Not hot in Europe in July?
Mar 7th, 2014, 09:51 AM
#21
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Unfortunately the coolest places - Scand and Switz - are also the most expensive. Some VERY expensive indeed.
Northern germany might be a decent compromise - unlikely to be hellishly hot and not very expensive - esp Berlin.
And Poland/Czech re not really hot - not like Spain or Italy or Greece - just regular summer weather. It may SEEM hotter since so few place have AC - but that is true of most of europe.
Northern germany might be a decent compromise - unlikely to be hellishly hot and not very expensive - esp Berlin.
And Poland/Czech re not really hot - not like Spain or Italy or Greece - just regular summer weather. It may SEEM hotter since so few place have AC - but that is true of most of europe.
Mar 7th, 2014, 11:49 AM
#22
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I've been to Poland and the CR in summer and would say they were extremely hot, which to me, would be about 90 degrees F and over. Since the OP said it was bearable, I imagine she is thinking in that range as being very hot. I've been in Dresden in July when it was like that, also. But I've been in Scotland and England in August when I had to wear a trench coat, it was so cold.
Mar 7th, 2014, 12:05 PM
#23
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I have rarely suffered heat like Berlin and Paris in the summer. Weather varies from year to year everywhere but IMO, the recommendations for Scotland make a lot of sense. Also, we went there for the first time ever last year and I loved it in ways I was not prepared for, by which I mean it was so totally different than any other place we had ever been and I fell in love!
Mar 7th, 2014, 12:26 PM
#25
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weather is screwed-up in europe and has been for the last few years. three years ago I went to austria and germany in july. it was pissing rain all the time, temps were ranging between 6C and 15C during the day, and was chillier in the morning. In austria it snowed not just on the mountains but also in some much lower areas - this is July we're talking about!
Two years ago I went again to central and southern europe in July /August and the temps were ranging between 38C and 44C without a drop of rain!!!.
Last year I went to Italy and Austria in July and the temps were ranging bewtween 38C and 40C.
This winter is some parts of Europe they hardly had any snow and spring like weather all winter long.
Who knows what will happen later on this year.
Two years ago I went again to central and southern europe in July /August and the temps were ranging between 38C and 44C without a drop of rain!!!.
Last year I went to Italy and Austria in July and the temps were ranging bewtween 38C and 40C.
This winter is some parts of Europe they hardly had any snow and spring like weather all winter long.
Who knows what will happen later on this year.
Mar 7th, 2014, 12:51 PM
#26
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Stockholm or Copenhagen or Edinburgh or Glasgow or Dublin would be my suggested cities. All are pretty easy nonstop flights from Paris. All would give you plenty to do re fascinating history, churches cathedrals, castles/monumental bldgs, architecture, shopping, museums and nightlife. The temps in all these places in July is likely to be similar to San Francisco, but w/ a few showers or storms possible.
Mar 7th, 2014, 12:58 PM
#27
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I have been to Paris in mid July when it was cool and rainy, and in mid July the following years- the temp
was in the high 80s...
Dublin and Edinburgh in July and August were cool with occasional rain.
was in the high 80s...
Dublin and Edinburgh in July and August were cool with occasional rain.
Mar 7th, 2014, 01:11 PM
#28
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I am a little confused about this "expensive" lark.
I have been to some of the most expensive destinations in the world. If you aren't comfortable living at your usual level just down grade. We would normally eat at middle market restaurants in Britain, similar restaurants in Norway would have cost well over e100 a head, we just ate pizza. Same with all levels of living, just don't buy decent Chianti in Stockholm etc etc.
I have been to some of the most expensive destinations in the world. If you aren't comfortable living at your usual level just down grade. We would normally eat at middle market restaurants in Britain, similar restaurants in Norway would have cost well over e100 a head, we just ate pizza. Same with all levels of living, just don't buy decent Chianti in Stockholm etc etc.
Mar 7th, 2014, 06:35 PM
#30
Thanks, these are all thought-provoking replies and excellent suggestions.
My visit last summer to Poland and the CR was during the last ten days of July and the first week of August; it got progressively hotter while we were there. For me it was the humidity that pushed it to "very hot." We had great a/c in Krakow and Prague but not in the hinterlands. The rental car became a haven. The trains were hot hot hot. And one day in Prague we sought out the contemporary and modern museums, reasoning they would have a/c (we were correct).
