Summer is here and it’s looking like this summer will be a travel season to remember, especially following the Covid-stricken summers of 2020 and 2021.
Summer travel bookings this year are like the floodgates have opened. Expats and locals have been trapped inside for a long time. They’ve been watching things online. Netflix subscription numbers are down now. People want experiences, to touch and feel real life again.
You can feel the excitement this summer by getting out and experience the world, both near and far from home. From the Americas to Europe to Asia and Australia, there are so many great summer experiences, events and offerings going on.
Here are some of the many experiences in destinations for summer vacation in 2022 around the world that can offer the joy of travel again this summer.
1. Montreal, Canada
In accordance with Quebec city’s website, Montreal’s summer 2022 festival calendar is “packed to the brim”.
Among festivals of our first destination for summer vacation on this list will be the Festival Go Velo, for cyclists; the three-week-long Montreal Fringe Festival; the MURAL festival for international graffiti artists; a fireworks festival with participation by six world-class pyrotechnic companies; a jazz festival; an outdoor circus performer festival; Montreal Pride; and a fashion and design festival.
It’s also a city that swears by its bagels, so visitors will want to leave time open in their busy festival schedule to sample these. Top purveyors include rival bagel makers St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel.
2. Panama
The most famous of this Central American country’s attractions is, certainly, the Panama Canal, considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world and built in the early 20th century to decrease travel time for ships between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Nearby, the old quarter of Panama City, Casco Viejo, dates back to 1673 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nature lovers will enjoy Baru Volcano National Park in the province of Chiriqui. The volcano is the 12th highest peak in Central America and touted as the only place in the world where, on a clear day, you can see the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the same time.
And at Coiba National Park, off the Pacific Coast in the Gulf of Chiriqui, visitors can find tremendous biological diversity, as well as world-class diving. They may want to stay overnight here at Islas Secas, a private-island eco-resort.
3.Greece
Ancient history and majestic islands embody the wonders of Greece. From the archipelago’s beaches to the mainland’s mountains, the welcoming culture accentuates the natural beauty. Balmy Mediterranean days and captivating ruins have inspired mythology for ages, and your visit to Greece can erupt in exciting discoveries and unparalleled adventures.
Visit islands not yet touched by tourists and embrace the wild flavors of cuisine shaped by millennia. Bask in the festive ambiance of cafes and witness the sunset over a volcanic caldera. Your Greece travel specialist can bring the nation’s passion to the forefront with an itinerary planned to your preferences and desires as you explore nature, uncover the cultural treasures, and experience the joy of Greek life.
Some of the highlights you should not miss for this destination for summer vacation include:
- Visit the Parthenon
• Delight in the Food Tour of Athens
• Discover ancient Minoan ruins in Crete
• Explore the charm and mystery of Rhodes
• Enjoy the beaches of Santorini
4. Spain
Sunny and warm defines both the weather and attitude of Spain in summer. As the coastlines swell with visitors from all over the world, the highlights across Spain become open with possibilities.
Flamenco dancers step to a marvelous rhythm, the Compostela trail beckons to pilgrims, and the museums in remarkable cities demonstrate Spain’s contribution to art and European heritage.
The southern sunshine spreads across the golden landscape of the south, while the lush and verdant north offers refreshment and relaxation.
Enjoy traditional cuisine steeped in the roots of each region, embrace the epic landscape as it ranges from high mountains to gorgeous cliffs, and explore traditional villages, with each moment revealing another beautiful truth about Spain.
Going on summer vacation in Spain would not be complete without:
- Capturing the essence of art in the Prado and Reina Sofia Museums
• Embracing medieval Toledo
• Basking in private vineyards in Castille and Euskadi
• Enjoying Gothic Burgos
• Savoring the flavors of Basque Country
5. Morocco
Morocco is always enticing and exciting. Visiting this destination for summer vacation in 2022 will highlight the majesty of the mountain ranges and cities, serene beaches, and magical desert as you experience the vibrant, welcoming culture.
Discover the vastness of the desert dunes as you explore the Sahara or embrace the active beauty of the mountains by cycling, bird watching, or visiting a Berber community. Enjoy panoramic views of minarets and witness the lively aromas of the markets crowned by rows of conical spices.
