Best Countries To Visit In July

More than half the world shares the Northern Hemisphere of the globe. And hence by default, July can be considered a summer month, even though it marks winter in the Southern Hemisphere. With continents like Europe, North America, Asia seeing spring transform into summer and the mercury levels climb up, July becomes ideal for travelling. Places like Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Indonesia, Alaska, Canada and the USA are brilliant at this time, with pleasant temperatures, pliable waterbodies and mostly dry spells. While countries in Africa, viz a viz South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, have some of the best wildlife sightings and safari experiences. Read on to find out more about the best countries to visit in July.

Indonesia

A South-East Asian jewel of islands, volcanoes and scenic mountain beaches, Indonesia has become a great backpackers’ paradise as well as a hotspot for budget international travellers. With warm beaches and jungles that are adorned by many temples, Indonesia sees a very high tourist influx through its dry season, especially in the month of July, when the average temperature is between 22-27°C. Water-sports, hikes, beach relaxations and spas are some of the top picks for this month.

Things to Do:

Indonesia has a host of islands, 17,000 to be precise. Bali makes for the hottest spot for holiday in Indonesia with its gorgeous beaches, cheap road-side shopping, restaurants and pubs. The month of July here is famous for the coveted Bali Arts Festival and Kite Festival. Water sports are abound as rains are negligible and the warmth prompts you to find a nice cold drink and unwind by the beach. Other tourist places in this country include Kakaban Island where you can swim with jellyfishes, Borobudur - the largest Buddhist Temple in the world, Jakarta for puppetry and musical shows as well as Komodo (sightings of orangutans, elephants and tigers). Also visit Prambanan, which is a holy Hindu place that holds 244 crumbling temples. The Ramayana Ballet performed in the temple complex is a great show. Check out Bada Valley, Lore Lindu National Park and Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls too.

How to Reach: 

Indonesia has one major international airport, located in south Kuta - Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport). Regular flights from major international destinations come here, including those from India. You can hire taxis or cars from outside the airport. Cruises are also available from Singapore, Java and Sumatra to Bali.

Netherlands

The country of bread-butter and chocolate sprinklers; the people that eat chocolate spread in all their meals and a landscape adorned with canals and windmills, Netherlands makes for a beautiful holiday destination. Being a European country that is perpetually landlocked, Netherlands sees freezing winters and the cities only become enjoyable when summer arrives. Hence July, the peak of summer here, is the best time to visit. With temperature range of 13-22°C, this is the peak month to visit along with August.

Things to Do:

When in Netherlands in July, visit ancient cities like Rotterdam and Hague. When in the land if Dutch, do as the Dutch do; hire a bicycle and peddle down the countryside from place to place. Amsterdam is the most famous and touristy place in Netherlands, home to museums, amusement parks, ancient sites and cafes. See the boats ship through narrow canals, houses on water and the famous museums of Anne Frank (yes, the same from World War II), Van Gogh and artwork of the great painter Rembrandt. Also look forward to a stroll through the Garden of Europe, suffused with brightly coloured tulips. Zaanse Schans is another tourist spot in a small traditional Dutch village. It is an open air museum.

How to Reach: 

With great connectivity all over Europe and the world in general, Amsterdam has regular flights from India. Cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi etc ply regular flights with operators like Emirates, British Airways and Etihad to Netherlands. When in the country, the best way to commute internally is by using bicycles. It is the most local way. However, cars or scooters are also available on hire depending on the area.

Alaska

When we say Alaska, the image that automatically comes to mind is that of dark, dank, icy places, even in the middle of the day. But that is definitely not the case, especially in summer. In fact, it is rather the reverse; with daylight lasting almost all day and night. Alaska is a state of the United States of America and located north of Canada, very close to the North Pole. This means that its sees the phenomena of midnight sun in June-July. With temperatures hovering between 10-15°C and upto 18 hour long days, Alaska will be a real delight to explore in July.

Things to Do:

Summer solstice has passed in June, which means the longest day is gone. But the midnight sun is still very much in the sky. And cities across Alaska still celebrate it. Since the daylight also pervades at night, you get more hours to be out and exploring. Tour through the forests, mountains, hills and glaciers. Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park are great outdoorsy spots to enjoy the local flora and fauna as well as hike and walk. Mt. McKinley is for those who wish to trek. You must also visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum and Hubbard Glacier situated in Fairbanks. Adventurers, you can go about indulging in mountain biking and kayaking too. Whale-watching is a speciality at this time of the year in Juneau. Northern Lights are sadly not a part of the July tour as they are only sighted in the thick of winter.

