Where to go in July: 23 top destinations
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As the promise of lighter, balmier days draws closer, our minds quickly turn to where to go in July. Halfway through the year, we’re itching to splurge our annual leave on a fabulous escape, whether it’s a long weekend exploring a new European city, a chic staycation or a long-haul escape consisting of little more than sun worshipping and cocktail sipping. After bitter winters and uncertain springs, activity in many of our favourite cities spills into blooming parks and pavements in July. Thanks to super-long days in the uppermost regions of the northern hemisphere, it’s a great time to see what cities such as Oslo and Stockholm have to offer – outside of the museums we shelter in come winter. While the British weather is notoriously unpredictable, a longer stay in one of the country’s dreamiest regions, such as Kent or the Welsh coast, is a safer bet in the height of summer – consider a trip at the start of the month, before schools break up, if you’re child-free. There’s plenty to see on a Mexican adventure, while it’s also a great time to consider that bucket list safari along Africa’s belt. However, the best destinations to visit in July aren’t always the ones basking in sunlight; it’s the best time to hit the slopes in New Zealand, for example. Here, we share our tips on where to go in July, plus where to stay for the most memorable trip possible.
What are the best destinations in July?
Think of a July holiday destination and you’d be forgiven of instantly thinking of long days beside the pool or burying your toes in the sand. While that’s undoubtedly one of our favourite ways to unwind, different seasonal patterns around the world mean there’s something for every type of traveller during the peak of the northern hemisphere’s summer.
- For idyllic beaches: The Seychelles
- For foodies: Provence, France
- For short-haul island escapes: Corsica and Sardinia
- For an underrated destination: Naxos, Greece
- For sunny sightseeing: Stockholm, Sweden
- For hitting the slopes: New Zealand
- For a bucket list adventure: Kenya
Getty ImagesKenya
Temperature: 23°C high; 10°C low
Season: cool
Travel time from UK: 8 hours 35 minutes
Time difference: GMT+3July is one of Kenya’s cooler months, making it a great time for wildlife viewing and heading into the wild on game drives without baking. Temperatures rarely dip below 20°C along the coast, although you’ll need a jacket for evenings in Nairobi, where things get nippy after sunset. Even so, it’s well worth sticking around before heading into the wilderness for a safari adventure – even if just for the hotels. On the city's outskirts sits Giraffe Manor, a Safari Collection boutique hotel home to a herd of wild giraffes who stick their heads through windows as guests entice the giant animals in with treats. There’s no shortage of wildlife to spot this time of year, from dainty birds and cheeky monkeys residing in treetops to hefty hippopotamuses and curious Zebra. Depending on what area you call home for a short while, you’ll get closer than you’d ever imagine to some full-time residents, including young elephants that appear to smile as they playfully stroke their trunks against the side of safari jeeps.
Sustainable travel tip: While the flight to Kenya is inevitable for many travellers, there’s lots to be said about what’s happened on the ground in recent years. The Safari Collection is one hotel group at the forefront of Kenya’s sustainable tourism and conservation efforts, spanning work with local communities to wildlife tracking.
Where to stay: Experience Kenya on your own terms with a stay at Lengishu, an exclusive-use property in the heart of the 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy. Between day and night game drives, intrepid expert-led strolls through the bush and mountain biking excursions, lounge beside the pool as the uber-attentive team lay on dazzling lunch spreads and cocktail hours.
Getty ImagesIceland
Temperature: 14°C high; 9°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 50 minutes
Time difference: GMT+0Because haven’t you heard of the ‘coolcation’ trend? Following subsequent summers of record heat across Europe’s most popular beach destinations, many travellers are shunning sun-sure climes in favour of trips that require digging out the springwear again. Occasionally, afternoons see temperatures reach the high teens, at which point Icelanders take their business outside to make the most of such highs after long, icy winters. There’s little chance of sunbathing, but with up to 20 daylight hours, there’s more than enough time to see many of this island’s breathtaking natural wonders. Bucket list sights include the Reykjanes Peninsula, home to the lava-spewing Mount Fagradalsfall Volcano, and the otherworldly landscapes of the Troll Peninsula. Wellness enthusiasts are well catered for in Iceland’s opulent spas and natural baths – the most famous being the incredible Retreat at The Blue Lagoon. Otherwise, there’s plenty for culture vultures in the capital, Reykjavik, including The National Museum of Iceland, The Reykjavik Art Museum and the quirky Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum.
