Going to Europe in a heatwave - would you go?

Ash_Pole

I've booked a few days in southern Europe next week. I'm in an apartment with aircon, not a resort, I like to wander around the old town, see some historic sites, maybe a boat trip and long walk along the beach.

However the forecast is currently saying it will be up to 42C ("feels like 50C"). Don't think I've ever experienced temperatures that high, and I'm not sure if I'd enjoy it.

If you had the option not to travel, would you go?

flaneurs_lobster

I was in Athens a couple of summers ago, daytime temp hit 44C on a couple of days. Walking up the Acropolis and down again was something you did before 10am.

You can adapt, especially with airconned accommodation, rise early for those beach walks, eat late and rest indoors during the hottest periods. As long as you are in decent health it shouldn't stop you enjoying that holiday.

Having said that, last year we moved our Greek break to September.

Barkin

flaneurs_lobster said:

You can adapt, especially with airconned accommodation, rise early for those beach walks, eat late and rest indoors during the hottest periods. 

This ^^^

We were in Seville recently - extreme heat warnings, 40-42°C.

As long as you're sensible it'll be fine. Sweaty, but fine. (assuming fairly physically fit, no health conditions etc)

Hoenir

Porto. Ideal for a few days. Compact. Easy to get around. Reasonably priced too. 

RavingMad

We're off to Málaga on Sunday, meeting up with family who have Airbnb'd a house in the hills. They've been touring since May.

I suggested some walking trails but they've said it's probably too hot to do them so we'll see

As long as there's some way of keeping bedrooms comfortable, it'll be fine. 

TELLIT01

If the OP is concerned and wouldn't lose any substantial amount of money, I would be inclined not to go.  That's purely on the basis the OP would be worrying all the time they were there.

Personally, I wouldn't have any concerns about travelling, especially as the apartment has aircon.  Just adjust the daily plans to work around the worst of the heat.

phatbear

do as the locals do and hide at the hottest part of the day. 

i would go out early doors, its often quieter 1st thing, then once you get close to 11'ish i would retreat either back to my hotel for a siesta or find somewhere cool like a nice church or museum or shopping mall (if thats your thing) then once the heat has broken approx 15:00 head back out again and spend the late afternoon/evening wandering about. 

most of these countries are better suited to the heat than we are so most places are going to be air-conned etc etc

if you do go ensure you stay hydrated, not just water make sure you are getting some electrolytes in too this will help keep you hydrated and stay covered up as much as poss. 

p_anotherguy

Ash_Pole said:

I've booked a few days in southern Europe next week. I'm in an apartment with aircon, not a resort, I like to wander around the old town, see some historic sites, maybe a boat trip and long walk along the beach.

However the forecast is currently saying it will be up to 42C ("feels like 50C"). Don't think I've ever experienced temperatures that high, and I'm not sure if I'd enjoy it.

If you had the option not to travel, would you go?

If you have air conditioning, it shouldn't be a problem. For the hottest days, you can either avoid the hottest parts of the day or maybe go to a museum or something indoors when it's too hot.

Sure, you'll have to adapt, but I think it's manageable.

la531983

I got married in the Med, in August, in a suit, in the middle of the afternoon, in 42 degree heat. No issue here at all.  I am healthy though.

flaneurs_lobster

la531983 said:

I got married in the Med, in August, in a suit, in the middle of the afternoon, in 42 degree heat. No issue here at all.  I am healthy though.

Well standing in the sea would have made it OK, preferably to neck height. Otherwise you were mad.

la531983

flaneurs_lobster said:

la531983 said:

I got married in the Med, in August, in a suit, in the middle of the afternoon, in 42 degree heat. No issue here at all.  I am healthy though.

Well standing in the sea would have made it OK, preferably to neck height. Otherwise you were mad.

Didnt want to get married in the UK, and we were restricted to late July/August for work reasons. Very enjoyable, I was only in the suit for an hour, and a lovely breeze coming in from the sea.

Day after it cooled down to a lovely 32!