Emma Sparks

July is the month for holidays. July means summer, freedom, rising temperatures and more festivals than you can imagine. And don’t let its obvious-ness put you off; for plenty of great cities and countries, the seventh month is the best possible time you can visit. Our list of the best places to visit in July touches every corner of the globe (the globe doesn’t have corners, for the record), from Montreal and Madagascar to the Netherlands and New Zealand. So bring out your swimsuits or shorts and get ready for the summer of a lifetime. Obviously,  places really start to get busy in July, so make sure you book ahead. See you there! RECOMMENDED:🧳 Full guide to the best places to travel🏘️ The world's coolest neighbourhoods📸 The best cities for culture right now

Sure, every month of the year can theoretically mean it’s holiday season, but the whole ‘school’s out’ element certainly makes August the prime time for stuffing a bag and heading off on a jaunt. However, the go-to summer holiday destinations snapping a selfie can mean sardine-like conditions, and accommodation is hardly at its most affordable.  Fear not, weary traveller. Save some room in your suitcase by leaving that cynicism at home – some lesser-visited patches of the world show their best side in August, so we’ve brought you a brilliant round-up for if you’re looking somewhere a little different. From the wilds of Alaska and the plains of East Africa to the winteryness of South America and the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, these are the best places in the world to travel in August. RECOMMENDED:✈️ The best places to travel every month of the year🧳 Full guide to the best places to travel🏘️ The world's coolest neighbourhoods📸 The best cities for culture right now Need more inspo? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local writers. 

Every year, more and more people seem to choose to take their summer holidays a little earlier. Why? Well, you’ll have to ask them. Everyone is different, but the lure of fewer crowds, lower prices and slightly less-scorching weather is clear. Oh, and those enticing off-season prices.  In the northern hemisphere, June is summer but not quite ‘July and August’ summer, while the temperatures in the south are also on the more bearable side of the ledger. We’ve compiled a collection of the best places to travel in June, although there is no such thing as a bad choice. How do the islands of Portugal, the seascape of Seattle and the beaches of Fiji sound? (You don’t need to answer that).  RECOMMENDED:🏖️ The best places to travel in July🌞 The best places to travel in August 🌍 The best things to do in the world🌆 The best cities in the world This guide is by travel journalist Emma Sparks. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Truth be told, you can’t beat May. There is something seriously charming about this bridge between the seasons that makes it the ultimate time to travel. The northern hemisphere is in full post-winter mood at this point, while the wildlife spotting opportunities south of the equator can’t be beaten. May is a time of the year when the weather is improving and the crowds still haven’t quite cottoned on, meaning travellers get to enjoy the fruits of the world without having to share them with every other living, breathing being. Where are the best places to travel in May? Everywhere on the planet, to be blunt, and we’ve put together a selection of the best of the best for your perusal.  RECOMMENDED:🧳 Full guide to the best places to travel🏘️ The world's coolest neighbourhoods📸 The best cities for culture right now