It’s a great idea to start planning your next adventure now that summer is just around the corner. The entire globe is at your fingertips, with countless travel options. In order to make your summer trip special, we’ve put together a mix of traditional vacation sites, hotspots, and hidden gems. Here are our top 10 picks for summer vacation spots to serve as travel inspiration.
Europe
The summer months are ideal for taking a traditional European vacation. But why not approach it somewhat otherwise? The finest way to experience all that Europe has to offer is by rail. Additionally, the continent is experiencing a rail renaissance with the inauguration of new lines, improved timetables, and more cross-border choices, making train travel the best option for getting about.
All categories of tourists can find experiences and attractions in Europe. Without the stress of congested airports and missed connections, you may observe the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, enjoy a picnic along the Seine in Paris, cruise through the canals of Amsterdam, and more. Summer vacation locations including London, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome are easily accessible by rail.
ABC Islands
Is a trip to the beach more your style? Include Caribbean island hopping on your shortlist. The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) are the best for sun, sand, and low-season costs because they are just south of the hurricane zone. Island-hopping is the greatest way to see it all because each island has something a little bit different to offer.
The picture-perfect beaches in Aruba have fofoti trees, blue water, and pure white sand. The world’s best coral reef diving can be found in Bonaire, along with adventure sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing. With its cobblestone walkways, open-air plazas, and vibrant Dutch architecture, Curaçao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers visitors a taste of Europe.
The US National Parks
Another traditional summer holiday is a drive through the national parks of the United States. And there is enough wildness to explore with 63 parks spread out from coast to coast. Summer is one of the best seasons to travel because of the bright, sunny days and chilly, starry evenings. There are several possibilities to walk, camp, climb, and enjoy the outdoors in each park.
The first national park in the United States, Yellowstone (located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho), is renowned for its untamed environment, which is home to geysers, hot springs, and herds of bison and elk. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is worth the early morning drive to see the sunrise. There are numerous Navajo sandstone cliffs and orange slot canyons to discover in Utah’s Zion National Park. Additionally, Joshua Tree National Park in California is the ideal location for overnight camping while gazing up at the Milky Way’s many stars.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali, Indonesia, is another popular summer tourism destination. The “Island of the Gods” experiences warm weather all year long, even in the summer, when the monsoon season begins in most of Southeast Asia. There is never a “bad” time of year to visit Bali, and it never disappoints. This enchanted island is a veritable treasure trove of breathtaking beauty, vibrant culture, and tranquil feelings.
Since there is so much to see and do in Bali, most visitors return several times. If you want to hit the beach or catch a wave, head to Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, and Nusa Due. Visit the UNESCO-listed Tegallang Rice Fields by bicycle across the undulating rice terraces of Ubud. Visit Nusa Penida for a day excursion to experience its stunning beaches and ocean vistas. Awe-inspiring temples of Bali include Lempuyang, Goa Gajah, and Pura Saraswati.
Yucatán, Mexico
The Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico is a popular summer tourism destination. Despite the heat of summer, it’s a fantastic season to travel because accommodations are less expensive, flights are less expensive, and there are fewer crowds. Set up camp at Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum and go on excursions during the day to see everything that this wonderful area has to offer.
Inland, see Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the well-known cenotes in Yucatán to cool yourself in beautiful freshwater pools. Explore Merida’s cobblestoned squares and streets while dining on regional specialties like cochinita pibil and sopa de lima. And spend a day traveling to Isla Mujeres, an island off the coast of Cancun, where you can go swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Greece’s Islands
The Greek islands are a popular summer tourism destination as well. In the Aegean and Ionian seas, Greece has more than 200 islands. From golden beaches and blue waters to coastal communities and historic sites, each has something special to offer. The islands are busier and hotter in the summer, but it’s also the season when there are the greatest choices for dining establishments, retail outlets, and ferry routes.
Mykonos and Santorini are two timeless destinations to start with. They provide the ideal setting for an island-hopping journey with their whitewashed Cycladic structures, windmills from the 16th century, and crystal-clear waters. Discover Corfu’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enchanting architecture and winding lanes brimming with stores and eateries. And don’t forget to include a stop in Crete, one of Greece’s biggest islands and home to some of the oldest ancient monuments on the planet, including ruins from the Bronze, Roman, and Byzantine eras.
Japan’s Hokkaido
The summertime travel destination that is a little less frequented is Hokkaido. The northernmost island of Japan experiences dry weather and bright skies, in contrast to the mainland’s hot, muggy, and wet season. Hokkaido features a stunning landscape, including fields of alpine flowers, historic woods, and snow-capped mountains. The summer is a fantastic season to go on hikes, rides, and walks around the countryside.
The vibrant fields of lavender and alpine flowers in Furano are at the top of everyone’s Hokkaido trip wish list. Visit Farm Tomita, where from mid-July to early August, pink, orange, yellow, and purple flowers blossom. Visit the largest national park in Japan, Daisetsuzan National Park, and Shiretoko National Park, both of which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visit the Shakotan Peninsula for some of the best seafood in Japan, a turquoise ocean, and breathtaking green cliffs if you’re looking for a beach adventure.
The Riviera of Albania
The Albanian Riviera is another location you should include on your summer trip plan. One of the most stunning (and reasonably priced) beach resorts in Europe is this section of coastline from Llogara Pass to Ksamil. Set the setting with craggy mountains, undulating olive fields, historic cities, and picture-perfect beaches. What else is there to ask for?
Durres and Saranda are the two main vacation spots in Albania. A terrific area to unwind on the beach, cool down in the Mediterranean and avoid the throng in the height of summer is Ksamil and its three offshore islands. You’re in luck if you love history. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found along the Albanian Riviera: Butrint, a hilltop fortress in Gjirokastra, and Durres, a Roman amphitheater.
The Rockies in Canada
The Canadian Rockies are the ideal outdoor adventure destination. Over two million hectares of pristine wilderness make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site, of which Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Parks are just a small portion. The Rockies are best explored by automobiles. You can drive between parks, stop for refreshments along the way, and pass through some of the most picturesque highway segments in the entire globe by driving.
Most visitors’ home base and Canada’s oldest national park is Banff. And it’s not hard to understand why, given how stunning Lake Louise and Lake Moraine are. Twin glacial lakes with vivid turquoise waters and imposing snow-capped peaks in the background. The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park offers more than 990km of backcountry walks and trails to explore. And Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls, may be found in Yoho National Park, which bears the Cree word for “awe” in its name.
Tanzania
Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that you should add to your summer travel plans. There are magnificent beaches, 21 national parks, the tallest peak in Africa, and amazing wildlife in this African nation. One of the finest seasons to travel is summer when the climate is mild and dry and animal viewing is at its optimum.
Visit Serengeti National Park on a safari to witness the Great Migration. From May through July, more than two million wildebeest, zebra, antelope, and predators traverse the area. If you enjoy climbing mountains, head to Mount Kilimanjaro and hike all the way to the top. Visit the Zanzibar Archipelago with its white sand beaches and warm, tropical waters if you’re looking for a beach adventure.
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