When summer arrives, many people’s appetite to fly peaks. However, with so many countries experiencing colder weather and longer days, deciding which holiday is right for you can be difficult. To determine the best summer vacations, we considered factors such as activities and entertainment choices, hotels, dining venues, and temperature. Make use of this list to assist you in planning your holiday.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a young city, even by North American standards. What it lacks in history, though, it makes up for in scenery. Vancouver, which is surrounded by mountains and oceans, is both an urban and a natural playground: It has gained the moniker “Hollywood North” thanks to its upscale setting, high-end boutiques, and proclivity for healthier eating. Vancouver, which is approximately 1,300 miles north of its nickname namesake, has been the location for a slew of famous tv shows and big motion pictures, so don’t be surprised if you see landmarks from your favorite scenes or come across a production in development.
Best Hotels in Vancouver
Best Things to Do in Vancouver
Paris
The City of Light, with its unforgettable ambiance, attracts millions of visitors every year. Of course, part of the credit goes to the delectable food and extensive art collections. The Seine River meanders through the district, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and blocks of Rococo and Neoclassic architecture, all of which are complemented by cascading trees and glowing streetlamps. Impossibly stylish Parisians line the Seine’s cobblestone walkways and elegant bridges, most likely on their way to the store, cafe, or cinema.
Paris is a city with “multiple splendors,” as Ernest Hemingway wrote in his memoir “A Moveable Feast,” with world-class museums, fashion, food, and an aura all its own. Visit the Musée d’Orsay, shop the world’s most popular designers on the Champs Élysées or in Le Marais’ boutiques, admire the view from atop the Eiffel Tower, or even book a day trip to Versailles Palace. However, don’t forget the easy pleasures of meandering through the glorious arrondissements (districts) or snacking on street crepes.
Best Hotels in Paris
Best Things to Do in Paris
San Diego
San Diego’s year-round sunny weather and 70 miles of beautiful beaches, as well as mouthwatering Mexican food, a vibrant nightlife, and one of the country’s best zoos, attract healthy people and sun-seekers alike. There are also the beaches: Escape to Mission Beach to catch a breeze, La Jolla to soak up the sun, and Coronado to enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach. When you’re ready to change out of your flip-flops and board shorts for something more formal, there are pockets of vibrant nightlife throughout the area, especially near the historic Gaslamp Quarter.
Best Hotels in San Diego
Best Things to Do in San Diego
Rome
Rome, the seven-hilled settlement, had a legendary beginning. The Eternal City is said to have been created by twin brothers Romulus and Remus, who were nursed by a she-wolf and fathered by a war god. And, while historians are cautious of Rome’s grand entrance into the world, most tourists are persuaded that there is something mystical about the region. Roma is bound to enchant, whether it’s the magic of neighboring Vatican City or the ghosts of the Colosseum, an afternoon caffè on Piazza Navona, or a piled-high plate of pasta at a trattoria.
Rome, the capital of Italy, has a long history that includes the reigns of Octavian, Julius Caesar, and Hadrian, among others. Among the ancient treasures left behind are the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and scores of churches. The Vatican Museums house a treasure trove of paintings, and foodies will rejoice in the exquisite Italian cuisine, not to mention the gelato. While many tourists are attracted to Rome because of its historic importance, it is also a fast-paced, new, and relevant city with gleaming designer storefronts, trendy hotels, and cutting-edge restaurants.
Best Hotels in Rome
Best Things to Do in Rome
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the first Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and it should be on everyone’s bucket list. The Great Barrier Reef runs the length of Queensland’s east coast, from Cape York in the north to Bundaberg in the south – a distance of over 1,800 miles. The reef enchants its 2 million annual visitors with about 2,900 coral reefs, 600 islands, and over 1,500 species of fish.
However, before you dive in, it’s important to get your bearings. From the Cape York Peninsula to Cairns, a common home base for many reef tourists, the northern section of the reef runs. Cairns not only has the nearest reef entry from the mainland, but it also has its own attractions like the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Other attractions near the reef’s northernmost portion include Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas. Further down the coast, you’ll reach the middle portion of the reef, which contains Townsville and the Whitsunday Islands, and is home to Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach.