Katrin’s top Destinations to Visit this Summer

With the warmer months fast approaching, now is as good a time as ever to start thinking about booking a summer holiday. This thought leads to only one question; where to go?

 

Well, there are simply hundreds of destinations to choose from. Here are some of our favourite for this year:

Bermuda

With its endless turquoise waters and miles of sandy beaches, Bermuda is a small slice of heaven in the Atlantic. At just 40² miles, it’s a small slice but with a lot to offer. A premier diving location, its treacherous reefs invite an array of wildlife to add spots of colour the clear blue seas. The long beaches are a sun-worshippers’ paradise, with temperatures regularly exceeding 25°c between June – September.

 

Move inland where you’ll find a mixture of colourful houses and grand old mansions situated in lush green backgrounds across the island. It’s museums and art galleries also add a splash of culture to this island paradise.

 

The diversity of this small island means it attracts a variety of people, with activities ranging from golf to deep sea fishing, and with Hamilton, Bermuda’s wonderful capital city, hosting the 35th America’s Cup Race on the 26th May, now is a great time to visit this amazing island. Getting to Bermuda has never been easier, just search for cheap flights on Travangelo to start booking your next adventure to Bermuda.

 

USA

When people talk about where to go on holiday, the USA is always very close to the top of the list. The diversity of each and every state, the huge burgers and list of great attractions are just some of the many reasons why people visit this great land. But with last August marking 100 years of the National Park Service, this summer why not avoid the big cities and head instead for one of America’s incredible national parks.

 

Zion National Park, Utah – The most popular national park in this state, its huge natural formations made of orangey-red rock, overhanging ledges and endless views make this one of the best national parks in the country. Tough hikes can reward you with some breathtaking views. If you’re more into your camera than your hiking boots, catch the sun when it’s rising or setting and you’ll get the chance to capture some stunning shots.

 

Grand Canyon, Arizona – Almost everyone has seen a picture of one of the most popular places to go in America. However, people who have visited this monumental natural structure will tell you that nothing prepares you for its sheer vastness or its awe-inspiring beauty. 18 miles long and a mile deep, the Grand Canyon truly is somewhere you have to go and see for yourself.

 

Yellowstone, Wyoming – We couldn’t write this piece without mentioning Yellowstone. One of the most popular parks in the USA, Yellowstone is home to an abundance of wildlife. In fact, Yellowstone has the largest concentration of mammals in continental USA. Bears, moose and wolves are just a few of the creatures you will find. If wildlife isn’t really your thing, hot springs, mud pots and geysers are a selection of the amazing natural wonders you can find in this must-visit national park.

 

Croatia

Croatia is one of those destinations that not many people consider, especially for a summer holiday. However, Croatia has a lot to offer. Aside from having a starring role as one of the sets from Game of Thrones, the coastline is a mixture of beautiful beaches and wonderful towns and cities (some say Croatia is the home of the white house!). You’ll be able to enjoy the beaches as well with Croatia being one of the warmest countries in Europe.

 

Head inland and again, you’ll find a real mixture of incredible national parks featuring a selection of beautiful lakes and waterfalls. Croatia also has some impressive mountains, with its highest peak Sveti Jure towering at 1,762m.

 

If you are more of a party lover, Croatia hosts some great festivals during the summer, including the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Outlook Festival and Dimensions Festival. Stay out late in Hvar Town and Rab Town, the best places to go if you love to party until dawn.

 

This diverse country really does have it all. Only a short flight from most European countries, Croatia should definitely be a consideration this summer.

 

New Zealand

Situated in the south-western Pacific Ocean lies a pretty spectacular country where the list of things to do is endless. Nature is at the heart of what attracts people to this amazing destination. From active volcanoes to glacial valleys, the spectrum of natural wonders you will find boggles the mind.

 

Head to the North Island where you’ll find sprawling farmlands, magnificent beaches and stunning sights. Maori culture is rich in this part of the country, allowing you to really get a feel of its historic routes. Movie buffs will no doubt want to venture just south of Auckland to the Hamilton-Waikato region to find The Shire from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

 

Whilst the South Island is equally diverse as the north, here you’ll really be able to appreciate just how incredible New Zealand’s landscape is. Towering alps are home to some great skiing resorts and moving further towards the sea you’ll find rugged merge on to open, sweeping plains.

 

For rugby fans, New Zealand hosting the British and Irish Lions tour in June and early July will be and added draw. More frequent flights make getting there easier than ever. If you really want to explore this summer, New Zealand is the place to visit, with something for everyone.

Spain

Spain is one of the most popular summer destinations, particularly for families. Cheap deals throughout the summer encourage thousands of people to descend on its shores to bask in 30°c+ heat and endless sunshine. If you want to work on your tan, Spain is the place to be.

 

Popular locations for the ideal beach holiday include the Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Fuerteventura and Tenerife. All of these destinations really offer people the chance to relax and unwind, whilst a range of activities will keep the kids occupied. All-inclusive deals are extremely popular, which means getting to Spain to enjoy almost guaranteed sun is a piece of cake.

 

For those of you who are after a bit more culture, cities such as Barcelona, Granada and the capital Madrid offer a plethora of museums and galleries, as well as some impressive architecture. Don’t think by leaving the beaches behind you’ll be sacrificing the weather. In the summer months, you’ll be hard pressed to find a place in Spain that isn’t basking in sunshine.

 

Spain even caters for the adrenaline junkie. The Pamplona Bull Run takes place on July 7th – 14th. 10 bulls chasing you down narrow, cobbled streets is sure to get the heart pumping.

 

Head to this popular European country this summer if you’re after sun, sand and sea.