#dgtravelhenley #savetravel #julyholidays #planahead #Japan #Kenya #Norway #Arctic #USA #Switzerland
July gives you many destinations to consider if you’re looking to experience them in their prime.
Explore the great outdoors while the sun shines in the US’s northern states, Norway or Switzerland. Balance beach relaxation with culture or wildlife in Costa Rica, French Polynesia or Vietnam. Or, in Kenya, be among the first of the season to see the Great Migration herds arrive as they make their frenzied crossing of the Mara River.
July is also one of the only months you can cruise the Arctic or hike in the mountains of Ladakh. And, in Japan, you can escape the summer humidity in the Japanese Alps.
1. Japan
Japan’s summer can be hot and humid, but up in the Japanese Alps and Hokkaido’s wild national parks, the air is cooler, making for ideal hiking conditions. July is also one of the best times to climb Mount Fuji, which is inaccessible in colder months, and for wandering the country’s many immaculate gardens.
While rain is possible, particularly towards the beginning of the month, visiting at this time gives you a chance to experience a few Japanese festivals, if you don’t mind a busier atmosphere. In Kyoto, the Kyoto Matsuri sees huge floats being marched through the streets. Dating to the 9th century, it began as a religious ceremony to appease the gods.
Don't miss: Japanese Alps explorer
Flight time: 11½ hours (Tokyo)
Time difference: UTC +9
July Temperature (Day): 2 to 25°C, depending on the region
July rainfall: 59 to 258mm, varies by region
2. Kenya - Visited
As conditions become drier, Kenya remains green and full of life in July. Visit now and you might catch some of the Great Migration’s earliest crossings of the Mara River — wildebeest in their hundreds and thousands are forced to face predators that lie in wait, from crocodiles to big cats.
While occasional showers are possible, there are fewer visitors than in subsequent months, so you’ll often have wildlife sightings to yourself. Game drives wherever you are in the country give you a chance to see animals big and small, while the drier conditions make for rewarding walking safaris. It’s also a good time to combine a safari with a beach break.
Don't miss: Kenya Safari & Zanzibar Beach
Flight time: 8¼ hours (Nairobi)
Time difference: UTC +3
July Temperature (Day): 28 to 33°C, depending on the region
July rainfall: 1 to 352mm, varies by region
3. Norway - Visited
By visiting Norway in July, you’ll be making full use of your time as days are long and temperatures at their warmest. It’s a great time for hiking in the green countryside, spotting wildlife such as moose, musk oxen and Arctic foxes as you go, while in the Arctic Circle you can continue your walks under the midnight sun. The fjords glitter in the sunlight, fed by waterfalls, and you might spot orcas and porpoises on boat trips.
All of this means it’s one of the busiest times to visit, so you’ll need to plan in advance, but with so much wilderness to explore, it’s easy to get away from the crowds.
Don't miss: Highlights of Norway self-drive tour
Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes (London to Oslo)
Time difference:
July Temperature (Day): 7 to 22°C, depending on the region
July rainfall: 17 to 156mm, varies by region
4. The Arctic
Summer in the Arctic is brief, with the ice melting enough for vessels to navigate its waters only between June and August. It means July is one of the only months you can visit and one of the most rewarding. You’ll experience near-on 24 hours of daylight, with the sun only dipping slightly before rising again, giving you plenty of time to take in your surroundings of glaciers, white mountains and towering cliffs.
During your cruise and as you explore iceberg-dotted bays by smaller Zodiac boats, look out for wildlife including sea birds, walruses, seals, Arctic foxes, elusive polar bears and minke, humpback, fin and blue whales.
Don't miss: North Spitsbergen: 7-night cruise
Flight time: 7 hours (to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen)
Time difference: UTC +2
July Temperature (Day): 0 to 40°C, depending on the region
July rainfall: 0 to 600mm, varies by region
5. Switzerland - Visited
Sunny, mild and generally dry, the weather in Switzerland during July complements the country’s love of the outdoors. You’ll get clear views over the mountains and vivid-green valleys as you hike some of the many countryside trails, take a gondola to the top of a peak, or ride a train through the Alps.
You can take a boat trip across lakes reflecting their deepest shade of blue, sample fresh cheese at the Emmental Show Dairy, or, on the shores of Lake Geneva, attend the Montreux Jazz Festival. Running for two weeks in July, it’s Switzerland’s biggest music festival, attracting artists from around the world.
Don't miss: Lakes & Mountains of Switzerland
Flight time: 2 hours upwards depending on the airline (London to Zürich)
Time difference: UTC +1
July Temperature (Day): 0 to 40°C, depending on the region
July rainfall: 0 to 600mm, varies by region
6. The USA - Visited
July is an excellent month to visit the northern half of the US thanks to the warm, dry days, which are ideal for taking advantage of the country’s vast national parks. In Yellowstone, you could spot wolves and bison and admire steaming geysers, or, for a quieter experience, head to Montana’s Glacier National Park to hike lesser-known trails with a guide.
You might like to pair a visit to one of these parks with a stay on a traditional ranch, where you can spend your time fishing, horse riding and learning to lasso in untouched wilderness. Alternatively, head to New England’s coast to enjoy the beaches of Cape Cod.
Don't miss: Yellowstone National Park Discovered
Flight time: Between 7 (New York) & 20 hours (Honolulu)
Time difference: UTC -5 to UTC -10
July Temperature (Day): 1 to 35°C, depending on the region
July rainfall: 19 to 464mm, varies by region
