Travel
Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August
Slide Nr 1Summer travels are often equated with endless sunny days, tan skin and refreshing drinks, but they can also mean rising, shining and rushing to claim your spot in the sand before everyone else – unless you head to a more unexpected (but no less fascinating) destination this time around. Whether you still crave your beach getaway, prefer a more cultural city break, or could do with a relaxing countryside escape, we share our list of destinations that have something particularly special to offer this time of the year, to satisfy your summer wanderlust in a new, less predictable way.
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 2South Island, New Zealand – If laying towel-to-towel on a beach with the hordes isn’t your cup of tea, go for the complete opposite instead: snow-capped mountains, icy fjords and glowing glaciers. June in New Zealand marks the start of the season for skiers and snowboarders, and it’s particularly enjoyable with mild-to-cold temperatures, clear-sky conditions and still relatively sparsely peopled locations. Not into winter sports? Attend the Queenstown Winter Festival, a week-long event complete with musical performances, art showcases and stunning firework displays. Or take part in Matariki, the Maori New Year – a celebration of Maori culture, food and music. June is also the best time for close-up humpback whale-watching, for the nature-lovers among us.
Our Tip: Experience an exceptionally light-pollution-free night sky for magical stargazing in the domes of Cross Hill, on the shores of Lake Hāwea.
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 3Île de Ré, France – Quick: soak up the charm of this laid-back Atlantic island before half of Paris decamps to its sleepy villages and soft golden sands. June occupies a sweet spot on the Île de Ré calendar, marking the start of more reliably beach-friendly weather – and the calm before the school holiday storm. And though recent years have seen high-season crowds across Europe elbowing their way into the shoulder period, it’s nearly always possible to carve out a quiet corner for yourself on this perennially relaxed island. Spend your mornings exploring impossibly pretty villages, like Martin-de-Ré and Ars-en-Ré, and filling your basket with goodies from the local farmers markets, then while away the hours until sunset on one of the wild, natural beaches. Do: tuck into some of the freshest – and quite possibly cheapest – seafood you’ve ever had. Don’t: plan to use the car. This 30km-by-5km island is flat as a crêpe and criss-crossed by more than 100km of bike paths, making the choice of transport a foregone conclusion.
Our Tip: Strap on your fitness tracker and conquer the 257 spiral steps to the top of the Phare des Baleines, the 1854-built lighthouse at the island’s most westerly point. Standing 59 metres tall, it’s the highest spot on Île de Ré and can offer vistas reaching as far as mainland France on a clear day.
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 4Appalachian Trail, USA – Wending its way from Georgia to Maine across 3,500km of scenic mountain terrain, the Appalachian Trail draws millions of visitors each year. Of course, you don’t have to join the hardcore cohort that dedicates five to seven months of their lives to a thru-hike in order to enjoy its beauty – a multi-day trek or even just an afternoon hike will do. June is a particularly auspicious time to partake: not only have more inviting temperatures finally set in, but along parts of the trail from North Carolina to Tennessee, Mother Nature puts on a stunning display, painting mountain meadows pink and purple with wild, native Catawba rhododendron blossoms. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a great way to get your fill of the blooms, ideally heading either north or south from Carver’s Gap to take in the panoramic tree-less balds of the Roan Mountain area, where rhododendrons steal the spotlight from early June to mid-July.
Our Tip: Plan your trip to coincide with rhododendron fever. The third weekend of June sees the communities of Bakersville, North Carolina and Roan Mountain, Tennessee host separate celebrations in honour of the flowers, featuring locally flavoured live music, arts and craft fairs, and family-friendly activities like a 10k run, a classic car show and street dancing.
[Photo: Sean Pavone/iStock]
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 5Curaçao – An idyllic beach break is a no-brainer for summer holidays, but this Dutch-Caribbean island makes for a particularly special getaway. Hurricane season often affects the northern Caribbean during this time of the year, but Curaçao’s southerly location keeps it safe and calm – and since June to August is the island’s shoulder season, it’s even more enjoyable, with bright sunny days and warm seas mostly to yourself. If you want more than seaside activities, there’s tons to do in the rainbow-coloured town of Willemstad. From its famous street art to the island’s heritage museums and architecture, as well as its South American and Dutch fusion gastronomy (think Venezuelan arepas with Dutch oliebollen), the island’s capital will keep you busy in or out of the water.
Our Tip: Need a break from the UV rays? Head underground for ancient rock formations and petroglyphs, relax in a secret pool, and spot rare animals inside the captivating Hato Cave.
