The 9 best places to visit this summer
Want ideas for the best places to visit in summer? We’ve got you covered.
Summer is prime time for travellers, no matter whether you’re looking for a simple trip with sun, sea and sand, or wanting to expand your horizons with adventure and sight-seeing. The big travel hotspots may be buzzing with tourists, but there are still plenty of stunning destinations that are overlooked – meaning you can get off-track and really explore.
If you don’t have friends with an adventurous streak to travel with, then a group trip is a fantastic option, too. When you share an adventure with a small group of single travellers, all in their 30s and 40s, you make every minute count. You tap that infinite summer magic where the future lies wide open, and anything seems possible. As DJ Jazzy Jeff so wisely says, it’s just a bit of a break from the norm.
Here’s our pick of nine great places to visit this summer, including some Flash Pack group trips.
(A note on Covid: countries below may be subject to Covid-related restrictions or entry requirements. Please check your country’s official travel advice for further guidance and updates, or you can chat live with a Flash Pack travel expert).
For adventure and relaxation: Morocco
Morocco is a fantastic place to visit in early summer, with warm days of up to 10 hours of sunshine. Here, you can trek the desert by camel before partaking in a sand bath to soothe muscle and joint aches, or take in stunning views of the Atlas Mountains while enjoying a tipple by a rooftop pool. If you find yourself torn between exciting experiences and a bit of R&R, Morocco is the summer travel destination for you.
Don’t miss:
Travelling through the Agafay desert by vintage sidecar. Head to the Kik Plateau, over 1,000 metre above sea level, for incredible views over the Atlas Mountain foothills, via a mode of transport that is as timeless and iconic as the landscape itself.
Insider tip:
Reward your trekking efforts in true Moroccan style, with a hammam at the 2ciels Boutique Hotel in Marrakech. What’s not to love?
For escaping the crowds: get to know Slovakia
While Rome and Barcelona fill to bursting point this summer, those in the know will be cutting a dash to Slovakia. This handsome Central Europe country sits between the popular capitals of Budapest and Vienna, but minus the crowds of either.
Start your journey in Old Town Bratislava, with its red-roofed charm and atmospheric cafés. There’s so much to explore here, from Bratislava Castle to local microbreweries. A glass of local honey wine by the tree-lined Danube river is practically mandatory.
It’s also worth putting Bešeňová on your radar: this Slovak village is filled with natural hot springs that are the very definition of happiness. But before you get too relaxed, there’s also Low Tatras National Park to explore. Between hiking in the woods and bathing in the geothermal pools, you can’t help but feel fully refreshed.
Don’t miss:
The Low Tatras region. Home to dense green forests, caves and waterfalls, this off-radar nook boasts glorious views over the High Tatras Mountains.
Insider tip:
If your pronunciation is up to it, you can try the national dish of bryndzové halušky (dumplings topped with sheep cheese and a sprinkling of bacon).
For ancient history and drama: soak in the landscapes of Turkey
Turkey may have become a tourist hotspot in the summer, but with a bit of know-how and some travel tips, it’s easy to duck away from the crowds. Get right to the heart of this ancient and fascinating land with an insider view on all its finest sights. This includes a bathe in the thermal waters of the Cleopatra Pools, sailing and snorkelling the Med by private boat (ending on the shores of the postcard-perfect Blue Lagoon) and a zoom through the otherworldly valleys of Cappadocia via quad bike.
Don’t miss:
A private hot air balloon ride above the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia, with its distinctive “fairy chimneys” and houses carved into rock face.
Insider tip:
Fuel your soul with some incredible Turkish cuisine, from delicious gözleme and pottery kebab banquets to meze spreads and tasty Turkish fruit wine.
For wildlife wonders: safari the plains of Tanzania
David Attenborough got you all fired up about the natural world? Catch the real deal on the golden plains of Tanzania.
The start of the dry season in late June is a great time to visit Tanzania, with dried-out terrain creating prime conditions for wildlife spotting. This is your destination for bucket list game drives across the Serengeti, with a chance to see grazing elephants, giraffes, lions and more. Best of all, it’ll give you a front-row seat to the wildebeest migration; aka, “the greatest show on Earth”.
Luxury lodging, star-gazing, and sundowners around the campfire are all part of the experience, too.
Don’t miss:
The dramatic sight of thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles crossing the Grumeti River (and dodging crocs en-route).