Sustainable travel tip: Iceland’s meteoric rise from a remote unknown to an established tourist destination has put a strain on the Reykjavik area in recent years. Consider striking out for the country’s more isolated corners to rediscover that frontier magic and bring tourism kronas to rural communities. Sea-kayaking the Westfjords, for example, sees you camping on deserted islands with no sign of another human for days. Use local operators who know the area – DIY trips can damage fragile landscapes.
Where to stay: Explore the beauty of Iceland’s south coast with Hotel Rangá as your base and enjoy snowmobiling excursions, jeep tours and scenic strolls.
Eleven Deplar Farm/Øivind HaugIceland
Temperature: 14°C high; 9°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 50 minutes
Time difference: GMT+0Because haven’t you heard of the ‘coolcation’ trend? Following subsequent summers of record heat across Europe’s most popular beach destinations, many travellers are shunning sun-sure climes in favour of trips that require digging out the springwear again. Occasionally, afternoons see temperatures reach the high teens, at which point Icelanders take their business outside to make the most of such highs after long, icy winters. There’s little chance of sunbathing, but with up to 20 daylight hours, there’s more than enough time to see many of this island’s breathtaking natural wonders. Bucket list sights include the Reykjanes Peninsula, home to the lava-spewing Mount Fagradalsfall Volcano, and the otherworldly landscapes of the Troll Peninsula. Wellness enthusiasts are well catered for in Iceland’s opulent spas and natural baths – the most famous being the incredible Retreat at The Blue Lagoon. Otherwise, there’s plenty for culture vultures in the capital, Reykjavik, including The National Museum of Iceland, The Reykjavik Art Museum and the quirky Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum.
Sustainable travel tip: Iceland’s meteoric rise from a remote unknown to an established tourist destination has put a strain on the Reykjavik area in recent years. Consider striking out for the country’s more isolated corners to rediscover that frontier magic and bring tourism kronas to rural communities. Sea-kayaking the Westfjords, for example, sees you camping on deserted islands with no sign of another human for days. Use local operators who know the area – DIY trips can damage fragile landscapes.
Where to stay: Explore the beauty of Iceland’s south coast with Hotel Rangá as your base and enjoy snowmobiling excursions, jeep tours and scenic strolls.
Getty ImagesKent, UK
Temperature: 22°C high; 13°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: Around one hour from London by train
Time difference: GMTWe’re big fans of a stomp around the Garden of England all year round, but the southeast emits an altogether different energy when the sun shines. While there’s lots to be said for the heart of Kent, from the historic cathedral and cobblestone streets of Canterbury to the rolling vineyards of Chapel Down and Tillingham, we find ourselves most often headed to the county’s charming seaside towns. Margate is, without a doubt, the big-hitter, attracting day trippers in their droves for paddles in the English Channel, arcade visits and fish and chip lunches between the two. Thanks to a series of splendid hotel openings, Fort Road Hotel and No. 42 by GuestHouse among them, an increasing number of visitors are extending their trips beyond an eight-hour jaunt. Further along the coast, there’s a Dickensian world and family-friendly beaches to discover in Broadstairs, while Folkestone has quickly worked its way onto our lists for trendy staycations. Sip Champagne at the end of the pier, wander through the winding streets for boutique shops and vintage stores, and feast on seafood spreads at Rocksalt and Little Rock. July marks the start of the Folkestone Triennial, which sees new commissions by local and international artists pop up in public spaces across the town.
Sustainable travel tip: Regular high-speed trains connect St Pancras International Station and Stratford International with Kent’s most popular seaside resorts, such as Folkestone, Broadstairs and Margate. Alternatively, hop on a coach from Victoria Coach Station, which costs considerably less but takes a few hours longer, factoring in stops along the way.
Where to stay: Margate’s Fort Road Hotel is a symbol of changing times in this nostalgic seaside town. The addition of vintage and bespoke furniture creates characterful bedrooms that are ideal crash pads for weekend stays, while the downstairs restaurant and rooftop bar (exclusively open to guests) turn the hotel into a chic hub. Further inland, you’ll spot DFLs (down-from-London-ers) sipping cocktails and feasting before tucking themselves into billowy beds at Boy’s Hall, a wonderfully refurbished 17th-century house.
