Where To Go In July
If you’re hankering for a holiday, high summer is a glorious time for it. Schools break up for summer holidays towards the end of the month, so if you can escape before then, you’ll get some great deals and fewer crowds. If you’re tied until end of term, you’ll join the rest of us as we head off on our big summer holiday as soon as school’s out.
The best aspect is that the northern hemisphere heats up, so there’s plenty of options for a blissful summer break close by – which is handy to keep things cheap and cheerful. Further afield, you’ll also find beautiful weather plus memorable experiences that you won’t get near home.
Whatever type of a getaway you’re looking for, here are some options to make the most of your July holiday.
Marmaris, Turkey
This summer many of us are prioritising budget over everything else. So if you’re after an affordable break, look no further than Marmaris in Turkey, reported to be the cheapest beach destination in Europe. Thanks to the current exchange rate with the Turkish Lira, it’s possible to get a typical beachside break here for almost half the price of an Ibiza stay.
Located on the Turkish Riviera near Dalaman Airport, it has all the holiday glam you’d want – think temperatures of 33C, glittering bays, and towering palm trees swaying in the breeze. Check out the old town and Grand Bazaar for a flavour of Turkish history and culture, or put on your gladrags and head out to Bar Street, the aptly-named area for nightlife and revelry. For a respite from the beach, sign up for an excursion to nearby Dalyan, where you can give your skin some TLC with a mineral-rich mud bath, or head to Iztuzu Beach to see loggerhead turtles. June to August is hatching season, so it’s the perfect time to watch the cute baby turtles make a break for it!
Calgary, Canada
If you’re looking for a break across the Atlantic, Alberta is one of the most vibrant spots in July. Soon after Canada Day on July 1, the celebrations continue with the Calgary Stampede. It’s a western-themed festival between July 3 and 12, where the cowboys and cowgals of Alberta saddle up and indulge in a week of bull riding, wrestling and rodeos.
As well as special events across the city – including a convivial atmosphere fit for all the family and free pancake breakfasts – which have us sold – it’s serious business too. There’s a $2 million (over £1 million) cash prize for the sporting heroes of the event.
With the otherworldly Rocky Mountains and trans-Canada trains on your doorstep too, it’s no wonder it’s become one of Canada’s biggest attractions.
Norwegian Fjords, Norway
If flying isn’t for you, July is the ideal time to step offshore and sail around the UK towards the serene fjords of Norway on a cruise. The majestic scenes of towering fjords set against glass-like water are what attract travellers from across the globe.
In midsummer, the experience reaches its peak: the northern location means it gets daylight around 20 hours a day in July, so you can soak in the sun late into the night, and the warmer weather means you can kayak or simply laze out on deck with ease. Cruises typically visit the wilds of the fjords interspersed with charming harbour towns like Ulvik, Flåm and Bergen, where you can delight in the café culture, seafood, and artisan shops.
Aran Islands, Ireland
Another option for a return to nature is a trip to the furthest west of Ireland. Fly into the small regional airport of Shannon, rent a car, zoom two hours to the ferry port of Rossaveal and enjoy the scenic ride over to Inis Mor. After this, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, with craggy mountains, wild sea and vast green fields.
Even if other travellers have found out about the island, don’t let that put you off soaking in the feeling of being at the very edge of Europe.
Visit the ancient hill fort of Dún Aonghasa, treat yourself to Guinness and oysters at a rustic pub, or cycle around this limestone-laden island – the whole circumference will take you just a couple of hours.
Tartu, Estonia
High summer is an ideal time to explore destinations that might be too chilly in the shoulder months, and Tartu is a great case in point. Just a two-hour train ride away from its capital of Tallinn, Estonia’s second city comes alive in July, with its historical streets busy with both tourists and locals making the most of what it has to offer.
This is certainly a place for ambling. While it has many attractions to see – like its Kissing Students statue outside the neoclassical town hall, the dramatic ruins of Tartu Cathedral and the interactive sports museum – it’s a place to wander around on foot and soak in the scenes of this revered Baltic city.
Make sure you pass by the wooden houses in the bohemian neighbourhoods of Karlova and Supilinn – meaning ‘Soup Town’, where every street is named after a soup ingredient. Or stroll within the centre to see its Russian and German history come through in the architecture. Don’t forget to try Tartu’s famous dish of Peipsi sibulapirukas – a traditional onion pie (the onion is celebrated here) – and walk it off with a stroll on the serene banks of Lake Peipsi itself, one of Europe’s largest lakes.
Wherever you plan to head this year it’s important to cover your trip with travel insurance. With Switched On’s feature packed travel cover you get a 24/7 emergency medical helpline, Air Doctor in-resort medical support, plus gadget cover included automatically.