Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

If you don’t like hot weather in the UK, do you go on holiday to hot places?

62 replies

Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 17:20

Genuine question, since I now live in Greece, we have a heat wave this week with no air-conditioning at home, at least I don’t anyway. And it just made me think, because I was in the UK last year when it was 40°… I wouldn’t say the heat here is different, it’s just as bad. I know a lot of people enjoy going on holiday to places like Greece, Italy etc., and but many other countries don’t have air-conditioning either and they have very big heat waves like France, Italy and yes, Greece.

I think it’s much different if you go to a hotel that has air-conditioning everywhere and a swimming pool etc. I’m just curious to know what people do if they really don’t like heat. Is it just difficult because of the lack of air conditioning do you think? I can definitely tell you, I love sunshine, and blue skies, but I’m not so keen on 40° temperatures, living on the fifth floor with no AC. I did invest in a very high powered fan on Friday, but getting AC in the flat has been a problem.

OP posts:
MagnificentDelurker · 09/07/2023 18:07

I loved visiting UK when I lived in a hot place. I loved the cool summer here.

Unfortunately, we will get hotter summers with global warming and 40 degree will become new normal in UK.

SquigglePigs · 09/07/2023 18:10

DH and I both hate the heat and no, we don't holiday in the heat either.

Original poster
Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 18:11

Interesting to read all of your flies, sorry, I’m visually impaired and dictation won’t always catch your names, but to the person who said you would like to go to grease and winter, definitely come. It’s a beautiful place in winter time and it’s decorated and the treats are very nice. There are also ski resorts and things like that, but a lot of people don’t even realize. The hotels near me, I live on the mainland, have fireplaces if they are in the mountains sometimes.

to the person who goes to Greenland and Iceland, those sound really interesting. I’ve never been to either one, but who knows, I might go on a summer holiday there now.

and to the person who said that you might visit the UK if you weren’t British to go to Oxford and Cambridge, I agree with you. Sadly, I think when you live somewhere, places like that just become very Munding, and a lot of tourists don’t tend to think about them either. being visually impaired though, Cambridge and the bicycles scare me a bit…

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weather
DaisyUpsy · 09/07/2023 18:13

No not usually. I did go somewhere got for our honeymoon but that was to see historical stuff and 20 years ago lol

onthisoccasion · 09/07/2023 18:13

A holiday is generally totally different to normal life, isn't it? I hate being hot in the uk but Greece is actually my favourite holiday destination- although we've only ever been in May/June or Sept/October and even then I spend a lot of time in the shade, in the sea and in air-conditioned accommodation! 40 degrees plus is exceptionally hot regardless, but our home in the uk doesn't have air con, thick walls, verandas, shutters, etc etc to minimise the intensity. Mediterranean towns and cities often have shady walk ways / paths and parks as well, compared to the uk, which makes being out and about easier. I don't think I could handle living in a hot country, but a week in the med, letting someone else do all the cooking, reading my book in the shade with a sea breeze and regular swim is delightful.

LolaSmiles · 09/07/2023 18:17

I don't like the sort of muggy heat we get in the UK, but do like a clear heat with a breeze and space to sit in the shade.

I don't chase sun worshiping holiday spots, but also think some of what makes the UK uncomfortable in the heat is that we've not designed our country for the higher heat, which makes sense because we're overall a cooler and wetter climate than southern Europe.

Original poster
Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 18:19

On this occasion, it’s funny you mention things like shutters… I was trying to raise my shutter early this morning to bring in some air, the shutter broke… yes, my place has an awning on one side of the balcony, it does have shutters, I think a lot of Greek homes do, but when it gets hot… It gets hot. Thankfully I have learned where the centers are that have a C for people who don’t have it at home.

and as a side question, when you visit Greece have you been to anywhere on the mainland like Pelion? Maybe it feels cooler on one of the islands, the only time I have been to an island was in May so not in the middle of summer.

OP posts:
Notateacheranymore · 09/07/2023 18:21

Have been fairly regularly since 2009. My PILs and later their younger adult daughter moved to Lanzarote. The older daughter had been living there since 1999. So, if DH wanted to see his lovely parents or have a holiday, there’s no contest. His dad has died now, so those weeks sweltering are gold now.

Original poster
Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 18:22

I agree, totally. When I came across the spots that are available for people who don’t have AC at home here, I searched for places in London where people could go during times like last year when it was extremely hot. There was a list of places in the city where people could go and keep cool, a lot of libraries were mentioned, I’ve never been in those libraries though so I don’t know how cool it was. And again, I don’t know how many people were aware of these things…

OP posts:
onthisoccasion · 09/07/2023 18:23

No, not done mainland Greece (yet!) partly actually as I had heard it is often hotter, and that's not for me. We now have school-aged children; I'm very keen to take them to Crete next year but it will be May half-term as none of us could handle the July/August heat.

Original poster
Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 18:24

I’m sorry to hear about your parents in law, just curious, does them have air conditioning in houses generally or not really? I spent time in the blind association the first year I was here, and there was no AC but there was a fan in the kitchen. A ceiling fan.

I tried to find the statistic on how many Greek households have air conditioning, it seems a lot of people do nowadays, but there are still homes, like mine that don’t. And I know in France it’s very not common and in Italy same thing.

OP posts:
OddBoots · 09/07/2023 18:25

No, the only overseas holidays we have had have been a 5 days in Germany and 5 days in Iceland. Hot places have no appeal whatever I am doing.

