If you’re more wet, wild and windy than sun, sea and sunshine – we’ve got just what you’re looking for! Not everyone wants far-flung beaches, burning sunshine or sweltering heat from a holiday. In fact, many travellers want to get away from the very essence of that, trading it in for cooler shores from their luxury villa rental. Nodding along? Then you might well enjoy these five destinations for escaping the heat.

As its name suggest, Iceland is the place to go for year-round winter conditions. The climate reaches 50-59F in the summer, which makes it pleasant for visiting without it being bitterly cold. There’s also the advantage of copious daylight allowing you to enjoy the many tourist attractions in the capital. Some of these include viewing its stunning architecture – ranging from Hallgrimskirkja Church to the Perlan building - with also offers mesmerizing city views. The ring road and the Golden Circle are all great routes for car drives and day’s out, where you can get a feel for the unusual landscape. Finally, and most definitely one to add to your bucket list – don’t forget whale watching – just be sure to get your ‘sea legs’ ready!

Oh so cool, in every way, the cultural beacon that is Glasgow is a wonderful city to visit any time of year. However, the harsh wind and rain is less likely to hit the city in summer, making it the perfect time for visitors. This friendly Scottish city is known for its great food (and drink) – be sure to sample the local delicacy of ‘haggis’ washed down with a ‘wee dram’! Whisky is the tipple of choice around these parts, and you won’t be short of a pub or two for sampling the local brew. Seek out Clydeside Distillery if you want a full-on tour. Glasgow is also a city of natural beauty and architecture. A stroll around the George Square best demonstrates this, with 19th-century Victorian buildings and famous statues. If you prefer to see the city’s greener side, then the Botanical Gardens make a wonderful backdrop for an afternoon stroll. Finally, time your visit with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – it’s just an hour away and an annual summer highlight.

The weather may be chilly, but the welcome is always warm. Whether you’re with friends or family, you’ll have a great time in this fun, but surprisingly small city. Shopping, is what the locals will point you towards – Brown Thomas is not just a department store, it’s an institution. For something more mainstream, Dundrum Shopping Centre is Ireland’s largest mall, perfect for picking up a souvenir for home. If you came for the ‘craic’, then Dublin after hours scene is where it’s at. Head straight to Temple Bar, and you’ll find pub after pub bursting at the seams with locals singing and playing traditional music. Of these, O’Donoghues is the oldest and one of the most famous, which draws in the crowds. The morning after the night before demands an Irish breakfast – one of the best meals you can devour. Head to Stage Door Café in Temple Bar for the fry up of your life! Follow this with a walk around St Stephen’s Green spotting the many famous coloured doors, before returning to your villa rental to recharge before the next night out.

A summertime must - the days are long and nights short in Oslo, meaning you can enjoy up to 19 hours of daylight in June alone. You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the ‘midnight sun’ from your villa rental if you’re lucky. As you’d expect from such a natural beauty spot, the great outdoors comes to life in the summer. The harbour parade is a wonderful spot for soaking up sunsets, but not before a tour of the fjord by boat to discover its Viking past – it’s a rite of passage. If you’re partial to open swimming, it’s the local’s favourite pastime and you won’t be short on places to take a quick dip.

With mild and never overbearing weather, Bruges in the summer is a great time to come. Accessible by Eurostar from a number of European destinations, this is a place to stop by and discover by foot, including its gingerbread style houses and endless canals. Once you’ve scaled the infamous Bell Tower, the next stop is one of its many microbreweries. Here you can enjoy local craft beer, moules-frites, waffles and so many other comfort foods in this gastronomic hot spot. Chocolate lovers are in for a treat too – not only is this the home of great chocolate, but there’s numerous chocolate tours and experiences to partake in.