Top 10 Trips for Summer

While the rest of the world queues for beach clubs and €40 Aperols on Greece’s ever popular islands, those in the know head to the mainland. The Peloponnese is all rugged beauty and unspoiled coastline—think olive groves that look like they’ve been there since Zeus’s bachelor party. Meanwhile, Halkidiki serves up secret coves, low-key glamour and water so clear you can see your toes on the seafloor. This is Greece before Instagram got its hands on it.

Summer in the fjords is like stepping into a Nordic dream: crisp air, midnight sun and waterfalls that appear to defy gravity. Start in Bergen, then wind your way into the wild. Hike past goat-studded meadows, kayak into the stillness, or hop on a boat toward the Arctic Circle for that ultimate bucket list tick. This is nature’s version of couture—custom, dramatic and wildly photogenic.

Here’s a radical concept: a summer without sand. The Dolomites offer something few destinations can—serenity and stamina. You’ll earn your wine with every hike, bike and glacial lake plunge. But the reward? You'll enjoy Michelin-starred mountain huts, sunrise yoga on alpine peaks and a digital detox. Italy’s irresistible mountain range is proof you don’t need a beach to relax and unwind.

British Columbia isn’t just Canada’s answer to Colorado. It’s an unfiltered, adrenaline-laced escape where you can spot orcas from your breakfast table, zip line through ancient forests and then soak in a cedar-scented hot tub before lunch. Whether you’re heli-hiking in the Bugaboos or sipping local pinot in the Okanagan, British Columbia manages to feel both untamed and absurdly well-designed.

Board a luxury riverboat and drift into a world where your only alarm clock is a howler monkey. The Peruvian Amazon in summer is lush, cinematic and deeply off-grid—but with air conditioning and white linens, don’t worry. From canopy walks to pink dolphin sightings, this is escapism at its most literal. Bonus: you’ll come back with a dinner party story that goes far beyond ice cream and sun loungers.

The east coast of Sri Lanka isn’t just having a moment—it’s having a peaceful, beach-fringed renaissance. Post-monsoon, the summer months mean dry skies, golden light and Indian Ocean water so warm it feels like a bath. Explore ancient temples, sip tamarind cocktails by the surf, and—yes—watch elephants bathe themselves like it’s a form of performance art.

Bali might be synonymous with digital nomads and smoothie bowls, but our experts will curate a journey for you that skips the clichés. Pair Ubud’s jungle temples and cliffside sanctuaries with a private yacht charter around Komodo, where pink beaches and Jurassic lizards await. It’s all the mysticism and majesty of Indonesia, minus the influencers and their ring lights.

The iconic wildebeest migration draws visitors to the Maasai Mara en masse come July. While this pocket of Kenya books up months (or even a year) in advance, there are still parts of the country you can escape to this summer for a truly wild experience. If you're looking for a safari away from the crowds, Laikipia is calling. Tucked into the shadow of Mount Kenya, it’s all walking safaris, ancient rock art and conservation-driven lodges with many more giraffes than guests. It’s raw, real and romantically remote—the safari equivalent of front-row seats with nobody behind you.

Botswana’s rainy season turns the Okavango Delta into a dreamy, floating Eden, ready for summer safari goers to reap all the benefits. As we head into the start of the dry season, water levels are currently incredibly high, making for some truly exceptional water-based wildlife viewing. Glide past lounging hippos and bathing elephants in a mokoro canoe. Stay at exclusive bush camps, where rustic meets luxury and exceptional dining is delivered in the most remote settings imaginable. Safari doesn’t get more exclusive than the Okavango Delta.

Mauritius offers a beach holiday with a twist. African, Indian and French influences come together to create a vibe that’s electric. In summer (which is actually the island’s dry, cool season), Mauritius is at its best. Picture pristine reefs, rum distilleries and sunsets that look like someone turned the saturation dial to 'max'. It’s tropical, but buttoned-up. Honeymooners, families, retirees and groups of friends are all in their element in the laidback luxury vibes of Mauritius.