Kiwi Curated
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
by Joy PecknoldSoaking through shirts, hair frizzing from humidity, constantly stalking the shade—sometimes summer is just too hot to handle. The key to enjoying the outdoors without breaking a sweat two seconds in is a milder destination. Take off to one of these seven vacation spots where comfortable August temps are the norm.
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
Tofino, Canada
Fronting the Pacific Ocean north of the 49th parallel, Tofino gets cooler summer temps and surf breaks. August in the small town is nicknamed “Fogust,” because of its consistent a.m. fog, but it typically burns off by the midday. Perched on a rocky outcrop right next to a sandy, surfable beach, the Wickaninnish Innmakes lapping up the misty mornings and sunny afternoons equally enchanting.
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
San Francisco, California
Another cool Pacific Ocean-side spot, San Fran hovers around 22°C (72°F) most August days. Away from downtown core’s concrete, Cavallo Point is an oasis just around the corner from the Golden Gate Bridge in Fort Baker. The army post-turned parkland enables horseback riding, cycling and hiking, and when the energy of the city center beckons, it’s only takes a 15-minute drive to get there.
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
Kennebunkport, Maine
The northernmost east coast of the U.S. knows how to keep it’s cool—the final summer months in Maine top out at 75°F (24°C). Seaside Kennebunkport charms with its fishing village history, art galleries and antique stores. Staying at the White Barn Inn adds just adds to the experience with fresh in-room flowers, afternoon tea and a restaurant housed within two circa-1820s barns. Their heated rock pool is a real treat.
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
Bålsta, Sweden
Sweden has a knack for holding at room temperature for much of the summer. In Bålsta, a mere 36-minutes from Stockholm, c/o Krägga Herrgård is a dreamy Swedish country estate with a lake villa, log cabin, mansion and wings to stay in, not to mention 100 hectares to wander across. What else is cool? They’re very dog-friendly—separate dog food menu included.
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
Kilkenny, Ireland
August’s highs of 20°C (72°F) is about as warm as County Kilkenny ever gets—no wonder everything stays so green. In the countryside, a 90-minute road trip from Dublin, Mount Juliet has that Downton Abbey vibe. The comfortable weather makes a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, archery practice or horseback ride all the more delightful.
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
Urubamba, Peru
With Lima sitting around 20°C (72°F) and mountain regions in the midst of a drier spell, August is the happiest medium, weather-wise, for taking in Peru’s diverse sights. If the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is on the itinerary, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado is a good starting place. In the Sacred Valley on the banks of the Urubamba River, the hotel arranges cultural activities and adventures, such as shaman ceremonies and river rafting, and has an onsite spa for post pampering.
Cooler Places to Beat the Heat
Cairns, Australia
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns’ winters aren’t much of a winter at all. Daytime temperatures August through September typically hover between 18 to 26°C (64 to 78°F) with lower-than-usual humidity and very little rainfall, making it a prime time to visit. Set up to receive all the refreshing sea breezes and watercraft parking right outside, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina makes an ideal base for exploring.
Tofino, Canada
Fronting the Pacific Ocean north of the 49th parallel, Tofino gets cooler summer temps and surf breaks. August in the small town is nicknamed “Fogust,” because of its consistent a.m. fog, but it typically burns off by the midday. Perched on a rocky outcrop right next to a sandy, surfable beach, the Wickaninnish Innmakes lapping up the misty mornings and sunny afternoons equally enchanting.
San Francisco, California
Another cool Pacific Ocean-side spot, San Fran hovers around 22°C (72°F) most August days. Away from downtown core’s concrete, Cavallo Point is an oasis just around the corner from the Golden Gate Bridge in Fort Baker. The army post-turned parkland enables horseback riding, cycling and hiking, and when the energy of the city center beckons, it’s only takes a 15-minute drive to get there.
Kennebunkport, Maine
The northernmost east coast of the U.S. knows how to keep it’s cool—the final summer months in Maine top out at 75°F (24°C). Seaside Kennebunkport charms with its fishing village history, art galleries and antique stores. Staying at the White Barn Inn adds just adds to the experience with fresh in-room flowers, afternoon tea and a restaurant housed within two circa-1820s barns. Their heated rock pool is a real treat.
Bålsta, Sweden
Sweden has a knack for holding at room temperature for much of the summer. In Bålsta, a mere 36-minutes from Stockholm, c/o Krägga Herrgård is a dreamy Swedish country estate with a lake villa, log cabin, mansion and wings to stay in, not to mention 100 hectares to wander across. What else is cool? They’re very dog-friendly—separate dog food menu included.
Kilkenny, Ireland
August’s highs of 20°C (72°F) is about as warm as County Kilkenny ever gets—no wonder everything stays so green. In the countryside, a 90-minute road trip from Dublin, Mount Juliet has that Downton Abbey vibe. The comfortable weather makes a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, archery practice or horseback ride all the more delightful.
Urubamba, Peru
With Lima sitting around 20°C (72°F) and mountain regions in the midst of a drier spell, August is the happiest medium, weather-wise, for taking in Peru’s diverse sights. If the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is on the itinerary, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado is a good starting place. In the Sacred Valley on the banks of the Urubamba River, the hotel arranges cultural activities and adventures, such as shaman ceremonies and river rafting, and has an onsite spa for post pampering.
Cairns, Australia
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns’ winters aren’t much of a winter at all. Daytime temperatures August through September typically hover between 18 to 26°C (64 to 78°F) with lower-than-usual humidity and very little rainfall, making it a prime time to visit. Set up to receive all the refreshing sea breezes and watercraft parking right outside, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina makes an ideal base for exploring.