Where to Travel for the Long Summer Holidays

While the monsoon season passes through much of Southeast Asia during the northern hemisphere’s summer months, it’s actually the driest time of year in Indonesia, with milder days than at any other time. This comfortable climate is ideal for chartering a yacht to sail around Komodo and its surrounding islands. Dive and snorkel with the protected waters’ abundant marine life and see Indonesia’s famous Komodo dragons.

Across Botswana, June to August is the dry season with warm days and clear blue skies – a time when most of the land dries up, with the exception of the Okavango Delta where water from the Okavango River floods the entire basin, ultimately attracting Botswana’s great wildlife population to the area. With animals congregating by the waterways, this is an especially rewarding time to visit the region.

Amidst rolling hills of rainforest and bamboo, Volcanoes National Park comprises five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga mountains massif, where the forested slopes are home to groups of the endangered mountain gorillas. Coinciding with the region’s dry season, the summer break is the ideal time for setting out on guided treks through the forest to come face to face with these majestic animals.

Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Bergen has become known as Norway’s cultural hub, with its surrounding seven mountains – Berg being the old Norse word for mountain – and its status as a gateway to Norway’s fjords making the area great for outdoor exploration too. The summer months are thought to be the best for visiting this port city, when the warm climate affords the opportunity to hike in the mountains, fish in nearby lakes and soak up on the sun on Bergen’s sandy beaches.

Argentina’s winter – and our summertime in the northern hemisphere – offers just the right climate for visiting the country’s northwestern province of Salta. Situated at the foot of the Andes, this remote region encompasses arid red canyons, sprawling forest, charismatic colonial towns and traditional estancias.

In South Africa, spring arrives in August, which means the landscape around the Cape is in full bloom, making hopping between the Cape’s nature reserves and wilderness areas along the coast even more enticing than usual. And, with milder days, it’s an ideal time for hiking too. The spring here also coincides with Hermanus whale watching season, when southern right, humpback and Bryde’s whales pass through as they migrate from Antarctica to reach warmer waters.

With its proximity to the equator, temperatures in the Galapagos remain similar year-round, and the resident wildlife does not migrate, like in more seasonal parts of the world. The seasons do make a difference to animal behaviour though, with the islands’ species nesting and breeding at different times. Over the summer, the distinctive blue-footed boobies can be seen nesting, sea lions breed, tortoises lay their eggs on Santa Cruz island, and whales and dolphins are more easily spotted around the island of Fernandina.

The Brazilian winter is warm and dry, making our summer holidays the best time to travel to the especially humid Amazon rainforest. Base yourself at one of the luxury rainforest lodges and set out on guided river tours and nature walks through the untamed wilderness, or alternatively opt for a river cruise from which excursions can be taken into your surroundings, with wildlife to seek out and indigenous communities to visit.

Vietnam has something to offer every type of traveller, with a mix of beach and countryside at your disposal as well as bustling cities. The coastal towns of Hoi An and Nha Trang, with access to pristine white beaches, in central Vietnam get beautiful weather July and August, ideal for stays in luxury properties such as Aman, Six Senses or Four Seasons.

Where better to take the children than a country that prides itself on its exceptional cuisine and impressive history. Italy’s little sister, Sicily, is the perfect sized destination for exploring the towns, countryside and coast at leisure. Take time to enjoy the many cafes on this pretty island in search of your favourite cannoli and other delights.

Take the family on a big adventure to Australia’s vast and rugged Top End, away from the popular locations, and be rewarded with some unique experiences. For a truly memorable experience, head out on an exclusive safari in Kakadu National Park, where you can learn about spiritual Aboriginal history with a private guide and Aboriginal elder. Explore the stunning landscapes the park has to offer, from rushing gorges and waterfalls to the open plains, and all the flora and fauna in between.