Getty ImagesParis, France
Temperature: 26°C high; 16°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 15 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1All eyes were on the City of Light last year as its stadiums and streets hosted the Olympic and Paralympic games. While it was thrilling to experience Paris during such a historic time, the increased international certainly had a hand in making things a little pricier. This July, normal summertime service resumes as Parisians and their European counterparts spill out onto the streets for spritz-sipping and balmy evenings that allow fashionable jackets to drape casually over chairs. Paris truly comes alive on Bastille Day, a national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789, every 14 July. Join the crowds along the river or splash the cash on a river cruise to sip Champagne, feast on a spread and enjoy a prime spot as fireworks illuminate the sky. Being around 200km from the nearest ‘beach’ means Parisians take matters into their own hands during the sunnier months when beaches pop up along the River Seine.
Sustainable travel tip: What better way to start a French jolly than on the Eurostar? The high-speed train travels between London St Pancras and Gare du Nord in a little over two hours, and there’s no faffing about with stingy luggage restrictions and liquid limits.
Where to stay: Condé Nast Traveller’s ultimate guide to the best hotels in Paris is the perfect place to start. For something more cost-effective, check into an Airbnb to save on meals or see our guide to the cheapest nicest hotels in the city.
Getty ImagesOslo, Norway
Temperature: 23°C high; 14°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 10 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1Condé Nast Traveller called it ages ago – Oslo is the new capital of Scandi cool. Never is this more evident than during the summer months, when the city’s residents spill out onto the streets following the bitter, snow-dusted winter. While sub-zero temperatures attract adventure travellers to the Norwegian capital between October and March, July is for exploring, eating, and making new connections with some of the friendliest people in Europe. Expect 17 hours of sunlight a day thanks to the city’s northerly position, open-air concerts (including a summer of English stand-up comedy at Salt Langhuset) and kitsch bric-a-brac markets taking over green spaces.
Sustainable travel tip: Unless you have a few days to spare or are looking for an interrail adventure, there are no fuss-free ways to avoid flying to Oslo. However, Norway’s rail network is a great way to get around and the perfect excuse to extend a trip – as one lover of the rails recently discovered while travelling between Oslo and Bergen.
Where to stay: Villa Inkognito got the thumbs up from one of our resident Scandi explorers on an exclusive stay. The 18th-century townhouse has been transformed into a “home away from home” besides its bigger, louder sister hotel, the Sommerro.
Getty ImagesSeychelles
Temperature: 28°C high; 23°C low
Season: dry
Travel time from UK: 12 hours 45 minutes
Time difference: GMT+4The Indian Ocean islands of the Seychelles, with their sweeping white beaches, clear blue waters and diverse wildlife, must be the most sought-after holiday spots in the world. North Island is sensational, a VIP destination, with everyone from George Clooney to honeymooning royals staying in the thatched tree houses suspended on a hillside between forest and ocean. On Frégate Island Private, guests share the space with aldabra giant tortoises and rare magpie robins. If you're visiting the World Heritage Site Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, the Raffles Praslin hotel is a beautiful spot to stay nearby.
Sustainable travel tip: Happily, the Seychelles has a great track record of protecting its dreamy environment, from turning uninhabited islands into nature reserves to marine conservation. Pay a visit to carbon-neutral Cousin Island Special Reserve, where you’ll meet giant tortoises, hawksbill turtles and all manner of exotic birds, with park fees reinvested into the reserve.
Where to stay: Four Seasons Seychelles on Mahé, which opened in 2009, is still at the top of its game, with 67 villas secreted among 69 hectares of wonderfully landscaped grounds.
Getty ImagesProvence, France
Temperature: 30°C high; 18°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours
Time difference: GMT+1Provence is the French fairytale. All lavish green vineyards, hand-churned cheeses and fertile earth, framed by cinematic cliff-top drives, Roman ruins and seductive seaside towns. And in July: lavender! Great purple fields of painterly, scented beauty, much of which is, like most things in France, destined for the dinner table – popping up in delicious artisan honeys and sorbets. July is also when the markets are at their finest, flaunting Provence’s blessed abundance. Think basketfuls of fresh olives, tomatoes, garlic, orchard fruits. Prolong the magic long past bedtime with stays in centuries-old mansions and chateaus.