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 6Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa – While most wildlife-seekers in South Africa rent a car and make a beeline for Kruger National Park, the country’s largest and most famous reserve, travellers looking to skirt the tourist masses and stretch their rand further would do well to head south to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi in KwaZulu-Natal province. The 96,000-hectare park is the oldest game reserve in Africa, beckoning for prime Big Five spotting among its forested mountains, grasslands and open savannahs, with the dry winter months – especially June and July – creating optimal safari conditions. Cooler temperatures make for more active animals, and the dearth of rain has them conveniently congregating around water sources. As a bonus, sunrise is the latest it will be all year, meaning night owls don’t have to drag themselves out of bed so early for game drives.
Our Tip: Ditch the drives altogether for something far more exciting – and primordial. Multi-day guided wilderness treks will have you setting off on foot to experience the bush firsthand and commune with nature on an elemental level. Get closer than ever to Africa’s most fascinating wildlife, and wind down each day by a crackling campfire as the animals howl and roar in the distance.
[Photo: lennjo/iStock]
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 7Garzón, Uruguay – Summer calls for a chilled glass of wine in a charming vineyard, but the season’s high temperatures can ruin the mood – unless you’re in the quaint village of Garzón. This under-the-radar Uruguayan destination offers a mild 16-degree climate in the middle of July, making it the perfect environment for al fresco barbecuing and wine sampling. Visit Bodega Garzón for a premium winemaking experience, including picnics, a cooking class and a tour of the world-famous wine cellars. Eat at Garzon restaurant, founded by chef and open-fire cooking expert Francis Mallmann, for a taste of the best regional dishes – the vanilla ice cream with charred pineapple is a must. Be sure to set aside an afternoon for a hot air balloon ride, olive harvest exploration, or outdoor art installation viewing at the Garzón Sculpture Park. Or, on second thought, just sit and enjoy your Cabernet and the stunning views.
Our Tip: Stay at the general-store-turned-hotel Garzón for some downtime in South America’s very own Tuscany: all five of the hotel’s rooms sport a rustic luxury aesthetic, panoramas of the rolling hills, and a very well-stocked poetry library. If you ask the staff nicely, they’ll pack you a picnic to savour on the indoor patio.
[Photo: Jimmy Baikovicius/Flickr]
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 9Borobudur, Indonesia – Leave your Instagram friends to their umpteenth photo of Bali’s Gates of Heaven – you’ve got a more mystical, magical and picturesque monument on your Indonesian itinerary. Rising dramatically from the Central Javan jungle, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, constructed in the 8th century from grey volcanic stone and adorned with thousands of relief panels and hundreds of Buddha statues. Admire the elaborate Buddhist scenes on the six lower terraces before climbing to the three circular upper levels occupied by 72 miniature stupas, most containing a figure of a meditating Buddha. Remarkable at any time of day, the intricate complex becomes truly transcendent at sunrise and sunset; the dry season in July and August provides the best conditions for capturing its grandeur on film.
Our Tip: Stay at the nearby Manohara Hotel, especially if your aim is to explore the temple over more than one day. Located only a short drive or walk from the monument, it’s the only accommodation inside the designated Borobudur Temple area.
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 10Medellín, Colombia – Medellín isn’t called ‘The City of Eternal Spring’ for nothing, and if you’re here during the first 10 days of August, you’ll see exactly why. The Colombian city hosts the season of Feria de las Flores, or Flower Festival, one of South America’s biggest annual events. The main attraction is, of course, seeing the city’s main streets bursting with vibrant colours, as hundreds of different flower varieties are parading around town. The Desfile de Silleteros, meaning ‘Flower Grower’s Parade’, features lines of flower growers with their most beautiful arrangements strapped to their backs. However, if you want to experience more than pretty displays of dahlias, roses and sunflowers, the event has a full agenda of concerts, art exhibitions, crafts and food markets, and the famous tablados (small bars set up in the middle of the streets) to cater to everyone and every interest.
Our Tip: Enjoy the festival’s natural biodiversity on your plate at Carmen restaurant, one of Medellín’s favourites – known for its authentic Colombian flavour, local ingredients and lush garden spaces.
[Photo: Óscar Garcés/iStock]
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Where To Go Now: 10 Destinations For June Through August.
Slide Nr 11Copenhagen, Denmark – From cycling culture for the eco-minded, to the relaxing harbourside venues for sun-seekers, vibrant city life for urban explorers, and buttery pastries and bustling markets for foodies – Copenhagen is a one-size-fits-all summer destination. What’s better, by late August, you’ll be just in time for the Danish sensommer – a mini season between summer and autumn – that lends the city a particularly special warm glow. With picnics lingering late into the evening and cobblestone streets beckoning for strolls at dusk, locals and tourists alike can make the best of the warm weather and sunny days, without the early season crowds and higher prices. No wonder the Danish are so often named among the happiest people on earth.
Our Tip: Make it a two-for-one trip, and visit the neighbouring Swedish city of Mälmo – a 40-minute train ride will take you to this charming town bursting with architectural landmarks, stunning artisanal markets and the irresistible Swedish fika.
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