It’s tempting to imagine the best beaches in the world when brainstorming the best places to visit in July, but all those sunny stretches of sand are going to be crowded—and those nearby hotels will be charging peak season pricing. Instead, why don’t you add to your list of summer vacation ideas some outdoor excursions? Bonus points for some of the most unique and eye-opening destinations in the world, like a crater filled with wildlife in Africa, an ancient cliff-top town in Italy, Montana in summer, and Brazil like you’ve never seen it before (jaguars and horseback riding rather than Carnival sequins—though the latter is fabulous too). And remember that summer in the Northern Hemisphere means winter in the Southern, below the equator, so places like Botswana where you can find the magnificent Okavango Delta, are prime spots to visit for adventures outside, given the temperate weather. For this year, these are the best places to visit in July.
This article has been updated since its original publish date.
