I Hate Summer.
Here Are My 3 Favorite Places to Escape the Heat!
The last few weeks here in Minneapolis have been absolutely brutal. We've topped 100°F with humidity so thick it feels like you're swimming through the air, we've had air quality rankings among the worst in the world because of wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada and honestly... I am over it.
I've never been much of a summer person. I don't like being hot, I don’t mind sweating but don’t like looking like I peed my pants. I'm a sweaty gal and I have absolutely no shame admitting it.
Now, before you come at me, I don't actually think everyone hates summer. I just think a lot of us love what summer represents more than the season itself. When we were kids, summer meant freedom. School was out!! We stayed up late riding bikes around the neighborhood, slept in until whenever we wanted, spent every day outside with our friends and had absolutely zero responsibilities. Even as adults, I think we still carry a little bit of that excitement with us. The days get longer, patios open, everyone starts planning vacations and there's this collective feeling that life is supposed to be better simply because it's July.
But if you asked me where I'd willingly spend my summers? It would almost never be somewhere hot.
Don't get me wrong, do I love sitting outside on an 80-degree evening with a cocktail in my hand while my apartment stays a perfectly crisp 70 degrees inside? Of course! Mostly because I know I can escape back into the air conditioning the second I get uncomfortable.
So today, I wanted to share three destinations that are perfect if you're like me and your dream vacation involves packing layers instead of linen. Because contrary to what Instagram might have you believe, summer travel doesn't have to mean tropical beaches and melting into the sidewalk while sightseeing. Sometimes the best summer vacation is one where you never break a sweat.
1. Iceland
If you've followed Newberry Travel for any amount of time, this recommendation shouldn't surprise you. Iceland is one of my favorite places on Earth.
I've visited more times than I can honestly keep track of and somehow every trip makes me fall a little more in love with the island. The landscapes are unlike anywhere else I've ever been, the people are incredibly kind, and there's something about the complete lack of trees that makes the entire country feel like you've landed on another planet.
Summer temperatures usually hover somewhere between the upper 40s and upper 60s, occasionally sneaking into the low 70s if Iceland decides to be generous, which is basically my version of paradise. When we visited over the Fourth of July a few years ago, I distinctly remember walking along Reynisfjara's black sand beach wearing my puffer coat, rain jacket, gloves, and a hat. The next day in Reykjavík, I was perfectly comfortable wandering the city in nothing more than a sweater. For me? That's perfection! There's nothing quite like packing layers in July that makes my little heart absolutely pitter-patter.
Of course, if it's your first trip, you'll want to drive the famous Golden Circle. You'll see waterfalls crashing into dramatic canyons, bubbling geothermal areas and some of Iceland's most recognizable sights. But don't stop there - one of the reasons I continue returning to Iceland is because there's still so much beyond the Golden Circle! The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Highlands, the Eastfjords and the Westfjords all offer quieter experiences that many travelers completely miss!
But, Reykjavík has my heart. I am a city girl through and through and Reykjavík somehow manages to feel vibrant without ever feeling overwhelming. Walk through downtown on almost any summer evening and you'll likely stumble across live music, tiny coffee shops spilling onto the sidewalks, incredible bakeries, little boutiques and locals simply enjoying the sunshine that seems to last forever.
Because that's another thing: the Midnight Sun is absolutely magical!
Around the summer solstice, Iceland experiences nearly 24 hours of daylight, which means you can finish dinner, realize it's already 9:30 p.m. and casually decide to go hiking, kayaking or chase another waterfall because... why not? It completely changes the rhythm of your day. Just don't forget to sleep!
I'm actually heading back to Iceland in a couple of weeks to scout locations for our 2027 summer trips. I'll be spending time puffin watching, whale watching, soaking in a few hot springs, hiking deep into the mountains on an overnight trek and naturally eating more Icelandic hot dogs than any reasonable person probably should.
If you've been considering Iceland, follow along beginning August 3rd on Instagram. I'll also be putting together a sumer trip afterwards for early release to those on the newsletter!
