Jet-setting to sunny destinations sounds glamorous until you’re sweating like you’re auditioning for the role of a water fountain.
If you aren’t exactly used to the heat, it can be a bit much sometimes, but you know what? There are lots of things you can do to keep just as cool as the locals and enjoy your trip all the more for it.
Embrace the Local Dress
Investing in totally comfy traditional dress like a kaftan for women or a thobe for men can prove a great style- and weather-proofing investment. If the locals wear them, it’s likely that they do so not only due to culture, but also because those clothes just happen to be the most comfortable for the climate they are in, so you could do a lot worse than to take a leaf out of their books and dress similarly for the weather.
Traditional dress is not only culturally diverse and visually appealing – it can also be a remedy for hot weather. Credit: Hamstech University Graduate Show 2023 at London Fashion Week.
Stay Hydrated: Your Body’s Inbuilt Cooling System
Drinking water might seem obvious, but hydration sneaks up on you like a ninja. Always have a bottle of water on hand. If you’re feeling fancy, add a slice of lemon or cucumber for that spa-water vibe. It’s not just about drinking litres upon litres though; foods with high water content, like watermelon and cucumber, are your undercover hydration heroes.
Eating foods with high water content, like fruit, can help you beat the heat when holidaying at sunny destinations. Credit: Paulatrendsets Blog
Fan Club President
Become a fan aficionado. A portable fan, especially one of those nifty misting types, can be a lifesaver when you’re melting faster than a dropped ice lolly. Compact and USB-chargeable fans are travel-friendly and can make you feel like an A-lister with your personal breeze on demand.
Catch the Night Fever
Explore your destinations by night. Not only is it cooler, but you also get to see cities lit up in all their glory. Evening markets, night safaris, and sunset cruises can be magical. Plus, you’ll avoid the worst of the day’s heat and the peak tourist crowds — it’s a win-win!
Exploring a destination by night has its own charm -and cool. Above: View from the Botanical Gardens of Valetta, Malta, at dusk. Credit: Paulatrendsets Blog
Techy Textiles
Invest in clothing made from smart fabrics designed to cool you down. Brands are now creating shirts, pants, and even undergarments that promise to regulate body temperature, wick away sweat, and control odor. It’s like wearing a science experiment—but in a good way.
Cool Scarves and Cooling Wraps
Wrap up to cool down? It sounds counter-intuitive, but cooling scarves and wraps are the real deal. Soaked in water, these accessories contain crystals or gels that stay cool for hours. Tie one around your neck or head and experience the chill life, even under the blazing sun.
Shady Business
Never underestimate the power of shade. A lightweight, stylish hat not only protects your head but also shades your face, helping to prevent sunstroke. Sunglasses are a must too, protecting your eyes and making you look effortlessly cool in those travel selfies.
Spicy Advice: Eat Like the Locals
It may seem bizarre, but spicy foods can cool you down. Foods laced with spices like chili stimulate heat receptors in the mouth, enhance circulation, and cause sweating, which cools the body through evaporation. So, go on, order that curry or spicy taco — just maybe have a glass of milk handy.
Morrocan traditional dish. Credit: Paulatrendsets Blog
Keeping cool while travelling is smart if you want to feel comfortable, have a great time exploring, and not come back looking like a lobster, so bear the above in mind next time you jet off to warmer climes.
