• Home
  • Travel
  • Coolcations – 10 breathtaking destinations with cooler climates
Selene Nelson October 8, 2025

Sponsored content

ExploreNot long ago, the word ‘holiday’ almost exclusively evoked images of sun, sea, and sand – but times have changed. As heatwaves hit southern Europe harder each summer, and mass tourism becomes more problematic, travellers are increasingly shunning ‘traditional’ holiday hotspots in favour of cooler destinations.

The word ‘coolcation’ has only been in the lexicon since 2024, when Condé Nast Traveller highlighted the emerging trend of tourists seeking cooler, calmer breaks. But in just one year, the number of people booking breaks in destinations with cool climates has increased by a staggering 263%.

While many of these destinations were once considered niche escapes for intrepid travellers, they’re more diverse than you might think. As well as countless outdoor adventures, there are plenty of opportunities for relaxation and cultural immersion.

To shine a light on the magic of a coolcation, we’ve partnered with Explore, a leading provider of small group trips. These adventures are about scratching beneath the surface of the typical tourist experience to discover secret places, immersive histories, and cultural riches. With expert guides to lead you, travel is stress-free, and, because group sizes are small, you may return home with new, lifelong friendships.

So, where are some of the best places to take a coolcation? Here are 10 breathtaking destinations with cooler climates.

Find a holiday

1. Finland

Finland

Sparsely populated, underrated, and enigmatic, Finland offers as much for culture vultures as adventure seekers, making it an ideal choice for a coolcation. On Explore’s Finland tours, you can ice skate on frozen lakes, snowmobile through snow-swathed forests, and learn about the indigenous Sámi culture.

Winter is ideal for journeying into Lapland, where the ethereal beauty of its frozen landscapes may leave you speechless. Try activities like skiing and husky sledding, sample delicious cuisine, and search for the magical Northern Lights. Summer is beautiful here, too; hike through dense forests and past mirror-like lakes, explore the culture-rich capital of Helsinki, visit medieval castles and Bronze Age burial sites, and sip craft beers in local microbreweries.

2. The Arctic

The Arctic

If you’re dreaming of exploring a beautiful yet inhospitable wilderness, why not tour the Arctic? Voyage through the ice-choked seas on a purpose-built expedition ship, visiting the remote Svalbard archipelago, a land of towering icebergs, grey-blue ice sheets, and rugged mountains. Polar bears, arctic foxes, and muskox roam the windswept tundra, and the Northern Lights flicker in the sky.

The tour also takes you to Greenland, the world’s largest island, with a history dating back to 2,500 AD. Visit traditional fishing villages and the colourful capital, Nuuk; spot polar bears, seals, and puffins on a zodiac boat trip; explore the world’s largest fjord system, and visit Inuit settlements to get immersed in local life. A trip here can be so transformative that you may return with a new perspective on life.

3. Canada

Canada

Home to jagged peaks, cascading waterfalls, ancient forests, and vast green lakes, Canada is one of the world’s most beautiful countries. It’s also home to some of the planet’s most fascinating wildlife, and, on Explore’s Canada tours, you can head into the Canadian Arctic to see polar bears up close. Climb aboard a Polar Rover to watch these beautiful, rare predators in their natural habitat, and learn about ‘bear behaviour’ from your expert guides.

Or why not stay south and search for grizzlies in the Canadian Rockies, spot elk and moose in Jasper National Park, and go whale watching in the magnificent Pacific Northwest? These tours also take you along the scenic trails of Canada’s oldest national park, Banff, through the lush rainforests of Vancouver Island, and to sophisticated cities and pretty resort towns.

4. The Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands

Denmark’s Faroe Islands are a unique yet often overlooked alternative for outdoor adventure. So, if you want to get active, why not swap the mainland’s stylish cities and grand historical attractions for stunning natural beauty, and go hiking? Explore’s walking tour takes you to six islands (Vagar, Vidoy, Mykines, Streymoy, Bordoy, and Nolsoy), allowing you to uncover this archipelago’s diverse charm and beauty.

The walking trails take you through some of the world’s most dramatic, unspoiled, and underrated landscapes: think serene fjords, rugged coastlines, verdant valleys, and towering cliffs. There’s plenty for wildlife fans and culture enthusiasts, too. Spot rare seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and fulmars, and visit the charming capital, Torshavn, to experience Faroese culture.

5. The Antarctic

The Antarctic

Isolated, inhospitable, and desolately beautiful, the Antarctic has long stirred the curiosity of explorers. If you’re drawn to this frozen wilderness, why not explore it in comfort, while still getting up close to the unforgiving ice-covered landscapes? For those looking to leave civilisation behind, Explore’s Antarctic voyages take you to the furthest corners of the southern hemisphere for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Adventure through the changeable seas of this vast frozen world, passing glittering glaciers and soaring icebergs, and marvelling at the power of the churning ocean from the safety of your ship. Watch whales swimming in the inky waters, spot seals basking on the ice, and walk with penguins in sheltered colonies. Be awed by the otherworldly scenery, and savour the unique sense of freedom, peace, and solitude that comes from being in one of the world’s last frontiers.

