Europe gets creative to beat the heat

Agence France-Presse looked at creative ways in which some European countries are trying to beat the heatwave, helping most vulnerable groups deal with the temperatures.

And so, it noted that Italy’s Venice is offering free guided tours of air-conditioned museums and public buildings to people over 75, while in Rome, city swimming pools are free of charge for those over 70.

In the Netherlands, schools in Rotterdam and across West Brabant province adopted “tropical schedules” on Tuesday, with shorter school hours – 8:00 am to noon – and additional water breaks.

Meanwhile Austria is offering 23 “climate oases” with air conditioning, snacks and drinks for those in need, sponsored by Catholic charity Caritas, which is also providing dedicated medical buses with volunteer doctors.

In France, some cities, such as Orleans, are also offering free access to museums.

Marseille made its public pools free of charge for the duration of the heatwave, AFP noted.

Cover photo:  People cool off during an ongoing heat wave with temperatures reaching 40 degrees, at Piazza del Popolo in Rome, Italy. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images