The beach continues to hold a powerful summer appeal, but year by year the mountains offer different experiences in this season: tranquility, pure air, spectacular views, and a profound connection with nature. This is what tourists want. During summer, the mild temperatures of mountain resorts allow you to escape the heat of the city, offering pleasant days and cool nights that encourage rest. Spending a few weeks among forests, alpine lakes, and scenic trails means rediscovering a slower pace of life, dedicating yourself to physical and mental well-being, and enjoying authentic experiences.
The mountains: activities and relaxation in the cool
One of the greatest benefits of mountain holidays is the opportunity to enjoy numerous outdoor activities.
Hiking enthusiasts can explore trails suitable for all levels, while those who prefer more challenging sports can indulge in trekking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, or paragliding. Families with children also find numerous recreational opportunities thanks to adventure parks, nature trails, and educational farms. The mountains are also the ideal place to observe wildlife, photograph breathtaking landscapes, and immerse yourself in the silence of nature.
Beyond their natural beauty, mountain resorts preserve a rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. Many accommodations also promote sustainable tourism, offering stays that respect the environment and local communities.
Where can you find beautiful mountain destinations?
Europe boasts numerous fascinating mountain destinations. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , are among the most popular destinations thanks to their imposing peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and characteristic villages in Sudtirol, Trentino, and Veneto. Towns such as Cortina d’Ampezzo, Ortisei, and Canazei offer a perfect balance of nature, sports, and hospitality. The Swiss Alps are also a top destination, where visitors can admire glaciers, flower-filled meadows, and views dominated by the Matterhorn.
France boasts spectacular Alpine resorts like Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, an ideal destination for hiking and sports. Austria, with regions like Tyrol and Salzburg, has lush green landscapes, swimming lakes, and well-maintained trails. Slovenia is also worth a visit thanks to Triglav National Park and the enchanting Lake Bled, while Norway captivates with its fjords, plateaus, and mountains overlooking the sea, creating unique scenery.
Outside Europe, the possibilities are equally fascinating. The Canadian Rocky Mountains offer extraordinary panoramas in Banff and Jasper National Parks, where turquoise lakes, forests, and wildlife create a spectacular setting. In the United States, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite, and Yellowstone attract millions of visitors thanks to their large national parks. In Asia, the gigantic mountains of Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan offer unique experiences among monasteries, traditional villages, and glaciers. Did you know that you can also enjoy splendid mountain holidays in the “South of the World”? In South America, the Andes offers unforgettable itineraries, while in Australia, the Blue Mountains and the Australian Alps are ideal hiking destinations… but remember that in this part of the world, summer time is from December to March!
Five ideas
Here, we’ll share five ideas for mountain destinations you might consider when looking for a cool vacation to escape the high summer temperatures. We will range from Europe to South America, also following this year’s mountain tourism trends. Some names may not surprise you, but others are worth knowing and discovering. No matter where your heart takes you, what matters is that you’re surrounded by snow-capped peaks, forests, streams, and above all…low, very low temperatures!
Chamonix in France: cool at the foot of Mont Blanc
Chamonix and Mont Blanc are one and the same. The former is a valley that opens at the foot of the massif, on the French side, and is home to several Alpine villages belonging to the municipality of Chamonix (population 9,000). It is so close to Switzerland that it is served for tourism by Geneva Airport (GVA), just 88 km away. With a personalized vehicle with chauffeur, you can travel from the historic center—with its typical architecture and the beautiful Crystal Museum—to other destinations. You will discover the Glaciers Cable Car, the Vallée Blanche, lake Blanc, and lake Anglais. As the queen of “Alpine nightlife”, Chamonix also offers plenty of evening entertainment, complementing the relaxation of daytime hikes in the surrounding woods.
In Italy, the Dolomites for all tastes
Want to experience the thrill of finding pools of snow even in the middle of August? Book your “cool holiday” in the Italian Dolomites, specifically those of Friuli Venezia Giulia. We suggest you base yourself in Tarvisio, a small village of 3,000 inhabitants and the easternmost tip of the province of Udine (it is located 130 km from Trieste Airport and just 75 km from Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia). Based in Tarvisio, in less than 40 minutes by car you can go admire places like the Fontanon waterfall at Goriuda, while in just over an hour by car you can reach Forni di Sopra in the shadow of the Chiarescons massif, and in two hours you can admire the large seismic fault that runs alongside the bed of the Susaibes stream. But if you stay in the cool of quiet Tarvisio, you can enjoy regenerating walks among its ancient churches, medieval towers, or venture into the greenery of the Fusine Lakes.
Kandersteg
If you love the Swiss Alps, head to the Bern region for your refreshing mountain vacation. Book your room at a farmhouse or B&B in Kandersteg, a village that seems straight out of a fairytale, with its wooden houses, churches with pointed bell towers, streams, and towering peaks. Your relaxing itineraries in the area will take you through the woods to the Lake Blue, Lake Thun, and the spectacular Lake Oeschinen, a stunning pool of clear water nestled like a diamond between towering rock peaks. In summer, Kandersteg also offers “heat escapers” numerous cultural and artistic events: exhibitions, festivals, food tastings, and open-air concerts. To begin your vacation here, book your flight to Bern Airport (BRN).
The Greek Meteoras
Treat yourself to a very alternative vacation in Greece. Instead of an island in the sea, choose one… up on the mountains. Head to Thessaloniki—landing at the local airport (SKG) and relying on a private transfer—and then base yourself in the town of Kalambaka, about three hours away. Here you can restore your spirits, and we really mean it!, on one of the peaks of the Pindus Mountains, home to the famous Orthodox monasteries. The most famous of all is Meteora Monastery, a true sacred “city” – one of the six (out of twenty-four) still active today. As guests of the monks, according to strict rules not always easy to follow, you can enjoy the cool of a vacation that completely detaches you from the heavy (and hot!) worries you’ll have to leave behind in the valley.
Bariloche and the magic of the Andes
Let’s leave Europe and embark on an intercontinental journey to the Argentine Andes, and specifically, the town of Bariloche. Served by its own airport, which handles domestic flights departing from Buenos Aires Pistarini (EZE), this small border town between Argentina and Chile is also known as “Little Switzerland” due to its purely alpine landscape. Forests and lakes are the true monuments to be admired here; among many, we highlight Lake Nahuel Huapi and the Cerro Viejo Ecotourism Park, the Frey Refuge and the Laguna Negra lake.
Remember that in Argentina, summer in the mountains should be experienced in December and January, not August!
