As temperatures continue to hit record highs all around the world and summers continue to become hotter and hotter, those who love a sun holiday but want to stay safe and comfortable throughout their trip should take precautions. If you book one of our villas in Italy, one of our vacation rentals in France, one of our holiday rentals in Spain, or one of our villas in Croatia for a summer break and you encounter the heat, there are some things that you can do to prevent yourself from totally melting:
1. Book A Villa With Air-Conditioning
Air-conditioning is more or less common in different countries depending on tradition and cultural norms. Some houses are built to stay cooler in countries that have long-since had very hot weather for months of the year, with thick walls, smaller windows, window shutters, tile floors, and more. Such buildings often don’t have air-conditioning as standard in many parts of the world. So, if you want to ensure that you definitely have air-conditioning, be sure to tick this field when using our advanced search features to get results like our range of villas in Italy with air-conditioning.
2. Head To The Sea Or The Mountains
Of course, have a city break when you want one but if you are someone who loves the sun yet needs a bit of relief from it and, maybe, a nice breeze, then coastal and mountainous destinations where temperatures are usually a few degrees lower are a great way to go. Book a villa on the Amalfi Coast and take in the sea views while enjoying a refreshing limoncello spritz. Find a holiday rental in Provence and swim in Alpine lakes and along the Côte D'azur in the same day. Or relax by the pool at one of our stunning vacation rentals in Istria.
3. Plan Your Day Accordingly
One of our biggest tips is always to plan your day around the weather. So, if it’s the hottest part of the day and you are staying in a villa in Rome, for example, that is a perfect time to head to the Vatican Museums and dive into the temperature-controlled interiors of the Sistine Chapel, the Egyptian Museum, the art gallery, the sculpture galleries, and more. If you are in any of our other destinations, meanwhile, this tip still stands. It might be an idea to plan sunning or being out and about earlier or later in the day, visits to museums, churches, and indoor attractions (ideally with air-conditioning themselves) for the middle of the day, and dips in the sea or pool for after you may have exerted yourself and need too cool off.
4. Dress in Breathable and Protective Layers
Dressing the right way will massively improve your mood and experience when the weather gets very warm:
- Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk are your friend when it is hot out as they absorb sweat and allow the skin to breathe.
- Light-coloured fabrics will also help you reflect light and heat – think shades of beige, white, cream, and yellow.
- Light-weight and loose fabrics, meanwhile, allow air to circulate.
It is also worth ensuring that you are well-protected with hats to ensure that your face and scalp are not left vulnerable to the sun. Light layers are useful for evenings that may become cooler while you are out and about or if you are planning on visiting famous churches or other religious buildings where shoulders and knees will need to be covered.
5. Eat And Drink For Relief
Not only is it important to indulge a little while on holiday in order to relax and treat yourself but the local offerings can help you beat the heat, as well! So, sample some authentic gelato while staying in a villa in Tuscany. Sip cool rosé while relaxing at a holiday rental in France. Have some sangria while out exploring during a stay in one of our vacation rentals in Spain. Or, though it might seem counter-intuitive, some excellent coffee on vacation in Italy or on holiday in France can help – as long as it is not humid heat and your sweat can evaporate – as drinking a hot drink makes you sweat, which encourages the body to naturally cool down.