Sustainable travel tip: Take a leisurely train ride from London to Aix-en-Provence, via Paris. After disembarking the Eurostar in the French capital (two hours 15 minutes from London), catch a TGV Duplex to Aix (three hours).
Where to stay: La Bastide de Gordes is a chic antique-filled space with stunning views over one of France's prettiest towns. For a private stay, we love this charming 12th century Airbnb apartment in Saint-Paul-de-Vence or if you're travelling with the whole crew, this beautiful St Remy villa with room for ten guests.
Getty ImagesPuglia, Italy
Temperature: 31°C high; 16°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 45 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1In the heel of Italy, Puglia moves to its own beat. It's slower, quieter, and more laidback than many parts of the country, much of it still waiting to be discovered by holiday-makers. And it also has some excellent sandy beaches: days are best spent hanging out in one of the rustic beach clubs dotted along the coast with a bottle of Prosecco. Puglia is starting to be known for its food scene, thanks to the wonderful local produce, olive oil and ice cream. Stay in a traditional masseria or trullo, and spend the evenings exploring the back streets of Puglia's beautiful old towns, Savelletri, Ostuni and baroque Lecce.
Sustainable travel tip: London to Lecce by train is perfectly doable. Take the Eurostar from London to Paris (two hours 15 minutes), followed by a Thello sleeper train to Milan. From Milan, an early-morning Frecciabianca train heads to Lecce, taking 8-9 hours.
Where to stay: Masseria Torre Coccaro & Torre Maizza, a delightfully laid-back place that combines Puglian rusticity with touches of Frenchified elegance. For sea views, check in to Don Ferrante, one of our favourite hotels in Puglia.
Getty ImagesCornwall, UK
Temperature: 19°C high; 14°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from London: 1 hour 10 minutes
Time difference: GMT+0When the sun's shining there's nowhere quite like the Cornish coast, which catches the best of the UK's weather in July. The unparalleled, long, sandy beaches crash with boisterous waves - excellent for surfing - and low tide reveals natural rock pools for swimming. Foodies flock here for the excellent seafood in Penzance and Padstow. Culture vultures head to St Ives for the Tate, but the true charm of the town lies in exploring the artists' studios along the cobbled streets and eating freshly caught crab on the seafront. The historic fishing village of Mousehole is a real gem and has retained its rugged authenticity.
Sustainable travel tip: Taking the train to Cornwall whisks you through some of England’s best scenery, both along the coast and inland. Major stops on the way down to the tip include Newquay, Saltash, St Ives, Truro and Penzance.
Where to stay: The Idle Rocks, a brilliantly reimagined 100-year-old building on the waterfront in the middle of St Mawes.
Getty ImagesCanggu, Bali
Temperature: 31°C high; 22°C low
Season: dry
Travel time from UK: 17 hours
Time difference: GMT+8Canggu, a formerly quiet bit of Bali is now buzzing with casual cafés serving vegan breakfast bowls to sun-bleached digital nomads, all of them designing, writing, coding or consulting with only a MacBook and a glittering sea view. Hot hotels have quickly followed: The Slow offers retro-modernist suites and a soundtrack by LA-based Reverberation Radio. And newest opening Como Uma Canggu has just upped the ante with duplexes packing their own rooftop pools. By night, Canggu hipsters head for The Lawn, a laidback, barefoot beach club serving up old-school hip-hop and hibiscus cocktails. They pair best with a temperate July evening, when Bali is in its sunny, surfie prime.
Sustainable travel tip: Overtourism in Bali is well documented, and its attendant pollution most severely affects locals, who make little money from the tourism boom (the lion’s share of that wealth goes to the government and foreign investors). JED is an ecotourism network owned by the communities of four local villages, offering trips that not only bring you up close to a more authentic Bali, but give back to the Balinese.
Where to stay: The Slow, a super-coveted hotel that is redefining Bali's classic hotel experience, a tropical brutalist venture that put Canggu on the map.