Dickie, I mentioned the expense of Scandinavia because when I travel by myself I have found I prefer to upgrade. Just a personal thing; I like more comfort when traveling solo. Heck, with friends I'll happily stay in a shack.
I will check into all of these places and try to cobble something together. Thanks again, everyone!
My visit last summer to Poland and the CR was during the last ten days of July and the first week of August; it got progressively hotter while we were there. For me it was the humidity that pushed it to "very hot." We had great a/c in Krakow and Prague but not in the hinterlands. The rental car became a haven. The trains were hot hot hot. And one day in Prague we sought out the contemporary and modern museums, reasoning they would have a/c (we were correct).
Dickie, I mentioned the expense of Scandinavia because when I travel by myself I have found I prefer to upgrade. Just a personal thing; I like more comfort when traveling solo. Heck, with friends I'll happily stay in a shack.
I will check into all of these places and try to cobble something together. Thanks again, everyone!
Mar 7th, 2014, 09:55 PM
#31
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St. Petersburg is a good suggestion, but I would do it for an entire week if I were going there (and you do have to mess with the dumb Russian visa production). Look at the Sijla Line Ferries for connections from Stockholm to Riga (17 hours one way) and Helsinki to Tallinn (an easy day trip from Helsinki). Having said that of all the Nordic cities, I would go back to Stockholm in a heartbeat.
Mar 8th, 2014, 12:34 AM
#32
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Leely
The comment was just general, not aimed at anyone. Just seems that every time Norway, Switzerland or Sweden are mentioned here the response that is posted is the cost.
We are about to book 10 days in Stockholm for this July.
Will spend 3 days in the city and 7 days in the islands, probably Varmdo. The rentals seem to be of a high design standard for a reasonable price. Certainly compared with Spain and Italy where it can cost 1000s of euros for terrible rentals. This one of the reasons for choosing Sweden, after 40 years I don't think I can stomach another tatty, overpriced rental in Southern Europe.
The restaurant scene in Denmark is getting a lot of coverage and Copenhagen seems very user friendly, I am just not sure it is that impressive a landscape.
How about one of then islands : Mallorca, Sardinia and Corsica rarely exceed 30oC due to the regulating influence of the sea. Sicily is further south and so 40oC is normal in high summer. I seem to remember you have been to Sardinia? How about Corisca, much more vibrant. We loved Bonifacio.
The comment was just general, not aimed at anyone. Just seems that every time Norway, Switzerland or Sweden are mentioned here the response that is posted is the cost.
We are about to book 10 days in Stockholm for this July.
Will spend 3 days in the city and 7 days in the islands, probably Varmdo. The rentals seem to be of a high design standard for a reasonable price. Certainly compared with Spain and Italy where it can cost 1000s of euros for terrible rentals. This one of the reasons for choosing Sweden, after 40 years I don't think I can stomach another tatty, overpriced rental in Southern Europe.
The restaurant scene in Denmark is getting a lot of coverage and Copenhagen seems very user friendly, I am just not sure it is that impressive a landscape.
How about one of then islands : Mallorca, Sardinia and Corsica rarely exceed 30oC due to the regulating influence of the sea. Sicily is further south and so 40oC is normal in high summer. I seem to remember you have been to Sardinia? How about Corisca, much more vibrant. We loved Bonifacio.
Mar 8th, 2014, 12:52 AM
#33
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I go to Scandinavia every month-6 weeks, and now we own a summer cottage in southern Sweden. Yes it is more expensive than where we live but you can adapt, buy open sandwiches etc from bakeries or buy inexpensive lunches from department store restaurants etc.
I can recommend Restaurant Radio in Copenhagen, for a Nordic culinary experience, or for a traditional Danish meal, Groften inside the Tivoli Gardens.
Renting a summer cottage on an island in the Swedish archipelago will be delightful. A Scandinavian summer is very special. The Danish island of Bornholm is a holiday island and supposed to be lovely, I have not visited it yet.
The area north of Copenhagen along the coast is lovely, up towards Helsingoer and beyond, white sand beaches and views towards Sweden.
St Petersburg can be quite hot & humid summer, at least in my experience.
