The Best Places to Travel This July, From Key West to Montenegro
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School’s out, the sun is shining, and it’s officially time to plan a proper summer vacation. The best places to travel in July are all about making those OOO days really count, even if it means venturing a bit off the radar—think diving tours off the coast of Bonaire, multi-day hiking trips through central Iceland, and Olympic Games viewing parties some 9,700 miles outside of Paris (more on that later). And if you’d rather fill your trip with more relaxing and less adventuring, fear not: We have plenty of destinations for you as well.
We know you’re probably itching for a spectacular holiday as much as we are, so we’ve gathered up a list of places that cover the geographical gamut. Whether you want to make an easy trip to one of the coolest cities in the US (we reveal that answer below) or take multiple flights to reach your final once-in-a-lifetime destination, here are 11 of the best places to travel in July.
This article has been updated since its original publish date.
TheBigMK/GettyGlacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is one of the best places to travel in July for one major reason: wildflowers. While you might consider spring to be the best time to see colorful flowers, the park’s northern location in Montana means the blooms reach their peak in July and August. Hike along the Garden Wall Trail to see fields of white beargrass, pink fireweed, and yellow glacier lilies as far as the eye can see.
When you’ve had your fill of hiking (and your phone is full of photos), head back to The Resort at Paws Up, a sprawling, 37,000-acre working cattle ranch in western Montana. Their safari-style canvas tents will make you feel like you’re in the Wild West, while locally sourced meals and spa treatments are worthy of a five-star hotel.
Mamula IslandMontenegro
It’s not easy to find an uncrowded beach in Europe during the summer months, but the country of Montenegro is one of your best bets. It takes up less space than Connecticut and has a lower population than Stockholm, but the tiny Balkan nation should not be overlooked—especially since it’s quieter and more untouched than neighboring Croatia and Greece. Beyond the beaches, you can take advantage of the country’s historic Old Towns, UNESCO-protected parks, and lakes begging for a swim.
The country also happens to be home to Mamula Island Hotel, a former 19th-century fortress that was reimagined and unveiled in April 2023. Situated on its eponymous island in Boka Bay, this knockout property features sea-facing rooms, three dining venues, and a beautiful glass-covered internal courtyard. Try to book one of the contemporary panoramic suites in the crown of the main tower, complete with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and terraces equipped with telescopes for stargazing.
Sam Power/UnsplashThe Pantanal
Stretching across parts of southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, the Pantanal is the world’s largest floodplain and boasts the highest concentration of wildlife on the entire South American continent (yes, even more than the Amazon). Here you can spot ultra-rare jaguars, crocodiles, monkeys, anacondas, and some 650 species of birds; and the dry season from July to October boasts the best visibility.
Note that reaching the Pantanal takes a bit of work: You must first fly to São Paulo (a great excuse to stay overnight at the São Paulo Rosewood), then fly to the Campo Grande Airport in Mato Grosso, then either drive or take a chartered flight to your lodge. And that lodge should definitely be the upscale Caiman Ecological Reserve, a 204-square-mile refuge known for its luxury villas and local conservation efforts. Between visiting jaguar sanctuaries and horseback riding through the jungle, rest up at the reserve’s hammock garden, take a dip in the pool, or enjoy the starry sky from your private balcony.
Dr Peter M Forster/GettyBonaire
Only 50 miles from Venezuela, Bonaire is the farthest east of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao). Since it sits outside the Hurricane Belt—and since its relatively remote location means its never as crowded as other Caribbean islands—there’s not really a bad time to visit; but July is one of the best months to spot animals both above and below sea level. The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary on the southern end of the island is home to more than 10,000 flamingos (July marks the tail end of breeding season), which you can spot from the road or nearby Pink Beach.
But the most beautiful parts of Bonaire can be found just below the surrounding waters. The entire coral reef around the island is a national park (Bonaire National Marine Park), with brightly colored coral and wildlife ranging from nurse sharks and seahorses to friendly green turtles. There are 85 dive sites within the park and dozens of tour operators on the island, so there’s really no excuse to stay exclusively on dry land.
Elijah-Lovkoff/GettyOaxaca, Mexico
Far from the coastal spring break hot spots of Cancún and Cabo San Lucas, Oaxaca, in south-central Mexico, is one of the most important cultural hubs in the Americas. Explore the region’s craft revolution led by female entrepreneurs, secure a table at Alejandro Ruiz’s Casa Oaxaca for traditional dishes and cocktails, then head to the streets for delicious tlayudas and tacos served from food trucks (our favorites for each: Tlayudas La Chinita, and Lechoncito de Oro, respectively).
An extra special reason to visit in July is the vibrant Guelaguetza Festival, which takes place on the last two Mondays of the month. The festival celebrates the 16 different ethnolinguistic groups of Oaxaca with folk dancing, traditional clothing, mezcal fairs, and concerts.
Kongkrit Sukying/GettyMongolia
We named Mongolia one of the best places to travel in 2024 for several reasons, chief among them being the country’s relatively recent accessibility. Last year, Mongolia opened up visa-free travel for an additional 34 nationalities—bringing the total up to 61—in an effort to become a more popular tourist destination. (The campaign is set to run until 2025.) There are also talks of a direct US–Mongolia flight launching later this year.