Getty ImagesCorsica and Sardinia
Temperature: 30°C high; 19°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 30 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1Within kissing distance of each other, these Mediterranean islands are lovely in July, when they get around 11 hours of sun a day. French Corsica is an island you'll want to explore in full - from the secluded northern fishing villages of Cap Corse, where the new Misíncu hotel sits overlooking the rugged coast, to a windsurfers' paradise in Bonifacio and the beautiful sandy beaches near Porto-Vecchio, where Design Hotels' Casadelmar overlooks the bay. To escape the crowds, rent a house on the beach-fringed Domaine de Murtoli estate. Italian Sardinia's Costa Smeralda is sensational, although busy in July. Our tip: head to La Maddalena, a wild, protected archipelago off the coast with the best beaches, turquoise seas and sandy coves. It's breathtakingly beautiful.
Sustainable travel tip: Consider tearing yourself away from Corsica’s busy coast to explore its mountainous interior. Inntravel, for example, offers inland walking itineraries that explore ancient villages and vineyards, with overnights in small family-run hotels and meals at restaurants that focus on regional food.
Where to stay: Occupying a series of traditional low-lying stazzi, the Cascioni combines five-star luxury and pared-back style with enough eco-credentials to keep a clear conscience as you wallow in your private plunge pool.
Getty ImagesNaxos, Greece
Temperature: 27°C high; 23°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 5 hours 40 minutes
Time difference: GMT+2Picking the most beautiful Greek island is like picking the most big-headed Gallagher brother: virtually impossible. But if we were forced, Naxos in July just might be the answer. The largest of the Cyclades, its sandy beaches run the gamut from family-friendly frolickers in the west (Agios Prokopios), to the south’s hidden wildlings, where you can ride horses over dramatic dunes (Plaka) or brave powerful winds on a kiteboard (Mikri Vigla). And though not exactly a hidden gem, the pace remains pleasantly drowsy, whether kicking back in beach bars or supping at mountain village tavernas. At the latter, you’ll be drowsier still after generous sloshes of homemade wine and local citron liqueur.
Sustainable travel tip: Catch a ferry from Athens to Naxos and arrive on the island in a little over four hours. If you’re dedicated, you can travel from London to Athens by train inside of three days. Take the Eurostar to Paris (two hours 15 minutes), followed by a TGV to Munich (six hours), and from here the overnight Lisinski sleeper train to Zagreb. Next day, take a train to Belgrade (seven hours), and spend a night and a day in the Serbian capital. An overnight train will then take you to Thessaloniki, from where you can enjoy a very scenic journey on an InterCity train to Athens (four hours).
Where to stay: Corona Borealis is a seven-suite retreat with a pool poised for sunset and a private cove where you can have supper under the stars.
Getty ImagesMozambique
Temperature: 26°C high; 15°C low
Season: dry
Travel time from UK: 14 hours
Time difference: GMT+2What a comeback! Recovering from decades of civil war, Mozambique has never looked better, particularly in July when the country basks in blissful tropical weather. Explore Gorongosa National Park, known as Africa's 'Lost Eden,' where Explorer's Camp offers a traditional safari experience. Post-safari action, head north to the Nacala Coast and beachside Stone Town or Nuarro, where centuries of trade and empire have left faded architectures and crumbling artefacts scattered along the coastline. Offshore, the five islands of the beautiful Bazaruto archipelago have brilliant-white beaches, still crowd-free, and divers will delight in the surrounding protected marine park. Stay in one of the 12 huts at AndBeyond's Benguerra Lodge, or at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort and Spa. Or head to the south of Mozambique for miles of empty beaches and endless shores.
Sustainable travel tip: Whale watching has become particularly popular on Ilha de Mozambique – where you’ll find Stone Town – but bad practices have, in recent years, apparently resulted in fewer whales following their traditional migration patterns here. Ilha Blue Island Safaris works to promote responsible whale watching in the area, which isn’t just good for whales, but also for the locals who make a living from leading tours.
Where to stay: Stay at Azura Benguerra Island to slot into island life beautifully – a laidback and sophisticated beach hotel with a sunny disposition.
Getty ImagesStockholm, Sweden
Temperature: 24°C high; 15°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 25 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1Swedish people do summer well. The warm weather practically begs you to jump off your bicycle and take off your clothes for some city-centre swimming, or go further afield for a dip off one of the lo-fi islands nearby. Jump in at Norr Mälarstrand, on the sandy beach of Kungsholmen, or, for the daring, the waters in front of the City Hall. Stockholm's Sofo neighbourhood is buzzing with a young crowd hanging out in the cafés and artisan shops and a food scene that's finding its way into the spotlight.
