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As much as I love a beach getaway, the thought of having to lie in what’s essentially an open-air sauna and sweat for hours on end is off-putting, to say the least.
And it seems like I’m far from the only one to feel this way.
With temperatures soaring to all-time highs, more and more travelers are forgoing their dream tropical vacations in favor of fresher, more culturally enriching city breaks – at least that’s what Chase Travel revealed on its most recent European Travel Trends report.
In fact, four cities that most of us would only consider for a Christmas holiday have managed to make their way into the continent’s trendiest summer destinations, so if you’re looking for a change of pace this upcoming season, consider moving these places right at the top of your bucket list.
Warsaw
If you’ve been paying attention to the latest travel news, you know that Warsaw has been all the rage.
It’s been named a top destination for solo travelers, an underrated budget pick, and now, it’s even made its way into the “coolest European cities of the summer” list – talk about a destination that has it all!
Throughout the June-August period, the city usually sees temperatures that range between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F), the perfect climate for those long sightseeing excursions you know you want to take.
After all, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Royal Castle, the iconic Old Town, and the Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) are just too good to miss out on.
Music lovers will have a blast in Warsaw this upcoming season, too – Summer Jazz Days, the Baby Lasagna concert, and the Chopin Concerts in Łazienki Park are just around the corner.
Brussels
Moving on to what I personally consider to be one of Europe’s most consistently overlooked destinations – the Belgian capital promises visitors balmy days, cool nights, and the type of architecture that would put most other cities to shame.
Even beyond the Grand Palace, which is the heart of the city and arguably one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, you’ll get to see more stunning attractions in Brussels than you can count.
I can help you start, though – the Atomium, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, and Parc du Cinquantenaire are all as good as they say.
No matter what you do, though, it’s important to stay energized.
Luckily, that’s easy to do when you’re somewhere with such a fantastic food scene; between all the waffles, chocolates, and spicy mayo-covered fries, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Munich
While Germany has always been one of Europe’s most coveted hotspots, summer tends to be a bit quieter in the country – after all, when everyone’s lounging around on some Mediterranean beach, people here have to bring a light jacket along to dress for the 21°C (70°F) weather.
If you’re anything like me and tired of the scorching heat, though, that sounds like a dream.
You’ll need all the focus and energy you can muster to explore Munich, the Bavarian capital.
Here, you won’t only get the typical European city experience with Nymphenburg Palace and the English Garden but also take in the modernity of Marienplatz with its famous Glockenspiel show and tireless crowds.
Of course, no visit here would be complete without a visit to a beer garden, and if I were you, the Hofbräuhaus, the Augustiner-Keller, and the Chinese Tower beer garden would be my top choices.
Zurich
I’m not usually a fan of places that are notorious for their high prices, but Zurich is one of those cities you want to experience at least once in a lifetime, even if just for a couple of hours.
The great thing about Europe is that you can stay in any of the destinations we’ve talked about thus far and take a quick train or flight to the Swiss hub – that way, you get the breathtaking scenery and opulent feel without having to pay the price tag to match.
Whether you want to spend your time here enjoying a boat cruise on Lake Zurich, taking in the views from Uetliberg Mountain, or exploring Kunsthaus Zurich, that’s up to you.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.