Just researching for now but curious about good places to spend July - Aug in Europe that aren't crazy , aren't boiling hot. Tall order I know. Part of a longer trip I have in mind. (Not this year) Thinking 1 month somewhere then 2 x 2 week stays.
We have been to Europe several times, tend to like countrysides , quaint villages. (But admit places like Lucca, Porto, Ravello, Pienza, Prague , Chania all have a piece of my heart)
Thanks in advance for sharing your memories !

Northern and Eastern Germany is nice and a similar temp to Vancouver. Hamburg, Goslar, Dresden, Berlin the North Friesen Islands. Even pop up to Denmark and check out Copenhagen.

I think most parts of Europe are busy during those months, but from our European travel experience, and we've travelled extensively there while owning a vacation home in the south of France, I'd recommend the Costa Brava in Spain, and the Algarve in Portugal.

Karen Agnew omg I would die of heatstroke in the Algarve or Costa Brava in July and august

Jodi, I just love those two areas the most in Europe. Some people enjoy the heat on beautiful beaches, both of which these areas offer. I'd personally avoid Europe during those two months...one because of the heat, and two, because of the busy tourism. I prefer spring and fall there, but it can be cool at the beaches during those seasons we've found, especially if you want to swim in the ocean.

Hi Theresa! Bruges, Ghent, and Ypres in Belgium are really beautiful to visit. Not super hot as well. (I grew up there so if you have any questions feel free to PM me).

Lynn thanks , and I may be in touch !

https://youtu.be/T60_zAvnAsU
YOUTUBE.COM
10 Best Places to Visit in Croatia - Travel Video

Akrapovi loved Croatia!

Croatia will be hot and, unless you go off the beaten path, it will also be packed. We went in May and it was very warm, verging on hot, and full of tourists (esp Dubrovnik). But we did love it

Iceland! It's an absolutely brilliant place to be, gorgeous and unique. iceland air has direct flights from Vancouver as well

I would recommend Ireland, Scotland or Scandinavia if you're looking to avoid the heat and crazy crowds of summer. We were in the Orkney Islands in July 2019 and it was lovely. Norway, Sweden, Finland and Estonia were also great in summer. Ireland was a bit busy in the cities, but there are many peaceful villages where you can avoid the crowds.

My recommendation would be to avoid those months and go in November. Prices are better, availability is everywhere, there are no crowds, and the weather is sublime.

Heather- I’m a Canadian who now lives in Europe (5th year) and has worked/lived between NL, GER, UK, ES, ITA, GRE, BEL, CZ... plus travelled extensively....
THIS IS GOOD ADVICE. The best time to visit is April/May and October to November. 100%
If you are keen to come in those times and want to avoid heat, and seek country/small with less crowds you might consider Belgium: (around Leuven, Ghent) Georgia or Estonia.
Ps. We live in a beach village in the south of Holland and my only neighbours are horses and sheep. It’s not my idea of a holiday LoL but it’s quiet and green. It’s possible to do NL/Belgium and have a mix of beach and villages. It’s only 1.5 ride car or just under 2 on the train between them.

Venus Smith

Amsterdam is really nice and not hot in the summer
. Be careful though as this summer Europe might not be open yet for Canadians!

Oleg yes not going anywhere near there this year. Thanks for the info

Oleg Amsterdam was boiling hot -above 40 degrees for the whole week we were there. Finland afterwards was warm but okay for a few days. St. Petersburg for a few days after that was freezing - July 2019.

Sweden! Beautiful beaches in the south, great hiking in the north and Stockholm is a great city to explore.

Ireland was very cool when we were there summer of 2017. I actually had to buy extra jeans and a sweater because I was cold. That being said, it was lovely and you can see a lot of the country is a short period of time. It really didn't feel very crowded either. I would highly recommend it.

Copenhagen or anywhere north, you’ll get longer days too.

Bretagne France is amazing! Temperate, beautiful landscapes and beaches, great food and not super duper touristy...

Scandinavian countries! Russia!

Nice to plan ahead ..that’s all we live for these days..

Northern is better - Scandinavia (no guarantee of good weather), Baltics are fantastic. Estonia is stunning. Note all kids will be on summer vacation, so it will be busy

Ireland
Absolutely Ireland

Beth yes, I agree with this recommendation for sure. Forgot about Ireland.

I love Greece , but it’s hot there in July and August.

England/Scotland. Can be a bit busy but still lots of places to go that are less busy!

