventy plant species flourish on the islands for those modern-day Darwinian travelers. Visit the Longyearbyen community filled with colorful houses, welcoming Norwegian residents, and towering ice-capped mountains as well as cities like Barentsburg and Pyramiden, both of which offer their own historical and cultural signature. The Svalbard Islands’ temperature stays in the high 20s (Fahrenheit). The best part? You can visit and even live and work in Svalbard without a visa!
2. Tallinn, Estonia
Old Town in Tallinn, Estonia. Ben Bender. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Estonia’s colorful capital Tallinn is known for its cool, breezy summer temperatures. The red-roofed houses and other variegated architecture makes for a charming focal point. Tallinn’s Old Town, an ancient city steadily built from the 13th-16th centuries, is another popular attraction, especially for those visitors traveling to experience a slice of history. The medieval town, whose full exploration takes at least a day, is enveloped in antique walls, cobblestone streets, towers, and courtyards that excite the eye. The Estonian Open-Air Museum provides a rural getaway from the city. The large expanses of grass and trees in this museum accounts for 14 farms, each of which showcase the life of a family of a particular economic strata and time period. The church, schoolhouse, mills, inn, and shops add to the historical appeal of this already alluring city. Tallinn’s cool temperature ranges from the 50s to the 60s (Fahrenheit) during the summer.
3. Ilulissat, Greenland
An Ilulissat iceberg. Kaet44. CC BY 2.0.
Ilulissat is a perfectly named city: the rhythmic word means “iceberg” in the official Greenlandic language, Kalaalisut. And certainly, there is no shortage of icebergs in Ilulissat. Located on the west coast of the Mexico-sized island, Ilulissat provides a scenic display of icebergs and fjords; whale watching, hiking, arctic kayaking, and fishing are also marvelous day activities. Direct flights from Iceland, Denmark, and the main towns in Greenland deliver travelers to this land of fjords with its characteristic midnight sun–a sun that doesn’t set for days on end. But don’t be fooled by the long periods of daylight, Ilulissat has an average temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
4. Patagonia, Argentina
Cerro Catedral Mountain Resort. Diego Gabriel. CC BY-SA 3.0.
One of South America’s most extraordinary wonders, Patagonia is a short plane ride away from Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires. Patagonia and its distinctive activities consist of three main districts: the Lake District, the Atlantic, and Southern Patagonia. Each district glorifies its landscapes in idiosyncratic ways. The Lake District’s Cerro Catedral Mountain Resort makes ice its God, and provides visitors the chance to participate in a variety of and its ice sports (skiing, snowboarding, etc.). The Punta Tombo Wildlife Sanctuary is Atlantic District’s must-see location with its large colony of Magellanic penguins, named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who ventured through this area. Finally, the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park best represents the frigid wonders of Southern Patagonia. Of course, the gaucho or Argentinian cowboy culture also showcases itself among these three districts: visitors might find themselves near a gaucho farm or see gaucho horsemen among the city’s residents. Overall, the high mountain and glacial winds erase any memory of a stifling heat. Patagonia stays at a mean temperature of high 40s (Fahrenheit) for most of the northern hemisphere’s summer with July having the coldest temperature of the summer months.
5. Glacier Bay, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park. Guldem Ustun. CC BY 2.0.
Glacier Bay never disappoints the traveler looking for a chilly asylum during the summer. The eponymous glaciers appear in abundance around their Bay: Margerie Glacier, Johns Hopkins Glacier, Reid Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, Muir Glacier, and others define the Alaskan landscape. Marine wildlife proliferates on or near these freezing landmasses. Humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, seals, and sea otters flaunt their cold-shielding skin for travelers that arrive on cruise ships and for those that watch from the shore. The Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve also satisfies the adventurous traveler, providing boat tours, kayaking, fishing, glacier viewing, and whale watching activities within the confines of its 3.3 million acres. Naturally, a nice day of rest at the Glacier Bay Lodge typically follows activities. Glacier Bay’s temperature ranges from mid 30s to the high 40s (Fahrenheit) during the summer.
6. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne City, Australia. Lenny K Photography. CC BY. 2.0.
During the northern hemisphere’s summer months, Melbourne, like other cities on the south side of the globe, abandons its flaming sun for a more forgiving, cool winter. While Melbourne doesn’t specifically offer traditional winter activities, its crisp and breezy weather provides a comfortable atmosphere for viewing the city’s wonders: first, as one of the street art capitals of the world, a street art tour is necessary for art-lovers and culture enthusiasts alike. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne also grant some calm for the stressed visitor who can enjoy flora from around the world here. Even walks along shopping avenue Chapel Street and within the Queen Victoria (food) Markets is a fulfilling and cultural experience. Those that crave even more of a breeze can descend the waters of Yarra River on a river cruise or kayak. Temperatures range from mid 40s to high 50s (Fahrenheit) during the northern hemisphere’s summer months.
Su Ertekin-Taner
Su Ertekin-Taner is a first year student at Columbia University majoring in creative writing. Her love for the power of words and her connection to her Turkish roots spills into her satire, flash fiction, and journalistic pieces among other genres. Su hopes to continue writing fearless journalism, untold stories, and prose inspired by her surroundings.