Staying Cool When You Travel

Southern Europe is hot in the summer, so keeping cool is a prime concern for those whose summer travel plans include Italy, Greece, Portugal or Spain.

We’ve survived Verona’s steamy summers, and traveled throughout the region enough to have learned some strategies that can help travelers survive, and even enjoy traveling in hot weather. When planning a trip, remember that steamy hot weather can extend from May through September in much of southern Europe.

These are some of our favorite ways to beat the heat when we can’t escape to the mountains or the sea to cool off:

• Wear loose clothing, so air can circulate and help keep you cool.
• Wear light colors, especially in the sun; dark colors absorb heat, light colors reflect it.
• Wear natural fibers that breath. Cotton may wrinkle more, but it will keep you cooler.
• Drink a lot of water, lemonade or other non-alcoholic beverage.
• Wear suntan lotion – sunburn will make you all the hotter tomorrow
• Take frequent cool baths and showers
• Soak a hand towel or a cotton handkerchief or scarf in water, wring it out and put it around your neck. The evaporation is cooling, and you’ll have the ends to wipe your face with occasionally.
• Move more slowly and rest often. If you must climb a steep incline, do it more slowly than usual.
• Stay in the shade when you can.
• Take a hint from the locals, who relax quietly in the mezzogiorno or take a siesta during the hottest part of the day
• Wear a hat in the sun to shade your eyes and to protect you from sunstroke.
• Run cool water over the inside of your wrists occasionally to cool off.