Railay Beach, Thailand. Photo by Bakh World, flickr
Railay Beach, Thailand. Photo by Bakh World, flickr

When most people think of a holiday, they think of lying back in the hot sand, the sun tanning their skin, the tropical drinks overflowing and relaxing by the ocean or pool. People automatically think of summer. There’s just something about summer that makes us feel good. It could be that summer holidays are the longest holidays, or it could be that we are all passionate about getting a perfect full-body tan. Whatever it is that makes us so crazy about summer, one thing is for sure, we all want to know the best holiday destinations for summer from all over the world. Slap on some sunscreen, pack your swimming costume and get the passport ready. Below are 10 awesome places to spend the summer.

10 awesome places to spend the summer: Santorini, Greece

Fira is the main city of Santorini and is located high up in the mountains. Photo by Emma_L_M, flickr
Fira is the main city of Santorini and is located high up in the mountains. Photo by Emma_L_M, flickr

Soak up the sun in this picturesque town, famous for its blue and white houses and buildings. With amazing beaches across the coastline, as well as ports to other Islands with equally stunning beaches, Santorini is not one to miss. Choose between sunbathing on stunning crystal beaches, enjoying an ice cream or coffee at a seaside café or just roaming the streets, taking in the scenery and people. Travel from June to October for the best weather.

Sicily and surrounding Islands, Italy

Ranked as one of the greatest summer destinations, be sure not to miss out on traveling around the Islands of Sicily. Rabbit Beach in particular is a beach town famous for crystal clear water and white sands. Hop between the Islands and beaches to get the most of your holiday – just be warned, English speakers become scarce once you start travelling around the Islands, so be prepared with a phrase book in case of any emergencies. Travel from June to October to avoid the wet season and get the most from the warmer weather.

Yasawa Islands, Fiji

Yasawa Islands, Fiji. Photos by Stefan Heinrich, flickr
Yasawa Islands, Fiji. Photos by Stefan Heinrich, flickr

Languid, long stretches of beach and crystal-clear lagoons, Yasawa is arguably the best area for beaches, swimming, kayaking and snorkeling in Fiji. You have the choice between staying at one of the resorts on the Island itself or staying on the mainland and travelling to the Islands. Yasawa is most popular with backpackers, as this area is not as commercialized as some of the other parts of Fiji. The coral coast is firmly intact and as perfect as ever. The best months to travel are between October and February for the best weather. Just be warned that throughout the warmer months, rainfall can be heavy, particularly in late afternoon but the temperature will still be warm and very humid.

MORE: 10 OF THE COOLEST RESORTS IN THE WORLD

Palawan, The Philippines

The magical remote islands of Palawan. Photo by David Min, flickr
The magical remote islands of Palawan. Photo by David Min, flickr

An island area just north of Malaysia, this Island is renowned for its stunning beaches, jungles, rivers and lagoons. The area is rich in history, having been influenced by a number of different cultures which have left their mark on today’s society. You can marvel at endangered marine life at the Wildlife Sanctuary, explore the Japanese shipwrecks off of Coron Island or explore the Puerto Princea Underground River. Just be careful about travelling in summer as often the afternoon brings heavy rainfall as part of the monsoon season. Travel from February to May to get the best weather and to avoid typhoon season. February has cooler weather, with less humidity, avoiding the monsoon season. May is the month where the weather peaks at its hottest and most humid.

Alanya, Turkey

Cleopatra Beach, Turkey. Photo by Mulazi Moglu, flickr
Cleopatra Beach, Turkey. Photo by Mulazi Moglu, flickr

Make sure to visit Cleopatra Beach for the best waves and water in Turkey. This beach is packed with great facilities for all kinds of travelers, and so it makes for a great summer holiday. The water is clean and clear and you can hire sun beds, great for soaking up that great Mediterranean sun. Take a stroll into the city centre for markets, shopping and food of the greatest quality. The Cleopatra Beach is also a great spot to watch boats, including older style pirate ships – and you get a great view of the Alanya castle! Travel between June and September for the best weather, but be warned that this is peak tourist times and so prices will vary for food and accommodation. If you have time, check out the Pamukkale hotsprings, it’s a great place to soak your tired bones.

The Whitsundays, Australia

Crystal clear waters in the Whitsundays, Australia. Photo by Hypergurl, flickr
Crystal clear waters in the Whitsundays, Australia. Photo by Hypergurl, flickr

Made up of over 70 Islands, the Whitsundays are Australia’s golden gem, their pride and joy and hub for tourists from all over the world. Right in the heart of the famous Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays boast beautiful white beaches, crystal clear water and activities all year around for every type of traveler. Explore the water by snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing or swimming. Go inland and bike ride, hike, or stroll through all that this Australian wonder has to offer. There are a handful of resorts in the Whitsundays; Hamilton, Hayman and Daydream islands. Travel from October through to February for the warmest water and weather. Just make sure you pack sunscreen and aloe vera to protect you from the sun.

Railay Beach, Thailand

 Railay Beach, Thailand. Photo by Bakh World, flickr
Railay Beach, Thailand. Photo by Bakh World, flickr

A beach that can only be reached by boat is a beach worth visiting! Known for its deep blue water and array of activites, there’s no wonder that Railay beach is one of the best in Thailand. You can choose to travel and stay at Railay Beach, at the many resorts and hotels – or take a long boat from Aonang beach and do a day trip. Just be warned, there are some rocks along the beach that can be sharp and at times there are jellyfish in the water along the beach. Always be cautious about where you swim. Travel between March and June to avoid the wet season and still get the most out of warmer weather.

Cap Ferret, France

Cap Ferret, France. Photo by tony nunkovics, flickr
Cap Ferret, France. Photo by tony nunkovics, flickr

A peninsula with a lot to offer, Cap Ferret is more than just golden sandy beaches and crystal clear water. This is the perfect place for those of us who like to surf, or windsurf or sail. Within the town there are cafes, restaurants, a ferry terminal, and a lighthouse for you to climb. Travel around the peninsula by car or ferry to get the most out of the different beaches and villages, many of which have authentic boutiques, bars and cafes for you to choose from. Travel between June and September for the warmest weather.

Hawaii, The United States

 Rugged and highly active volcanic islands of Hawaii. Photo by the beat counselor, flickr
Rugged and highly active volcanic islands of Hawaii. Photo by the beat counselor, flickr

Tropical surfing paradise, there’s never a bad time to travel to Hawaii. With an abundance of beaches, all as great as the one before, there’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy your time spent in Hawaii. Fly into Honolulu and travel around Hawaii, stay at hotels in the city or resorts in more regional areas. Go surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, sailing, swimming and kayaking at any of the beaches. Waikiki beach, ranked as the best beach in Hawaii, is great for those travelers who want a beach and city lifestyle packed into their holiday. Travel all year around – there’s a reason that Hawaii is internationally known as paradise.

The Maldives

Another beautiful sunset over the Maldives. Photo by gravebone, flickr
Another beautiful sunset over the Maldives. Photo by gravebone, flickr

Home to some of the most picturesque beaches in the entire world, The Maldives is a tropical paradise just waiting for you to embark on its white shores. Stay in a famous reef bungalow, overlooking some of the most pristine coral in the world. Relax on perfectly white sand, under the shade of a tree, or go snorkeling to view the reef up close and personal. Go scuba diving in the hopes of seeing a whale shark or manta ray. Resorts here are more up-market and expensive but you pay for what you get and in the Maldives, it’s only the best. Travel at any time, as the location is scarcely affected by changes in the weather. However, for best snorkeling and scuba diving season, it is best to dive from July through to August.