Planning a summer trip is less easy than it seems. As the warmer months draw near, the fundamental question many of us ask ourselves is: “where am I going?” Maybe you’ve been looking for the perfect cheap flight for months, or you’ve just decided to take a break but aren’t sure how to proceed: in any case, here are some precious tips for your summer, month by month.
Where to go in June
1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
To relax in a tropical paradise in the milder season.
Blue, turquoise, azure, aquamarine, indigo: words can’t do justice to the hues the Pacific Ocean takes on in French Polynesia on a clear, calm, sunny day. And there are plenty of those days in June, at the start of the driest season, when the main island of Bora Bora and its motus (sandy islets that emerge from the coral reef) bask in temperatures of 25-30 degrees. It’s like something out of a movie, with luxury resorts overlooking crystal-clear waters and shaded by swaying palms, priced to match, although more modest, budget accommodations can also be found. As if the setting weren’t heavenly enough, snorkelling and diving in the “coral gardens” alongside sharks and rays adds an extra touch of magic.
2. Western Colorado, United States
To experience ranch life with an eye on the environment.
Dressing up as a cowboy, riding a mustang, and herding a herd is a one-of-a-kind experience. For city dwellers who want to test their skills, there are dude ranches , facilities that recreate the living conditions of the American frontier and offer horseback riding, fishing, and sweeping views, as well as activities like yoga, rafting, bird watching, writing workshops, and mountain biking. These ranches also practice conservation and sustainability. Beat the early summer heat with a vacation at one of Colorado’s innovative dude ranches , like C Lazy U Ranch, where you can experience firsthand the practice of raising cattle and bison and learn about habitat management and biodiversity conservation
3. Byron Bay, Australia
For yoga retreats, marine life and world-class surfing.
On June 21, the day of the summer solstice, yoga practitioners around the world celebrate International Yoga Day. Byron Bay has moved from backpacker and hippie life to a posh, upscale destination, but it still has a decidedly relaxed feel and is open to alternative ways of living. Recharge your batteries, both physically and spiritually, at one of the yoga retreats here. And since sessions don’t last all day, you can snorkel to discover the underwater wonders of Julian Rocks, including carpet sharks, sea turtles, rays and a kaleidoscopic array of fish; or grab a surfboard and head out in search of the southern winter waves. It’s also a great time for whale watching: thousands of humpback whales migrate to the waters off Byron Bay between June and October. You can spot them from the shore at Cape Byron, and get up close to them on a boat tour.
4. Shetland Islands, Scotland
To wander the UK’s northernmost wilderness and sip scotch into the endless days.
Closer to Bergen, Norway, than Edinburgh, the 100-plus islands that make up the North Atlantic archipelago of Shetland have a distinctly Nordic feel, as their history shows: they remained under Norwegian influence until 1469. Visit in June, when the sun barely sets, for hikes along the windswept hills and coast; discover the deafening seabird colonies of Sumburgh Head, Fair Isle, Foula and Noss, with thousands of puffins, ospreys, guillemots, gannets and more. You can also study evidence of 5,000-year-old settlements at the enigmatic broch (stone tower) of Mousa and the ruins of Jarlshof. The weather here can change without warning: if the clouds gather, take shelter in Lerwick’s fine Shetland Museum or one of its inviting cafes. A traditional fiddle tune and a glass of local whisky will warm you up: Shetland Reel, on Unst, is the most northerly distillery in the whole of Scotland .
5. Aveiro and Coimbra, Portugal
For culture, canals, singing and delicious cuisine.
Portugal’s brightest minds have studied—and partied—in Coimbra for more than seven centuries, since 1290, when its venerable hilltop university was founded. But come June, the students leave, leaving the cobbled streets to resound with the strains of fado. After admiring the magnificent 12th-century Romanesque Sé Velha (Old Cathedral) and climbing the 180 steps of the Torre da Universidade for a bird’s-eye view of the city, head north to Aveiro, Portugal’s “Little Venice.” Glide along its canals in a colorful moliceiro (a boat traditionally used to collect seaweed for fertilizer), wander the streets lined with elegant art nouveau villas, and enjoy the bustling Mercado do Peixe (fish market), where, of course, you’ll find the freshest of goods. Before leaving (in July the resort is crowded with holidaymakers) you can walk on the sand and go surfing at Praia de São Jacinto or Praia da Costa Nova.
