Where to travel in July
As peak summer arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, cultural celebrations and fireworks spice up both beach and city breaks.
Life unfolds outdoors this month. France’s iconic lavender fields burst into colour and Colombia’s historic flower-carriers prepare for Medellín’s annual Feria de las Flores. Elsewhere, floodwaters race across the Okavango Delta, drawing animals to its lush wetlands, while a flurry of festivals celebrate New England’s peak lobster season. Plus, reliable beach weather in Balkan destinations such as Montenegro mean myriad outdoor pursuits await. Here’s how to make the most of summer.
France
Average weather: 20C to 29C (68F to 84F)
Why now: Lavender fields and festivals
This month, Provence’s famous lavender fields flower in a sea of violet at sites such as Plateau de Valensole, Sault and Luberon Valley, while Paris’s cobblestone streets play host to Fête Nationale (14 July) — also known as Bastille Day — when fireworks frame the Eiffel Tower, commemorating the start of the French Revolution in the late 1700s. Alternatively, head to the Unesco World Heritage site of Carcassonne, a medieval fort city in the Occitanie region. Here, the namesake festival (1 to 31 July) returns with performances from the likes of Tom Odell and Sex Pistols. To catch the Tour de France bikers passing through, arrive in town for 7 July.
Like a local: Castelnaudary, the neighbouring town to Carcassonne, is considered by many to be the birthplace of cassoulet, a hearty bean and meat stew. Try it at Hotel de France.
(How to plan the perfect French Riviera tour by train.)
New England, US
Average weather: 24C to 29C (75F to 84F)
Why now: Annual celebrations
Expect a packed calendar of events in New England this month. The Nantucket Show (17 to 20 July) brings together over 25 international antique sellers at Bartlett’s Farm in Massachusetts, while Maine’s peak lobster season is celebrated at the 79th Annual Lobster Festival (29 July to 2 August). Music-lovers are spoilt for choice, with the star-studded Newport Folk Festival (24 to 26 July) and Boston’s free Harborwalk Sounds, where rising talent from Berklee College of Music play bayside concerts at sunset every Thursday, starting 9 July. An annual highlight, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on 4 July marks the 250th anniversary of the US this year. Expect artists such as Chance the Rapper and Lainey Wilson taking to the stage before a drone show and fireworks illuminate the night sky.
Like a local: Boston’s public transport system is a convenient way to get around the city. There’s a range of ticket options available, including multi-day passes and contactless payments, too.
(Here’s how the lobster roll became New England’s most iconic food.)
Botswana
Average daytime weather: 25C to 28C (77F to 82F)
Why now: Peak safari window
The soaring heat in the south of the country prompts all manner of wildlife, from leopards and buffaloes to elephants and endangered African wild dogs, to head to the fertile wetlands of the Okavango Delta in the north. Here, the flat grassland terrain, dotted with streams, lakes and seasonal rivers, offers unobstructed views of its wild residents. This month falls into the peak safari window, so it’s best to book accommodation and tours far in advance. To avoid some of the crowds, head to the Savuti Marsh in Chobe National Park for a chance to spot lions or take a quad bike tour across the vast salt pans of Makgadikgadi National Park.
Like a local: Consider exploring the delta by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, steered and guided by a local ‘poler’.
(See southern Africa in a new light—on a lake cruise.)
French Polynesia
Average weather: 27C to 29C (81F to 84F)
Why now: Marine adventures
In this tropical archipelago, July brings excellent visibility in the lagoon, where crystal-clear waters welcome peak snorkelling and scuba diving season. The surrounding South Pacific waters also reach balmy temperatures in time for humpback whale season, when these animals gather to breed and calve during their annual migration from Antarctica. Don’t miss Heiva i Tahiti, Tahiti’s most anticipated cultural celebration, either. Dance groups perform in traditional dress to a soundtrack of pounding drums late into the night.
Like a local: Culturally protected hiking routes, like Fautaua Valley, require a permit that can be picked up at the local city hall. A guide is recommended for certain hikes.
(Hiking, surf culture and island life in southeast Tahiti.)
Montenegro
Weather: 28C to 31C (82F to 88F)
Why now: Sunshine and beaches
By the beginning of July, consistent sunshine has warmed the crystal-blue Adriatic Sea, transforming Montenegro’s coastline — from the pebbled inlets in the Bay of Kotor to the sand dunes of Ulcinj — into a summer playground. Inland, you’ll find excellent birdwatching at Lake Skadar, where around 280 different species, including Dalmatian pelicans and herons, feed among blooming lily pads. Meanwhile, the annual Purgatorije festival opens in Tivat and turns the city into an open-air theatre until end of August.
Like a local: Most shops close on Sundays in Montenegro so make sure to plan ahead and always carry some cash, too.
(How to plan the ultimate Adriatic coastal adventure in Montenegro's Bay of Kotor.)
Colombia
Average weather: 18C to 27C (64F to 81F)
Why now: Dry season, outdoor adventures
This month, Colombia welcomes veranillo. The short spell of dry summer weather offers excellent conditions for exploring the South American country’s many peaks and national parks — there are mostly clear skies for hiking in the Andes, while Caño Cristales, a river in Sierra de la Macarena National Park, turns into a liquid rainbow, filling natural pools and plummeting down terraced waterfalls. Meanwhile, in Medellín, preparations for the annual Feria de las Flores (Festival of Flowers), which takes place from 31 July to 9 August, are in full swing. Join a workshop at a local farm such as Finca Silletera El Pensamiento to learn about the historic flower-carrier tradition and how the huge arrangements are crafted ahead of the procession.
Like a local: The menu del dia (menu of the day) is often the most authentic and affordable lunch option at local restaurants and usually includes a soup and a meat and rice dish.
(How passionate Colombians are shaking up Cartagena's cultural scene.)
