I love traveling in “bad” weather. Here are some of my favorite dreary day memories.

In my experience, “bad” weather makes traveling more interesting and adventurous.

Or, maybe there is no bad weather. Okay, hurricanes and tornados are bad, no matter how you slice it, but rain, fog, and light wind get an unfair rap.

Of course, I’m from Alaska and grew up with that kind of weather. So, it could be that I’ve developed a taste for rain and fog, or maybe it’s just my “artistic” side.

In any case, I think that bad weather opens up more insights about a place than good weather does. It helps you develop an appreciation for the finer details.

In this article, I share some of my favorite locales and what treasures lie buried under the fog, wind, and rain.

Scotland – a gateway to enchanting experiences

In 2017, I was island-hopping around Scotland and wanted to travel to Iona Island. To get there, you need to take two ferries. One from the port of Oban on the mainland to the Isle of Mull, and the other from Mull to Iona.

An autumn storm loomed in the distance, so the first crossing was a little choppy, but not bad. I spent the night at a hotel in the hamlet of Craignure, serenaded to sleep by the winds of the descending storm.

The next day, the storm having passed, I took a bus across Mull to the village of Fionnphort, the port for Iona. The interior of the Isle of Mull is hilly, and soon we ascended into a cloud of fog. The fog was thick and luminous, but not dark.

I’ve always loved Celtic music and, going up into this cloud, something clicked. I could see where those haunting tunes got their inspiration. Being from Kodiak, I know fog well, but this was different. It had an undeniable atmosphere of enchantment.

Later on, after visiting Iona, I strolled on the grass near the docks back in Fionnphort. What the islands lacked in trees, they more than made up for in the amber hues of the grass. The fog had lifted, but clouds still covered the sky. 

The light was just right for snapping a few photos of the austere, but beautiful, scenery.

Ireland – majestic power, mystical contemplation, and Matt Molloy’s

In 2019, I visited Ireland in January, which, to most travelers, would seem like the worst month to go. Far from it. I couldn’t have had quite the same experiences had the weather been “perfect.”

I love out-of-the-way places, so I wanted to explore the Aran Islands and visit the medieval monastic ruins on the largest of the three – Inishmore. The ferry ride across was choppy but short and I soon set out on my expedition. 

The sight of waves crashing against the western cliffs and splashing into the sky was breathtaking. Ireland is famous for its tranquil landscapes, but here I caught a glimpse of something much wilder. It was much more majestic than mild.

A few days later, I climbed Croagh Patrick, where tradition states St. Patrick withdrew during the season of Lent. Again, the weather was less than favorable, being foggy and windy. But, it seemed like this was my one shot – so, donning some waterproof layers, I made my way up the mountain.

My ascent showed me how this would be a perfect place for increased inward reflection. The view (even halfway up before the fog thickened) was awe-inspiring. The blanket of mist made introspection seem much easier. The fierce wind cultivated a feeling of humility and a sense of smallness – but in a good way. 

After descending the mountain, I returned to my hotel and spent some time at Molloy’s, a pub run by Matt Molloy of the Chieftains. Irish pubs are even cozier after you’ve been out in the cold all day. Add a house band led by one of the big names in Irish music, and you have the perfect end to a day full of adventure.

👉 Read More: Forget the Cliffs of Moher. Go to Dingle Instead.

Train Rides – improving on perfection

Next to ferries, trains are my favorite way to travel. 

You get to see the countryside without having to watch the road ahead. You have more space than on an airplane and it’s way less awkward to move up and down the aisle.

My most recent train-based travels took me from Poland to France. My favorite stretch, though, was the leg from Berlin to Brussels. 

Outside, the rural countryside rolled by: farms, cottages, and picturesque villages. The skies were clouded over, and a gentle rain fell, leaving little streams wandering across the window – the perfect finishing touch.

A piping hot cup of coffee and a croissant complemented the scene quite nicely.

Paris – Adding “atmosphere” (pun intended) to the City of Love

If you ask me, Paris is one of those places that is better in the rain. A rainy day in Paris seems almost stereotypical given the depictions in art, but there is a romance to it. Add an army of umbrellas for further atmosphere, and voila! it’s a classic Parisian scene.

It is the City of Love, after all. Thankfully, I didn’t have any unrequited love to drive my sojourns through the streets of France – only curiosity.

I found the cold and rain only made Paris’ famous cafes and restaurants cozier. There are dozens on nearly every street and all of them are charming. 

The way the rain fell from the Eiffel Tower (as I was waiting in line to go up) was fascinating. It fell in large drops that you could see from a distance. Alas, my phone camera could not properly capture the scene, but my inner aspiring filmmaker was thrilled, nonetheless. 

It would have been the perfect backdrop for a little film noir.

Kodiak, Alaska – a sense of accomplishment, artistry, and adventure

Kodiak is like Seattle, weather-wise, but colder and windier. 

The weather here is a bit of a turn-off for some visitors, but locals learn to adapt. I’d even say there’s a sense of accomplishment in weathering the bad weather. You feel like you’ve earned your place in the austere, but beautiful, wild land that is Alaska.

On those duller days, you can observe a surprisingly broad spectrum of color. Granted, it’s all within a narrow array of gray, blue, and maybe green, but you’d be surprised just how many subtle nuances you start to notice.

Kodiak’s bad weather, though often “dull,” can also make for some amusing travel stories. For example, I was once kept from flying back into town on a seemingly gorgeous summer day. Why? A lone patch of fog had settled on the runway! Thankfully, I made it home the next day.

👉 Read Next: My Favorite Travel Memories are the Boring Ones

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Have you ever had any experiences where “bad” weather made a place more beautiful? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.

Next, read my article on how I ditched my elitist views of popular places. Now, I embrace them.