Where to Travel in Summer 2018?

You haven’t planned your summer vacation yet? You can’t decide where to go? No worries, we’ve got something for everyone in this list of best places to visit during the summer months (June-September).

June

Where to go in Africa:

The best wildlife viewing months in the Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

From May until October conditions are optimal in Zambia and Botswana to watch animals gathering around rivers and waterholes.

May and June are the best time to enjoy your holidays in Réunion Island as you avoid the tourist crowds and the wet season.

The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny.

June to October is the dry season in Mozambique, with often perfect tropical weather: clear skies, plenty of sun and almost no rain.

Where to go in Europe:

Ireland experiences a lovely climate during June with less rain than in summer and temperatures varying between warm to hot.

Enjoy endless daylight in northern Sweden, Finland or Norway; ideal for walking, cycling, kayaking in the lakes and even enjoying the beaches.

June is also the best month to go for a beach vacation in Southern Europe before summer holidays kick off.

Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Where to go in North America:

America’s National Parks are at its best in June: parks and trails are fully open to the public and the hordes of tourists haven’t arrived yet. Yellowstone in Wyoming, where June is the best month to spot wildlife, is a perfect family destination.

June is probably the best time to plan a holiday to Canada. It’s right before the high season starts so you’ll find less people and prices are more reasonable. The days are getting longer and warmer and hiking trails and parks are open.

Joffre Lakes, British Columbia, Canada

Where to go in Central America & the Caribbean:

June is the official start of the hurricane season in the Caribbean and summer humidity levels begin to pick up in many islands. On the other hand, rates are very low.  

Where to go in South America:

Peru is entering its winter season which is always dry and sunny with the coast enjoying warm temperatures. Beat the tour groups by getting up early to see the sunrise.

June and July are good months to visit Bolivia as weather is dry and sunny but the nights can be very cold so pack well.

Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru

Where to go in Oceania:

In Asia, only Indonesia escapes the highly unpleasant weather during the monsoon period, as well as Japan.

 

July

Where to go in Africa:

The best wildlife viewing months in the Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October. July is when the wildebeest make the great migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara.

From May until October conditions are optimal in Zambia and Botswana to watch animals gathering around rivers and waterholes.

The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny.

June to October is the dry season in Mozambique, with often perfect tropical weather: clear skies, plenty of sun and almost no rain.

Where to go in Europe:

July marks the start of the summer holidays in Europe which means long and sunny days but this also results in massive crowds and a general price increase.

Expect some rainfall and cloudy days in Iceland during July but know that the long days will give you more time to explore the amazing scenery. Northern Iceland, Greenland and Sweden are experiencing the midnight sun which means that the sun is visible at midnight.

Corsica is perfect right now for those looking for paradisiacal beaches with turquoise water.

Fjaðrárgljúfur, Iceland

Where to go in North America:

The 4th of July celebrations in cities like New York, Washington and Philadelphia are fun guaranteed!

1st of July is Canada Day so many cities across the country celebrate their national day with spectacular festivities.

Summer is perfect for a road trip to one of the many national parks in the US, especially if you plan to camp. Be prepared however for the long queues and plan your trip well in advance.

Head to Alaska in July which is generally warmer and has less rainfall than in August.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, US

Where to go in Central America & the Caribbean:

July is officially the second month of the hurricane season in the Caribbean but the likelihood of a storm is still lower than in August and September. It’s definitely the best time to enjoy the beaches without crowds.

Where to go in South America:

Peru is entering its winter season which is always dry and sunny with the coast enjoying warm temperatures. Beat the tour groups by getting up early to see the sunrise.

June and July are good months to visit Bolivia as weather is dry and sunny but the nights can be very cold so pack well.

Where to go in Oceania:

Indonesia is one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia at this time with an equatorial climate tempered by the sea breezes. There’s lots of sunshine here during July although there might fall some rain during the evening or night.

Now that winter has arrived to the southern hemisphere, it’s a perfect time for winter sport lovers to head to New Zealand where the ski season has started. Since it’s winter here, you are likely to find very cheap flights too.