How to Reach: 

The best way to reach Alaska is by flight, Direct flights are not available from India to Alaska, hence you should fly to Canada or the States and take a connecting one to Alaska. Delhi and Mumbai however do operate connecting flights to Alaska. Cruise liners are also exceptionally beautiful and Canada’s British Columbia and Vancouver operate cruises to South-central Alaska, Anchorage and South-east Alaska.

Tanzania

A wild, wild country in the south of the African continent, Tanzania is home to grasslands that are inhabited by giraffes, elephants, zebras and more. There are also some great sandy beaches of Zanzibar and the scenic island of Pemba, giving a nice contrast to dry grasslands. July is one of the driest months here, with a temperature range of 20-30°C. Sunny days and no rainfall make it ideal. The great wildebeest migration can be seen in Tanzania at this time as they cross the border to Kenya.

Things to Do:

July is the peak of dry season here, with skies blue and clear, sunshine high and welcoming and beaches that have glittering sand. Zanzibar and Pemba islands are great for beach expeditions while for a cultural tour, you must explore Stone Town (home to a melting pot of Indian, Moorish, Arab, Persian and European cultures). Mt. Kilimanjaro should also be on your list, as should be the many grasslands of Tanzania. Head to the Serengeti National Park to see the great wildebeest migration into the borders of this country. Check out Ngorongoro Crater for black rhinocero safaris and Mt. Meru for retellings of stories and fables. Other animals to sight in safaris here are zebras, chimpanzees, gazelles, elephants and wild cats. If you are in the mood fo markets and gardens then those are also abound in nearby towns and cities.

How to Reach: 

Tanzania’s Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro airports make for major international airports here. They each receive connecting flights from Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Airlines on these routes are Qatar, Kenya Airlines, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Jet Airways etc. You can also take a train from neighbouring African countries like Rwanda, Zambia or Kenya. While in Tanzania, you have the option of trains, buses, flights and hired cars for getting around.

Spain

The land of sangrias and footballers, Spain is a beautiful European destination for the summers. Hosting many a lively bars, alfresco cafes, open-top restaurants and shopping arcades, Spain comes alive in the months from June to September. July being the peak of summer sees a good warm temperature range of 16-25°C and long, sunshine-filled days. Tapas serve churros, guests drink cold Gazpacho and beaches of Canaries and Ibiza abound with tourists. Such is the delight of a Spanish holiday.

Things to Do: 

Ibiza and Canaries are famous for their beaches, bringing to life the sunny warm strolls and water sports here. Barcelona is an ancient city that makes for great sightseeing as well as idle strolling. Its hustle and bustle never cease, imparting a new happy noise to your holiday. Madrid’s party scene is explosive and nights are the best. Head to Granada for a lesson in Spanish history while you will get to drink sangrias by the pint and stuff yourself with Spanish delicacies at local cafes. Some amazing sights to behold are Sagrada Familia Church, Park Guell, La Rambla Barcelona and the famous Gothic Quarter street for shopping, cafes and socialising. Explore the city of Cordoba for its dance and guitar festivals in July and check out the town of Seville for its bull-racing festivals. Other fun activities here include a ride on the International Zip Line, drinking in Ice Bar, touring Caminito del Rey and seeing the Holy Grail at Valencia Cathedral.

Spain also houses Europe’s only desert - the Almeria.

How to Reach:

Spain’s main international airports are Barcelona International Airport, Madrid International Airport and Malaga International Airport. 12-hour direct as well as connecting flights operate from Mumbai and Delhi to these Spanish destinations. Trains also run from neighbouring European cities like France and Italy to Spain. Or you can drive in from Andorra, Portugal or France.

Switzerland

Swiss chocolates are renowned, as are Swiss watches and banks. But Switzerland is also home to virgin green hills and frosted white mountain ranges, crystal clear lakes and spotted white cows grazing in the distance with bells on their necks. A delightful imagery indeed, one that becomes even more beautiful in person. This country sees a harsh cold winter and only becomes warm and sunny after spring. In July, the peak of summer, Switzerland sees a rise in temperature to about 18-28°C. Many summer festivals are also celebrated.