Insider tip:
Stay at The Bush Rover Suites, a series of converted Land Rovers situated deep in the bush, for unparalleled views of the Serengeti wildlife.
For head space: cycle the Inca hills of Peru
Head space comes at a premium in today’s hyper-alert world. But Peru’s Sacred Valley is one place where you can throw your worries to the skies quite literally; and summer is the perfect time to visit.
May brings blue horizons and crisp sunshine to the Inca hills around Cusco, and the landscape is flush with greenery from recent rainfall. A perfect setting, in other words, to take on one of the world’s most epic bike rides.
Don’t miss:
Being attuned to the ancient landscape. Drink in the rich sense of Inca history as you pedal along a jaw-dropping backdrop of salt terraces and snow-capped peaks.
Insider tip:
To really get under the skin of the region, time your visit for the Inca Festival of the Sun marking Winter Solstice on June 22, with live music and parades aplenty. May is also a great time of year to see Machu Picchu in all its glory, just after the rains but before the peak crowds of July onwards.
For good-time vibes: explore golden Croatia
The best places to visit in summer offer a blend of culture and thriving nightlife. Croatia has both, in spades. This beautiful Mediterranean country was the muse for HBO hit Game of Thrones, and you may well feel a bit like a smouldering warrior as you wander its narrow, sun-dabbled streets.
Croatia can get crowded during summer, but you can navigate that by striking a good balance. There’s party buzz in Croatia, but also enough history and intrigue to hold you rapt. Solo travellers in your 30s and 40s: fill yer boots.
Don’t miss:
A day on a private island in the Med. Mali Ston is one of the few last untouched parts of Croatia’s coastline, run by a family of restaurateurs who will take you over to a sea platform to learn about (and taste) the oysters they produce there. On Flash Pack’s trip, you’ll have an afternoon of play time in this exclusive paradise, with fresh seafood, beers and cocktails in the mix.
Insider tip:
To veer away from the masses, try heading inland for a kayaking down the wild and remote Mrežnica river.
For a fitness challenge: explore the Rockies in Canada
With miles upon miles of forest, glacial lakes and rugged peaks, the Canadian Rockies are a playground for escapism.
If you’re grappling with a big, demanding job, this wild and glorious landscape is all you need to shake loose. Plus, there’s enough space that selfie-wielding tourists are few and far between.
With long, sunny days, high summer is the best time to go rambling through Banff and the surrounding area of natural beauty.
Leave your everyday life far behind, as you push your limits in the wild outdoors. Canyon through steep mountain gorges, canoe down rivers and let loose your inner explorer.
Don’t miss:
Hiking the Athabasca Glacier. The trail is stunning, and best accessed from May to September.
Insider tip:
Mirror-still lakes are at their most brilliant blue during summer, and often warm enough to swim in.
For unlimited sunshine: stretch out in southern Thailand
Summer holidays don’t get much better than Southern Thailand.
The beach life here is sublime, with remote powdery beaches, swaying palm trees and emerald lagoons. The mercury regularly soars above the 30°C mark in summer, but quick blasts of afternoon rain are a welcome cool-off.
The region’s allure extends beyond hammocks and papaya smoothies, though (delightful as they are). This is an area of jaw-dropping natural splendour and mystique, from towering limestone karsts to grottoes filled with stalagmites. The street food in this region is spectacular, too.
Don’t miss:
Tap your inner Indiana with a romp through the tropical mangrove of Khao Sok and Bor Thor nature reserves.
Insider tip:
Take a sunrise boat trip around the peninsula coastline, wreathed by misty rainforest and looming peaks.
For culture galore: journey around Colombia
Colombia. Just the word alone conjures up visions of colourful Cartagena streets and boutique Bogotá nightclubs. This is a country that positively brims with charisma, and summer is prime time to visit this lively destination.
July and August hit a brief dry season here: your cue to explore the beaches and jungle of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Over in the Andean highlands around Bogotá and Medellín, you’ll get clear sunny days to explore and go hiking by.
Don’t miss:
A private boat trip around the Rosario Islands, with a labyrinth of hidden coves and beautiful swimming conditions.
Insider tip:
From salsa dancing to rum drinking, Colombia knows exactly how to make its guests feel at home. And this spirit ratchets up a notch during summer, with events such as the Bogotá’s annual Festivales al Parque, with free open-air concerts, the Medellín poetry festival and the Medellín flower fair. Culture, partying, sunshine: it’s all happening.
Images: Flash Pack, Shutterstock, Unsplash
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