6 of the Best Places to go This Summer
Spice up your next summer vacation
With summer comes the season of long days, sunny skies and picnics in the park. Check out our favourite destinations for summer vacation ideas that will make your next trip unforgettable.
Treasures of Toulouse
In the south of France, along the banks of the River Garonne is where you’ll find one of France’s most beloved hidden gems: the Pink City of Toulouse. Thanks to its unofficial status as the capital of Occitan culture, Toulouse celebrates its French and Spanish heritage with festivals year-round, but you’ll find it most exciting in the summer.
EDM fans can vibe at Inox Festival in May, or Les Siestes électroniques in July at the Japanese Gardens. For something more relaxed, the Rio Loco Festival takes place in June along the Garonne and celebrates world cultures with concerts, exhibitions and markets. Booklovers can’t miss the Marathon des Mots in June, a week of readings, debates and panels from authors, poets and writers from around the world.
Plus, bike rental stands are common throughout the city, so you’ll never be too far from your next adventure. Experience the treasures of Toulouse yourself with one of our tour packages!
Cozumel calling
White sands, coral reefs and ancient Mayan ruins and temples set the stage for Mexico’s island paradise of Cozumel. Off the alabaster shores swim fish of every colour, darting in and around coral reefs while the summer sun sets the underwater scene at a sublime 28 degrees. Unlike the rest of the year, Cozumel slows down in the summer, so there’ll be plenty of room to stretch out on the beach to your heart’s content. Why not visit some of the nearby sights, like the San Gervasio archaeological site, where the ancient Mayans once worshipped their moon goddess.
Immerse yourself in Cozumel’s sun, sand, sweets, and sea the easy way. Leave the planning to us and book a vacation package, so you can focus on which swimsuits and sunglasses you’ll be bringing.
All about Ireland
While Ireland is gorgeous year-round, the Emerald Isle truly blooms in the summertime, as the later-setting sun gives you up to 17 hours of daylight to explore. Meander along cliffside paths by the sea and enjoy the sublime view of spectacular sites like the cliffs of Moher, or the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway.
If you’re looking to stay in the city, Irish summers promise a season of festivals and celebrations. The Galway International Arts Festival takes place over two weeks in the second half of July and features performances and exhibitions of theatre, dance, visual arts and more as the whole city transforms into a stage.
Looking for something off the beaten path? Check out our tour packages or visit Killorglin in August to witness the Puck Fair, where a wild mountain goat is brought back to town to be crowned “King Puck”.
Jam out to Jamaica
Year-round sun, spectacular beaches, and some of the best coffee in the world are great reasons to visit Jamaica, but you can’t get the full Jamaican experience without a visit in the summer.
Foodies can rejoice at the spiced flavours of the Portland Jerk Festival, held every year in early July at the birthplace of jerk chicken. Party lovers can jam out to the rhythm at the Jamaica Dream Weekend, an annual five-day extravaganza of dance and music along Negril’s seven-mile beach, featuring performances from local and international artists, as well as drinks and food.
If that's not enough reasons to visit Jamaica, during the summer tourist levels are much lower, meaning it’ll be so much easier for you to get a prime spot on the beach or by the pool to work on your tan! Take advantage of these lower prices with a vacation package to Montego Bay.
Gorgeous in Greece
Welcome to the land of myth and honey, home to hundreds of islands each with their own unique charm, culture, and stories to tell. Write the myth of your own Greek summer vacation with a visit during its sunniest season. Head to a taverna for some traditional Greek foods like stuffed grape leaves and enjoy views of the setting sun from a terrace, before partying until dawn on Mykonos, Santorini, or Rhodes.
For a more relaxed atmosphere you can kick back and relax on islands like Paros and Naxos. In August, Athens celebrates the Moon Festival, when historic sites and museums are open late at night, while concerts and exhibitions take place by moonlight.
Plus, Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen famously spent his summers on the Greek isle of Hydra, making this vacation spot the perfect place to compose your own Homeric hymn with a Flight & Hotel package!
Island living at Îles de la Madeleine
Nature, culture and gastronomy are the three key pillars to any vacation spent at Îles de la Madeleine, and they’re only improved by the warm summer sun. Start the day with a walk along stunning beaches astride the turquoise waters of the St. Lawrence perfect for kayaking or sailing. For lunch, sink your teeth into the freshest lobster rolls you’ll find in Canada, or tuck into a pot-en-pot meat pie. End the day with a crisp bagosse, a homemade beer unique to each household, so get out there and make some friends!
From July to September, the isles light up with the La Mer sur un plateau food festival featuring local specialties at the different restaurants, farms and fisheries around the island. For a different kind of cultural experience, the Sandcastle Contest takes place in early August and promises incredibly creative designs along the beach.
What’s next
Raring to get up and go this summer? Check out our collection of tour packages to help curate your best summer ever or explore Flight & Hotel packages and go abroad your way.