Original poster
Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 18:27

Occasion, I’ve never been to Crete, it’s on my list of places to visit though. I have quite a few friends from there and have heard it’s one of those places it’s very inviting and friendly

yes, mainland is definitely hot, I live right next to a mountain, so I don’t know what it’s like up there right now. May be a few to visit the mainland, come in the off-season like in December or November, and you can get to enjoy the fireplaces, one and the cooler weather. Although when it rains, it’s a bit like living in the UK. Cold and miserable

OP posts:
Fandabedodgy · 09/07/2023 18:28

Yes but when I go on holiday I get to wear a swimsuit and lie by a pool. If I go indoors there is air con.

Quite different to sitting on a computer doing teams calls by a fan.

usernother · 09/07/2023 18:33

Yes because I stay in air conditioned hotels, and I do nothing all day apart from getting in and out of a swimming pool.

momager1 · 09/07/2023 18:40

I retired on easter sunday to a very hot destination that is popular with tourists (esp canadians and americans) It is so hot. We have visited over 50 times before taking the plunge so we knew what to expect. Our apartment had central air which cost a fortune to run so we put a large inverter unit in the main area and two smaller ones in the bedrooms. We rarely use air during the day unless (like right now.) my husband is doing some consulting work online. He is in the spare bedroom/office with the air on (and both our mutts laying in there lucky pups) I try to wear my summer canada clothes which means I am in capris and jeans and jeggings alot. I am doing this to try to acclimatize. So far it is working. I am in my living room and the temp is showing inside at 37 degrees and humidity at 72 percent and I am comfortable. 3 months ago i would have been crying and down in the pool trying to keep cool in what is essentially bath water temps lmao. What I know. I will NEVER move back to Canada. Never want to see another ice storm in my life. If we had to leave here, we would move home to belfast where I was born and raised. But god willing we are here till the end. I would love to see Greece. Maybe someday that may be a vacation for us !

MinnieMountain · 09/07/2023 18:42

No. That’s why we went to the south of France in the May half term.
We’re thinking of going to Turkey next year but in October.

Silkierabbit · 09/07/2023 18:43

It depends - sometimes we go to cooler destinations like Finland, Norway, Sweden but our main holidays are in the summer holidays and so we do got to hot places some years but make sure there are lots of water activities. So hotels with swimming pools / waterparks. Though temps like 27C I can manage OK esp if hotel air conditioned and a pool. I did Maldives last year and that was fine as could go in the sea all the time and pool.

Notateacheranymore · 09/07/2023 18:44

Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 18:24

I’m sorry to hear about your parents in law, just curious, does them have air conditioning in houses generally or not really? I spent time in the blind association the first year I was here, and there was no AC but there was a fan in the kitchen. A ceiling fan.

I tried to find the statistic on how many Greek households have air conditioning, it seems a lot of people do nowadays, but there are still homes, like mine that don’t. And I know in France it’s very not common and in Italy same thing.

None of the houses - friends of PILs I’ve visited had AC, but we did stay in an AirBNB last October that had a unit in the living, and external shutters over the sliding doors, so you could choose the forced air or natural breeze. A good combo.

Silkierabbit · 09/07/2023 18:44

I am planning to go to Borneo next summer that will be very hot but I really want to see the animals and the nature so will find a way to do it.

MintyCedric · 09/07/2023 18:47

Not a hot weather fan here either. I’ve tended to go abroad in October over the last few years (pre Covid anyway) and summer holiday usually in Yorkshire!

It bothers me as I’d like to travel more at some point…Cuba has been on my bucket list for decades but I can’t imagine how I would cope with the weather.

Bearpawk · 09/07/2023 18:47

I'm not a fan of hot summers in the uk.
Commuting to work all day and working all day, no air con, no shelter from the sun in most places
Vs
Whafting around by the pool in a kaftan all day, eating out, air conditioned hotel room

Lorrries · 09/07/2023 18:50

No. I rarely go on holiday but I've been to Italy in February (perfect weather and people were eating outside), and to North Africa in December.

BanjoKnickers · 09/07/2023 18:55

Hellokittymania · 09/07/2023 17:20

Genuine question, since I now live in Greece, we have a heat wave this week with no air-conditioning at home, at least I don’t anyway. And it just made me think, because I was in the UK last year when it was 40°… I wouldn’t say the heat here is different, it’s just as bad. I know a lot of people enjoy going on holiday to places like Greece, Italy etc., and but many other countries don’t have air-conditioning either and they have very big heat waves like France, Italy and yes, Greece.

I think it’s much different if you go to a hotel that has air-conditioning everywhere and a swimming pool etc. I’m just curious to know what people do if they really don’t like heat. Is it just difficult because of the lack of air conditioning do you think? I can definitely tell you, I love sunshine, and blue skies, but I’m not so keen on 40° temperatures, living on the fifth floor with no AC. I did invest in a very high powered fan on Friday, but getting AC in the flat has been a problem.

No, we've had to lose money and abandon holidays before flying in the past when heatwaves have descended and the forecast has been unbearable. I want to be able to enjoy myself, can't see the point of paying to be uncomfortable!

amylou8 · 09/07/2023 19:16

40 degrees at home working...no thanks
40 degrees on a city break in Istanbul crushed on a tram...no thanks
40 degrees on a sun lounger in Bodrum with a cocktail...yep 😁