Fancy an adventure or relaxing walk on the beach? Here are EIGHT trips to enjoy THIS month

IONIAN ISLANDS, GREECE 

Why now? Brilliant beaches and sunny escapes To make the most of the Ionians’ crystal-clear turquoise waters, you need to visit in summer, when every day is a beach day. 

This cluster of six islands, west of mainland Greece, has some of the country’s best sands and the hot blue skies make them even more inviting. 

July will be busy but there are ways to avoid the crowds. There are many resorts on Corfu but plenty of undeveloped countryside between them, especially in the north (where writer-naturalist Gerald Durrell lived) and in the herb-scented mountainous interior. 

Gorgeous Kefalonia balances mass tourism with authentic Greek towns; as the largest Ionian, it’s better able to absorb visitors. 

The wine’s good too. Or try largely undeveloped Lefkada – find untamed beaches on the west coast or join the windsurfers catching summer thermals in Vassiliki Bay.

Trip planner: Fly to Corfu and explore elegant Corfu Town, the interior and quiet north-west beaches. 

For a multi-Ionians trip, hop between Lefkada, Kefalonia and the pebbly coves of Ithaki, legendary home of Odysseus. 

Need to know: Add a side trip to Albania – Corfu Town to Saranda takes 30 minutes by hydrofoil. 

MONGOLIA 

Why now? To see men wrestling in shiny pants Ulaanbaatar is the world’s coldest capital, so winter visits are not recommended. 

Even spring and autumn can be brisk across the Central Asian steppe. Not so July, Mongolia’s hottest month – in a variety of ways. Temperatures can hit 30°C (86°F), higher in the Gobi Desert. 

But it is worth braving the heat to witness the country’s hottest spectacle: Naadam. Held July 11 to 13, this festival of “manly arts” comprises horse racing, archery and wrestling contests. 

Nomads converge on the capital, there are parades and locals play traditional games with shagai (the ankle bones of sheep). It’s a fascinating insight into Mongolian culture. 

Ger camps in the southern Gobi are open for business at this time. If you don’t fancy the extreme heat, focus instead on the Mongol ruins of Karakorum and cooler, northern Lake Khövsgöl, great for boating, hikes and encounters with reindeer herders. 

Trip planner: Start in Ulaanbaatar. In two weeks, you could fly south to Dalanzadgad (Gobi) and travel north overland by 4WD to Lake Khövsgöl, via dunes, dinosaur fossils and ancient ruins. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar from Mörön. 

Need to know: The Trans-Mongolian train between Moscow and Beijing stops at Ulaanbaatar.

AZORES 

Why now? Sunshine and smooth seas in the mid-Atlantic Remote indeed, the nine islands of the Azores are scattered 930 miles (1,500km) west of their Portuguese motherland. 

The result of seabed volcanoes, this mid-Atlantic archipelago is a playground of gnarled rocks, black sands, lava tubes, crater lakes and soaring cones. July is the driest and warmest month. 

It’s also when the ocean is calmest – best for boat trips to spot 20 cetacean species, including sperm whales.

Landlubbers can watch from clifftop vigias instead – these old whale-hunters’ lookout towers are now used by ecotourists. Head to Pico island to bag Portugal’s highest peak (7,713ft; 2,351m) and dive with manta rays (July to September). 

Find inland lakes, hike, birdwatch and gawk at fl owers on Flores. Plan a cycle adventure on Terceira, the lilac isle. 

Trip planner: Base yourself on one island – São Miguel is largest, with most tours. Or spend a week or two island-hopping: clustered Pico, Faial and São Jorge (The Triangle) are easy to travel between on ferries. 

Need to know: São Miguel is home to Ponta Delgada International Airport.

THE BALTIC 

Why now? For a warm, culture-filled cruise The best way to travel between northern Europe’s most magnificent cities is by boat. 

The Baltic Sea is lined with preeminent ports and, in the warmer summer months, cruise ships zip between them, showing the region to its best advantage, under the sunniest skies. 

Copenhagen (Denmark) and Stockholm (Sweden) are popular embarkation points and glorious cities. Spend time island-hopping in the former, eating in the latter. Other stops might include Helsinki (Finland), with its lively waterfront; medieval Tallinn, Estonia’s fairytale capital; Warnemünde (Germany) for inland excursions to Berlin; and the Unesco-listed Old Town of Riga (Latvia). 

For many, St Petersburg (Russia) is the highlight – boats dock here for multiple days to allow time for canal tours, the vast Hermitage gallery and visits to the countryside palaces of Peter the Great. 

Trip planner: Itineraries vary but usually include Scandinavian ports and St Petersburg as a minimum. Allow seven to 14 (or more) days. For a quick, cheap alternative, combine Helsinki and Tallinn by ferry. 