Sustainable travel tip: You can reach Stockholm by train within a couple of days. First, take the Eurostar from London to Brussels, followed by a high-speed ICE to Cologne and then an InterCity to Hamburg (the journey from London to Hamburg, including wait times, is about 10 hours). Next morning, it’s a 4.5-hour journey to Copenhagen on the Danish IC3 intercity train. Finally, expect to spend around 5.5 hours on the X2000 high-speed to Stockholm. Railbookers can plan your travel if you don’t fancy doing it yourself.
Where to stay: Ett Hem, an ultra-stylish townhouse hotel, small in scale but big on luxury. The flawless interiors are actually incredibly comfortable, plus there’s a little library and interesting art everywhere.
Getty ImagesYucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Temperature: 33°C high; 21°C low
Season: wet
Travel time from UK: 10 hours 30 minutes
Time difference: GMT-5It’s not just insanely beautiful beaches and postcard-blue Caribbean, Mexico’s dazzling tropical coast is also a trove of adventure. Flee Cancun for Isla Mujeres in July when the island hosts the annual Whale Shark Festival and hundreds of sharks gather offshore. The event raises awareness about conservation, while allowing swimmers to share the water with the gentle giants in a sustainable manner. Then head down to Tulum (or Isla Holbox) where days start with sun salutations and end on toes-in-the-sand candlelit dinners. Hot reservations are easier to come by as this is technically rainy season; July, however, typically heralds a reprieve from the torrent.
Sustainable travel tip: Where Tulum’s not-so-sustainable practices have made headlines, Isla Holbox’s MO is small-scale and local. The lack of paved roads all but mandates getting around by bicycle; the most convenient way to arrive is by 30-minute ferry from the mainland; its restaurants, bars and stores are locally owned; and single-use plastics have been banned since 2018.
Where to stay: Hacienda Uayamon, a former henequen estate that can date its origins as far back as 1685, has a main house and 12 lavish guest villas to choose from.
Age FotostockCoronet Peak, New Zealand
Temperature: 2°C high; -7°C low
Season: winter
Travel time from UK: 1 day 3 hours
Time difference: GMT+12Contrarians keen for snow in July ought to pack their skis for Coronet Peak, on New Zealand’s South Island. It’s high season in the country’s oldest ski field, when packs of gnarly dudes bring a party atmosphere, and slopes stay open until 9pm. Better still, Queenstown is just a 20-minute drive away, where energy-flushed locals seem drunk on the scenery. How else do you explain the preoccupation with flinging yourself off things – this is the birthplace of bungee jumping, and thrums with outfitters touting zip-lining and heli-skiing. One need not risk life and limb to enjoy the surrounding however: snow-dusted Southern Alps backdrop mirror-still Lake Wakatipu, and vineyards come with mountain views and world-famous Pinot Noir.
Sustainable travel tip: The draw of South Island is its great outdoors, and if you’re looking to get back to basics with style, a stay in a PurePod is a great – and sustainable – bet. The pods, found in various remote locations across the island, are glass-walled tiny houses tucked into scenic landscapes, and run almost entirely on solar electricity and biofuel.
Where to stay: The Hotel Britomart, in Auckland, is New Zealand’s most eco-friendly hotel, folded into the deep green of the Lord of the Rings landscape.
Getty ImagesBerlin, Germany
Temperature: 24°C high; 15°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours
Time difference: GMT+1Berlin is brilliant whenever you visit. But July’s warm days are best for three things the German capital excels at: beer gardens, café culture and park life. Chilled-out Berliners clink steins along the River Spree or picnic in the Tiergarten. The city also offers an endless assortment of shabbu chic surroundings for sipping craft coffee and cocktails. Their interiors are perhaps sourced from Prenzlauer Berg’s legendary Mauerpark Sunday flea market, where hipster karaoke draws huge crowds on sunny afternoons. And then there are July’s festivals – from the folk funfair at Zentraler Festplatz, to the arts Biennale, and illuminated creations at Botanical Night in the Botanical Gardens.
Sustainable travel tip: It’s very easy to get to Berlin by train. Take the Eurostar from London to Brussels (two hours), followed by a high-speed train to Cologne (one hour, 50 minutes), and finally a high-speed ICE2 to Berlin (four hours, 15 minutes).
