There’s nothing quite like having a long weekend and time to head out and explore some of the world’s most interesting and dynamic cities. But unless you happen to be heading to locations where the weather always seems to play ball, there will be at least a modicum of a chance that you are going to experience some kind of inclemency. This is even truer if you happen to go during the unpredictable summer and winter months, where heavy rainfall and cold snaps suddenly become even more common.
But what are you to do if you only have a specific amount of time off and you’re determined to surprise your husband or wife with a romantic weekend getaway? Fret not, because there are a few tips to heed that will enable you to enjoy your travels regardless of almost any type of weather outside of the more extreme events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or nuclear winters!
The Art Of Layering And Packing Smart
Layering has long been used as a method to ensure that your core body temperature remains comfortable, no matter whether the sun is out in full force or if it is blowing a gale so strong that your umbrella does that comedy flip thing. It’s pretty much as simple as it sounds, and generally involves making sure to wear multiple layers of thin clothing underneath each other. This might start with a basic t-shirt, with one or more sweaters over the top, culminating in a jacket suited to the environment, like down-filled for purely colder temps or rain and windproof layers for the wetter cities.
In fact, you can even layer your jackets to provide not just a level of powerful warmth, but also to protect against cutting rain. When it comes to packing smartly, this will generally involve making sure that you’ve done your research and pack appropriately. For instance, if you are certain that it will rain heavily during your trip, then you will need to free up some more space to pack a decent pair of wellington boots that enable you to trudge around in very wet conditions while keeping your feet warm and dry. Conversely, if it will be boiling, a pair of breathable trail boots might suit the situation better, while giving your feet enough support to explore the miles and miles of roads, museums, and shopping centers, etc. A good old pair of wellie boots is also ideal for splashing around places notorious for their unpredictability, like the British coast.
Research Before You Go: Planning For The Unexpected
Research will be your best friend in these circumstances, as it will give you a much better idea of what to expect and therefore what to pack and how to plan your itinerary (more on that later). It’s tempting to dismiss the worst-case scenarios of weather forecasts as something that probably won’t happen, but you dismiss them at your own peril. Researching things like what you’ll do if the worst comes to worst, or preemptively downloading local taxi apps so you can avoid the public transport rush that occurs when the heavens open, can be a great way to smooth out any bad situation. If you plan on visiting cities on the picturesque British coastline and partaking in a touch of beachcombing, this advanced planning will allow you to not only choose the best spots, but also know of the places to make a hasty exit to if the weather does choose to change on you.
Building Flexible Daily Itineraries
If you know that the city you’re traveling to is notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns, you really need to be as flexible as possible with your planning. It’s fair to say that you can remain relatively rigid in places where the weather always seems to be clement, but this approach will only fail in locations like London, Edinburgh, Plymouth, et al. In practice, this might involve creating a plan A and a plan B for each thing you want to do. For instance:
| Outdoor activity | Indoor counterpart | Time adjustment (if required) |
| Sightseeing, visiting a nature reserve. | Visiting an art gallery or museum. | 2-3 hours if travel is involved. |
| Outdoor dining, or people watching in an open plaza. | Moving to a covered food hall or finding an indoor restaurant. | Rapid if you’re in the right place. |
| Visiting an outdoor market or some kind of street festival. | Covered shopping arcade (not as enjoyable, but warm and dry). | Usually less than an hour. |
Navigating Cities Comfortably In Uncertain Conditions
It’s not just about figuring out what to do when the weather Gods revert to a more fickle humor, but also how you’ll navigate the city itself. It can be tricky, especially if you’re in a foreign location, but knowing how to go about it can make all the difference:
- Choosing transportation wisely: Almost all major cities will have some form of taxi or mass transit system that you can use to get around, regardless of the weather. Look for tourist tickets or day tickets that make it even more affordable.
- Staying safe and comfortable: Wearing the right clothing and footwear can help to keep you warm and dry, as well as help to avoid slipping on slippery and uneven pathways.
You should never allow the possibility of poor weather to stop you from visiting some of the world’s most amazing cities. Using the tips in this post, you can avoid the worst of things and make sure that you still have an amazing trip.
