Advertisement

Escaping the heat

If you haven't been feeling the heat lately you've probably been living in an air-conditioned room for the past month, which makes you extremely lucky. If, however, you've been sweating buckets and wilting from the affects of El Niño like most of us and are yearning for a getaway to cooler climates, here's a list of places you might want to visit in the next few months.

Countries in the Southern Hemisphere experience their winter season in the middle to the third quarter of the year, which is perfect timing for those of you who want to escape the heat. Instead of going to Europe or North America for winter, why not venture south of the Equator this time.

Australia

Australia comes to mind for its large expanse, sweeping landscapes and dynamic cities. On average, Australia's largest city Sydney is a mild 16 degrees Celsius during the winter months of June-August, making it a great place to escape to this time of the year. A snowfall is unlikely but you'll enjoy far cooler days there than here. Sydney is the home of the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the famous Sydney Zoo.

Not as large as Sydney but with an interesting arts scene, Melbourne is another city you might want to consider for a quick break. Here, the highest temperature during winter is usually in the region of 14 degrees, more bearable than the 36 degrees we've been having for the past few days. Other options are Brisbane and Perth, which both average 18 degrees in winter.

New Zealand

Farther south is New Zealand. If you're looking for snow, head for the South Island, especially within the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and around Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Another safe bet for snow is Queenstown, where temperatures can go down to anywhere between zero to 10 degrees in the winter. There is much to do in Queenstown- you can ski, bungee jump, snowboard down a hill or if you're up to it, go white-water rafting.

The North Island won't be as cold as the south but it will be chilly enough for frost in some parts. The temperature for Rotorua, a fascinating town famous for its boiling mud pools, hovers around 13 degrees in the winter. As for Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, it almost never snows but its average winter temperature of 13 degrees is cool enough to make you forget you ever went through El Niño.

Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain from the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, Cape Town.
Table Mountain from the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, Cape Town.

Cape Town is one of my favourite places in the world. Winters average around 17 degrees Celsius but one thing that cannot be stressed enough about this city is the unpredictability of the weather. If you visit in the winter, bring layers and be ready for the cold, the wind and the rain. Don't let that put you off though; Cape Town is a beautiful city and there's bound to be a few days with clear skies. If you visit Cape Town- and I encourage you to- make sure to visit Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, the Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Victoria and Albert Waterfront.

Peru

General view of the ruins of the Machu Picchu citadel, 130 km northwest of Cusco, Peru
General view of the ruins of the Machu Picchu citadel, 130 km northwest of Cusco, Peru

The winter months are the best time of the year to visit the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. The air is dry and cool in winter, making your climb up the peak more bearable compared to what it would be in the summer months. Temperatures in winter average around 19 degrees Celsius. The capital of Peru, Lima, should also be very pleasant from now until September at 18 degrees.

Further in the southeastern part of the country is the lovely Lake Titicaca, which is located in the Peruvian Andes. Titicaca is the highest lake in the world but apparently its surface has never frozen, so even in the winter you might be able to sail on the lake and visit the man-made islands inhabited by the local Uros community.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The sun rises over the Rio de La Plata on Buenos Aires' city docks.
The sun rises over the Rio de La Plata on Buenos Aires' city docks.

The selling points for the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires,is food and architecture, which is a reflection of its history and European influence. The city is blessed with beautiful palaces, tree-lined streets and opera houses, making walking here a pleasure. Winter is an ideal time of the year to visit when you're exploring the city's markets, gardens and galleries such as the Museum of Latin American Art and the Museum of Modern Art. Expect winters in Buenos Aires to be in the region of a very agreeable 17 degrees Celsius.

One final note: The temperature readings mentioned here are only averages and may be higher or lower during the course of a week, or day. Travellers should always check weather conditions before making travel plans. Remember to refer to Yahoo! Weather and to smartphone apps such as Weather+ before you leave and after you arrive.

*Anis Ibrahim also writes at Five Foot Traveller.