Unicorn holiday destination weather wise

[FourSeasonsTotalLandscaping]

Does there exist anywhere a holiday destination that is reliably sunny and nicely warm but not insanely roasting in early July? I am from Scotland and I don’t do well in high heat but I would like to go somewhere with a decent chance of pleasant sunshine, which can certainly never be guaranteed here!

The last few years we’ve done cruises to Norway (really enjoyed though a mixed bag weather wise) but we’re getting a bit bored with them now and would like a change. We did a med cruise last summer and it was far too hot for us, and I thought the model of cruising was very poorly suited to med ports as it forces you to be out and about trying to sightsee at the hottest part of the day!

Any suggestions for a summer destination? Or should I give up on this idea and start taking our family holidays at Easter or in October instead?

I should add we are somewhat hampered by being unable to drive so anything too off the beaten track is a non starter unfortunately!

I reckon you need to find yourself a spot half-way down France (tune north and south to find the right weather) - the west coast is lovely, and we've always taken the ferry and driven, so we can stop off and see stuff on the way down - because there's lots of little bits and bobs - the Bayeux Tapestry was a highlight for me, and Mont San Michel was great too

We do France in April, and it's a fairly reliable nice, but you can wear a jumper without dying of heat exhaustion (we're from Ireland, so 16 degrees is a sunny day for us ;) ), in other years we've been in Summer and it's been warm, but not insufferably warm.

OR how about the mountains - Alps or somewhere pretty like that?

Edit - Doh! Just saw the update - South Germany would be lovely in July, and you can fly/rail to loads of France/Germany

Alps/dolomites. You can do it on public transport. I’d go to switzerland - eg Engelberg.

I did wonder if mountains would be the way to go - Austria or Switzerland or Germany maybe.

Have you considered flying into Amsterdam and taking the train to somewhere else in Holland? Imagine that’s not too hot in July?

Madeira might work. I think the average daytime temperature is low to mid 20s in July and it is pretty dry at that time of year. My parents stayed in Funchal and although they hired a car for a couple of days they were able to see a lot without one.

Be careful of the Alps. When I have been there in summer it has either been boiling or stormy.

Great Rail Journeys (not an ad) might have something suitable for you

We’re Scottish too and loved the Netherlands, but last time we went I needed to buy and umbrella and hoodie as it was about 13 degrees at the beginning of July.
Other times it’s been about 21/22 which is perfect for me.

@FourSeasonsTotalLandscaping we went to Austria last summer - flew to Salzburg, bus to Zell am See, buses all over the area to all attractions (fab Aircon in them too).
Many hotels included a 'sumner card' giving you free public transport, free cable cars, free lido access and many free attractions.
Temperature-wise it was perfect - warm but not sweltering.

Climate change means that anywhere in Europe can have 35° at midday in July.

Madeira could be OK but we found it very humid.

Have a look at the Azores, but be aware that the beaches are mostly black sand. If you enjoy walking you will absolutely love it.

Canaries are reliably 20s and sunny at that time I believe, but I’m not sure it’s what you’re after especially if you can’t drive, as you’d likely be stuck in a resort town.

Agree with Alps/mountains. You may get a heatwave but it’ll still be cooler than a Med heatwave. You may get rain but you’d be unlucky to get a full week of rain. Basically nothing is guaranteed but will be better than UK.

Same applies to middle west of France (Ile de Re, La Rochelle & inland) - you can get heatwaves, you can get rain, but it will generally be somewhere in between UK and Med weather. IME it’s generally southern UK weather but a few degrees warmer/sunnier.

If the Alps, find somewhere with lots of cable cars or little trains and a pass to cover them. Wengen is lovely and has many (pricy) options, or nearby Grinedelwald. Mayrofen has lots of cable cars included in a pass but you need to get to a bus to get to some. Both are likely to be very mixed weather. For us Mayrofen was not but very windy up on the hills.

We went to Île de Ré in France last year and it wasn't too hot at all. It's also a lovely place.

Madeira might suit you. There’s a reasonable bus service and many, many minibus trips that aren’t too expensive. We did a few levada walks - up in the mountains and quite shaded.

Morzine in the French Alps? Or anywhere in the French Alps

We’ve decided to go for Austria and have narrowed it down to two hotels:

Hotel Stadt Wien in Zell am See or Gartenhotel Theresia in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Slightly prefer the latter hotel (I think!) but not sure if we’d be better off in Zell am See?

Netherlands? Denmark? Anywhere at elevation? The north of Italy in the mountains doesn’t get massively hot.