It seems counterintuitive, but some of the world’s best cities also happen to be the wettest. Just because it rains a lot, does not mean that you can’t have a good time.
Here are some of the wettest cities in the world, where you can still have a great time despite the weather.
Oahu, USA
Hawaii is literally the wettest place on Earth. But the average temperature on Oahu is between 21 and 29 degrees Celsius year-round so it barely counts. If you have never gone swimming in the rain that is the first thing you should try. It is warm, it’s beautiful and since you’re getting wet anyway, it doesn’t really matter. If that isn’t your cup of tea, you can visit the Waikiki Aquarium or head off to Shangri La, the eccentric estate of the late heiress and socialite Doris Duke, which houses an impressive Islamic art collection coupled with stunning views off Black Point.
Vancouver Island, Canada
Henderson Lake on Canada’s south-central Vancouver Island is the rainiest spot in North America with an average precipitation of 6903mm. In 1997, it received a record 9307mm of rainfall, the wettest spot on the continent that year and an all-time record for Canada.
Despite the record rainfall statistics, the climate on the island is the mildest in Canada with the warmest days in summer between 28 and 33 degrees Celsius.
Sport fishing, whale-watching, hiking, scuba diving, surfing, and skiing are just a few things for which tourists visit Vancouver Island. Visitors also come to see Victoria’s nineteenth-century architecture, and the many villages that line the coast such as Cowichan Bay, Chemainus and Qualicum Beach.
Hong Kong
There are parts of Hong Kong that can experience up to 3000mm per year in average annual rainfall, but there is so much to do, that you will barely notice most of the time. Visit the Hong Kong History Museum for a peek into the city’s cultural heritage or enjoy an over-the-top afternoon tea at any one of Hong Kong’s uber-elegant luxury hotels.
Edinburgh, Scotland
When I visited Scotland I reckon that I would have been disappointed if I was greeted by dazzling sunshine with not a cloud in the sky. Fortunately, the city didn’t disappoint, either with its cold and dreary weather, or with its fantastic tourist attractions and night life. Imagine taking pictures of Edinburgh Castle on a sunny day? I’m not even sure that such pictures exist! Some of the best things to do in the city are undercover, whether you take a whiskey tour of popular pubs and drinking holes, or go on a graveyard tour of some of the city’s underground history.
Cologne, Germany
With an average of over 200 days of rain a year, if you are visiting Cologne, chances are that you will probably strike a wet day. The best views of the city, however, are always guaranteed to be completely dry, thanks to the cable car that operates from March through to November. Much like Edinburgh Castle, mentioned above, the Cologne Cathedral looks all the more dramatic with the gloomy weather as a backdrop. There are also plenty of museums and galleries to visit if the rain gets too heavy.
What do you do when the weather turns bad on your holiday?
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