Feeling the heat? Fear not, we’re here to help.
As Belgium bakes, France fries and Spain sizzles in a record-setting heat wave, here’s a rundown of Europe’s current coldest spots.
With temperatures recorded above 40 degrees Celsius in Western Europe, we recommend heading to the extreme north, way uphill or into the Palazzo Chigi’s inner sanctum.
Here’s POLITICO’s travel guide to keeping cool as the mercury soars.
East Fjords, Iceland
Iceland’s ring road is one of the most scenic drives in Europe — and the eastern coast is currently enjoying temperatures of around 3C.
The population of Iceland’s entire eastern region is only around 13,000 people, so there’s no need to worry about sweaty crowds either.
Mont Blanc, France
It might be hard to believe from your suffocating city apartment, but there’s still snow on Europe’s rooftop in France.
Temperatures are below freezing at the summit of Mont Blanc, so grab your hiking shoes and snow poles, and drink in the cool, refreshing Alpine air.
Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Greenland is a great spot to escape the heat, but the capital city of Nuuk on the west coast — currently hovering around a mild 11C — might not cut it for sweat-drenched city dwellers.
But eastern Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote settlements on the planet, is currently checking in at a chilly 2C, which sounds ideal.
And as climate change makes Southern Europe more inhospitable, real estate developers may start looking toward Greenland — following the lead of one controversial Manhattan mogul.
Inside Mario Draghi’s government, Italy
The Dolomites are cold, but they’ve got nothing on Rome where the atmosphere is positively frigid.
It’s been tough sledding in recent weeks for Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who’s tried in vain to keep together his coalition, where things have been frosty between the populist 5Stars, center-right Forza Italia and right-wing League.
Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella icily rejected Draghi’s exasperated offer to quit last week, leaving Italy in limbo.
Rishi Sunak’s heart
It was a calculated but still risky gamble by the now former British chancellor of the exchequer to stab his boss, Boris Johnson, in the back (well, in the front) in an effort to bring him down.
The first part worked perfectly, with Johnson announcing he was standing down. Now Iceman Sunak must wait to see if he can become the next incumbent of 10 Downing Street.
