True to the motto 'Better a cooler region than a tourist crowd'. Coolcation describes a trend that focuses on unique experiences and nature-connected, exotic places, often in cooler climates. Away from traditional travel destinations, towards pure nature - the more unique, the better.
Coolcation is a neologism that combines the words cool and vacation, referring to a travel experience that offers something unique, trendy, or remote, often in colder or cooler climates. It is a growing trend where people seek less traditional destinations, i.e., cooler or more exotic places than the typical warm-weather holiday spots.
Instead of choosing tropical beaches or warm climates, Coolcations usually take travelers to colder places like the Arctic, Scandinavia, Iceland, the Swiss Alps, or Northern Canada. These areas offer breathtaking natural landscapes like glaciers, fjords, snow-covered mountains, and the Northern Lights.
The 'cool' aspect can also refer to traveling to temperate or cooler climates outside the peak season to avoid summer crowds. These trips can focus on city breaks where the weather is cooler and more pleasant, or simply cities where the atmosphere is culturally 'cool' (e.g., hip, trendy cities like Reykjavik, Berlin, or Edinburgh).
In short, a Coolcation is a travel trend that focuses on exploring places offering cool temperatures or cool (unique and trendy) experiences, often providing a refreshing alternative to typical warm-weather destinations.
One reason is certainly the temperature. Southern European countries reach peak temperatures of up to 48.8°C in Sicily or 48.2°C in Sardinia (2021). In many southern European countries, summer temperatures soar well above 40°C. While some tourists find this enjoyable for lounging by the pool or on the coast, for others, it has become too extreme for excursions, day trips, or sporting activities. Extreme temperatures also lead to heat deaths, fires, or water shortages. Without air conditioning, it's almost impossible to do anything during the day. Many tourists want more, and the trend is shifting toward the Nordic countries, particularly Sweden or Norway.
According to the EU study, Nordic EU countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland) could particularly benefit from the increase in Coolcation tourists. Tourism is changing.
But it doesn’t always have to go beyond Germany’s borders - our homeland also has a lot to offer. A fresh breeze on the North Sea coast, hiking through the Black Forest, or a cycling tour along the Birk-Nack. Even the Lüneburg Heath with a subsequent sauna session or a SUP tour on the Amazon of the North attract numerous adventure-loving holidaymakers.
