Considered the peak season for a lot of major destinations in the travel industry, it’s always a close quarters fist fight trying to land cheap hotel deals at all the hot destinations. Now, you could throw in the towel and spend the summer at the movies (we’ll be the first to admit watching Captain America: Civil War all summer long is tempting) or…you could grab your plane tickets and beat the crowds to a few unexpectedly pleasant destinations.

Some will be perfect for the beach bum looking for a tan, while others will help you cool down in an otherwise unbearably hot season. Here are the top destinations to visit this summer if you’re looking to embrace or escape the heat.

Embrace

The Bahamas

Popular year round, you’d think it’d be a nightmare heading to the Bahamas in summer, assuming every tourist flocking there. But believe it or not, the Bahamas isn’t that popular in the summer, as most spring breakers have departed and hotel prices have dropped. You’ll still have to contend with families, but they tend to stay in the hotel areas, leaving the lovely coastline, local restaurants, and wilderness preserves yours for the taking.

You can also bypass the hotel all together with a cruise from Miami, which can be easily packaged with a few nights in Florida.

Costa Rica

Summer may be the wet season in Costa Rica, but you get the advantage of fewer crowds and cheaper prices. The weather will shift around as precipitation and humidity levels rise, so you’ll want to pack light but keep a thin jacket handy to handle the showers. Despite the rain, Costa Rica still hosts gorgeous forests and valleys to explore from Monteverde to Arenal.

Cusco

If you’re hoping to explore Machu Picchu, Cusco is your gateway city and the best place to get used to the high pressure (and dodge that nasty altitude sickness). You will want to plan ahead though, as many North Americans and Europeans have been catching on to Cusco’s valley as a vacation spot, meaning more travelers on the trek up to the fabled city.

Escape

Canadian Rockies

Even with a projected low of 70 degrees, Canada is hot this year, especially the western half which is seeing growths each year in tourists. As our northern brother melts it’s pent up glacier snow, the greats lakes of the Canadian Rockies soak in some gorgeous colors.

Banff, Canmore and Calgary are probably the best places to stay to explore the Rockies, but if you got a bit more money to spend then the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers the best accommodations besides a fantastic body of water. Or, if you want a truly unique experience, stay at the Glacier View Inn right beside the gorgeous Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield.

If you’re staying in Banff, don’t miss the chance to see the grand opening of the new Banff Gondola Observation Terminal on August 1st.

Check out our earlier run down on the best Canadian Rockies attractions, national parks, and towns to visit.

Alaska

Just like the Rockies, Alaska shines in summer with cool temps, wild forests, glistening rivers, and magnificent mountains. If you’re up for a more luxurious travel package, a cruise from Vancouver into Glacier Bay is one of the best ways to see the region. Enjoy the best amenities while leisurely visiting the Alaskan Coast.

If you want a more rugged experience, then Sitka is the place to be, complete with fishing trips, whale watching excursions, ATV wilderness tours, and volcano hikes.

Sydney

But wait, isn’t Australia known for it’s heat? Remember, my northern friend, the southern hemisphere will be in its winter from August – September, meaning cooler temps (mid-60’s) and fewer tourists. You might not get to suntan on Bondi Beach, but you’ll save plenty on hotel prices. Plus, the city is still alive with plenty to do, from the Sydney Film Festival in June and Bondi Feast in July, alongside hundreds of walking tours from ghost tours, bar crawls, and LGBT tours alongside day trips to the Blue Mountains, dolphin watching, wine tours, and so much more!

 

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