Are you in need of some inspiration for your summer break? Look no further than our top 10 tips for places to visit this June, July and August.
Colorado has a wealth of natural beauty to be enjoyed in the summertime. The state enjoys around 300 days of sunshine annually and the climate is semi-arid. Drive, hike or ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad to the top of 14,110ft Pikes Peak, take in the 'million-dollar' views all along the narrow, winding San Juan Skyway between Durango and Montrose, and experience a mini Napa Valley amid the carved redrock canyons of the Colorado River in Grand Junction, famed for its wineries, fruit orchards and proximity to Dinosaur and Colorado National Monuments.
1. London, England
London is full of parks and green spaces and, when the infamous British weather plays ball, the city is a delight in the summer. Wander the river and canal tow-paths from Camden to Little Venice, explore the expanses of Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath (which also has pools for open-air swimming in summer), and spy the giraffes of London Zoo from Regent's Park. The city's Southbank Centre also hosts a festival of cultural events throughout July and August - this year they are themed around love.2. Rome, Italy
Soak up the sun in the Italian capital with a delicious gelato and you won't need to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return. Explore the ancient monuments, the literary heritage, and the grandeur of the Vatican in the early summer months before the heat of the city becomes too oppressive. Summer festivals in the Eternal City include Estate Romana, where the city's squares and parks play host to outdoor music and film events from June to September.
3. Iceland
Iceland is one of the world's most spectacular destinations, with vast empty landscapes illuminated by sparkling, clear subarctic air and cosy fishing villages sheltering from Atlantic storms beneath gargantuan cliffs. It's a paradise for anyone with a love of nature and the great outdoors, lent a surreal edge by the presence of the restless tectonic activity beneath. The country experiences its finest weather from June to August. Rather than blistering sunshine, this means an average temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius - for haters of heat and hayfever, Iceland's climate in summer is delightfully refreshing. Combine this with White Nights during the first half of June, when the sun stays above the horizon for almost 24 hours, and you are blessed with bright, mild days that seem to last forever.
4. Peru
It is possible to visit Peru all year round, but the most popular time of year is between May and September, as this coincides with the dry season in the highlands and the jungle. Increasing numbers of travellers are visiting an area that takes up over half of Peru's landmass: the Amazon basin. The northern city of Iquitos is the place from which to begin an Amazon adventure; the jungle-locked city is linked to the exterior world only by air and riverboats. An excursion into the surrounding jungle will reveal wildlife such as caiman, monkeys, macaws, or pink dolphins (which are found only on remote tributaries of the upper Amazon and Orinoco rivers).5. Northern Morocco
May to September is the best time to visit the coastal resorts and the north of Morocco, where you can experience a beautiful Mediterranean climate. Vibrant Tangier, with its whitewashed houses tumbling over seven hills into the bright blue Mediterranean and the Straits of Gibraltar, rests at the most northwestern tip of Morocco, and Africa. It has for millennia been a vital crossroads - between East and West, Africa and Europe, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean - and has been a former hang-out for artists, writers and rock stars. With a great medina, an elegant corniche and beaches nearby, you'll certainly want to rock the kasbah.6. Montreal, Canada
The second-largest French city in the world after Paris, Montreal has extraordinary personality. Worldly but romantic, perhaps a little extravagant, it determinedly aims to enjoy life. Summer is the perfect time to relax in Canada's most cosmopolitan city; take in the view from the top of Mont-Royal, sail boats on the little Lac des Castors, and amble through the streets of Old Montreal. The city hosts its famous Montreal Jazz Festival between 26th June - 6th July this year and provides a fantastic opportunity to see the city really come to life.7. Istanbul, Turkey
The gateway to Asia, Istanbul is one of Europe's most exotic cities. Containing remnants of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, the city mixes centuries-old mosques and bazaars with world-class food and fabulous shopping malls. Enjoy the wonderful street food on offer, take a cruise down the Bosphorus and visit another continent, and, if the sunshine isn't relaxing enough, experience an authentic Turkish massage.8. The Danube
Winding its way from the foothills of the Alps to the distant shores of the Black Sea, this majestic waterway has long been a powerful transportation route and is a perennial favourite for river cruises. Long summer evenings are perfect for drinks on deck. Towns and cities of particular interest include Regensburg and Passau in Germany, Linz and Vienna in Austria, Bratislava in Slovakia and Budapest in Hungary.9. Colorado, USA
10. Tanzania
Tanzania has some of the world's finest game parks, two of Africa's highest mountains, superb white-sand beaches and coral reefs and delightfully friendly and hospitable people. The names are the stuff of legend: the great Serengeti plains; Lake Victoria, birthplace of the Nile; the towering bulk of Mount Kilimanjaro; the red-clad Maasai cattle herders; the spice islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. The coolest months, June to September, are the most pleasant time to visit.
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