I’ve never been one to surrender to relentless summer heat. As the mercury climbs and cities shimmer under waves of oppressive warmth, the world seems to slow down, seeking refuge from an invisible, scorching force. Recently, I’ve found a growing niche of travelers—fellow heat-wave refugees—embarking on what I like to call “coolcations”: immersive escapes not to tropics or sun-drenched beaches, but instead to crisp, invigorating realms of cooler air and breathtaking landscapes.

It seems counterintuitive in an age where sun worship is practically a lifestyle. Yet, the allure of mountain breezes, glacier-fed lakes, and pine-scented forests has pulled me out of the sweat-soaked urban sprawl. This winter-in-summer approach to vacations offers something magnetic: the chance to breathe deeply, refresh the spirit, and rediscover the thrill of cold air against sun-warmed skin.

Chasing Cool airs in a Heated World

One of my most vivid coolcation adventures led me to the Scottish Highlands in July—a place where the ancient earth exhales history through mist and stone. Morning fog hugged the glens as emerald hills stretched into the horizon. While friends elsewhere sweated through air-conditioned bars, I was wrapped in a wool scarf, savoring the cold snap that dawn gifted the valleys. The charm wasn’t just in dodging heat; it was in the sensory poetry of it—a reminder of stories carved into the land itself.

Alongside the Highlands, Alaska’s untouched serenity calls to those willing to swap the sands for snowfields—even midsummer there can be a crisp, refreshing delight. Hiking through trails dotted with wild blueberries under long twilight skies, watching glaciers calve with thunderous echoes—that is vacation as revelation, a profound contrast to the simmering cities we’ve left behind.

The Emotional Alchemy of Cold Travel

There’s something elemental about cold places; they prompt a different kind of awareness. The body reacts to chill with invigorated senses, the mind sharpens, and emotions often deepen. Having watched amber leaves whirl in a bracing wind atop the Scandinavian fjords or felt the clean, biting chill beside an Icelandic waterfall, I’ve realized that coolcations are not simply practical retreats—they are emotional and spiritual reboots.

“The cold sharpens the soul in ways heat never can.”

It is no surprise then that “coolcations” are trending now. With climate change making summers more intense, travelers are consciously choosing destinations that provide relief and reconnection with quieter, cooler forces of nature. These journeys offer an antidote to overheated routines and remind us to cherish temperature’s subtle emotional architecture.

How to Plan Your Own Coolcation

For those eager to dip their toes into this chilly trend, here are some personal insights from my travels:

• Choose elevation over latitude: Mountains can be a perfect refuge. Even places not traditionally cold can surprise you with refreshing chills at higher altitudes.
• Embrace the seasons: Summer doesn’t have to mean heat. Northern Europe and parts of Canada offer delightful cool summers that blend long daylight with mild temps.
• Pack with intent: Layers, moisture-wicking fabrics, and good boots will keep you comfortable in ever-shifting weather.
• Seek experiences, not just escape: Whether it’s northern lights, glacier hikes, or local storytelling by a fire, these cooler places offer rich, immersive encounters.

When I last returned from a coolcation in Vermont, the culinary warmth of cider doughnuts and hand-foraged mushrooms paired perfectly with the crisp mountain air, reminding me that embracing cold climates can add texture, not just chill, to a getaway.

Rediscovering Wonder in the Cold

There is a distinct kind of magic in feeling the bite of a mountain breeze after long weeks in the blaze of heat. The very act of escaping to cold places becomes a meditation—a way to pause, reflect, and connect with something beyond the daily scorch.

So as heat waves blaze and the earth’s warmth feels relentless, consider the path less taken by the sun’s direct rays. Coolcations beckon those who crave rejuvenation, adventure, and stories etched in frost and fog. Through these journeys, the world reveals its quiet, elegant winters even at the hottest time of year—beckoning us to step into a different rhythm, to breathe deeply, and to revive wonder all over again.

Marco Santiago