The six best holiday destinations in July

Summer is finally here, which means lots of people in the Northern Hemisphere will be heading off on city trips or longer holidays. The possibilities are endless, of course, but we’ve managed to choose six great places to visit in July.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is always buzzing, especially in the summer months, when everyone heads outdoors to visit festivals, barbecue in the park or go swimming in a nearby lake. When you’ve worked up a thirst, drop in at a biergarten for a cool beer. Most of these places, like Pratergarten, are cool oases located in the shade of spectacular trees. A trip to Berlin wouldn’t be complete without a visit to at least one of the city’s many museums. Try the Deutsch-Historisches Museum (Germany’s national historical museum) or the DDR Museum (an interactive museum about life in East Germany). One of the perks of visiting museums is that they’re almost always well air-conditioned. And why not end the day at the Freiluftkino, an outdoor cinema where you can watch the movie, lounging in a beach chair with a drink.

Las Vegas, United States

Big, bigger, LAS VEGAS – is a pretty apt description of this city, which has something to offer everyone. There are dozens of hotels along The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard), doing their utmost to be bigger, better and brighter. They also have an Eiffel Tower here, and you can spend time in Venice, or race around the Statue of Liberty in a roller coaster. All in one day, of course. There’s also plenty to do at the hotels themselves, including shows and shopping malls and restaurants. And a visit to Vegas wouldn’t be complete without placing a bet in one of the many casinos. For those who want to get away from the bright madness of it all, head out to the nearby Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon. Las Vegas never disappoints as an exciting city trip, but is also a wonderful starting point for a tour of the United States.

Naples, Italy

If you’re looking for a city trip full of cultural surprises, the bustling port of Naples effortlessly combines Pizza Napolitana with the antiquities of Pompeii and the opulence of the Duomo. Naples is a great place explore on foot. Take the Centro Storico, for instance, where narrow alleyways lead you to palatial homes and romantic squares surrounded by citrus trees and coffee bars. Naples is where the Pizza Napolitana was invented and the best place to taste it is at Da Michele, the city’s oldest pizzeria. And if you want to escape the hustle and bustle, take a boat ride out to the beautiful islands of Capri, Ischia or Procida to kick back and relax on the beach.

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is almost always the starting point for people visiting this superb Central American country. Just a couple of hours drive from the city lies the Monteverde National Park, which boasts one of the world’s oldest rainforests. A treetop walking tour, over bridges offering spectacular panoramic views, is an absolute must here. Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, with rainforests, beaches, volcanoes and mangrove marshes. You should definitely head out to the Tortuguero National Park, where you can watch sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach, if you go in the right season. But even at other times of the year, there is more than enough to enjoy here. The park consists of dense jungle crisscrossed by a labyrinth of channels, making it the ideal place to view the local wildlife.

Nice, France

A trip to the French Rivièra is always a pleasure. The city of Nice offers waving palm trees along the Côte d’Azur, but also has a delightful old centre with picturesque wine shops, bistros and surprising stores. Towering above the city is the spectacular Château de Nice, which you can visit by walking uphill or taking the train. The views from the top, across the city and the glistening Bay of Angels, are phenomenal. And if you’re looking for even more luxurious locations, head out to Monaco or St. Tropez and mingle with the Jet Set.

Manila, Philippines

If you’re looking for spectacular beaches, bright-blue waters and waving palm tree, the Philippines is a treasure trove. The capital Manilla is the perfect starting point for your voyage of discovery. Visit the oldest part of the city, Intramuros, where many of the buildings, including Palacio del Gobernador, Manilla Cathedral and Fort Santiago, date back to the Spanish colonial period. From the city, it’s just a short boat trip out to the magnificent white beaches. Be sure to take your goggles and snorkel along to experience the fascinating underwater world of the Philippines. Apo Reef National Park and Tubbataha Reef are very popular diving spots, where you can view hundreds of species of tropical fish and coral.