July is an especially exciting time to visit Mongolia. This time every year, the country throws its annual Naadam Festival (July 11-13), an ancient-style version of the Olympics with horse racing, wrestling, and archery. The event appears on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list for its intrinsic connection to “the nomadic civilization of the Mongols,” and the competitions truly are a sight to behold. You can watch the opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar’s National Sports Stadium then stick around for the archery and wrestling games; you’ll have to head to the Khui Doloon Khudag field outside of town to watch the horse races.
Fabe Collage/UnsplashTahiti
While people around the world are flocking to Paris this July for the 2024 Olympic Games, we suggest heading to Tahiti for a more tropical—but still sports-oriented—summer vacation. The southern coastal village of Teahupo’o will host the Olympic’s 10-day surf competition this year starting on July 27, and visitors can watch the event on giant screens set up in parks, beaches, and marinas across the island. This leg of the games is particularly exciting this year: It’s only the second time surfing has appeared on the Olympic program (it debuted in Tokyo in 2020), and Teahupo’o’s famous break is often dubbed one of “the deadliest waves in the world.” Surf’s up, indeed.
After all those secondhand adrenaline rushes, you’ll probably want to rest up in an impossibly luxurious resort—something Tahiti has in spades. The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa has all the makings of a classic French Polynesian property, from thatched-roof overwater bungalows to holistic spa treatments. But if you have some extra time, consider hopping on a 20-minute flight north to Tetiaroa, home to The Brando. This ultra-remote, ultra-polished resort plops guests down on a private atoll surrounded by white sand and shallow, turquoise water. It’s just you and nature—with a spa, multi-course dining experience, and villa with a private plunge pool thrown in.
citizenM Chicago Downtown hotelChicago
If you’ve spent any time in Chicago, you probably aren’t surprised that our readers consistently vote it the best large city in the United States. And if you haven’t spent time here? We suggest booking a trip to the Windy City stat. There are tons of summer activities for both first-time and seasoned travelers, including visiting the beaches along Lake Michigan, taking Chicago River boat tours, watching the fireworks at Navy Pier, and attending festivals like the Southport Art Fest (July 6 to 7) and Pitchfork Music Festival (July 19 to 21).
There’s no shortage of great hotels in the city, but do yourself a favor and book a few nights at The Peninsula Chicago, consistently voted one of the best properties in town by both our readers and editors. There are many reasons why this decades-old hotel has continued to impress, from that iconic 19th-floor spa to those epic marble bathrooms. We also have our eyes on citizenM Chicago Downtown—the hotel opened in late 2022, and its high-tech features and colorful, offbeat decor still feel delightfully fresh.
Highland Base KerlingarfjöllIceland
There really is no wrong time to visit Iceland, but we’re particularly fond of chasing the midnight sun during July—the more daylight hours for exploring, the better. The summer months also make certain parts of the country accessible that might not be in the winter, including the 34-mile Laugavegurinn hiking trail in the Central Highlands. The mountain huts and campsites along the trail are only open between late June and early September, giving you a small time window to experience the hot springs, black lava fields, and multicolored mountains along the path.
If the term “mountain hut” makes you cringe a little, fear not: Iceland has some luxury stays that might be more up your alley. The Reykjavik Edition opened in the nation’s capital a couple of years ago, featuring custom furniture, local treats in the minibars, and incredible city and harbor views. Making a splash further off the grid is Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll, a remote property with tons of accommodation options (hotel rooms, A-frame huts, campsites) and summer activities ranging from guided hikes to hot spring soaks.
Bruce Yuanyue Bi/GettyKey West
Ernest Hemingway lived in Key West for the entirety of the 1930s, and the tiny island has been honoring him ever since—most notably with the Hemingway Days celebration held every July (this year’s dates are July 16-21). This annual event is piling on extra festivities this year, which marks the author’s 125th birthday anniversary. You can expect prose and poetry readings, a three-day marlin fishing tournament, and special museum exhibits, as well as the festival’s showstopping Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. Because what’s better than one Ernest Hemingway? Answer: 140 Ernest Hemingways.
Even if your trip doesn’t overlap with the exact Hemingway Days dates, you can still glimpse a piece of the author’s life at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Take guided tours of the house where For Whom the Bell Tolls was penned, then stroll through the surrounding gardens and try to spot the famous six-toe cats who roam the property. In terms of accommodations, you have many excellent hotels to choose from (our readers love The Marker)—or opt for something a little cheekier and book a room at the adults-only, clothing-optional Island House Key West Resort.
North Island OkavangoBotswana
June–August marks the dry winter season in Botswana, which many consider to be the perfect time to visit. Not only are weather conditions at their best (no rain, lower risk of malaria), but these months offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities as animals tend to stick around watering holes. The country also happens to be one of our favorite safari spots in Africa. While you’re sure to spot wildlife in Kenya’s Maasai Mara or in South Africa’s Kruger, you’ll also be in the company of a couple dozen other jeeps filled with tourists; in Botswana, it feels like it’s only you and nature.
This year is a particularly exciting time to visit, because you’ll get the chance to be one of the earliest guests at North Island Okavango. This intimate micro-camp (and 2024 Hot List winner) occupies its own floating patch of land in the Okavango Delta, which means you have 24/7 lagoon views of hippos, elephants, and other wildlife. Suites with wraparound decks and walkways leading directly out onto the water let you get even closer to the action.