Uluwatu Temple, Bali, Indonesia

August

Where to go in Africa:

The best wildlife viewing months in the Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October.

From May until October conditions are optimal in Zambia and Botswana to watch animals gathering around rivers and waterholes.

The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny.

June to October is the dry season in Mozambique, with often perfect tropical weather: clear skies, plenty of sun and almost no rain.

Where to go in Europe:

August is the peak season in Europe. Prices are considerably higher than any other month and cities and beaches are packed with tourists. Nevertheless, it’s that time of the year when many cities host (street) festivals and many people want to get the most out of their last (long) vacation before heading back to work in September.

The Basque country with its great natural scenery or Tarifa where wind is generally strong, offer good alternatives to the rest of Spain where many regions are facing extreme heat.

August is perfect to visit those countries that are generally considered a little cold, like Ireland, Scotland or the Netherlands.

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Scotland

Where to go in North America:

North America is generally hot and dry with sometimes extreme temperatures close to the deserts. The summer months are very nice to discover Chicago where the atmosphere is lovely. Kansas City, with its many summer street festivals and renowned barbecue scene is great too.

Willis Tower Skydeck, Chicago, US

Where to go in Central America & the Caribbean:

If you can handle the summer thunderstorms and hot and humid climate in the Caribbean during August, then you can expect warm air and sea temperatures, low to no crowds and great prices on flights and accommodations.

Where to go in South America:

Peru is entering its winter season which is always dry and sunny with the coast enjoying warm temperatures. Beat the tour groups by getting up early to see the sunrise.

Where to go in Oceania:

In Asia, monsoon season is at its height. Indonesia is one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia at this time with an equatorial climate tempered by the sea breezes.

While the southern states of Australia are still cold, Darwin in North Australia is getting warm with pleasant temperatures that are more enjoyable than other, hotter months in the year.  

Sunset at Mindil Beach, Darwin, Australia. Pic by Experienceoz.com

September

Where to go in Africa:

September is one of the best months to visit Zimbabwe as the temperatures are not too extreme and malaria risk is low. Also, this is when the wildlife gathers around the waterholes.

The best wildlife viewing months in the Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October.

From May until October conditions are optimal in Zambia and Botswana to watch animals gathering around rivers and waterholes.

The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny.

June to October is the dry season in Mozambique, with often perfect tropical weather: clear skies, plenty of sun and almost no rain.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Where to go in Europe:

Why not head to one of Southern Europe’s islands which are much calmer now and still have warm temperatures. The Balearic Islands and Sicily are very sunny, even in autumn, and receive less visitors than in the busy summer months.  

Turkey and Crete are also excellent destinations where temperatures are still nice at the end of summer.

Where to go in North America:

A city trip to New York never disappoints but traveling in autumn will make it even more pleasant. The fresh air and new season bring an excellent vibe to the city.

This is a great time to visit California’s wine regions during grape harvest time.

From September to November is also perfect to visit Washington DC. In autumn, temperatures have dropped and the scorching heat has gone as well as the many tourists.

The high prices from the summer months have dropped and many tourists have gone home which makes September ideal for a holiday in Canada. Weather is still nice although nights can get colder. It’s that time of the year to experience the so-called Indian Summer.

Silver Oak Cellars, Napa, California, US

Where to go in South America:

Peru is entering its winter season which is always dry and sunny with the coast enjoying warm temperatures. In midsummer, the weather is dry and the light is perfect. Beat the tour groups by getting up early to see the sunrise.

Where to go in Oceania:

The monsoon season is coming to an end although it’s still not the best period to travel to Asia. China and Japan start to cool down pleasantly. The northeast of China for example is very attractive in autumn.

As of late September, weather is clear and dry in India. The monsoon rains have washed away the pollution and dust and the mountains have a high visibility now, ideal for trekking. While the southern states of Australia are cold, Darwin in North Australia is getting warm with pleasant temperatures that are more enjoyable than other, hotter months in the year.

 

Feel free to contact us if you need further advise on a specific destination or to start planning your trip!

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