8 Dreamy Vacation Destinations for Summer 2023
Melbourne, Australia
Just because it’s warm in the northern hemisphere, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of a chill down under. Maybe you’re not one for the summer heat, which makes Melbourne the perfect getaway in June or July.
Explore Federation Square, which is full of museums and charming sidewalk cafes. Take a stroll in the Royal Botanic Gardens, a lush oasis even in the winter.
The Queen Victoria Winter Night Market is also a must for warming your belly with delicious food and beverages as you peruse the 80+ stalls. Australians love to drink, so there’s no shortage of hip bars and things to do around drinking like Game of Rhones, a themed wine celebration of Rhone Valley wines.
Bali, Indonesia
While it’s also in the southern hemisphere, Bali has a tropical climate that makes it one of the best places to go in the summer and a top destination to visit with friends. June through September is dry season for the island with temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s.
As a result, outdoor activities abound like hiking up active volcanoes, surfing in their turquoise waters, and white water rafting along the Ayung River. Steeped in ancient culture, Bali is full of beautiful Hindu sites like Tirta Empul — a water temple with a sacred spring you can bathe in.
As the island attracts thousands of tourists each year, Bali has a lively nightlife scene. It also a top spot for yoga vacations as yogis flock to retreats and studios to get in touch with their spiritual sides.
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Tuscany, Italy
Summers in Italy are a must, particularly amid the scenic and fruitful landscapes of Tuscany. Even just taking a train ride through the country is enough to make you feel like you’re on vacation.
You could spend an entire week visiting wineries and tasting their wares while imbibing in delicious picnics of charcuteries. By July, Tuscany slows down and many locals flock to the beaches for swimming, boating and sunbathing. It’s easy to pack for a beach vacation — what could be better than that?
But Tuscany is also full of culture and history, playing host to the Puccini Festival. If opera’s not your thing, rock and blues festivals abound as well. Villages in the area also celebrate with a sagra in July — like the one in Monteriggioni — a medieval festival with plenty of food and entertainment.
