United Kingdom
USAJuly holidays are fast approaching and even if you’re not dictated by the academic year you’ll likely want to get away for fun in the sun – but where?
July holidays are fast approaching and even if you’re not dictated by the academic year you’ll likely want to get away for fun in the sun – but where?
Temperature: 30°C high; 19°C low
Travel time from the UK: 2 hours 30 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1
Corsica is, in fact, the closest Mediterranean island for British jet setters and gets around 11 hours of sun a day in July. The French island has been dubbed the Island of Beauty thanks to its stone villages perched on mountainsides, turquoise waters, sandy beaches and dramatic gorgeous.
There’s over 1,000 kilometres of coastline with some excellent scuba diving on offer during your July holidays. Pretty Bastia is the old port, Ajaccio is home to the museum dedicated to Corsica’s most famous export – Napoleon Bonaparte, and Porto-Vecchio boasts the island’s most photogenic bay. Do explore Corsica’s mountainous interior as well as its coast to make the most of the island.
Temperature: 19°C high; 9°C low
Travel time from the UK: 12 hours 10 minutes
Time difference: GMT-3
A July holiday is the best option for a trip to this island off the coast of Canada, as this is when you’ll benefit from the balmiest climes. Canada’s easternmost province, New Foundland is characterised by rugged landscapes, striking forests and friendly locals.
Bird watchers will find all manner of sea birds on the coast – this island is actually known as the seabird capital of North America – while Gros Morne National Park is home to towering mountains, arid tablelands, sweeping fjords and thunderous waterfalls. Wildlife to look out for during a visit to New Foundland includes whales, puffins, bears and moose.
Temperature: 14°C high; 9°C low
Travel time from the UK: 2 hours 50 minutes
Time difference: GMT+0
The pleasant weather in Iceland in the summer months makes a holiday in July here a fab option. The days are longer so you can make the most of the incredible sights and activities, from fishing, diving and hiking at Thingvellir National Park and relaxing in Geysir’s hot springs to sea-kayaking the Westfjords and camping on deserted islands.
Capital Reykjavik offers a tasty culinary scene and is also home to the world’s only penis museum! As for wildlife in Iceland, herds of reindeer around Snaefell and colonies of Atlantic puffins breeding on cliffs can be seen in the summer while July is peak season for whale watching. Head to Husavik, in the north to see humpback, minke and blue whales.
Temperature: 23°C high; 10°C low
Travel time from the UK: 8 hours 35 minutes
Time difference: GMT+3
July holidays to Kenya grants you some of the most exceptional wildlife viewings the country has to offer. This is the month when the wildebeest and zebra make the great migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara – that’s more than 1.5 million animals heading towards water and fresh grass.
What’s more, the rainy season is finished so you can spot flocks of birds gliding above and gazelles grazing. Take a Kenya safari and you might be able to spot the Big Five – the bush is thin and the animals gather around the water, making wildlife easier to see. The weather is both warm and dry at this time of year and there are fewer mosquitos.
Temperature: 28°C high; 20°C low
Travel time from the UK: 1 day 1 hour
Time difference: GMT+12
It may be winter at this time of year for the South Pacific islands of Fiji but it’s pretty toasty by UK standards. What’s more, it’s dry season and the water is at its clearest – perfect for snorkelling or diving. Fiji boasts stunning reefs which are home to a whopping 1,000 species of fish; in fact, French explorer Jacques Cousteau named the destination the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”.
The archipelago offers some of the world’s best shark dives as well as some of the world’s longest barrier reefs. Other watersports here include jet-skiing, windsurfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking, as well as fishing.
Or why not simply laze on the delightful white sand beaches on your July holidays? Alternatively head inland on a hike or try zip lining, white water rafting and cave exploring if you’re after more of a thrill.
Temperature: 31°C high; 22°C low
Travel time from the UK: 2 hours 40 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1
Europe’s sun-soaked beaches can be overcrowded come the summer months, so escape to Montenegro’s less packed shores, plus the seaside scenery is spectacular. The water is crystal clear and everything is scented with wild herbs, conifers and Mediterranean blossoms in the summer.
Get off the beaten track on your July holidays and go hiking, biking or horse riding in the rugged mountains of Durmitor and Prokletije or the forest of Biogradska Gora. Alternatively, soak up the country’s history in UNESCO-listed Kotor – brimming with cobbled streets, medieval squares and Venetian-built buildings – or Budva which has Medieval walls and an impressive library.
Temperature: 30°C high; 18°C low
Travel time from the UK: 2 hours
Time difference: GMT+1
Google Provence and you’ll be inundated with fields of lavender stretching as far as the eyes can see. Admire it in the flesh in July when the lavender is in full bloom. Head to Sénanque Abbey in Gorde for the best views of the fragrant landscape.
The markets in this southern French region are also at their best at this time of year; think fresh tomatoes, fruit, olives and garlic. The city of Aix-en-Provence is a gorgeous spot with 17th- and 18th-century mansions lining the public squares, chic pavement cafes and leafy boulevards.
Temperature: 30°C high; 24°C low
Travel time from the UK: 15 hours, 50 minutes
Time difference: GMT+7
The weather in Belize, in Central America, is at its best on July holidays – days are hot with rainy nights bringing a cooling breeze. Top sights here include the Belize Barrier Reef, the “most remarkable reef in the West Indies” according to Charles Darwin. It’s home to a number of threatened marine species including the West Indian manatee, green turtle hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle and the American crocodile.
Don’t miss the Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole formed in a perfect circle – best appreciated from the sky. Marine life here includes nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, butterfly fish, angel fish, and turtles. On land, Belize has plenty of Mayan ruins, while cave tubing is a popular way to explore the country’s cave network.
Temperature: 32°C high; 23°C low
Travel time from the UK: 13 hours, 15 minutes
Time difference: GMT+8
There’s plenty of sunshine to be had in July in Malaysia plus the waters are calm, resulting in higher visibility. Head to Tioman Island and Tenggol Island for snorkelling and look out for sea turtles, reef sharks, humphead parrotfish and eagle rays.
The beaches are excellent in Malaysia while adventurers should explore the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands and the rainforests of Taman Negara. The jungles here offer a majestic landscape and are home to a small population of orangutans. For big city life, Kuala Lumpur is one of the region’s fastest developing cities and is bristling with huge glass skyscrapers towering above parks and gardens.
Temperature: 30°C high; 20°C low
Travel time from the UK: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1
While July might be peak season thanks to the guaranteed sunshine at this time of year, humidity levels are lower than in August making it more palatable to holidaymakers. The biggest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Majorca offers the full package – sandy beaches and azure seas, lively bars, clubs and restaurants, family-friendly resorts and history-rich towns.
Palma de Mallorca is the capital and boasts a huge cathedral, Magaluf and Palma Nova are best for parties, and Sa Coma’s forte is perfect for romantic restaurants. Ca’n Picafort is a former fishing village which has a 13-kilometre beach – perfect for lazy days on the sand.
