Everyone should take one of these classic summer vacations, at least once.
While many travellers have their favorite summer destination, some journeys are legendary and should be on everyone’s list.
Consider these summer holiday ideas for your next getaway.
Live the Italian Dream
Nothing compares to the charm of Italy when it comes to romance. Rome’s history, Venice’s art, Milan’s trendy atmosphere, the gorgeous Mediterranean shoreline, Tuscany’s wines, Napoli’s pizza, and more… Because the weather in the middle of summer can be oppressive, try to visit at the beginning or end of the season so you can stroll around and actually enjoy it.
Explore Colombia
Colombia continues to rise on the list of must-see nations for interested tourists, and with good reason: Medelln offers art and cultural immersion, while Cartagena combines history with seaside attractiveness. Summer in Medelln, dubbed the “City of Eternal Spring,” means gin cocktails on outdoor patios, mountain trekking, lovely blooms from the surrounding rain forest, and a wonderful calf exercise (the town is built on hills). You’ll go back in time to the 16th century while visiting Cartagena’s distinctive Old Town, which has beautiful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Furthermore, the surrounding white-sand beaches are rarely crowded.
Feel like 007 in Monaco
Summer is a great time to visit Paris if you haven’t been. If you’ve had your fill of languid sunset picnics along the Seine, however, Monaco is a better option. This teeny-tiny city-state on France’s Mediterranean coast exudes international spy vibes. As you play in expensive casinos, enjoy local cuisine at La Condamine market, or stroll down the boardwalk, admiring Monaco’s seaside-hillside grandeur, you’ll feel like a Bond extra.
Shop around in Marrakesh
Morocco is a diversified country with a rich history and a plethora of unique activities to stimulate your senses. A summer vacation is both demanding and enticing, from perusing the rows of local items that line the twisting streets of Marrakesh’s medina to riding a camel into the sunset and losing count of the stars in the Sahara Desert sky. It’s past peak season, so if you can stand the heat, you’ll find less tourists and a far more relaxing retreat – well, as relaxing as you can get while haggling for tiles and dodging motorcycles.
Disconnect and enjoy nature in Jamaica
The capital of Saint James Parish, Montego Bay, is just a hop and a skip from the East Coast, giving you permission to disconnect for a hot second. Summer temperatures are unquestionably hot, but they also provide some of the greatest sunrises, sunsets, and beach days of the year. You may explore the several coasts, including Doctor’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher, when you’re not reading through the current beach read. The protected waves of Montego Bay Marine Park are also a must-dive whether you’re into snorkeling or scuba diving.
Hike at Machu Picchu
Summer may be the busiest season for visitors to Machu Picchu, but it’s also the most beautiful, with blue skies, lush green vegetation, and breathtaking views. Whether you’re prepared for the effort of hiking the Inca Trail or prefer the Inca Rail, it’s a good idea to spend a few days in Cusco touring and acclimating to the altitude. With a hilltop that lights up at night, a lively local market, and several alpaca boutiques to spend on a jumper for the chilly nights, this small Peruvian town is postcard-perfect. If you’re debating whether or not to climb Huayna Picchu, the peak in front of Machu Picchu with the best views, go for it.
Surf the waves of Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, you may learn to surf or at the very least have a good time trying. The waves here are ideal for both beginners and experts, and are known as one of the best places to put your hang 10 skills to the test. More than just no-filter-required sunsets may be found in this Central American country nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea: You can see everything from lakes to volcanoes thanks to the many regions. Make a point of visiting Granada, which is home to dozens of tropical species and has a rich Spanish colonial past.
Go on a safari in South Africa
South Africa has a unique place in the hearts of many seasoned tourists (and heart). Every part of the country has a unique climate – and experience. A summer holiday to South Africa promises to be robust and fascinating, from the animal-dotted grasslands of Kruger National Park to scaling Table Mountain in Cape Town and seeing the cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope and the wine country of Franschhoek.
If you can, plan your trip at the end of the season, in September, when elephants, leopards, and a variety of other animals are more likely to be spotted as they look for watering spots. Furthermore, the pleasant and mild weather is great for beach days or wine tasting tours.
Travel around Europe by train
Many people’s bucket lists, from college students to retirees, include a trip to Europe, and for good reason. Eating a croissant beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, bicycling along Amsterdam’s canals, discovering crumbling castles in Ireland, sticking to a diet of pizza, pasta, and gelato in Italy, pulling out your wildest antics in an attempt to make the Buckingham Palace guards crack a grin – these are the kinds of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that await you in Europe. Take advantage of a Eurail pass to travel across countries for a low cost and with least hassle.
Go on a Cruise and enjoy The Mediterranean Coast
Cruising is a popular mode of transportation since it’s difficult not to enjoy yourself: Food and beverages are supplied, your ship has a variety of activities, and you sail from port to port, visiting a variety of new places while just having to unpack once. What more could you want from a summer break? In addition, newcomers like Virgin Voyages are propelling the sector forward. Opt for a river cruise for a more sophisticated and intimate experience: Uniworld’s U River Cruises offer a lively, young verve and a front-row seat to some of Europe’s most scenic places.
Southeast Asia backpacking
You’ve seen the Instagram photographs; now it’s your turn to visit Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Take a cooking lesson, visit a temple, plan an ethical elephant encounter (that does not include riding), and overall have a good time – even on a budget. The region is known for its significantly reduced meal, accommodation, activity, and trip pricing than most Westerners are accustomed to.