Perfect for you if...
You start sweating the second it hits 72°
You'd rather wear a fleece than flip-flops
Dramatic landscapes make your jaw drop
You secretly think midnight sunshine sounds more magical than beach weather
2. The Pacific Northwest
If Iceland is my international escape from summer, then the Pacific Northwest is my domestic version. After living there for over seven years, I can confidently say there are very few places I'd rather spend July or August. Now, before anyone from Portland jumps into the comments...Yes, it absolutely gets hot!
Portland can easily climb into the 90s or even triple digits during the summer and the Willamette Valley wine region definitely embraces that sunshine. After all, grapes like to struggle just a little before turning into delicious wine! But that's the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. You don't have to stay in the heat!
Within an hour or two of Seattle, you can trade city streets for alpine lakes, mountain trails and forests that smell like fresh pine instead of sunscreen.
One of my favorite backpacking areas is Rachel and Rampart Lakes in Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness, a protected area home to more than 700 alpine lakes (!!!!!!) scattered throughout the Cascade Mountains. It's the kind of place where you can backpack in, set up camp for a few nights and spend your days exploring different trails before coming back to the same peaceful campsite each evening.
The temperatures stay wonderfully comfortable, the mountain lakes are crystal clear and after a long day of hiking there's nothing better than jumping into freezing alpine water to cool off. And one of my favorite parts? Very few mosquitoes. After years of Midwest summers (and being back for half of one), it almost feels suspicious.
The Pacific Northwest also offers something many people completely overlook during the summer: the coast. Cannon Beach has long been one of my favorite places to slow down. Haystack Rock rises 235 feet above the shoreline and serves as both a protected marine garden and a nesting site for thousands of seabirds, including puffins during part of the year. Time your visit with low tide and you'll find colorful sea stars, anemones, tiny crabs and all kinds of fascinating little creatures hiding in the tide pools.
Unlike many beaches, this isn't necessarily a place to swim. It's a place to wander and be sure to bring a blanket, pack a picnic, pour yourself a glass of Oregon wine and watch the fog roll in as the sun begins to set! It's one of those places that reminds you slowing down is sometimes the entire point of traveling.
Perfect for you if...
You think forests smell better than sunscreen
You'd rather spend your vacation backpacking than sitting at a resort
Alpine lakes, towering evergreens, waterfalls, and rugged coastlines all sound like the perfect itinerary
You love the idea of ending a hike with a swim in a glacier-fed lake instead of searching for the nearest air conditioning
You think a cozy sweatshirt, a cup of coffee, and watching the fog roll over Cannon Beach sounds infinitely more relaxing than baking on a crowded beach
3. South America
I think one of the biggest mistakes we make when planning travel is assuming that everyone is experiencing the same season we are. We get excited that summer has arrived, immediately start searching for "best summer vacations" and somehow completely forget that half of the planet is pulling sweaters out of their closets while we're complaining about the heat.
If escaping summer is your goal: the Southern Hemisphere might just be your best-kept secret!
Countries like Chile and Argentina are enjoying their winter while we're melting through July and August, and honestly, I think it's one of the best times to experience many of these places. Instead of racing from one air-conditioned café to another or heading back to your hotel halfway through the afternoon because it's simply too hot to keep sightseeing, you can spend entire days wandering through cities, hiking mountain trails and lingering over long meals without constantly thinking about how badly you need to cool off.
On our last trip to Argentina, we visited during their summer, and while we absolutely loved every second of it, there were afternoons where the heat completely dictated our schedule. We'd spend the morning exploring, eventually surrender to the temperatures for a shower, a nap and a long lunch before venturing back out once the sun started to set. It was still incredible but it also made me realize that some destinations are simply better experienced during different seasons.
