Best places to go for a holiday in June

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 5 years ago

Best places to go for a holiday in June

By Ben Groundwater
Updated
Canada's Lake Louise in Banff National Park is a picturesque spot to visit for lovers of nature.

Canada's Lake Louise in Banff National Park is a picturesque spot to visit for lovers of nature.Credit: Shutterstock

COUNTRIES

CANADA

Why you should go: Though Canada is a hugely popular winter destination, it's summer when the country really comes into its own, when the days are long and the activities are endless. Ski resorts morph into hiking and mountain-biking retreats in summer; far northern territories such as the Yukon come alive with fishermen and hikers; locals take to the beer gardens and pavement restaurants in the big cities en masse to enjoy the sunshine.

Don't miss: It's impossible to choose just one summer activity. However, a highlight of any trip here will be a camping and canoeing adventure in BC's Wells Gray Provincial Park, paddling on the lake or hiking through the cedar-covered hills during the day, and toasting marshmallows by an open fire at night. See canada.travel

See also: Six of the best boutique hotels in Canada

SCOTLAND

Why you should go: There's a particular quality to the sunlight in the north of Scotland, a pale purity that bathes the rugged countryside in pastel hues. It's a thing of rare beauty, and there's no better time to appreciate it than in June, when the days – and evenings – are at their longest, and the temperatures are close to their warmest (which, admittedly, isn't that warm, but still).

Don't miss: Make the most of those endless evenings by getting outside. There are beautiful walks all over Scotland, from the Isle of Skye to the Cairngorms, from Speyside to Loch Lomond; however, for the classic Scottish experience, "bag a Munro" – that is, climb a mountain that's more than 3000 feet high. See visitscotland.com

Advertisement

See also: A beginner's guide to Scotland

INDONESIA

The active Mount Bromo is one of the most visited tourist attractions in East Java.

The active Mount Bromo is one of the most visited tourist attractions in East Java. Credit: Shutterstock

Why you should go: There are plenty of great reasons to head to Indonesia in June: the sun is shining across most of the country as dry season kicks in, particularly in Bali and Lombok, plus the humidity is low, and temperatures tend to hover around the 27-degree mark. This is also an excellent time for scuba-divers, who will enjoy clear, warm waters throughout the month.

Don't miss: Hikers also have a pleasant time across much of Indonesia in June, and this is also a great opportunity to spot orang-utans in Kalimantan. Dry season makes the animals' appearances more predictable, meaning less time searching and more time spotting. See indonesia.travel

See also: Beyond Bali: Why you should visit Indonesia's biggest island

BOTSWANA

Credit: Shutterstock

Why you should go: June is the perfect month to explore one of Botswana's best attractions: the Okavango Delta. This is dry season, which means more of the Delta is able to be explored by car, and the wildlife are easier to spot, given any good guide will know where the animals are likely to appear in search of water. Dry season also means barely any rain, which should make for happy campers.

Don't miss: Though this is a large country with many amazing places to view wildlife, one of the best experiences can be had at Third Bridge, a campsite in Moremi National Park, part of the Delta. This is a rough-and-ready camp, with no fences and few facilities, where elephants roam and hyena regularly prowl, and it's heaven for those who want to immerse themselves in the experience. See botswanatourism.co.bw

See: The backdrop for last century's great forbidden love affair

COOK ISLANDS

Why you should go: It's not like there's a bad time to visit the Cooks – the temperature is pretty steady here year-round, hovering between 25 and 30 degrees most days. That does, however, make it the ideal winter getaway for those of us from cooler climes. June is one of the driest months on islands such as Rarotonga and Aitutaki, plus it's outside cyclone season, which almost guarantees paradise.

Don't miss: Though the main island of Rarotonga is a lot of fun, Aitutaki, further north, is almost impossibly beautiful, with its wide lagoon of crystal-clear, bath-warm water. This is the perfect family destination, where you can choose to be as active – scuba-diving, fishing, snorkelling – or as lazy as you like. See cookislands.travel

See also: Twenty reasons to visit Cook Islands

CITIES

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA

Why you should go: The temperatures are rising in this part of the world by June, as is the humidity, which can make conditions uncomfortable in the likes of China and Japan. Not so, however, in South Korea, which remains dry and pleasant, particularly in beachside Busan. You get the best of both worlds here: a bustling port town with amazingly good markets; and a city beach that's perfect for swimming and lazing.

Don't miss: The heart of Busan is Jagalchi, a fish market down by the busy port, where trawlers pretty much tip their catches straight into the display cases. The range of fish and seafood on sale here is mind-boggling, and all you have to do is point at what you like and the catch will be sent upstairs to one of the many restaurants to be prepared and served. Hard to get fresher than that. See visitkorea.or.kr

See also: North Korea's secret tunnels into South Korea are open to tourists

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Credit: Shutterstock

Why you should go: There are summer solstice celebrations across much of northern Europe in June, and all have their charms; however, perhaps the best of them is Midsummer in Stockholm, when the normally reserved Swedes cut loose. The sky never darkens on the longest day of the year in Stockholm, and residents make the most of it with dancing and singing, particularly in the buzzing suburb of Sodermalm.

Don't miss: For the true Stockholm Midsummer experience, join the city's residents in travelling either to the flower-filled meadows just outside the city, or to the archipelago of 30,000 islands to the east. This is where you'll find parties that last the full day and "night". See visitstockholm.com

See also: A three-minute guide to Stockholm

MANCHESTER, TENNESSEE, US

Why you should go: Why would you travel all the way to a little placed called Manchester, Tennessee, in US in June? One word: Bonnaroo. This four-day music festival is one of the greats, with a rich mix of musical styles, and a great crowd to enjoy all of the action. Bonnaroo is modelled on the music festivals of the 1960s and '70s, and carries the carefree vibe of those decades.

Don't miss: Of course, to get to Manchester you'll probably call through Tennessee's most famous city, Nashville, and June is a fine time to be there too. This month the city hosts its four-day Country Music Festival, the highlight of which is the autograph sessions that most musicians hold for their fans. See bonnaroo.com; cmaworld.com

See also: The 50 highlights of America, state by state

CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY

Credit: Amanda Hoh

Why you should go: Cappadocia is a part of the world everyone should see, a lunar landscape of eerie rock formations deep in Turkey's desert. Though the weather is beginning to border on boiling in June, this is also the time of the Cappadox Festival, a celebration of music, art and gastronomy amid stunningly beautiful surrounds, and as good a reason as any to pay the region a visit.

Don't miss: Though the festival makes for a great way to pass your time in Cappadocia, don't miss out on the true highlight of a stay here: a balloon flight over the rocky landscape at dawn. The only other experience that can come close is being on the ground and photographing all those brightly-coloured orbs above. See cappadox.com

See also: Cappadocia, Turkey: The one destination you should never say no to

GRANADA, SPAIN

Credit: Shutterstock

Why you should go: Though Granada, in the south of Spain, is a popular summer destination, you're going to want to get there before July and August, when the temperatures rise from pleasant to baking. June is your sweet spot, when the days are long and pleasant, the crowds haven't quite hit their peak, and the local population are filling up the city's legendary tapas bars and enjoying the onset of summer.

Don't miss: Though the Alhambra, the dazzling Moorish palace built on a hill above the city, is Granada's most obvious tourist attraction, set aside time for a crawl of the tapas bars. Whenever you order a drink in this Andalucian hub you'll be given a small "tapa", or plate of food, for free, which ensures long nights and eating, drinking, singing, dancing and general merriment. See andalucia.org

See also: Best destinations to visit in May

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading