Cities sweltering and the smell of the middle ages: has the climate crisis killed Instagram’s Euro summer?

Who dreams of having a Euro summer now when staying in an ancient, uncooled building in the Old Town is like trying to sleep in a wood-fired pizza oven?

Published 1 September 2026 109 words
ENVIRONMENT A1
Cities sweltering and the smell of the middle ages: has the climate crisis killed Instagram’s Euro summer?

Summer in Europe is ending. Many people like to share photos of their holidays on Instagram. They often show nice places like Greek beaches and Paris.

But this summer was very hot. Many cities were too hot for people. It was hard to visit places. Some famous places, like the Eiffel Tower, were closed early because of the heat.

The hot weather made it uncomfortable for tourists. It was like sleeping in a hot oven. Many people in Europe died because of the very high temperatures. This may mean fewer people will want a Euro summer holiday in the future.

Vocabulary

Instagram — A popular app for sharing photos and videos online.
holidays — A time when you do not go to work or school and can relax or travel.
tourists — People who visit a place for pleasure or interest, especially when they are travelling for a holiday.
temperatures — The degree of heat or cold in the air or something.
uncomfortable — Causing slight pain or physical unease.

Discussion Questions

  1. What did people often post on Instagram about their summer holidays?
  2. Why was it difficult for tourists to visit places in Europe this summer?
  3. What might happen to Euro summer holidays because of the hot weather?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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