By: Miriam Bribiesca
“Hot Girl/Boy Summer” is fun in theory until your thighs start chafing and your iced coffee becomes a hot latte in two minutes. Summer shouldn’t feel like stepping into a microwave and while everyone else is healing from sunburns and skyrocketing AC bills, you could be out somewhere in the world living your best mid 70 degree fantasy.
We’ve rounded up four spots around the world that hit that Goldilocks zone of “not too hot, not too cold.” Time to grab your travel camera, reusable water bottle, and summer clothes. Let’s explore!
Interlaken, Switzerland – Avg Summer Temp: 75°F–78°F
Welcome to Interlaken, where it is clear the universe has favorites and gave Switzerland and its people all it could ever want. Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and framed by the Swiss Alps, this is where you go to pretend you’re in a movie montage, preferably while sipping hot cocoa post hike. This location is for our outdoor junkies who simply want to spend their vacation admiring nature without thinking about modern day life.
Here’s what to do:
- Go paragliding over lakes that look Photoshopped! Yea…it can be scary, but like, in a “I’m alive!” kind of way. Just don’t tell your parents until you’re back on safe ground…
- Take a scenic train ride to Jungfraujoch, aka the “Top of Europe.” Bonus points if you bring a disposable camera to capture your adventure in that classic nostalgic look.
- Rent a bike and cruise around Lauterbrunnen Valley. It is home to 72 waterfalls and your future profile pic.
Save hack: We recommend staying in a hostel with mountain views (yes, that’s a thing here). Also, make sure to get the Swiss Half Fare Card to get 50% off most trains and cable cars which is important because Switzerland isn’t known for being cheap, but you can definitely outsmart it here and there.
Banff, Canada – Avg Summer Temp: 65°F–75°F
Banff is basically what happens when mother nature goes off and creates a stunning masterpiece. Picture teal blue lakes, snow tipped peaks, and the kind of fresh air that makes you forget social media for 5 whole minutes.
It’s active, scenic, and ideal for anyone whose vibe is more “granola aesthetic” than “nightlife.”
Here’s what to do:
- Rent a canoe on Lake Louise and recreate that insta photo you know you want to later post on your feed (this is a safe space).
- Hike up Tunnel Mountain. We hear Tunnel Mountain is the kind of hike that makes you feel accomplished without making your knees cry. The hike is just enough uphill to get your heart going, with killer views as your reward.
- Recover in Banff Upper Hot Springs and float away your sore quads because we know you’ll need it.
Save hack: Fun fact, Canada’s national parks are more affordable than U.S. ones if you get the Discovery Pass. So just do it now and get it. Oh and hostels here are chef’s kiss! Meaning they are social, scenic, and budget friendly. A true triple threat!
Seattle, USA – Avg Summer Temp: 74°F–79°F
Who said summer needs to be sunny all the time? Seattle’s version of summer is moody in the best way possible! Blue skies one day, dreamy fog the next. It’s ideal for strolling through farmers markets in oversized cardigans, sipping iced oat lattes, and taking aesthetic pics with sailboats in the background.
Here’s what to do:
- If you’re into hiking, make sure to make a trek to Rattlesnake Ledge for a beautiful view just 45 minutes from downtown. You’re welcome!
- Spend a slow morning at Pike Place Market, get yourself some coffee, explore the stores, and don’t forget to get yourself some flower bouquets that are often cheaper than your last Starbucks run.
- Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island, also known as the day trip that feels like a mini European vacation. A vacation within a vacation? We are in!
Save hack: Like a good samaritan we recommend you use public transit + ferries with the ORCA card for easy exploring. Many museums also offer student discounts. Just make sure you carry your ID to get those discounts!
Galway, Ireland – Avg Summer Temp: 68°F–75°F
Galway is for the romantics, the artists, the folks who want to write poetry in a seaside café but also dance to live music later in the day. It’s got cobblestone streets, quirky shops, and salty ocean air that’ll give you that effortless look (humidity free, of course!).
Here’s what to do:
- Rent bikes and explore the Salthill Promenade, where you can spot locals diving into the Atlantic like it’s no big deal and maybe you can join them too!
- Take a ferry to the Aran Islands and live your cottagecore fantasy with ancient stone walls and horse drawn carts. So cool!
- End your night with live music at Tigh Neachtain or any pub that has fairy lights and a band squeezed into the corner. That’s when you know you’ll have a great time!
Save hack: Ireland loves students. And if you want to know more about this wonderful place we wrote all about it here. Now if you are looking to save, check out Bus Éireann Explorer Passes for unlimited bus rides across the country. And of course, booking hostels in Galway is a good idea. Why? Because they are walkable and full of new friends to dance with!
As you can see, summer doesn’t have to mean sweat soaked tank tops and chugging water like it’s your job. These four destinations give you all the summer glory without the melting heat. You can hike, sip, wander, and take selfies in pure, breezy bliss.
And the best part? You don’t need to be loaded to make it happen. In fact, with our exclusive student flight deals, you’ll have even more reason to turn this summer daydream into a real life getaway. Don’t sleep on it or you’ll be stuck in your hometown wishing you had taken this trip instead. Summer is for adventure! Sorry, we don’t make the rules. Safe travels!
