It’s easy to think that traveling to cooler climates is only for the winter. After all, if you want to see snowflakes dropping from the sky, ice skate around a Christmas market, and sip hot cocoa while searching for the Northern Lights up above, you head somewhere known for its icy landscape.
However, you should also think about visiting these destinations when it’s warming up too! Summer in a typically winter destination is a great way to cool off and really enjoy the best the season has to offer. You can pack whatever clothes you want to wear, you don’t have to worry too much about sun exposure, and you definitely won’t be sweating just standing outside of the hotel’s AC!
But if you are headed somewhere cooler for the summer, there are a few things to pack in your luggage that’ll make your time away the most enjoyable.
Cotton Cardigans
Cotton cardigans are light and breathable, meaning you can throw them on over the top of any other clothes you’re wearing and get an extra layer of warmth without feeling trussed up. You can also fold them quite small, meaning you can fit about three or four cardigans in your suitcase without compromising on the space. These will help to keep you warm when you’re out in the evening or early night, meaning you can sit out on the rooftop garden with a cocktail for a bit longer!
Light Exfoliator
Your skin is going to need a little more cleansing and moisturizing than usual, so make sure you pack a light exfoliator in your bag as well as your usual skincare products. Cold air is pretty bad for the pores, and while you won’t need a heavy exfoliator to get the worst off, you’ll still need to maintain some consistency in your skincare.
A Soft Pair of Gloves
Gloves are perfect for the cooler climates, as hands are a pretty big heat leak when it comes to the body. As such, buy womens gloves from HeatHolders, make sure they’re in the bag before you head off, and you’ll have a soft and warm pair of gloves to slide over your hands when the air gets a bit too bitey for your liking. You may only need to wear them for the first couple days as you transition, but you’ll be thankful you had them during that time.
Weather Ready Coat
You never know if there’ll be a summer snow or storm on the horizon, so make sure you’ve got an easy to fold, weather ready coat packed in your suitcase. These can be bought from any outdoor store and are made to protect against heavy rain, cold, and wind - all of which are likely in countries that are up north and typically colder.
Plenty of Lip Balm
Lip balm is essential when it’s colder outside! Cold air is dry air, and that means your skin is going to dry out in double time, which is not what happens when it’s hot and humid and you’re likely sweating. Transitioning from one kind of climate to the other can do a number on the skin, especially the sensitive skin of the lips, so have some hardy lip balm in the bag and use it frequently.
Top up at least once an hour, unless you’re eating and drinking, in which case top up as soon as you’re done. And whatever you do, try to keep yourself from licking and nibbling at your lips - this will just make them sore, and they won’t look good in any selfies you take either.
Shoes You Can Easily Walk in
Colder climates tend to have harder ground to walk on. That’s why you’ll need a pair of proper walking shoes in your bag, just in case you’ve got to cross some cobbles, rocks, or something a bit slippery. You don’t want to be tripping, slipping, or going over your ankle while you’re on vacation! You can have as many other pairs as you like, but at least one pair of walking boots or some comfortable sneakers that are easy to walk in will be best.
If you’re headed somewhere cooler to spend your summer vacation, make sure your bag is packed with the essentials above. You don’t want the transition from hot to cool to be too hard on the body, and you never know how much of a chill will come over you if you’re not used to the colder temperatures!
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