If you're dreaming of Patagonia, our summer is actually one of the most beautiful times to visit. This massive region stretches across both Chile and Argentina and is home to some of the most spectacular hiking on Earth. Snow-dusted mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, dramatic valleys and crisp mountain air make it feel like stepping into another world. Depending on where you go, you can enjoy winter hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, ice trekking or simply cozying up in a mountain lodge with a glass of local wine after a day outside.
And if you've always wanted to see Iguazú Falls, visiting during our summer means you'll often experience its drier winter season. Made up of roughly 275 individual waterfalls (!!!!) stretching nearly two miles across the border of Argentina and Brazil, it's one of the largest waterfall systems in the world. The cooler temperatures make walking the extensive trail network far more enjoyable than during the humid summer months, when the subtropical heat can be absolutely relentless.
Chile is another fantastic option, especially if you're interested in winter sports. The Andes Mountains become a skier's paradise during July and August, with several resorts sitting just a couple of hours outside Santiago, making it surprisingly easy to combine a vibrant city vacation with a few days in the mountains.
One of the other things I love about traveling to the Southern Hemisphere during our summer is that it often feels just a little quieter. While these destinations certainly have their own busy seasons, you're not competing with nearly as many North American travelers and in many places you'll find better hotel availability, more flexibility and occasionally even lower prices than you would during our winter, when everyone else decides to escape the cold.
Yes, it's a longer trip. Depending on where you're flying from, you're probably looking at ten to twelve hours of travel time, which is exactly why I usually recommend staying at least ten days if your schedule allows. Once you've made the journey, give yourself time to settle in, explore different regions and really experience what makes each destination so unique because South America isn't one place, it's dozens of completely different landscapes, cultures, climates and cuisines all waiting to be explored!
Perfect for you if...
You'd rather experience winter than another sweltering summer
Bucket-list adventures sound better than beach vacations
You want to spend entire days exploring cities without constantly searching for shade
You love mountains, glaciers, world-class hiking, and dramatic landscapes
You've always wanted to visit South America but never considered that July and August might actually be some of the best months to go
The truth is, I am not here to boo-hoo your summer beach vacations, your European adventures or your annual family trip to the lake. Travel should fit your life, your schedule and the things that bring you joy. If July is the only time your family can take a vacation because the kids are out of school, then by all means, book the trip. If you've been dreaming of sitting on a beach in Greece or wandering through Italy in the middle of August, I hope you have the most incredible time!!
What I am encouraging, though, is giving yourself permission to think a little differently.
As our climate continues to change, many destinations are experiencing hotter summers, more frequent heat waves, stronger storms, longer wildfire seasons and more days where air quality simply isn't what it used to be. None of that means we should stop traveling. If anything, I think it makes thoughtful travel planning even more important. Sometimes that means choosing a destination with cooler weather. Sometimes it means shifting your trip by a few weeks into the shoulder season and sometimes it simply means recognizing that the "best" time to visit a place isn't always when everyone else is going.
One of my favorite parts of being a travel advisor is helping people realize they don't have to vacation the way everyone else does. If your dream vacation is sweating on a crowded beach, fantastic, I genuinely hope you love every second of it! But if you've secretly been dreading another unbearably hot summer trip because it feels like that's just what you're supposed to do, consider this your permission slip to do something different.
Go wear a puffer jacket in Iceland in July
Go backpack through Washington where the air smells like pine instead of sunscreen
Go sip a glass of Malbec while the Andes are dusted in snow
Go wander Patagonia with rosy cheeks instead of a sunburn
Travel has never been about checking the same boxes as everyone else. It's about discovering what makes you feel most alive, most rested, and most connected to the world around you. For me, that usually means crisp mountain air, a cozy sweater and the kind of weather that lets me spend twelve hours outside without once wishing I could find the nearest air conditioner.
So no, I'll probably never be the person convincing you to book a tropical beach vacation in the middle of July, but if you're dreaming of a summer where you come home with incredible memories instead of heat exhaustion, you know where to find me. I'd love to help you plan a trip that feels a little more like you, because the best vacations aren't the ones everyone else is taking—they're the ones that leave you wondering why you didn't do it sooner.
