The rise of the coolcation: Swapping heat for chic

For years, the classic beach holiday has ruled the world. Palm trees. Infinity pools. Suncream melting in your beach bag.

But something is changing.

More and more of my clients are saying the same thing. They still want beautiful scenery. They still want luxury. They still want wow moments. They just don’t want to feel like they’re walking through an oven to get it.

Enter the coolcation.

Think dramatic mountains instead of crowded beaches. Alpine lakes instead of packed pool decks. Crisp morning air. Cosy evenings. Proper food. Proper scenery. Proper switch off.

And honestly? I’m here for it.

Here are two of my absolute favourite coolcation ideas right now.

The Dolomites

If high-altitude elegance had an address, this would be it. Jagged peaks that look like they’ve been hand carved. Emerald meadows. Glassy glacial lakes. Storybook villages that blend Italian and Austrian culture beautifully.

The Dolomites are dramatic without being overwhelming. Peaceful without being boring. And luxurious without shouting about it.

You can start your day walking through flower-filled meadows, have lunch overlooking mountain ridges, and finish with a spa ritual while the sun dips behind the peaks. It’s that kind of place.

Where to stay

Forestis Dolomites

Minimalist. Sustainable. Jaw-dropping views from every angle. The spa here is all about reconnecting with nature. It’s calm, it’s stylish and it feels very grown up.

Rosa Alpina

Five-star alpine glamour. Michelin-starred dining. Polished interiors with that cosy mountain charm. It’s refined but still relaxed.

Alpina Dolomites Lodge

Modern, sleek and all about wellness. Step straight onto scenic trails, then back into a holistic spa that makes you forget what day it is.

What to do

This is where coolcation really shines.

Scenic hikes for every level. Mountain yoga decks. Cable cars with ridiculous views. E-biking through UNESCO-protected landscapes. Long lazy lunches in alpine huts. Proper food and proper wine at altitude.

You can be as active or as horizontal as you like.

Getting there

Around 2.5 hours’ flight to Venice or Innsbruck, then roughly a 2 to 2.5 hour transfer into the mountains. Easy. Smooth. And completely worth it.

The Faroe Islands

If you want somewhere that feels untouched, dramatic and genuinely different, this is it.

The Faroe Islands sit between Iceland and Norway and feel like nature showing off. Cliffs plunging into the ocean. Waterfalls falling straight into the sea. Tiny colourful houses scattered along fjords.

It’s wild. It’s beautiful. And it still feels undiscovered.

Luxury here isn’t flashy. It’s authentic. It’s about space, silence and scenery that makes you stop mid sentence.

Where to stay

Hotel Føroyar

A contemporary hillside hotel blending straight into the landscape. Floor-to-ceiling views over Tórshavn. Incredible Nordic dining at Ruts and a spa that is perfect after a windswept hike.

Heima í Stovu Guesthouses

Boutique heritage homes with proper character. Traditional Faroese charm with concierge-style service. It feels like staying in someone’s beautifully styled private home.

What to do

Helicopter tours over the islands. Private guided hikes across dramatic cliff tops. Boat trips weaving between sea stacks and fjords. Puffin spotting along the rugged coastline.

It’s adventurous, but it’s not chaotic. It’s the kind of trip that resets your nervous system.

Getting there

Fly to Copenhagen, then connect to Vágar Airport in the Faroes. Simple and seamless.

Your coolcation, your way

This isn’t about avoiding sunshine. It’s about choosing something different. Something elevated. Something a little more unique than the usual sunbed scramble.

If you’re craving fresh air, big landscapes and luxury without the heatwave, let’s chat.

Private hikes. Helicopter rides. Boutique mountain lodges. Nordic fine dining. I’ll tailor it around you, exactly how you travel.

Because cool is the new hot. And I’m with you every step of the way.