August destination - not too hot!

[Parapapampam]

We are a very pale family who do not cope well with heat or blazing sun.

Every time we book a summer holiday to somewhere warm, even south of France, Spain etc. we regret it as we spend the whole time hiding under umbrellas or in air conditioned buildings.

The last few years we have done our holiday to such places at Easter, and done a UK holiday in the summer, but this year would like to travel abroad.

Where would you recommend that is likely to be around 20-25 degrees in August (aware this is unpredictable!)? We are open to most types of holiday, city, beach, countryside.

Do you think Berlin could be a good choice?

Thanks!

Madeira? It has a micro climate

We just stick to the UK in August mainly. Much cheaper and usually good weather (except last year was rainy)

We have had mixed weather in summer near Annecy in France. We stayed about 15 mins away in Saint-Jorioz. Stunningly beautiful in all weathers - absolutely "can this be real??" levels of stunning scenery. Beautiful lake to swim in, lots of cycling, Annecy itself great for shopping/coffees. Some nice warm days but not too intense to stop us cycling etc. Some cloudier days, cooler, moody mountain weather. We loved it. Fly to Geneva and drive.

We visited Annecy whilst staying in the French Alps a couple of years ago, loved it!

Yes, we normally do Wales, Northumbria, The Lakes, Cornwall, Scottish borders etc. in August, but fancied a bit further afield this year.

I didn't know that about Madeira, will take a look!

Has lots of cruise ships calling in.

What about the Santander area of Spain. The average temperature is in the mid twenties in August. It is green and has a wonderful coastline. Also the mountains are in easy distance.

Finland.

Another vote for Iceland - we were there in July. Nice weather probably around 17 degrees from memory - but everything is really expensive. I think we pre booked flights and accommodation and then spent the same again when we were there!

August is the best time of year for safari in Africa - their winter is the dry season so all the animals congregate at the water holes, and there's less foliage for them to hide in. Kenya or Zimbabwe would be fantastic, and beautiful weather.

If Scandinavia is too expensive, I'd look at Belgium, the Netherlands and mountain resorts as every 100m of elevation reduces the temp by 1°C. A lot of ski resorts are open in the summer for mountain biking, walking, etc. Places like Annecy and Lake Constance are lovely in the summer.

The Canaries will usually be cooler than the Med - last July we were in Tenerife where it was about 32°, while in Greece it was over 40°. That's still quite hot though if you don't like hot weather.

Lanzarote was fine last year when we went. Nice breeze. Never higher than 27 although that may still be too hot.

Perhapd Northern France/Channel Islands/

I don’t like it too hot either, and save Italy/Spain/ Provence etc. for Easter. My mum is Procencale and thinks I’m nuts!

After enduring a Hades-like canicule in southern France two years ago, last year we went to Slovenia and the weather was absolutely perfect.

We often head to the French Alps and stay in one of the ski resorts. There’s loads to do, they are really developing their summer adventure holiday offers. Loads of great accommodation. Our favourite is Thollon-les-Memises which is tiny but with amazing walking, wildlife, swimming lakes and restaurants. It never gets too hot, and if it’s too cool we just head down the mountain for the day. Perfect!

Ooh, and I’d agree to consider the North of France. People just drove on past looking for the sun. But if that’s not your thing, Normandy and Brittany are both gorgeous. With fascinating history and culture too. We’ve had some of our best family holidays about there.

We did a ski resort in the French Alps a couple of years ago in the summer, it was fantastic and great value. As a child my parents would take us on the ferry to Calais and we'd camp in northern France, I hate camping now so maybe that's what has put me off 😂I need to remember I would not have to stay in a tent!

Anywhere in Scandinavia is absolutely beautiful in the summer. Iceland is easy and stunning, southern Finland is beautiful, Sweden and Norway too

We enjoy the carribean in the summer - predicable weather- never hotter than 32. We go early so reduces hurricane risk. The sun is much stronger though.

How far can you go? Alaska?

Agree with pp, northern Spain would be perfect. Fly or ferry to Santander or Bilbao. It is so green, nothing like the rest of Spain. Never gets too hot. You have the beautiful Picos de Europa plus lovely beaches and interesting towns and cities.

Have you considered Northern Spain? Beautiful, beautiful place. Weather a lot cooler than anywhere else in Spain and never roasting. In fact it is similar to ourselves but maybe a tad warmer. You can sail to Santander or fly into Bilbao, and go all along the coast to A Coruna. Plenty of great places to choose from. You can either go the A Coruna route, or the San Sebastian way in the Basque country. All great.

Well as you can see, I loved it in July pre Covid and it was very pleasant weather wise but not unbearable at all!

Oops I see @PinkPondQueen pipped me at the post there! Great minds think alike.

The Netherlands has amazing beaches, beautiful forests and lots to do for the family.

If you're prepared to fly long haul, how about British Columbia? The Canadian interior gets very hot, but the coast is really temperate. Vancouver and Vancouver Island are pretty much my favourite place on earth. Amazing scenery, whale and bear watching, fascinating culture, lovely food, great city.

Norwegian fjords. Fly to Alesund or Bergen, hire a car, book trips or just drive around marvelling at the scenery, it is spectacular! Get yourself to the glacier, and on it if you can (our children were too young but it was still amazing to hike up to). Plenty of museums and indoor activities to break up the outdoorsy-ness too. Mostly t shirt weather, with some hoody wearing.

As a fellow pasty specimen I'm loving some of the ideas on here op, good thread!