Things to Do: 

Cities like Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Basel are great for touring in summer. Some amazing tourist spots to visit include Zytglogge Clock Tower in Bern, Lucerne’s Wooden Chapel Bridge, Interlaken, Lake Geneva and Mt. Titlis of Alps. The Titlis Walk is a very coveted adventure and it is not for the faint-hearted. The walk across the suspension bridge towards the mighty Alps is a once in a lifetime experience though. Also, do visit the Rhine falls for rides and adventure, tour the Chillon Castle, explore Pilatus and catch cable car rides in Matterhorn, Zermatt. Skiing and paragliding are great at Jungfrau. Also famous in Switzerland are cheeses and potatoes, so do stuff yourself with local delicacies like Rosti and Raclette. Souvenir shopping here will include loads of chocolates, cow bells and watches (expensive lot).

How to Reach: 

You can fly to Swiss airports like Zurich, Basel or Geneva from either New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai or Chennai. Oman Air, Emirates, Jet Airways, Air India and British Airways are some of the best airlines on the route. Railway lines are also laid down between Switzerland and other neighbouring European countries.

South Africa

South Africa is a brilliant burst of sunshine, grasslands, wildlife and canter trucks when you close your eyes and imagine a holiday here. In July, the season is dry and warm here, with pleasant afternoon temperatures of 23-25°C. Mornings however are cold and you need to wrap yourself in layers for a safari. This is a good time to enjoy the jungles of South Africa and soak in as much sun as you can. The game is also easy to spot and the animals are at their most relaxed.

Things to Do:

South Africa has been the best destination for safaris, and why not? It offers the big-five in all its glory! Leopard, lion, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo are the five species of animals that South Africa boasts, in addition to others. Head to Kruger Park, the country’s flagship park to spot the big-five. You can hire a canter truck for safari or take self-drive option. Other national parks here also offer many animals, including rhinos, giraffes, zebras and wildebeests. There are also hiking and trekking opportunities here, from Table Mountain to the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach for African penguins to Robben Island for historic buildings. The Elephant National Park and Sabi Sabi are also amazing game reserves for sightseeing and safari. The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is a must-visit sight to explore about the oppression of locals by the British colonisers and South African freedom struggle.

How to Reach:

Cape Town International Airport and Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) are South Africa’s major international airports. Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, Jet Airways and Turkish Airlines connect India to South Africa. Cruises are not available directly from India but go from other European and African countries to South Africa’s major cities. Princess Cruise and RMS St. Helena are famous cruises.

USA

The United States of America, Uncle Sam, the Free World; many names and one landscape. USA is a western entity of a melting pot of cultures that has dominated the world in terms of economy, military, politics, culture, entertainment and social order for the longest time. With a happy sunny summer, the month of July is also the harbinger of the American Independence Day on the 4th of July. Long weekend holidays, parades, flag hoisting, firework shows, family and community dinners as well as huge Sales abound in America through the first week of July. This is definitely THE BEST time to visit. 

Things to Do:

The 4th of July in USA is celebrated with great pomp, from parades on Boston streets to special discounts and sales in its shoppings malls and museums. New York hosts hot-dog eating contests while Philadelphia and Rhode Island have massive decorated parades with late night fireworks. Free concerts are also held and Washington DC is lit with fireworks over the Lincoln Memorial. All parts of America, big city or small town, are alive with people coming out to celebrate. For shoppers going to USA, this is a great time as almost everything - from clothes to electronics, home ware to snacks, go on massive sale. And genuine, slash-the-prices-to-half sale. For the rest of the time you are there, USA offers many other tourist cities like Florida (Disneyland), Universal Studios Hollywood, Las Vegas, Miami etc. New York is also amazing in July as it is the warmest month, with Maddison Avenue, Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park all abuzz with activity. 

How to Reach:

The best way to reach America from India is to fly. Almost all cities of America have an airport and Indian cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai etc ply direct as well as stop-over flights. Air India, Lufthansa, British Airways, Jet Airways etc are regular players on these routes. While in America, taking domestic flights is the quickest way of travel, and can be cheap if you book well in advance. Trains and buses are also plying across states but are rarely used and slower in comparison to plane.

Kenya

Kenya is an amalgamation of raw, natural beauty, a great mix of sweeping plains and safari camps, the Big-five and flocks of exotic birds. July is an excellent time to visit Kenya, for safaris as well as for the great wildebeest migration that happens between Tanzania and Kenya borders. Beaches are also abound here and the pleasant dry temperature of 20-28°C makes your holiday very pleasing. 

