Have you heard of the latest travel trend, “Coolcations”? As climate change impacts popular summer destinations, regions with cooler climates are experiencing a boom in popularity. With Southern Europe and the USA experiencing record breaking heat, savvy travellers are looking at cooler destinations. Culture, gastronomy, and active experiences amongst natural beauty are still top priorities for “Coolcation” destinations.
Switzerland
From the glamorous French-speaking shores of Lake Geneva, the stunning laneways and shopping arcades of German Zurich, to the sunny palm-lined promenades of Italian Locarno, Switzerland offers incredible luxury and active experiences. It’s also the last word in alpine glamour. From the allure of Gstaad, and St. Moritz, to the majestic Matterhorn in Zermatt, the Swiss alps offer unparalleled experiences amongst breathtaking scenery. For a “once in a lifetime” experience in Zermatt, take the gondola to the top, where you can ski all summer and visit the glacier museum carved into the ice!
Enjoy private hiking tours to the Jungfrau glacier, breathtaking alpine train rides, and incredible culinary experiences. Luxuriate in ancient thermal pools or modern spa complexes after an active day outside exploring Switzerland’s natural beauty including mountain trails, waterfalls, and canyons. Everything is easily accessible due to the finest infrastructure and transportation system in Europe. As a leader in sustainable tourism, the Swiss train system and panoramic journeys are destinations in themselves. No holiday in Switzerland is complete without a traditional cheese fondue or raclette meal in an authentic local chalet!
Italian Lakes and Dolomites
The fascinating Veneto region includes Venice, its namesake, and the lovely towns of Padova, Vicenza, and Treviso in the heartland of Palladium architecture and prosecco. Explore Lake Garda, the largest“Italian Lake”, boasting stunning towns like Sirmione, with crenelated fortress walls, and Riva di Garda, where gardens and villas line the hillside overlooking the crystal blue lake. It also neighbours vineyards producing Amarone, Ripasso, and Valpolicello DOCs. One of our favourite wineries is Fattoria di Aligheri, the author Dante’s ancestral estate, a historic location with stunning views.
Beckoning in the distance are the mighty Dolomites Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of outstanding natural beauty and culture. In Selva Val Gardenia you can hike or bike to Alta Badia or over to Alpe di Suisi, the alpine meadow where flowers burst with colour. With six Michelin stars in the Alta Badia valley alone, you are guaranteed wonderful meals and excellent wine to fuel your physical activities! After enjoying the great outdoors, retreat to one of many wellness hotels. Italians take spa culture to the next level so there is ample opportunity to rejuvenate in the pools, saunas, hammams, and salt caves.
South Africa & Namibia
While it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the southern! Cape Town is a world class city with vibrant neighbourhoods like Bo-Kapp and the V&A Waterfront just waiting to be explored. A foodie walking tour of Cape Malay culture and cuisine is highly recommended (we love Babootie, the signature Cape Malay dish!). The V&A Waterfront is the gateway to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and is an evocative and educational experience to understand South Africa’s complicated past.
Overshadowing all of Cape Town is Table Mountain and Lion’s head. Popular for challenging hikes, Table Mountain is also accessible by cable car, where the panoramic views of the 12 Disciples peaks extend to the Cape of Good Hope in the distance. Lying within easy distance of Cape Town is the “Winelands”: Stellenbosch and Franschoek. Discover the local Chenin Blanc grape varietal at destination wineries like Waterford and Babylonstoren, or discover smaller producers like Oldenburg before al fresco dining under an facing the vineyards at Chef’s Restaurant, a superlative dining experience.
Further afield, Namibia’s surreal beauty invites endless exploration. During our summer, Namibia is refreshingly cool and nicely secluded. Adventure through the Skeleton Coast, marvelling at its many shipwrecks, or through the iconic dunes of the Sossusvlei, lit in magnificent red at sunset. Admire natural beauty and desert-adapted wildlife in Etosha National Park on a once-in-a-lifetime safari sure to leave you with lasting memories.
