Cities sweltering and the smell of the middle ages: has the climate crisis killed Instagram’s Euro summer? | Brigid Delaney
News Source
•Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:03:17 GMT
📰 What Happened
Brgid Delaney's opinion piece says the Euro summer dream may be dying — because of heat. This summer broke temperature records across western Europe from late May, making travel uncomfortable for hundreds of millions of tourists.
Delaney describes the usual Instagram picture: azure Greek coves, plates of sardines, yachts rented by the hour, and Paris Aitbnb selfies. But this year the heat filled the season, even if cameras can't photograph it. Staying in an ancient building with no cooling, she says, is like sleeping in a wood-fired pizza oven.
🔍 The Backstory
Euro summer has become a rite of passage for young Australians. Every winter they scroll feeds full of sunny Europe posts while it rains at home.
But climate change is changing the travel experience. Record heat makes old cities with no air conditioning almost unliveable in summer. Delaney asks whether the picture-perfect dream can survive a changing climate — or whether the reality of heat has finally killed it.
🎯 Why It Matters
Anyone dreaming of a European holiday should know that heat is now part of the trip. Extreme weather affects comfort, health and travel costs — and it changes what's left of the old summer dream.
Brgid Delaney's opinion piece says the Euro summer dream may be dying — because of heat. This summer broke temperature records across western Europe from late May, making travel uncomfortable for hundreds of millions of tourists.
Delaney describes the usual Instagram picture: azure Greek coves, plates of sardines, yachts rented by the hour, and Paris Aitbnb selfies. But this year the heat filled the season, even if cameras can't photograph it. Staying in an ancient building with no cooling, she says, is like sleeping in a wood-fired pizza oven.
Euro summer has become a rite of passage for young Australians. Every winter they scroll feeds full of sunny Europe posts while it rains at home.
But climate change is changing the travel experience. Record heat makes old cities with no air conditioning almost unliveable in summer. Delaney asks whether the picture-perfect dream can survive a changing climate — or whether the reality of heat has finally killed it.
Anyone dreaming of a European holiday should know that heat is now part of the trip. Extreme weather affects comfort, health and travel costs — and it changes what's left of the old summer dream.