Where to stay: Hotel Am Steinplatz, a restored Art Nouveau gem that has hosted Brigitte Bardot and Luciano Pavarotti during its storied history.
Getty ImagesCartagena, Colombia
Temperature: 32°C high; 26°C low
Season: wet
Travel time from UK: 14 hours
Time difference: GMT-5Increasingly a contender for the Caribbean's coolest city, Cartagena has a buzz about it right now, making it high on our wishlist for July, when the weather is great. A number of new hotels, bars and restaurants have popped up in the Colombian city with Colombian cooking now rivalling that of Peru in South American foodie circles. Spend lazy days exploring the pretty colonial architecture of the old town followed by hip-swinging evenings drinking and dancing long into the night.
Sustainable travel tip: At first look, Interno is just like any number of hip-looking Cartagena restaurants – palm-print wallpaper, pink-steel bars, exposed brick and piping – but this 60-seat joint actually sits within Cartagena’s San Diego women’s prison. The kitchen and waiting teams are made up of soon-to-be-released inmates, who are learning skills to help them into a career on the outside. Not only is the food excellent (some of the staff were trained by Spanish Michelin-starred chef Koldo Miranda), but your money is fed back into Accion Interna, the restaurant’s parent foundation, which funds training and rehabilitation programmes in prisons across Colombia. Interno closed for a spell in December 2019, but is due to reopen – check the site for updates.
Where to stay: Casa San Agustin, the top boutique hotel in the old walled city, has three 18th-century houses knocked through to form one glorious space.
Getty ImagesFiji, South Pacific
Temperature: 28°C high; 20°C low
Season: winter
Travel time from UK: 1 day 1 hour
Time difference: GMT+12July is the best time to visit the South Pacific islands of Fiji. It's dry season and the water is at its clearest. The archipelago is one of the best places to dive in the world, surrounded by beautiful reefs which are home to around 1,000 species of fish; but on a clear day, a simple snorkel is just as good. For total escapism, head to private Dolphin Island, just off the Sun Coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's mainland, or stay in one of the 25 wood-and-glass villas at eco-friendly Laucala Island. The Fijians are famously friendly but nowhere is the welcoming song so heartfelt as at the locally owned Likuliku Lagoon Resort, where days ebb and flow with the tide.
Sustainable travel tip: The archipelago has been busy reinventing itself after the devastating impact of 2016’s Cyclone Winston, moving away from lavish honeymoon experiences to more eco-conscious escapes. Several new hotels are putting local culture and environment front and centre: the new Six Senses on Malolo Island, for example, is powered by solar panels and Tesla batteries, grows its own organic produce and uses worm-based septic tanks.
Where to stay: The Brando in French Polynesia is a small, private atoll with an elegant, low-impact, hotel.
Getty ImagesWales
Temperature: 19°C high; 11°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from London: 2 hours 15 minutes
Time difference: GMT+0For the longest time, Wales was a punchline – but it’s having the last laugh. Rhossili Bay, three miles of golden sand on the Gower Peninsula, has twice been named Europe’s best beach within the past five years. And the grand opening of the Wales Coast Path, tracing an 870-mile hiking route, shows off even more of its immaculate coast. Crammed with castles and craggy peaks, an impressive 20 percent of Wales is protected by the national park system — heaven for outdoorsy types. And though this compact country is known for its downpours, July has semi-reliably good weather (temperatures in the early 20Cs), before school holiday madness consumes August. Sunshine also brings festivals, like historic, stone-hewn Monmouth’s feast of fringe art, music and food. After a spot of salt-of-the-earth merrymaking, seek out the town’s restaurant with rooms, The Whitebrook — a Michelin-starred celebration of Wye Valley ingredients, featuring hedgerow pickings and local asparagus.
Sustainable travel tip: Plenty of Wales’s main attractions are served by train lines, including Monmouthshire, the Wye Valley, Pembroke, Abergavenny (on the south-eastern edge of Brecon Beacons) and Bangor (at the north-western edge of Snowdonia).
Where to stay: The Grove of Narberth, an 18th-century, Grade II-listed country house in Pembrokeshire, decorated in a tasteful mix of contemporary and traditional.