Technically, Iceland is already open for Canadians. However icelandair has not resumed their direct flights from Canada, due to the low demand (current restrictions on our side when returning).
https://www.icelandair.com/blog/iceland-is-open-faq/
Taking a look at the typical highs for capital cities in Europe in July, I would say as a general rule, if you are south of the following red line on this map of Europe, your chances of a boiling hot month in July start to ramp up. The further south from that line, the greater the chance.
And the further north from that line, the better your chances of July not being boiling hot.
Although in 2019 Europe had a bad heatwave, where even London hit 34C.
Estonia, which is quite far north near Finland, is already open without restrictions for fully vaccinated Canadians.
I haven't been to Estonia but always hear good things about it.

Chris yes that heat wave is exactly what I was thinking about when I saw the map - I was in France for that heatwave and the amount of chilled white wine we had to drink in +45 paris...... outrageous

Chris thanks this is a great guide.
And I've been to Estonia and loved it !

Chris You need to go with that red line more like north of Belgium.

Austria, Schladming, if you love mountains and hiking!

Sweden

I went last October- November to NL ( leiden, Breda, sluis, groningen, Friesland) then Belgium ( Ghent, brugge, oostende, weregem, and stay in knokke ) it’s all beautiful and quite.

The northern part of Eastern Europe is beautifil. Krakow Poland, Siniu, Romania , Prague, Czeck Rep.and Bufapest, Hungary ate all warm and lovely 0laces to visit that are not over run with tourists.

Poland.

Lisa Poland is having terrible problems with the covid 19 virus . You probably won't be allowed in the country. !!

Jackie she is asking for summer 2022

Chris do you know where in Europe that allow Canadian travel already by end of the year

Alexa I keep track of which countries are open/closed for Canadians here: https://ydeals.com/where-canadians-can-travel#europe
A few European countries are already on a 2 track system (allowing fully vaccinated Canadians to bypass current restrictions)
examples: Iceland, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Malta
Other European countries have always technically been open for Canadians, but still have restrictions in place for both vaccinated and unvaccinated Canadians (usually a recent test result).
The big news will be coming soon, as the European Commission is going to be recommending to their member countries what they should do with Canadians for summer travel. It sounds likely they are going to suggest that fully vaccinated Canadians (both doses) be allowed to enter without restrictions.
Each country in Europe sets their own rules, and don't have to follow what the EU recommends, but most usually do.

Chris have you heard anything about kids? If the vaccine is not available for under 12’s yet are they treated the same as vaccinated parents or will the need a negative test?

Chris any chance the Usa or Japan will have similar rules for fully vaccinated Canadians? No tests? No quarantines?

Lisa So far, in the 20-something countries that have a 2 track system (one set of rules for the vaccinated, one set for the unvaccinated), they all have the same rules for unvaccinated children as they do for unvaccinated adults. Which typically means bringing a negative test result for entry.

Lisa Just to mention that Greece re-opened to Canadians today with an exception for children under 5. (See above)

Way to take over her post people!!! And she said NOT THIS YEAR...so no need for COVID updates

This is a sub-thread, so it's not in the main thread. All good. Just an update for Alexa - Greece opened back up to Canadian tourists today.
https://ydeals.com/where-canadians-can-travel#greece
Canadians have 3 choices for entry:
1. You have been fully vaccinated (both doses) for at least 2 weeks.
or
2. A negative PCR result from a test that was performed no longer than 72 hours before arrival. Children under 5 are exempt.
or
3. Proof of recovery: With a medical certificate from the last 9 months, or a positive PCR test issued in the last 2-9 months.
YDEALS.COM
Where Canadians Can Travel (and what they have to go through to get there, and back) :: Ydeals.com

Chris thank you very much

That should be, Sibiu, Romania

A lot of Ireland
mentioned
. We agree and went in 2019. There is some inspiration in our blog if you are interested and links easy to find for Denmark, southern Sweden an other destinations.
https://www.5050travelog.com/blog/7-days-in-ireland
5050TRAVELOG.COM
7 Days in Ireland | Road Trip | 5050 Travelog

Puglia and in particular Costa Marina. Because it is surrounded by water it is cooler than many places far north. Was there during a heat wave that had people passing out in London, Paris, Berlin and it was lovely!!!

Go to the summer festival in LATVIA! Such an underrated country.

Anything up North - Sweden, Denmark- these are expensive, Latvia not so much.

Scotland, Shetlands Orkneys and Baltics! An Ireland.

Lisbon