Northern highlights

Beat the crush with the cool crowd this summer and head north.

To escape the extreme heat this summer and avoid fighting the crowds for an inch of sand at the beach, head north. These 5 spectacular travel destinations are all above 49 degrees. That’s latitude, not Celsius.

1. Hell Bay: Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England

Don’t let the name fool you, Hell Bay is heaven. This laid-back, chic hotel boasting world-class art, heated swimming pool and outstanding locally sourced food. Choose from a seasonal menu that features Bryher crabs, Tresco beef and fresh, Cornish venison and lamb. Located in the Isles of Scilly, just off the Cornish coast of England, the surrounding area is uncrowded, car-free and peppered with gorgeous, white sandy beaches. You may never want to leave.

Latitude: 49.9°N

2. Skansen: Båstad Sweden

Located on Sweden’s southwest coast, closer to Copenhagen than to Stockholm, Båstad is off the radar for most people outside Scandinavia. However, it has become the place for celeb spotting during the summer months, with Hollywood actors as well as stars from the worlds of both tennis and football making their way here in recent years. The lovely Hotel Skansen offers a ‘cold bath with breakfast’ spa package - a truly Swedish way to start the day while cooling off for summer.

Latitude: 56.4°N

3. Sheldon Chalet: Denali National Park, Alaska

Anchored to the middle of an Alaskan glacier, Sheldon Chalet is an incredible luxury experience among some of the world’s most inhospitable terrain. The perfect destination for visitors to Alaska’s Denali National Park, there’s no roughing it here with amenities including a personal concierge, sauna, champagne bar and in-house fine dining serving Alaskan king crab and locally grown micro-greens. And at 6000 feet (2000 meters) about sea level, the views are incredible. In fact the only thing it’s missing is an internet connection. Sorry, (not sorry).

Latitude: 63.1°N

4. The North Pole

If money is really no object, how about the trip of a lifetime to the North Pole? For one of the most remote places on earth, there is a surprising amount for visitors to do, including helicopter rides, wildlife spotting and hot springs. Polar Cruises will get you there, but sign up now - the boat leaves in June.

Latitude: 90°N

5. Tetu Island Lodge, Ontario, Canada

One of Ontario’s most prestigious fishing resorts, Tetu Island Lodge is a beautiful property, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. An island resort, accessible only by boat or plane, once there, there’s almost nothing to do but fish. The lodge provides the gear, boats and guides. All you have to do is cast, reel and eat. Sign up for the walleye shore lunch where staff transform your catch into a midday feast.