Benicassim, Spain
Temperature: 30°C high; 21°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 2 hours 15 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1Valencia’s Castellón province has largely remained a Spanish secret, a sedate little pocket of pretty beaches, green mountains and crumbling medieval villages that domestic tourists all-too-happily keep to themselves. The exception, of course, is July’s massive Benicassim music festival. Every year, the seaside resort of the same name is breached by good-time Brits drawn to an always excellent line-up (The Weeknd, Foals and Kasabian in previous years), consistently sunny weather, and 6km of beaches for post-party recovery. (Take that, Glastonbury.) But festival-goers would do well to explore more of this under-visited coast, particularly after Castellón airport finally opened a few years ago. The impressive, hilltop walled city of Morella is a fabulous spot for idle shopping and grazing on local delicacies (sheep’s milk cheese, lamb and paella). Elsewhere, the shoreline offers plenty of quiet coves to discover and claim as your own.
Sustainable travel tip: You can travel from London to Benicassim by train within a couple of days. Take the Eurostar from London to Paris (two hours, 15 minutes), followed by a TGV Duplex to Barcelona (6.5 hours), and stay overnight. Next morning, a EuroMed train whisks you to Valencia in just under three hours, and from here Spain’s national rail service, Renfe, runs several services to Benicassim (fast trains take just 45 minutes).
Where to stay: Hotel Ad Hoc, 28 rooms in a converted 19th-century town house, is a comfortable and well-appointed small hotel, one of surprisingly few in Valencia's old town.
Getty ImagesNew Foundland, Canada
Temperature: 19°C high; 9°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 5 hours 40 minutes
Time difference: GMT-3While it doesn’t exactly get hot in Newfoundland, July is the beginning of the Canadian island’s balmiest season. And as the sort of place you want to get out and about — whether scouring woodland for gourmet specialties like lovage and spruce tips, or learning the local art of cod-jigging from a hardy fisherman — highs of 18C makes things infinitely more pleasant. The easternmost of Canada’s provinces, on a limb in the Northern Atlantic, it’s a thrillingly rugged hinterland of puffins, sea cliffs and Viking legends; the sort of vast frontier a whale might breach right by your kayak, or where immense, glacial-blue icebergs bob nonchalantly past. A newly minted culinary rep means rich rewards after all that fresh air. In provincial capital St John’s, Raymond’s foraged menu (seabuckthorn, Acadian sturgeon) has been hailed the nation’s best. Or get yourself invited to a local beach 'boil-up', where sea urchin and mussels are plucked fresh from rock pools.
Sustainable travel tip: The architecturally masterful, boutique Fogo Island Inn was conceived as a social business, employing local people and celebrating their traditions (furniture designed with local artisans; community host-led tours). All profits are funnelled back into the community and renewable energy, rainwater catchment systems, recycling and composting are all in place. The restaurant focuses on local, organic, seasonal and foraged food.
Where to stay: Fogo Island Inn, a four-storey, X-shaped structure with a tip that sticks out on stilts. Inside and out it's white and minimalist, with floor-to-ceiling views of the restless sea.
Getty ImagesBoston, United States
Temperature: 28°C high; 19°C low
Season: summer
Travel time from UK: 7 hours 30 minutes
Time difference: GMT-5There are few better places to be for the Fourth of July than Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution. Not only does this richly historic, seafront state capital come alive with celebrations, but the hotels offer decent discounts to keep the party popping. Packed with museums and galleries, Boston was once hailed the Athens of America. And forward-thinking but down-to-earth Bostonians are equally proud of their food culture, from classics like clam chowder and lobster rolls, to the culinary revolution storming its rejuvenated Sea Port district. At Sportello, the latest from No.9 Park’s Barbara Lynch (one of Time’s 100 most influential people of 2017). The seasonal Italian menu changes daily, cooking up anything from ramp tortellini to whole grilled dorade.
Sustainable travel tip: The independently and locally owned Seaport Hotel isn’t just conveniently located in Boston’s most happening district, but has an impressive green CV, too. Temperature and lighting systems automatically turn off when guests leave their rooms, while the restaurant turns used cooking oil into heating fuel for homes across New England, and converts its food waste into biogas. Even more conveniently, the hotel has its own subway station, so accessing public transport is a breeze (and a much better idea than braving Boston’s notorious traffic).
Where to stay: XV Beacon, a super-slick alternative to Boston's bigger hotels, with just 63 rooms tucked into a meticulously restored, 10-storey Beaux Arts building, this is one of the East Coast's most stylish boltholes.