#dgtravelhenley #savetravel #planahead #France #Peru #Zanzibar #Uganda #Greece #Malaysia
The solstice at the end of June brings long days to destinations in the northern hemisphere, making it an excellent time to get outdoors. You can roam through Canada’s wilderness, hike in Germany’s Black Forest or soak up the sun in the French Riviera.
This is also a popular month for festivals. For example, Greece’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival lets you watch ancient plays performed in ancient venues, while in Peru, you can attend a festival celebrating the Inca sun god, Inti.
The month also marks the end of the rainy season in places like Uganda and the Zanzibar Archipelago, where you’ll find well-watered landscapes bursting with life, but mostly sunny skies.
1. France - Visited
Visiting France in June means you’ll beat the heavy summer crowds. The warm sunny days are just right for whiling away an afternoon at a Parisian cafe or indulging in a picnic under the shade of a tree in one of the parks. Head north to Normandy for the D-Day anniversary and you can stroll along the beaches to soak up some of the glorious light that’s attracted so many artists over the years.
Towards the end of the month, the lavender is just beginning to bloom in Provence. Or you might relax on the Riviera’s beaches before the real heat sets in.
Don't miss: Self-drive tour: Saint-Malo, Bayeux & Honfleur
Flight time: 1 hour 15 upwards depending on the airline (London to Paris)
Time difference: UTC +1
June Temperature (Day): 7 to 28°C, depending on the region
June rainfall: 13 to 165mm, varies by region
2. Peru
June is the best month to see Peru, so you’ll need to plan well ahead to guarantee the best options within a short window. The rainy season ends in May, leaving the landscape lushly green and the weather warm and sunny, though you can expect crisp, cool evenings at altitude. It’s an excellent time for hiking the Inca Trail.
Throughout the month, you’ll find a series of festivals across the country, which builds up to Inti Raymi. Held just after the summer solstice, it’s a celebration dedicated to Inti, the benevolent Inca sun god.
Don't miss: Amazon, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Flight time: 12½ hours
Time difference: UTC -5
June Temperature (Day): 20 to 29°C, depending on the region
June rainfall: 0 to 3mm, varies by region
3. Zanzibar Archipelago
June is an excellent time to visit Zanzibar. The long rains have finally ended, though you might get the occasional sprinkle, which keeps visitor numbers down. It means you can enjoy the white-sand beaches, warm weather and (mostly) blue skies without too many others around.
You can also tour Stone Town or the spice plantations, hike through the Jozani Forest to try to spot red colobus monkeys or take a sailing safari to look for dolphins. You might combine a stay here with a safari on Tanzania’s mainland, where the parks and reserves are at their greenest, birdwatching is excellent and animals are in prime health.
Don't miss: Classic Tanzania: Safari & Beach
Flight time: 11¾ hours (Zanzibar, via Nairobi)
Time difference: UTC +3
June Temperature (Day): 0 to 40°C, depending on the region
June rainfall: 0 to 600mm, varies by region
4. Uganda
Though the temperatures are consistently warm year-round, June is one of the best months to visit Uganda. It’s the start of the second dry season, so you’re less likely to encounter rain, but the landscape is still verdant from the recent rains. The roads are also in peak condition, making travel into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest smoother.
Bwindi is one of the very few places in the world you can track highly endangered mountain gorillas, and June provides some of the best conditions for hiking to see them. You can also head to Kibale Forest National Park to see habituated groups of chimpanzees.
Don't miss: Uganda Primate Explorer
Flight time: 12 hours
Time difference: UTC +3
June Temperature (Day): 0 to 40°C, depending on the region
June rainfall: 0 to 600mm, varies by region
5. Greece - Visited
Across Greece’s mainland and islands, June is an exceptional time to visit. Everything is fully open and the temperatures start to rise, but the real heat doesn’t set in for another month or so. You’ll be able to enjoy pleasantly warm temperatures without the summer throngs, either in the cities or on the beaches.
June is also when many festivals take place across the country. For example, the Athens and Epidauros Festival showcases theatrical performances in both cities. It’s a chance to see ancient Greek plays performed in ancient venues, including the Theatre of Epidavros.
Don't miss: Athens & the Peloponnese
Flight time: 3 hours 30 upwards depending on the airline (London to Athens)
Time difference: UTC +3
June Temperature (Day): 26 to 32°C, depending on the region
June rainfall: 4 to 114mm, varies by region
6. Malaysia
Though the capital and west coast of Malaysia are year-round destinations, June is also an excellent time to visit the islands scattered up and down the east coast, which is experiencing its dry season. June also offers some of the best diving conditions in the waters off Tioman, Redang and the Perhentians, where you’ll enjoy hot, dry weather and clear waters.
You might start off with a few days in Kuala Lumpur, where you can take a walking tour to sample the street food. Then you could visit the Sultan’s Palace in Kuala Terengganu, before ending with a few days on the beaches of Tioman.
Don't miss: Malaysia's unspoilt beaches & Kuala Lumpur
Flight time: 12½ hours (Kuala Lumpur)
Time difference: UTC +8
June Temperature (Day): 22 to 33°C, depending on the region
June rainfall: 90 to 279mm, varies by region
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