Okay, real talk: my husband and I are barely surviving another Texas summer, and I'm pretty sure we melted a little somewhere between the July heat index and the August "feels like 110°" streak that just doesn’t quit. If you're reading this from your own personal sauna, I see you. And I have good news, there's a whole travel movement built exactly for people like us.

It's called a "coolcation," and it's exactly what it sounds like: chasing cooler weather on purpose instead of sweating it out somewhere "sunny." It's even up for Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year. So consider this your permission slip to start planning a genuinely chilly getaway for 2027 for you, your family, or your whole crew. Here's where to look.

🌍 International Picks

​Norway & Iceland - The original coolcation destinations. Glaciers, fjords, and endless daylight for squeezing in extra adventures.

​Scotland & the British Isles - Castles, lochs, and cute walkable cities - an easy win for all ages.

​Riga & Tallinn (the Baltics) - Gorgeous old towns, without the Western Europe crowds (or prices).

The Azores, Portugal - A dreamy average of 75°F in summer, and only 5 hours from Boston or NYC. Crater lakes, hot springs, whale watching.

Galway, Ireland - Highs under 70°F in July, plus great food and even better live music.

​Slovenia's Julian Alps - Alpine lakes, 75°F summers, and still mostly under the radar, for now.

Or let someone else do the driving: Princess Cruises just expanded its 2027 Northern Europe lineup - 48 itineraries, 18 countries, stops like Oslo, Reykjavik, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam. One booking, multiple coolcation stamps in your passport.

🇺🇸 Domestic Picks

Maine (Acadia) - Mountain views, lake swims, puffins, and your kid's first lobster. Just get to the trailheads early.

Wyoming (Yellowstone & Grand Teton) - High elevation = cooler air. A dream for outdoorsy families.

Pacific Northwest (Seattle + Olympic National Park) - City fun by day, mountain air right outside town.

Oregon Coast - Dramatic, moody, beautiful, and a nice break from California prices.

Minnesota (North Shore) - A genuinely lovely summer with average mid-60s temps, plus Lake Superior views for days.

🧭 Quick Planning Tips

• Book Northern Europe lodging early - this trend is only getting bigger
• Even in "cool" spots, hit national park trails first thing in the morning
• A cruise can seriously simplify things for a big group
• Pack layers everywhere - coolcations get chilly once the sun dips

If this summer had you fantasizing about literally anywhere below 80 degrees, you're not alone. 2027 is shaping up to be the year "cool" officially becomes the new "hot." Start the group chat now, before everyone else discovers these spots too!

Happy travels!

Kirsten