When the summers hit the Northern Hemisphere, the temperatures can sometimes lead to heat waves. If you find the heat to be too much to handle, you may want to escape to one of these destinations to cool down.
1. Alaska
America’s biggest state is the place to be if you want to check out Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, which sits in Denali National Park. You can also boat around the Kenai Fjords National Park to see the ice fields reaching out to the ocean. When you’ve finished that you can always kayaking around the beautiful Glacier Bay National Park. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to see some amazing wildlife such as bears, elk, moose, and whales. The summer days are long and the temperature’s usually between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Antarctica
You just know this place is going to cool you down. The seventh continent is a frozen adventure for researchers who sail here from Argentina and the Falkland Islands. Along the way you’ll pass whales, penguins, huge icebergs and some breathtaking scenery. When you reach the South Shetland Islands and Antarctica Peninsula the wildlife gets more varied with sea-birds and seals being added to the mix. Antarctica is coldest, iciest, and driest piece of land on the planet.
3. Lake Baikal
Many people jump into the nearest body of water when they’re overheating. If you head to Eastern Siberia you’ll find Lake Baikal, which is the deepest, oldest, and biggest of the earth’s freshwater lakes. It’s a very scenic area even though the lake is frozen for a good part of the year. The water is about 45degrees Fahrenheit, but there are still some brave enough to dive in for a quick swim.
4. Greenland
Even though it’s called Greenland, the country is actually covered in ice. Well, about 85% of it is anyway. The trick name was thought up by a Viking who wanted to lure residents of Iceland to immigrate to Greenland. The land mass is about the size of Mexico in reality, and it’s an ideal location for kayaking, diving, mountain climbing, fishing, and boating. You can also enjoy the nation’s hot springs, cuisine, and unique culture. The summer temperature is usually about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Iceland
Like Greenland, the name is a bit deceiving. In reality, there’s only about 10 per cent ice in Iceland. The rest of the glorious country is filled with forests, mountains, and fascinating landscapes. Even though Iceland lies just below the Arctic Circle, the temperature is relatively mild during the winters while the summers are cool. The capital city of Reykjavik is usually about 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, but it can change quickly. You’ll see some wonderful glaciers, geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and volcanoes here. But remember, the nights never get dark during the summer months.
6. British Columbia
This western Canadian province gets its fair share of rain, but still enjoys plenty of clear, beautiful daysin the summer. But while the rest of the country may be facing a heat wave, Vancouver usually hovers around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, making it warm enough to enjoy, but still offering a relief from the heat. The hiking trails and beaches are put to good use and the Gulf Islands and Victoria areas are great places visit.
7. Western U.S. Coastline
Oregon’s coastline is filled with quaint coastal towns and long beautiful beaches. You won’t have to sweat it out here as the temperature is usually about 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the cities of Portland and Seattle. To see the beauty of the region you may want to take a drive down the coast to California and stop in San Francisco. You might be surprised to find how cool it is here as San Francisco hovers around 64 degrees in the summer, making it the American city that has the summer’s lowest average temperature.
