Now is an excellent time to travel because the weather is just so good. Think of a warm breeze kissing your face while you sip a cool drink and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. Although July is the best time to enjoy these spots, you can still go to these places until October. So, where do you start? Where do you travel to first?
1. Kansai, Japan
Japan in itself is pretty amazing and it’s such a culture shock to visit one of its cities. Kansai in particular is amazing. During the summer, the Japanese celebrate the Gion Matsuri festival where they light fireworks and have great street food. If you really want to experience Japan, this is the place to see.
2. Darwin, Australia
The good old outback. Now, I may be pretty biased when it comes to Darwin, but I think you’ll like it too. Although it’s technically winter in Australia at this time, Darwin is close to the equator, so it shouldn’t be too cold. During July, you’ll get to experience the famous waterside festival where they create a massive raft out of old beer cans! Can anyone say recycling?
3. Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Although you’d think Switzerland is the place to go for a ski break, people often forget that it’s also amazing during the summer. This is a great time to visit the famous vineyards that surround Lake Geneva. You can sit by the lakeside sipping wine while enjoying the wonderful weather.
If you want something a little bit more upbeat, I recommend the jazz festival that’s near the area; you can enjoy the live music and really get into the vibe the whole festival gives off.
4. Isla Holbox, Mexico
Do you like adventure? That’s exactly what Isla Holbox will give you. During summer, the bigger fish start coming in and that means the sharks follow. When you go to the Isla, you get to experience swimming with sharks! Who can say they’ve done that before?
Because these sharks are actually a protected species, be sure to do your homework and find a reputable place to take you out to the sharks because you don’t want to endanger the sharks and you don’t want to get eaten. Also, make sure that when you get into the water, it’s only three people at a time.
5. Kataragama, Sri Lanka
You guessed it: During July, there is an epic festival about harmony. It’s a place where Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists all come together and worship their own Gods.
The festival goes on for two months and begins when the pilgrims go on a long trek that goes on to motivate them to complete acts of self-mortification. They walk on hot coals, and pierce their skin with hooks, arrows and spears.
They also roll in hot sand! This is all done to beating drums and chanting—totally awe-inspiring to see.
6. Budva, Montenegro
During July in Budva you get to experience the city’s old world feel with open-air theatrical performances; you can also see the seaside festival, which was voted as Europe’s best major festival in 2013, so it’s definitely something to experience.
If you want to do something a little more adventurous and hands on, take a day trip to Tara River and go rafting through the canyon walls. Alternatively, you could go to Mt. Lovcen and go paragliding over craggy peaks. Because Montenegro is such a small place, you don’t have to pick just one place to travel to—you can see all the great sites in one trip.
7. The Great Outdoors, Iceland
Although this isn’t technically a city, the roads of Iceland—which freeze in the winter—are now thawed, which means you can explore so much more of the country.
During this time, you’ll have 20 hours of daylight a day, and can use the extended day time to really explore the rugged wilderness. Visit Hornstrandir—the peninsula with one of the continent’s largest, intact wildernesses.
If you prefer cities, visit Reykjavik and get a feel for Icelandic culture by visiting their funky cafes and museums
8. Mount Hutt, New Zealand
In July, New Zealand is in full swing of winter, which means that all you ski lovers can have an extended ski season. A great place to go skiing is Mount Hutt; it’s a two-hour drive from Christchurch.
Mount Hutt has world-class facilities so you know you’re in for a great skiing trip. If you want a break from skiing then visit the ski high café, which is a great place for a pit stop to refuel with some delicious food.
9. Lleida and Zaragoza, Spain
Between these two cities is the Nowhere Festival, which has a bohemian feel and celebrates a minimalist approach to life. A community is built for the festival and you get to experience outdoor cinemas, fascinating costumes and street performances. After six days, the community is taken down and the land reduced to wilderness.
10. Southern Serengeti , Tanzania
This one is for all the nature lovers. Go to the Southern Serengeti and experience the migration of 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, antelope and topi. The sight is awe-inspiring and definitely one to put on the bucket list.
So there you go folks: this is my master list of places to be this summer. Leave a comment below and tell me if you’ve been to a place on the list and how it was.
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