my husband and i are flying from philadlephia to amsterdam on aug. 14. we'll be training it around europe for three weeks, until the third of september. we are hitting (in order) amsterdam-brussels-london-paris-vienna-munich and back home. i've been keeping an eye on the weather and am EXTREMELY apprehensive about the heat in europe right now!! i know nobody knows-- but what are people saying about the chances that this kind of what will stick around for my trip? is this kind of heat unusual? how have travelers to these destinations been coping? i'm particulalry worried because we are nothereners and not well adapted to the heat-- esp. with no a/c. how hot have the hotels rooms been getting?? does anyone have any advice for staying cool? has the whole summer been hot?
My advice is to have booked hotel rooms with A/C which may be a little late now. The parts of Europe you're going to, when they are hot, will feel just the same as Philadelphia feels when it is hot..MUGGY. We must get away from the notion that "air conditioning" somehow only means being comfortable in Winter..do you know ANYONE who would book a hotel room that wasn't HEATED????
Here in Brussels it's hot, too hot really to do much in the afternoon. The only thing I have the energy for in the afternoon is going to the local supermarket to hang out in the air conditioning. It's not too bad in the morning or in the evening, but afternoon is siesta time!
The latest forecast is for this heat to continue into next week. We can't *imagine* this keeping up for more than 10 days. We're all hoping for a cool spell to blow in, but it won't be for at least a week.
If it stays this hot when you come through Brussels, I advise you to get away from the Grand'Place area and take the metro up to one of the green parks, which are really pleasant. Particularly the Cinquantenaire and the Parc Woluwe.
Yes, it has been a long hot summer. We've gone through more sunscreen this summer than I have in our previous summers here combined.
The latest forecast is for this heat to continue into next week. We can't *imagine* this keeping up for more than 10 days. We're all hoping for a cool spell to blow in, but it won't be for at least a week.
If it stays this hot when you come through Brussels, I advise you to get away from the Grand'Place area and take the metro up to one of the green parks, which are really pleasant. Particularly the Cinquantenaire and the Parc Woluwe.
Yes, it has been a long hot summer. We've gone through more sunscreen this summer than I have in our previous summers here combined.
I was in Paris from about the middle of June to July, and this heat wave started at that time there -- around June 20th. It was just as hot then as these recent quotes about records (eg, 34-38 in afternoon). I thought it said it was an all time record for Paris during one of those days. Then, I think it cooled down a bit and was sort of normal for July for some weeks (which would be more 25-30) until it started getting really hot again in last couple of weeks.
I wouldn't expect it to remain that hot into September during your trip, that would seem incredible. Yes, it is quite unusual. This has never happened in all the times I've visited Paris over the last 20 years -- it has been that hot before when I was there in July, but it would be a rare event and only last a day or couple days at the most. I have never been there when it's been this hot for weeks on end. Of course, I haven't been there every summer.
How did I cope in Paris? I wore as cool clothes as I could (mainly thinner capris and sleeveless blouses or tank-like tops during the day, linen slacks or cotton skirt at night; sandals or slides). I had no AC in my apt., but I did have a large fan which helped -- I moved it into my bedroom when sleeping as this apt. did not have good circulation in the bedroom (big regret). Drank a lot of cold water.
That's about it. I spent more time in museums where I thought it would be cooler than walking around or sitting in parks. I tried to find restaurants or movies with AC, but there aren't many. Spent a lot of time shopping for frozen food in the Picard stores (a chain that sells only frozen goods -- very refreshing to walk in).
I'm from Wash DC so these temps aren't that unusual to me, just the inability to find any place with AC, or at home. My apt. wasn't that bad with the fan, being in an older stone building on a higher floor. It didn't bother me that much in the daytime, but I don't stay out in the sun a lot. As with Btilke, it wasn't so bad in the mornings at all, and the evenings were still hot but not unbearable.
I wouldn't expect it to remain that hot into September during your trip, that would seem incredible. Yes, it is quite unusual. This has never happened in all the times I've visited Paris over the last 20 years -- it has been that hot before when I was there in July, but it would be a rare event and only last a day or couple days at the most. I have never been there when it's been this hot for weeks on end. Of course, I haven't been there every summer.
How did I cope in Paris? I wore as cool clothes as I could (mainly thinner capris and sleeveless blouses or tank-like tops during the day, linen slacks or cotton skirt at night; sandals or slides). I had no AC in my apt., but I did have a large fan which helped -- I moved it into my bedroom when sleeping as this apt. did not have good circulation in the bedroom (big regret). Drank a lot of cold water.
That's about it. I spent more time in museums where I thought it would be cooler than walking around or sitting in parks. I tried to find restaurants or movies with AC, but there aren't many. Spent a lot of time shopping for frozen food in the Picard stores (a chain that sells only frozen goods -- very refreshing to walk in).
I'm from Wash DC so these temps aren't that unusual to me, just the inability to find any place with AC, or at home. My apt. wasn't that bad with the fan, being in an older stone building on a higher floor. It didn't bother me that much in the daytime, but I don't stay out in the sun a lot. As with Btilke, it wasn't so bad in the mornings at all, and the evenings were still hot but not unbearable.
Ugh. Just found out it will be 100 here in Brussels tomorrow and 108 in Paris. 108 degrees! And the BBC forecaster said the heat is likely to continue (maybe not as bad as 100 degrees but still hotter than normal) for the rest of the month.
In the "silver lining" department, the word is that this year's wines will be excellent. Small yields but top quality.
Tomorrow, the dog gets her long walk at 7 am. By noon, we'll be hiding in the apartment with shades drawn, fan running, and iced drinks on hand.
Sad news also is that many birds are dying from botulism and other toxins that are developing in warm, still water. People are being urged to put out fresh water for birds and to keep pets out of ponds and lakes.
In the "silver lining" department, the word is that this year's wines will be excellent. Small yields but top quality.
Tomorrow, the dog gets her long walk at 7 am. By noon, we'll be hiding in the apartment with shades drawn, fan running, and iced drinks on hand.
Sad news also is that many birds are dying from botulism and other toxins that are developing in warm, still water. People are being urged to put out fresh water for birds and to keep pets out of ponds and lakes.
All this heat in Europe reminds me of the summer of 1945 when a similar set of temperatures came into play. If one has a few extra bucks to invest, now might be a good time to order several cases of quality Bordeaux and Burgundies because the sugar content of these wines (once aged) should make them extremely good. In fact, 1945 reds have become one of the most valuable vintages in all of modern history. A great asset to pass along to your children and grandchildren.
I just read that it was the summer of '47 when they last had this kind of heat wave. Whatever year it was, it obviously isn't typical! My daughter and friends, who live in Paris for now, spent considerable time seeking out restaurants that were air conditioned. After much searching, they were able to find some places. For your information, they have signs in the window stating that they have air conditioning. Hopefully the heat wave will break before you get far into your trip. As for my daughter, she's headed to Norway.......
