Summer sunshine and outdoor adventures for all ages
The best summer trips for families offer a vast variety of activities, scenery and sights to suit any interest and every generation. There are sunny islands to see, staggering peaks to summit and remarkable wildlife to spot – it all depends on your destination.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the months of June to August are an ideal time to explore the Mediterranean or see the midnight sun in Scandinavia with your family. Many European destinations come to life during the summer thanks to warm weather and leisurely long days.
The Southern Hemisphere’s summer lasts from December to February and is a fantastic time to explore the rugged terrain of Patagonia or New Zealand, cruise through the Galápagos Islands or visit Peru outside of the peak season.
Summer coincides with the green season in East Africa and Southern Africa. Family safaris at this time of year promise greater privacy and quieter wildlife areas. In Tanzania, calving season occurs from around January to March, offering a rare chance to see newborn wildebeests and other animals.
Our travel designers have years of experience planning luxury summer family tours all over the globe. Reach out to our team to start creating an itinerary full of carefully curated experiences and personalised touches.
Experiences picked by our specialists
A word from one of our experts
Summer trips provide the perfect opportunity to make lifelong memories with your family. We especially love itineraries that combine relaxing beach time with active adventures and cultural experiences.
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Luxury summer accommodation
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Travel inspiration
9-Day Trip
A Family Summertime Adventure in Swedish Lapland and Norway
9-Day Trip
A Family Summertime Adventure in Swedish Lapland and Norway
10-Day Trip
Family Adventure to Greece
10-Day Trip
Family Adventure to Greece
13-Day Trip
Epic Family Adventure in New Zealand
13-Day Trip
Epic Family Adventure in New Zealand
Where to go in summer
Finland
Finland’s summer is ideal for outdoor exploration and late evenings under the midnight sun. Helsinki is especially lovely at this time of year, with plenty of family-friendly attractions.
France
The French Riviera is hot and sunny during summer, boasting loads of sandy beaches and historic towns. Head to Provence to see the lavender fields in bloom.
Galapagos
Summer in the Galápagos is an ideal time for snorkelling, boat trips and terrestrial tours. For families, we recommend combining a few days at sea with a stay at a luxury lodge.
Greece
The Greek summer is peak season for island hopping and beach time. We can recommend less-crowded areas and quieter corners of the islands for relaxing family trips.
Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the best places to go in Southeast Asia between June and August, as most of the country is sunny and dry – including the captivating Komodo National Park.
Italy
Family trips to Italy offer a wide array of activities, from cooking classes to coastal hikes. Our favourite summer destinations here include the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia.
Kenya
Kenya experiences a short dry season from January to February, making this a great time to combine family safaris with trips to the country’s coastline.
New Zealand
Summer in New Zealand falls from December to February and is the best time of year for active family adventures across the country, including epic hikes.
Norway
Head to Norway in summer for pleasant weather and exceptionally long days – in certain places, the sun doesn’t set at all for several weeks between May and July.
Peru
Peru’s summer tends to be rainy, but it’s a good time of year to visit Lima and Trujillo. If you don’t mind the rain, this is one of the least-crowded times for a family trip to Machu Picchu.
Spain
Summer in Spain is a wonderful time to enjoy the beaches of the Balearic Islands or explore the Basque Country and the Costa Brava with your family.
Sweden
Sweden turns green and vibrant in the summer, making it a great time for family trips to both Stockholm and Sápmi. Visit in June to experience the lively Midsummer celebrations.
Tanzania
Tanzania is a wonderful place to visit during the Southern Hemisphere's summer. Head to the southern Serengeti to witness the calving season with your family.
Thailand
If you’re travelling between June and August, the Gulf of Thailand is an ideal place for a family trip, including the idyllic islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao.
When to visit summer destinations
The best time for a summer family trip depends on which hemisphere you’re headed to. Below the equator, summer lasts from December to February; above the equator, it falls between June and August.
This means that the best time to visit Europe for warm weather and sunshine is June–August, while the ideal months for a summer trip to Australasia and most of Latin America are December–February.
In some destinations the timing is more complex. Most African safari destinations experience the green season, which can be likened to summer, between November and April – but in Kenya and Tanzania there’s a short dry season in January and February.
The seasons in Southeast Asia are usually divided into wet and dry periods rather than summer and winter. If you’re headed here between June and August, consider Indonesia or the Gulf of Thailand, which tend to have less rainfall than other destinations.
Midnight sun in the Nordic countries
May–July
Outdoor expeditions in Patagonia
December–February
Peak season in the Mediterranean
June–August
Travel guides
Plan your summer family tour
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Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