Need to know: Multiple currencies are required: Norwegian krone, Swedish krona, Danish krone, Russian rubles, euros for Finland, Estonia, Germany.

ALASKA, USA 

Why now? Best weather, brilliant bears They say the best things come in small packages, which is true of Alaska’s summer season. 

The northernmost state of the USA is fully explorable only for a few precious months. To see its unique highlights you need to visit when the days are long and warm, and the region is at its most accessible.

This is especially true of Denali National Park’s six million acres of wilderness – the one road here is navigable only from early June and the shuttle buses that open up the majestic backcountry stop running in September. 

Similarly, viewing the best bear action requires a July or September visit. 

For instance, July’s a great month to be at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park, when up to 100 grizzlies stand mid-river to fish for sockeye salmon. 

Trip planner: A two-week trip could include the glaciers, icebergs and whales of Kenai Fjords National Park, wildlife watching and short hikes in Denali, close encounters with grizzlies in Katmai and a ride on the scenic Alaskan Railroad. 

Need to know: Distances are vast. Consider floatplanes/scenic flights to reduce travel time (and get great views).

DORDOGNE, FRANCE

Why now? It’s lovely, despite the crowds A lazy, leafy river meandering between hill towns, turreted chateaux, ancient cave art and some of the country’s most mouthwatering markets. 

This is why people adore the Dordogne and why this inland region of southwest France will be busy right now – but is worth visiting anyway. 

Summers here are glorious: dry, warm (25-30°C; 77-86°F) and perfect for camping and canoeing. The markets are bursting with goodies; medieval Sarlat even hosts a Thursday night market, June to September. 

There are ways to mitigate the crowds too. Come in early July, to beat French school holidays and stay in a rural farmhouse, away from the hustle. 

Visit little villages off the tourist trail (many of which host small-scale summer festivals). For popular attractions, such as the world-class rock art of Lascaux and Font-deGaume, avoid queues by booking advance tickets online. 

Trip planner: The Dordogne chunks into regions: Périgord Noir (southeast) has the most famous villages, castles and caves; Périgord Pourpre (southwest) is home to Bergerac and medieval bastide towns; Périgord Vert and Blanc (north) have fewer big sites and fewer visitors. 

Need to know: The Dordogne’s capital, Périgueux, is in Périgord Blanc.

NETHERLANDS

Why now? Cycle amid windmills in the warmth If you’re huffing up steep hills then high summer isn’t best for a bike ride. In the flat, mild Netherlands, it’s ideal. The country has a maximum elevation of just 1,056ft (322m), plus 20,000 miles (32,000km) of cycle paths and a culture geared towards two-wheeled travel – dedicated lanes, signposting and crossings for cyclists. 

It’s safe, and ideal for families or beginners. There’s plenty of variety, from dyke and polder landscapes to heathlands and woodlands, low-lying islands and historic cities chock-full of bikes. 

Opt for a cheesy ride from Edam to Gouda, via Amsterdam’s canals, or a circumnavigation of massive lake IJsselmeer, via Friesland towns and the 21-mile (34km) lake causeway. Try cycle trails around Kinderdijk on a July Saturday afternoon, when all 19 of the area’s windmills are in motion. 

Trip planner: Bike hire is widely available, often near train stations. Route options range from day trips to multi-day rides – allow a week or more. Other options include e-biking or combining biking with a barge holiday. 

Need to know: There are no restrictions on taking bikes aboard trains in the Netherlands in July and August (in other months, bikes are not permitted aboard during peak hours).

WILD ATLANTIC WAY, IRELAND

Why now? For lovely long days on the road Irish weather is an unpredictable beast, especially along the Atlantic seaboard, where storms can roll in and out in a flash. 

In July – typically the country’s warmest month – you can at least rely on the light: 18 hours of it a day, allowing you to sightsee (or pub-crawl) until 11pm. This makes it a great time to hit the Wild Atlantic Way, a 1,490-mile (2,400km) drive along the west coast, between Kinsale (County Cork) and the Inishowen Peninsula.

The waymarked route unravels some of Ireland’s finest scenery, including Mizen Head (the island’s most south-westerly point), the towering Cliffs of Moher, fjord-side Killary Harbour and Malin Head (the most northerly point). Also along the way are 157 Discovery Points, where you can learn more. 

Stop in Cork for good eating and nearby Blarney Castle; trace the scenic Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula; listen to live music in the bars of Galway; find surf in Sligo and Spanish Armada history in Grange. 

Trip planner: Spend at least two weeks on the whole drive. Make time for diversions and absorbing the legendary craic. 

Need to know: Drive south to north, so you’re on the ocean side of the road.