6. Iceland

Iceland

The ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ is known for its smoking volcanoes, icy-blue glaciers, bubbling geysers, and frozen waterfalls, and Explore’s Iceland tours take you to the best of them. Winters can be bleak, yet they’re beautiful, too, and the dark, windswept landscape is strangely invigorating. You also have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Summers are short but sweet, and while there’s still a chill in the air, you can experience the magic of the Midnight Sun. In June and July, the sun never truly sets here, and the continuous daylight gives you more opportunities to explore. Go whale watching and puffin spotting, trek over glaciers and volcanoes, sleep under the stars in custom-built yurts, and soak up the culture of the capital city, Reykjavik.

7. Patagonia

Patagonia

Patagonia has long been at the top of most adventurers’ travel wish lists. Encompassing the southern tip of South America, this wild and unique region is as known for its spectacular scenery as its remarkable wildlife, and Explore’s Patagonia tours take you to the most dazzlingly dramatic parts. Summers are mild yet windy, while winters are cold but still, so whenever you visit, opportunities for adventure abound.

The jewel in Patagonia’s crown is Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, a land of jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, glimmering glaciers, and wildflower-speckled valleys. There are all kinds of hiking challenges here, and the ever-changing scenery is mesmerising. Flanked by oceans on three sides and cut off from the rest of the world by soaring mountains and vast ice fields, Patagonia’s barren beauty is like nowhere else.

8. Scandinavia

Scandinavia

Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and history buffs, and Explore’s Scandinavia tours will show you the very best of these countries. In Sweden, lose yourself in Stockholm’s cobbled streets, visit museums, and indulge in the local pastime of fika – sipping coffee and savouring a pastry while watching the world go by. In summer, it’s sunny yet not too hot – the perfect conditions for sightseeing, summer festivities and, if you’re up for it, a swim in the Baltic Sea.

Norway’s vast coastline means travelling by ship is the best way to explore, and you can admire glaciers, peaks, fjords, and waterfalls as you cruise. Summer is the best time to get active, while the cold months offer the best chances to see the Northern Lights. On Denmark tours, you’ll discover the highlights of the capital, Copenhagen, visiting historic buildings, cultural hotspots, and mouthwatering food markets.

9. Ireland

Ireland

For something a little closer to home, there’s Ireland. Rain comes and goes here, whatever the season, yet the Emerald Isle rarely disappoints. And, because temperatures stay mild year-round, outdoor adventure always beckons. Home to rugged hills, rolling green fields, primaeval bogs, and a famously craggy coastline, the fertile landscape has some of Europe’s best walking trails. And the Irish humour and spirit are just another bonus.

Explore’s Ireland tour encompasses both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, taking you from historic, vibrant Belfast to rural Donegal. Walk along the bizarre basalt columns at the mystical Giant’s Causeway, enjoy birdwatching and seal spotting on the isolated Rathlin Island, and hike in the serene wilderness of Glenveagh National Park. Plus, appreciate the inimitable Irish culture with a whiskey tasting and traditional sheepdog demonstration!

10. The Baltics

The Baltics

The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are some of the most overlooked countries on the continent – yet each offers a bewitching blend of medieval cities, fairytale castles, breathtaking countryside, and wild, windswept coastlines. And, on Explore’s diverse Baltic tours, you’ll discover the rich history, dazzling beauty, and captivating culture of this unique corner of Northern Europe.

Led by a local guide to lead you, travel from Estonia’s dense forests and shimmering lakes to the dramatic sand dunes of Lithuania’s Curonian Spit, visiting Latvia’s pine-fringed beaches along the way. Or why not explore the capital cities, Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn, admiring medieval architecture, visiting Soviet relics, and tasting local produce in bustling markets? There are also walking and cycling tours if you’d like to explore more of the spectacular national parks.

Final thoughts…

One of the best things about travel is discovering new places, experiences, cultures, and cuisines, and being surprised at the beauty and diversity of our world. Often, it’s tempting to go to tried-and-tested destinations, but there’s never been a better time to step off the beaten path.

As summers get hotter and popular destinations become more crowded, more of us are thinking outside the box when choosing our next break. The 10 destinations featured not only offer a cool (or outright cold!) climate, but they also provide a sense of peace and solitude you simply can’t find in more popular holiday hotspots.

Though because these are Explore tours, you won’t just discover exciting new places. You’ll travel slowly and intentionally, enjoy authentic experiences, uncover hidden gems, and delve deep into the local culture. Often, you’ll get the chance to form genuine connections with locals, and, perhaps, test your limits.

Travelling in small groups, all tours feel intimate, and you’ll have plenty of chances to get to know your fellow travellers. When you return home, it won’t just be with beautiful photographs and gripping stories – it’ll be with meaningful memories you can cherish forever.

To find out more about tours with Explore, head over to their website.

Find a holiday

Have you been to any of these places before? Are you tempted by the idea of a coolcation? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Selene Nelson

Selene Nelson is an author, freelance journalist, and lifestyle writer for Rest Less. After graduating from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature, Selene began contributing to many major newspapers and websites, and has written for the BBC, The Sunday Times, The Independent, Town & Country, and HuffPost. Her specialist subjects include food, travel, and health, though she enjoys writing about a wide range of topics (e.g. her two books are about veganism and psychopathy, respectively!). She enjoys cooking (particularly pasta and Asian noodle soups), reading, travelling, hiking, attempting to keep fit, and watching animal videos on YouTube.

* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.