From tasting the traditions in the cuisine to listening to the stories of Marrakech, visiting a seaside fortress to the historic tanneries of Fez, Marrakech in summer has long, sunny days that instill the country with captivating vigor.
Highlights of a trip in Morocco are as follows: Explore the blue-tinted corners of Chefchaouen, discover the Roman ruins of Volubilis, witness the timeless traditions of Fez, indulge in the ambiance of Marrakech and visit the famous Sahara sand dunes.
6. Belize
Belize is a tropical wonderland no matter the time of year, and the summer offers the pleasures of waterfalls, rolling hills, and enchanting sea breezes to relieve the seasonal heat.
As an enticing tropical destination, the summer months fall inside the regional wet season, with actual rainfall varying by location and often occurring in short bursts that keep the surrounding landscape lush and colorful.
Belize is the ultimate destination for a combination of adventure, culture, natural beauty, and welcoming luxury with jungle terrain that touches the Caribbean Sea. Coral gardens shimmer with exciting marine life, the verdant canopy protects monkeys, birds, and jaguars, while also framing fascinating Mayan ruins.
No matter the kind of traveler, Belize is a captivating destination for summer vacation in 2022.
Highlights you wouldn’t want to miss include:
• Snorkel the world’s second-largest barrier reef.
• Enjoy a Mayan cooking course
• Visit Xunantunich ruins
• Explore Five Blue Lakes National Park
• Delight in a chocolate tour
7. France
This always-popular European country is offering a wide variety of attractions and adventures this summer outside the capital of Paris. Opened in June 2022 in Marseille was Cosquer Mediterranée, a full-scale replica of the prehistoric Cosquer cave, decorated with paintings and engravings.
Astronomy lovers can visit observatories in the southern French Alps’ International Dark Sky Reserve, France’s third and newest reserve; wine lovers can imbibe at the Bordeaux Wine Festival in June; and jazz aficionados can take in the Jazz à Juan festival in Antibes Juan-les-Pins in July, featuring John Legend, Trombone Shorty and Van Morrison.
8. Singapore
One of the world’s smallest and most densely populated countries, Singapore is made up of one main island and over 60 smaller ones off the coast of the Malay Peninsula.
Don’t let its size deter you; myriad activities await. The city is home to the island of Pulau Ubin, where diverse habitats and a variety of wildlife can be explored; and the Southern Ridges, a 6.2-mile stretch of green open spaces that span the hills of Singapore’s most popular parks and gardens.
Wellness treatments and massages can be found at the Deverana Spa at the Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore Hotel.
Dining and drinking options are endless, from the 49 restaurants cited on the 2021 Singapore Michelin Star list to multiple hawker centers serving inexpensive, local comfort food.
9. Bali
The tropical beauty of Bali brings a refreshing ambiance and captivating pleasures. With pristine beaches, authentic cultural expression, and lavish escapes into tropical paradise the vibrant flora is accentuated by the natural year-round warmth.
Bali is a wonderland for all of your senses. The island dazzles with colorful flowers strewn along the roadsides and a smoldering volcanic peak crowning the distance.
With intoxicating misty waterfalls and winding hiking trails, traditional rice terraces, and authentic villages, you can discover the island’s diversity that encourages both authentic culture and contemporary life.
Whether at the historic temples, during a sacred ceremony, or on a private surf lesson, you can uncover why Bali is known as the “Island of the Gods.”
Here are some must-do activities while traveling in this destination for summer vacation:
- Explore traditional Balinese temples
• Visit emerald-colored rice terraces
• Take a private plantation tour
• Relax in a holy spring
• Enjoy a private surf lesson
10. Australia
While it’s winter Down Under, the northern part of Australia has weather temperate enough for outdoor activities.
Destinations like Cairns, the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north; the seaside village of Port Douglas; and Hamilton Island will be mild enough to swim and to experience the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Another must-see here: The Whitsundays, an archipelago of 74 tropical islands off the Queensland coast, next to the reef.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where the great, red sandstone monolith formerly known as Ayers Rock is located, is also a great spot this time of year.
Takeaway
On the whole, no matter which destination for summer vacation you prefer to visit, the perfect travel plan for you should be designed around your goals, needs, and desires to ensure you have the experience you have always dreamed of.
It is also good to take full advantage of your expat location, while at the same time find the right family-travel balance and not forgetting your family and relatives back home.