Hi,
I am attending a wedding in early August in Chamonix, but would like to spend ten days after the wedding, in cooler areas. Have been to Chamonix before. Cooler areas in the sense that I don’t like hot weather, so any suggestions of where I could spend that time?
Cooler than Chamonix? Well, that means going higher. Does Switzerland appeal? If so, Zermatt is within easy reach and so is the Berner Oberland (Mürren area). But, maybe you'll have had enough of mountains? In which case you'll have to fly to another country to get cooler weather.
Temperature alone isn't enough to properly guide my advice.
For ten days after Chamonix : The Scandinavian countries or Ireland or Scotland is where the cooler weather is.
Also the Basque region near the Atlantic between Spain and France.
Switzerland if you stay in higher mountain villages like Wengen or Murren.
Normandy and Brittany are normally temperate during the summer. I had to throw "normally" in there because last summer's heat wave caught up with me in Brittany for about two days--though it wasn't as hot as Paris.
I guess altitude is safest from the weather standpoint, but there aren't a lot of cultural attractions way up in the mountains.
I have been to Murren and Wengen area four times. Also visited Chamonix for a week couple years ago. Zermatt might be a good idea. I guess the Italian Alps might be too hot? I remember being in Murren and we were there end of August. It was so HOT!
Scandinavia might certainly be a good idea. Thanks.
I have been in Norway and Copenhagen in August when it was 30 + degrees (C). That was pretty hot for me. And no AC anywhere. I have also been in Norway in August in a blizzard. You just never know.
Scandinavia is always a good idea :)
But weather can be a bit unpredictable. For cooler weather, try to stay in coastal areas. Or go north. Are you looking for a city vacation, or do you prefer nature?
August is generally hot across Europe these days...it's unpredictable of course, but in general, you'll have better luck the further north you go. I've spent a few summers in Norway and, although you will have some warm days, it's generally nicer with a mixture of blue-bird cottony cloud days, rainy days, cold and windy days, and a few warm ones here and there. We usually go up along the central coast in the Alesund area. Very pleasant! Scotland is also a good choice...up in the highlands and along the coast it stays generally cooler.
