Updated 21.58 | Published 21.54
Free, nice and lazy days are just around the corner – but you have to be careful.
Holidays can be ruined by tolls, congestion, strikes and super heat.
– Many countries have also started charging hidden tourist taxes, says travel expert Lottie Knutson.
On Friday it is midsummer. And for many Swedes it also means the start of the holidays. Trips to sun, swimming and warmth await.
But regardless of what trip you have booked or what plans you have, there are certain things to watch out for.
For example, hidden prices and fees.
– The crown is stronger than for a long time, but still not very strong. And it can be good to look at different index measurements. Forex makes a sun holiday index. You check there what you as a tourist actually pay for common things, such as accommodation, eating out, a coffee and so on, says the travel expert Lottie Knutson.
Turkey, Albania and Bulgaria are well on the list.
– If, on the other hand, you are afraid of big holes in your wallet. Then you should definitely not go to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. That was the big worst thing on this index list. It’s a third more expensive there than in Stockholm, says Lottie Knutson.
Can be expensive
Another thing to watch out for when it comes to fees is special taxes.
– More and more countries are introducing hotel tax. Some call it an environmental tax, but it’s really the same thing. It is collected upon departure. Even if you have purchased a package tour.
Suddenly you can cough up a number of euros per person and resident.
– So it can be noticeable if you go with the whole family.
Another fee trap can be local ATMs, which add extra fees to withdraw cash.
Airport chaos has been recurring in recent years. And there is really no one who at the moment is saying that the summer of 2026 will be different.
– It could be renovations, air traffic controllers or baggage personnel on strike and canceled flights. To be on the safe side, you probably have to be prepared for the fact that it can get a little messy at the airport, says Lottie Knutson.
She continues:
– Bring a water bottle and something to eat. And expect it to take time. Be patient.
Super heat in Europe
When you arrive at your destination, you need to be prepared for proper heat, a little depending on where you land.
The week after midsummer it will be warmer than normal in the west Europesays Lasse Rydqvist, meteorologist at Klart.
– There are tendencies that it could be up to 40 degrees in Spain and southern France, he says.
The heat then appears to move eastward.
– The first and second week of July will be very hot in southern Germany, Italy and the Balkans.
And it looks like the heat over Europe is continuing.
– It’s not turning over to any cool weather anyway, as it looks now.
