The one thing that nobody wants to do in summer (if they can avoid it) is holiday in Europe. With summer holidays in full swing, you can expect hiked prices on flights and accommodation and unless you’re tied to going away at this time of year with the kids being off school, most people are trying to avoid the busy crowds. But there are plenty of other options available to you, all it takes is a little bit of imagination. Indonesia is fantastic for our summer months, with their dry season running from May through September, pitching Bali and the neighbouring islands (all 17,000 of them) to be the perfect summertime destination. The landscape here is diverse and suited for the adventurous type, combining jungle-clad temples with unspoilt beaches and jagged mountain ranges. Visit the cultural centre of Ubud and the Sacred Monkey Forest before a few days on the beach, charter a boat around the staggeringly beautiful Komodo islands or go scuba diving off Gili Air.
If you’re more focussed on activities (and less on the Northern Lights), Iceland is the perfect place to visit between June and September. It will be crowded at this time of year but the attractions are worth it as are the long hours of daylight and warmer temperatures. This is also when all the famous roads and hiking trails are open so it’s great for hikers but it’s also the best time of year to see whales and dolphins with orcas congregating along the Snaefellsnes peninsula. This is when you can take advantage of the long days (as the midnight sun here almost never sets), meaning you can visit the busier attractions any time you fancy late into evening time when the crowds have dispersed!
There’s never really a bad time of year to visit Peru and the Galapagos. Of all the summer months, August will undoubtedly be one of the busiest times to visit – as it’s their dry season from May through September – but there are plenty of locations to avoid the crowds and get off the beaten track. Start in Lima for a gastronomic exploration before staying in the Sacred Valley and trekking Machu Picchu. Or you could acclimatise via Arequipa before heading to the undiscovered Colca Valley where the landscape looks like it has been frozen in time. Alternatively, nab a cabin on a sustainable cruise around the Galapagos, a luxury expedition yacht that arranges daily guided excursions and activities.
In a country that is over 1,600km long, the weather in Vietnam varies considerably as you go from north to south. The north will still be emerging from its cold and chilly winter between May and August yet it’s a great time to visit Central Vietnam with its hot and dry weather. Hoi An will likely be dry and sunny at this time of year and is a wonderful place to visit for its ancient historic buildings and incredible food. A trip to Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without seeing Hanoi and Saigon but, to avoid the monsoons of Southern Vietnam at this time of year, you can escape to the islands of Nha Trang where although there might be the odd bit of rainfall, the weather can still reach scorching summer temperatures.