I can recommend Restaurant Radio in Copenhagen, for a Nordic culinary experience, or for a traditional Danish meal, Groften inside the Tivoli Gardens.
Renting a summer cottage on an island in the Swedish archipelago will be delightful. A Scandinavian summer is very special. The Danish island of Bornholm is a holiday island and supposed to be lovely, I have not visited it yet.
The area north of Copenhagen along the coast is lovely, up towards Helsingoer and beyond, white sand beaches and views towards Sweden.
St Petersburg can be quite hot & humid summer, at least in my experience.
Mar 8th, 2014, 03:34 AM
#34
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Finally, some sensible comments about the cost of holidaying in Scandinavia. Had an extended stay in Sweden and Norway a few summers back - admittedly some of it was staying with friends in their apartment in Oslo, but we also had a hotel in Gothenburg, and a cabin in Aurland, and it was no more expensive then any other holiday I've ever taken.
Our hotel did very generous breakfasts included in the price of the stay, we ate sandwiches for lunch, or BBQ (less than a tenner a head for meat, salads and a slice of melon), or bought seafood from the supermarket, pizza out which was good and affordeable, and one or two smarter restaurant meals (general Mediterranean cuisine) which were barely any more expensive than they would be at home. Cooked sea bream and dill from the local market, ate norweigan goats cheese with honey dressing etc - all fab. Great cakes and pastries if you can forgo lunch after a big brekkie are another way of saving on the cost of a large midday meal. I really do despair at people who would miss out an entire country because they don't want to compromise on 5-star luxury or the latest Michelin starred place to brag about/tick off the list.
In more general terms, if the OP is worried about the heat (I'm not great with it either) find somewhere coastal, as it always tends to be slightly cooler/breezier than inland. And it doesn't have to be a beach hol - plenty of fabulous cities on the sea.
Our hotel did very generous breakfasts included in the price of the stay, we ate sandwiches for lunch, or BBQ (less than a tenner a head for meat, salads and a slice of melon), or bought seafood from the supermarket, pizza out which was good and affordeable, and one or two smarter restaurant meals (general Mediterranean cuisine) which were barely any more expensive than they would be at home. Cooked sea bream and dill from the local market, ate norweigan goats cheese with honey dressing etc - all fab. Great cakes and pastries if you can forgo lunch after a big brekkie are another way of saving on the cost of a large midday meal. I really do despair at people who would miss out an entire country because they don't want to compromise on 5-star luxury or the latest Michelin starred place to brag about/tick off the list.
In more general terms, if the OP is worried about the heat (I'm not great with it either) find somewhere coastal, as it always tends to be slightly cooler/breezier than inland. And it doesn't have to be a beach hol - plenty of fabulous cities on the sea.
Mar 8th, 2014, 03:58 AM
#35
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And ironically the essence of the new wave, stratospherically expensive Nordic restaurants is basic rustic cooking using fresh ingredients straight from the sea/beach/field. Tastes even better on the dock of a rental house with your feet in the water.
Mar 8th, 2014, 04:21 AM
#36
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We went to Copenhagen twice last August and loved it! We were pleasantly surprised by the price of things...perhaps because we had expectations that things were going to be horrendously expensive! We found it much cheaper than we were expecting and cheaper than Stockholm.
I second the excellent Radio restaurant in Copenhagen...fantastic food! We would go back to Copenhagen in a heartbeat!
I second the excellent Radio restaurant in Copenhagen...fantastic food! We would go back to Copenhagen in a heartbeat!
Mar 8th, 2014, 06:47 AM
#37
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During our six week trip to Scandinavia in 2012, one thing we were pleasantly surprised with was the availability of food at all of our hotels in the evening. Like the breakfasts, it was included in the price of the room. Granted it wasn't anything phenomenal, but since my husband and I are not big eaters, it was great for us. One less meal to purchase. This was at the Choice Hotels group of hotels. We had points and stayed for free which helped also.
Mar 13th, 2014, 07:42 AM
#39
coco - 5 years ago we were in Iceland in the summer and it was boiling hot - they had a heatwave. it never even cooled down much at night, which was a surprise and of course no-one has got A/C there.
it was such a relief when it rained!
it was such a relief when it rained!
