Nothing says European summer quite like plotting a seaside escape, swapping office shoes for flip-flops and wondering how many Aperol Spritzes constitute “cultural immersion”. We asked three of our colleagues what their warm-weather plans look like and their answers deliver equal parts wanderlust and wisdom.
HENK DEIST, CEO – FROM YACHT DECKS TO NORDIC FJORDS
After a yacht trip along Croatia’s sparkling coast with friends, Henk is swapping the Mediterranean crowds for Norway’s cool tranquillity with family. A self-confessed “beach-chair, umbrella and cocktail” enthusiast, he relies on two essentials: sunscreen and a hat. His golden rule? “Go shoulder season if you can – skip July and August.” Equipped with that advice and a good holiday novel (plus permission for an afternoon nap), he’s prepared for bliss at both 30°C and 13°C.
ANSU KRETZMANN, HEAD OF LEGAL & TAX – SURF, SPRITZ, REPEAT
With Qatar’s desert heat in full swing, Ansu and her family swapped the sand dunes for Sri Lanka’s surf breaks. They travel with the “three S’s”: sunglasses, sunblock and snacks – vital when the kids are waxing their boards before breakfast. Her smart-packing mantra? “Half the clothes, twice the patience.” As for indulgence, it’s a dead heat between an ice-cream cone and an Aperol Spritz, ideally savoured to a soundtrack of crashing waves.
HANS-PETER FECHTER, ASSISTANT ASSET MANAGER, CYPRUS – NORDIC DETOUR WITH A KINDER-BUENO TWIST
First summer in Nicosia and the locals’ advice is clear: escape the heat! Quick London city buzz? Tick. Beach weekends in Ayia Napa and Paphos? Booked. Main event? A cool-climate trip through Finland and Estonia won out when it turned out to be the only embassy with visa slots. Packing list priorities: sunblock (“and lots of it!”) plus a page-turner for lazy beach reads. Fresh obsession: Kinder Bueno ice cream, chased down, with an Aperol Spritz because, as Hans-Peter says, “I can’t quite explain it – you’ll just have to try it yourself and see what I mean!
From Croatian coves to Sri Lankan surf and Nordic cool-downs, our team proves there’s no single recipe for the perfect holiday – just plenty of sunscreen, a good book or two, lighter suitcases and the occasional guilty-pleasure gelato and Aperol Spritz. Wherever your out-of-office message takes you, may your naps be long, your cocktails cold and your summer stories worth retelling when we’re all back under one (air-conditioned) roof.
Happy summer holidays, Europe!