Islands to go with a jumper

There are latitudes where August does not smell of sunscreen, but of damp moss and saltpeter. They are islands of harsh and melancholic beauty that require reserving a space in your suitcase for cotton sweaters and even a fleece and winter jackets. From the dizzying cliffs of the Faroes to the polar horizon of Svalbard; from the volcanic energy of Iceland to the wooded labyrinth of Åland, passing through the rock spires of Lofoten and the Viking legacy of Shetland. In these territories, the ocean arrives with force, the meadows shine with an almost unreal green, and the cloudy skies act as the perfect backdrop for disconnection.

When the summer heat is exhausting and the south becomes an oven, the coolness of the north transforms into the most sought-after refuge. Walking under a gentle rain that calms, feeling the slap of a clean wind, and sitting behind a fogged-up window watching the mist swallow the mountains are authentic contemporary luxuries. We propose a thermal route, from less to more cold, to escape the heatwaves: from the gentle breeze of the Åland Islands in the Baltic, to the polar horizons of Svalbard. A celebration of a different kind of holiday where maximum comfort is simply being able to keep warm.

Åland Islands (Finland)

The sea defines absolutely everything in this Scandinavian labyrinth located between the coasts of Finland and Sweden. This immense archipelago, formed by some 6,700 islands and islets, situated halfway between Turku and Stockholm, offers a perfect transition for those fleeing the heat. Its geography is flat and calm, drawn with infinite forests, cultivated fields, and shallow marshes. With a discreet population of less than 30,000 inhabitants and Swedish as the only official language, silence is guaranteed here. Contemplating this horizontal landscape of forests and islets, while the Baltic wind forces you to appreciate the texture of a knitted sweater, is the perfect start to our route towards the cold.

Gotland (Sweden)

Summer in Gotland doesn't call for desperately seeking shade, but rather for dressing in layers. With thermometers hovering around 20°C during the summer season, exploring the island means venturing, without heat, into a past of Vikings and legends. Its heart beats in Visby, the best-preserved fortified trading town in Northern Europe and recognized by UNESCO, where medieval streets are encircled by a majestic 13th-century wall. Beyond the capital, the open landscape offers us an almost otherworldly view: the spectacle of the mysterious raukar, imposing limestone monoliths sculpted during the last Ice Age.

Aran Islands (Ireland)

The thermal journey now takes us 48 kilometers from the bay of Galway, on the westernmost coast of Ireland. On these Gaelic-speaking islands, the Atlantic Ocean wind demands to be well wrapped up. It is no coincidence that Inis Meáin, the central and least visited island, is the historical home of the mythical Aran sweater. According to popular tradition, these thick knitted garments were born out of a vital necessity: each family wove a unique pattern to identify fishermen in case the fury of the sea swallowed them. Today, wrapping yourself in one of these sweaters while walking alone along deserted beaches and cliffs is the ultimate expression of Atlantic comfort.

Isle of Skye (Scotland)

We continue heading north and realize that the thermometer on the Isle of Skye rarely exceeds 16 °C in mid-August. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Skye unfolds before the traveler like a scene of pure romance, where the Cuillin mountains almost always appear covered in a mystical mist. Here, fine rain and wind are not an impediment, but rather part of the natural scenery that makes the texture of a good jumper make perfect sense. Walking along the cliffs of Neist Point or getting lost among the impossible geological formations of The Quiraing, surrounded by waterfalls and millions of sheep, invites a fresh yet comforting disconnection.

Shetland Islands (Scotland)

We are not leaving Scotland and are moving to this archipelago in the north where the wind blows without restraint and opens up a dramatic landscape of peat hills and cliffs where orcas, otters, and immense colonies of puffins live. The landscape is a succession of solitary bays, unique natural phenomena such as the St. Ninian's tombolo – a sand beach that almost disappears when the tide rises – and idyllic beaches of white sand and turquoise waters like Breckon's, recognized as one of the best in the world. All this coexists with a deep Viking legacy that marks the character of absolutely wild islands.

Faroe Islands (Denmark)

Raising the bar for cold takes us to islands where the summer thermometer rarely exceeds 13 °C. This archipelago of eighteen islands is home to some of the most dramatic and untouched landscapes in all of Europe. Great vertical cliffs, breathtaking deep fjords, and wild waterfalls like Mólafossur create a setting where the changing light and unpredictable climate transform the same viewpoint several times a day. Walking through iconic places like Slættaratindur or Kallurin lighthouse, under a gray sky of early rain, is a lesson in natural grandeur where one realizes the immensity of the north.

Lofoten Islands (Norway)

The Lofoten Islands surprise with a key climatic detail: thanks to the warm influence of the Gulf Stream, they enjoy a much milder climate than other regions at the same latitude, which means that in August there is a cool and pleasant atmosphere. The landscape is pure drama: majestic mountains that drop sheerly to white sandy beaches like Haukland. After a day of exploration, the great luxury of the trip is to stay in a rorbu, the picturesque red wooden huts of old fishermen that float directly on the water.

Iceland

In Iceland, August is not understood without a good coat, the necessary shield to venture into a land of extreme contrasts where heat only springs from the earth's interior. If the Reykjanes Peninsula, in the southwest, surprises us with geothermal energy and dormant volcanoes, moving eastwards means delving into the absolute realm of ice, crowned by Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Waves from the North Atlantic also await you, crashing violently onto unforgettable black sand beaches, such as Reynisfjara or Diamond Beach, and scenic waterfalls, like Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, or Skógafoss, where the mist of icy water on your face is the best antidote against any memory of Mediterranean stuffiness.

Greenland

If Iceland has become a sought-after destination, Greenland remains the best-kept secret for travelers yearning for absolute isolation. With the lowest population density on the planet, the concept of summer heat is non-existent here: almost 80% of the island is covered by the world's second-largest ice sheet. Dressing for winter is the non-negotiable requirement to venture into the immensity of its National Park – the largest on Earth – or to navigate among the giant icebergs of Disko Bay under the midnight sun. It is the wild domain of the polar bear and the humpback whale; a white horizon where luxury is the silence that instantly cures any thermal exhaustion.

Svalbard (Norway)

The end of our thermal route takes us to the Arctic extreme. Located in the very heart of the Arctic Ocean, halfway between continental Norway and the North Pole, this destination honors its name, which in Norwegian means "cold coasts". If arriving in Iceland requires a coat, treading the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard demands buttoning up your jacket all the way to the top. Visiting Longyearbyen, the northernmost urban community in the world, means coexisting with nature in its purest state amidst landscapes of majestic mountains and fjords inhabited by reindeer, arctic foxes, and walruses. But above all, it is the undisputed kingdom of the polar bear, a fact that constantly reminds travelers that humanity is merely a guest.