Whether you’re still reeling from the holiday blues of December or are looking to get a jumpstart on travel plans before prices no doubt skyrocket in the peak months of summer to come, it’s a good time to start thinking about places that you’d like to fly to in the month of June. While June marks the beginning of the peak season in most places, it’s an excellent time to travel when you want a summer vacay that won’t blow through your budget or want to avoid the big crowds that are synonymous with the busy months of July and August. Here are the top summer-themed destinations to visit in June.
10 Cappadocia, Turkey
The good thing about traveling in June is that in most places, June is a transitioning month of sorts where cities hang in limbo between peak and off-peak seasons with weather that’s somewhere between spring and summer. It also means that nifty travelers can plan a summer getaway while beating the crowds and sky-high prices of the months to come. June is when the Turkish city of Cappadocia — famous for its hot air balloon-filled skies — blooms with colorful wildflowers and when the days are warm but the nights are cool.
9 Hudson Valley, New York
Don’t have the budget or enough time off from work to fly away to a far-off destination in June? Consider a quick getaway to Hudson Valley! A longtime summer escape for New Yorkers, Hudson Valley buzzes with music festivals starting in June. Plus, it’s a great time to go on hiking trails, stroll in an apple orchard, grab a coffee from a cute cafe, dine at a famous restaurant, or kayak around the Bannerman Castle before huge crowds flock in during the weeks following June.
8 Devon, United Kingdom
The U.K. is not the first place to come to mind when looking for summer destinations, thanks to its lifelong association with rainy and gloomy weather. But the county of Devon on the southwest tip of the country is filled with blue waters, sandy beaches, picturesque cliffs, and charming little towns. Devon also happens to have pleasant sunny days with very little rain in June. In fact, the beaches of Devon have been featured in several films and shows, including The Witcher, Sherlock, Sense and Sensibility, and Edge of Tomorrow.
7 Great Barrier Reef, Australia
As summer begins in Australia, boat operators start their season of tours to the Great Barrier Reef in June. With calm waters and tolerable heat and humidity levels, scuba expeditions are smooth sailing during the pleasant weather of the month. Visitors can also book a night at the country’s first underwater hotel, Reefsuites, or explore the Museum of Underwater Art’s Coral Greenhouse installation located in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, that’s best explored via driving and snorkeling trips.
6 Rwanda
While Rwanda’s rains can be hard to predict, June is generally when the dry season begins and, with it, the season of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking. Permits are required to enter the Volcanoes National Park, where approximately 880 mountain gorillas reside. Alternatively, Rwanda is also home to lions, giraffes, elephants, and plenty of birds, all of which can be seen through safaris and treks. This is also a good time to hunt for discounted stay packages at one of the many luxe lodges overlooking Rwanda’s national parks.
5 Copenhagen, Denmark
For those who like their summer holidays scorching hot, Copenhagen is the place to be in June. Not only is June one of the hottest times of the year in the Danish city, but Copenhagen comes to life with tons of weekly music festivals, carnivals, and concerts. Plus, the sun rises a little past four in the morning and doesn’t set until well after nine at night, meaning Copenhagen gets 17 hours of daylight in June, leaving travelers with plenty of time to enjoy the city.
4 Corsica, France
Summers can certainly get very hot around the French coastline. The weather in Corsica during the month of June, however, is warm but pleasant and not remotely hot enough to cause serious sunburns after just a few hours outside. While the weather gets too torrid later in the summer for outdoor activities, traveling to Corsica in June allows visitors to go for hikes and treks or explore the island comfortably on a cycle or by foot whilst still soaking in plenty of warm sunshine.
3 Zambia
June is arguably one of the best (and the smartest) times to visit Zambia. While June marks the beginning of the safari season in the country and, with it, pulls throngs of tourists, it’s still the shoulder season — a period that’s in between off-peak and peak seasons. This means safari lodges will still run attractive deals, national parks won’t be filled with truckloads of jeeps, and it’s a good time to camp in the wildlife or hop onto a walking safari to catch a glimpse of lions, leopards, African elephants or hyenas.
2 The Greek Islands, Greece
When most think of summer, the first picture that comes to mind is that of a whitewashed town with blue-roofed houses overlooking the sea. That’s the picture of one of many stunning islands that make up the country of Greece. Notoriously hot and expensive from July to August, June is an excellent time to book a summer holiday at the Greek Islands instead. The weather is pleasant enough for a dip in the sea, ferries aren’t always full, and luxury hotels are yet to implement their peak season prices — think Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, and Santorini.
1 The Amalfi Coast, Italy
With a 50-kilometer stretch that’s nothing but coastline, Amalfi screams summer no matter the time of the year. Those hoping to get a slice of the sunny Amalfi way of life without the pricey hotels and overcrowded streets though may want to consider getting there just a little earlier before the peak season is in full swing. Days in June are sufficiently hot, with balmy evenings perfect for a sunset cocktail (or two) after a day of island hopping on a yacht or lounging on the beach.