Things to Do: 

The Great wildebeest Migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara is really an adventure in itself, as these animals cross plains, dense lakes, lion colonies and crocodile infested rivers to journey across 800 km. The Mara River is where the last and most fatal obstacle meets these herds of wildebeest as they battle crocodiles to pass. This is a great tourist attraction and happens in June-July, depending on the migration. Wildlife Safaris here are famous at Masai Mara, Tsavo East National park, Aberdare National Park and Samburu National Park. Animals you will spot include lions, buffalos, giraffes, gazelles, zebras and antelopes. Amboseli National Park is renowned for its elephant sightings, while wildebeests are seen at Masai Mara. You must also go exploring the Great Rift Valley, Diani Beach, Manda Island and Lake Nakuru. Nairobi’s luxury beaches and hotels pamper you silly while shopping from local markets is a noisy fun affair.

How to Reach: 

Kenya’s international airports include Kisumu International Airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport, Eldoret International Airport and Wilson Airport. Non-stop flights from Mumbai to Nairobi are operated by Kenya Airlines. Jet Airways, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways along with Air India also ply on this route. You can also choose to take the Mombasa-Zanzibar cruise to Kenya. For internal commute, you have cars, buses as well as trains.

Peru

Home to Machu Picchu and Inca Valley civilisation, Peru is famous for many other delights. Nestled in the South American continent, Peru has numerous rainforests, hills, carved step-mountains and the mighty giant Andes that is carpeted in greenery. These Amazon rainforests are nice and cool in the month of July, with average daily temperature of 18°C. Rains are scarce, making it a good time to go hiking and discovering the treasures of Peru.

Things to Do: 

The trek up to the stone carved Machu Picchu is a coveted adventure on many bucket-lists. In July, since rains are minimal and weather cool, you will enjoy this trek tremendously. Book your trek well in advance as the Inca Trail is usually full in July. Other hikes here include Salcantay, Choquequirao and an exploration of the Amazon rainforests. The Sacred Valley has some beautiful flora and fauna while Cuzco and Arequipa are great traditional cites. Lima has a quaint pre-columbian charm about it while its food and architecture is a legit throwback to an era bygone. Cordillera Huayhuash is for adventurers wanting to go mountaineering and Nazca Lines are for those that love histroy. They are drawings made intricately on a barren piece of land in the desert by the coast. Do not forget to visit Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon.

How to Reach:

Lima’s Jorge Chˆvez International Airport and Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport are Peru’s main airports. Mumbai and Delhi have regular flights to Peru with airlines like Jet Airways, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways and Lufthansa. Even though flying is the best way to reach Peru, you can also choose a ferry from Brazil, Leticia or Colombo that reach Iquitos (Peru).

Canada

The country of ‘pushovers,’ Canada is a country of people so good, they say that Canadians apologise when you push them. It is a brilliant country of blessed natural landscape, from forests to glaciers, waterfalls to frozen lakes. In July, Canada is facing its summer and hence sees a rise in temperature. Long warm sunny days of 22°C are followed by colder nights of 7°C. But the pleasant weather is bearable and in fact, aids in outdoorsy activities and tourism.

Things to Do: 

While it is not the warmest in July, Canada does begin to see some balmy weather. The season is perfect to start exploring the outdoors, with treks, hikes, visits to gardens and national parks. East Canada is a great place to start, what with its rugged puffins and uneven sea cliffs meant for hikes. You can go kayaking in the sea and spot whales swim by you, as well as meet blobs of glaciers floating right ahead of you. All this and more can be experienced in the Provincial Capital St. John. Other great places to see in Canada include Toronto, which can be called a civilised New York, the Niagara Falls (need no introduction) and the city of Montreal, which is home to Notre-Dame Basilica. St. Lawrence Market and CN Tower of Toronto are also great sights to catch. Some great picnics and walks are experienced at Stanley Park and Banff National Park, while you can always pack your hiking shoes and check out Moraine Lake and Louise. 

How to Reach: 

Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport are two major airports of Canada. Regular flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar etc ply to Canada with airlines like Air Canada. For getting by in Canada, you have the option of hiring cars, using their excellent public transport system like buses and trains or hailing a taxi. Domestic flights are best for inter-city travel.