jtrent238 test blog: Travel Dispatch: Vacationing in Scorching Hot Europe

August 19, 2023

Vermouth is to Spain what a pint is to Ireland or mate is to Argentina — a national pastime.Emilio Parra Doiztua

Dear Travel Fan,

Amy's off on a well-deserved break, so let me be your guide through our travel stories this week.

Another heat wave in Europe is forecast for the rest of August, and Ceylan Yeginsu has a timely look at how vacationers endured the last one in July. And we suggest more ways to cool off on the continent — head to a Madrid vermuteria for a refreshing vermouth cocktail over ice, or travel far north to a small Swedish town in the Arctic Circle, where the forests offer shade and quiet, as well as native berries to forage.

Staying in Europe, our 36 Hours column goes to Palermo in Sicily, and we end our "Don't Join the Crowd" series in Amsterdam, where a resident, Noëlle de Leeuw, suggests six ways to improve the experience of visiting the Netherlands' capital city, including renting your own small electric boat to explore the storied canals.

We are also watching Hurricane Hilary barreling to the southwestern United States. The rare weather event prompted the first-ever tropical storm watch for Southern California. We pulled together an explainer on what travelers need to know.

Like so many of you, our hearts and thoughts are with the victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui. Christine Chung spent most of the week talking to residents and travelers for a story investigating the propriety of visiting the stricken island right now.

If you have thoughts, let us know at travel@nytimes.com.

— Elisabeth Goodridge, deputy travel editor

OPEN UP YOUR WORLD

Salty, Sweet, Bitter and More, Vermouth Is a Taste of Madrid in a Glass

The drink is a Spanish national pastime and taking time to "fer un vermut" in the capital offers a window into the country's culture.

By Danielle Pergament and Emilio Parra Doiztua

Ilvy Njiokiktjien for The New York Times

(DON'T) JOIN THE CROWD

Six Ways to Enjoy Your Time in Amsterdam

It's all fun and games until you're elbowing your way through hordes of tourists at Dam Square. But a little quiet is far from impossible in the Dutch capital.

By Noëlle de Leeuw

36 HOURS

36 Hours in Palermo, Italy

Street food and medieval churches meet natural wine bars and compelling new museums in Sicily's capital.

By Seth Sherwood

David B. Torch for The New York Times

Searching in Sweden for Berries, Herbs and Understanding

For over a decade, Eva Gunnare has been trying to restore people's relationship with nature — by teaching them how to forage.

By Mélissa Godin and David B. Torch

Continue reading the main story

THE CHANGING WORLD OF TRAVEL

Etienne Laurent/EPA, via Shutterstock

After Maui Wildfires, Travelers Ask: Would a Trip Help or Hurt?

Residents and travelers are grappling with the propriety of visiting Maui, the epicenter of last week's wildfires but an island heavily reliant on tourist dollars.

By Christine Chung and Madison Malone Kircher

Alfredo Estrella/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Hurricane Hilary: What Travelers Need to Know

Flights and other travel plans may be disrupted by the powerful storm moving up the Baja California Peninsula and toward the southwestern United States.

By Christine Chung

Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

Bring Fans and Skip the Sights: Vacationing in Scorching Hot Europe

Travelers are flocking to Europe this summer, but the excessive and prolonged heat is putting a crimp in their plans. Here's what some are doing.

By Ceylan Yeginsu

Ely MacInnes

You Can Take Your Dog to a National Park, but You'll Both Need to Be Very, Very Good

With expanded park programs and new online resources, planning a park-centric trip with a dog — or a dog-centric trip to a park — has gotten easier in recent years. Here's what you need to know.

By Lauren Sloss

Dani Pendergast

TRAVEL 101

Travel Photography: How to Make the Most of Your Cellphone Camera

A Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer shares tips on how to use your smartphone to shoot, arrange and edit your landscapes, portraits and other travel photos.

By James Hill

Carles García O'Dowd

FRUGAL TRAVELER

Savoring and Saving: Cooking on Vacation

Getting a vacation rental with a good kitchen is a must for many budget travelers and those who explore destinations through cooking.

By Elaine Glusac

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