Iceland
Article by: Rick Steves; August 2026
“Earlier this summer, many of our travelers happened to be vacationing in Germany for a record-breaking moment there…the hottest day ever recorded. Happy travels?
Unfortunately, "hottest days ever recorded" are becoming commonplace. Thanks to the impact of climate change, heat records are routinely shattered and tragedies like the recent wildfires in France, Spain, and Greece are becoming far too common. From a traveler's perspective, the potential for extreme summer heat is simply part of the European experience.
Of course, the easiest way to avoid the heat is to visit Europe in the cooler months — or take a summer "coolcation" to a chillier country like Iceland, Scotland, or Norway. But if your plans are set and a heat wave is on your horizon, there are plenty of ways to still have a great trip.
The first step is to choose a positive attitude. Yes, it's hot — and we all know that's a drag. But if you've spent your hard-earned money to travel all this way, why let something you can't control steal the joy from your trip? You can grumble constantly about the heat, or you can remind yourself: Hey…I'm in Europe!
Next, find smart ways to stay cool. In this Travel News, you'll find my practical tips for beating the heat: what to pack, sightseeing priorities, how to navigate bad (or no) AC… These are just some of the strategies our tour guides use to prevent our groups from wilting — and they work great for independent travelers, too.
Then there's the morality of traveling considering the hard truth of climate change. We propose two things: 1. minimize and pay for the carbon you create, and 2. nurture a global and environmental citizenship in the way you vote. We travelers should reckon honestly with the role we play in contributing to the climate crisis. International travel — especially transatlantic flights — leaves a serious carbon footprint. That's why we at Rick Steves' Europe innovated our Climate Smart Commitment, a self-imposed carbon tax where — for every person who joins our tours — we invest $30 in a variety of projects that address the root causes of climate change while helping struggling farmers in the Global South contribute less to global warming. Our goal, put simply: to produce enough carbon savings through our investment in these initiatives to creatively mitigate the carbon Rick Steves travelers create by flying to Europe. Since 2019, we've donated over $5 million…and with another 30,000 eager travelers hopping on our bus this year (and again in 2027), that number — unlike our footprint — continues to grow. We'd love you to join our commitment and even make one of your own.
Finally, cast your vote with these issues in mind. Even if you aren't traveling, if you care about our environment — and a livable planet for the world's poor today, and for our children tomorrow — show it at the ballot box. Just like the USA, Europe has watched heat waves, wildfires, and droughts become increasingly familiar — and costly. But Europeans aren't continuing to say "drill baby drill" while parts of the continent burn. Instead, they believe the scientific consensus that humans have caused our climate distress, and that our choices going forward matter: They can either improve it…or make it worse. As extreme weather becomes tragically routine, looking after our planet's health should be an ethical rather than partisan issue — it's just common sense.
Europe is a joy at any time of year. If you happen to be traveling during a heat wave, you can still create wonderful memories — just follow tips to beat the heat, adopt a positive mindset, and do what you can to travel in a way that's "climate smart."“
From Rhonda at Culinary Latitudes Travel: While Rick Steves writes of his own reasons for a “coolcation”; we want to share how popular places like Iceland, Alaska, Norway, Finland, and Greenland are for our clients. We are here for you if you have any of these destinations in mind. We’ve recently added a Greenland trip with group rates happening September of 2027! Reach out to us for more information.
