6 More Unusual Global Destinations To Visit In Summer

When summer comes in the UK, Britons usually head for European shores or the British seaside. But, there are plenty of global destinations which offer much during the summer months – and may not be quite so busy. I have enlisted the help of four family travel bloggers who have given me one of their favourite summer destinations – as well as my own – and some may surprise you!

Broome, Australia
Keri at Baby Globetrotters

When most people think summer destinations, they have their eyes firmly set on the northern hemisphere and chasing the sun but our tactic to beat the crowds? Head down under! Now I know Australia is in the depths of winter at this time, but believe me, it’s a big country! In the tropical north this is dry season and the perfect time to visit when the weather is hot and sunny but not too humid.

A family favourite of mine – both as a child and with my own family is Broome, Western Australia. Whether it is visiting the utterly irresistible 80-mile beach and camel riding Cable Beach at sunset, experiencing the most amazing tidal changes throughout the day, catching a glimpse of the Staircase to the Moon phenomena or searching for the dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point, there’s a huge range of activities to keep all ages happy.

Broome is also the gateway for exploring the Kimberley region – you must get out and see some of this stunning wilderness, like the Horizontal Falls, Cape Leveque, Tunnel Creek.  These are more adventurous journeys that may require 4wds or seaplanes / helicopters to access so watch for any age restrictions.

The town of Broome itself still has plenty to explore; founded as a pearling town, there’s a strong Chinese influence that remains, one of the world’s oldest outdoor cinemas still operates and in recent times the addition of Matsos Brewery (be warned the Chili Beer is seriously hot!). Just outside of town kids will enjoy the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park and Animal Refuge.

Western Australia is one of the most isolated places to visit in the world – take advantage of this – enjoy the vast outdoors and blue skies. July/August is the perfect time to visit though note Western Australia winter school holidays normally fall early July where accommodation can book up fast.

Thailand
Nisbah at Five Adventurers

Thailand may not not seem like an obvious choice when you are looking for summer destinations, especially with young children, but we would wholeheartedly recommend it. We visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi with little adventurers aged 6, 4 and 2 years old and it was one of the best holidays we’ve had. The summer months in Thailand sees rainy season in parts of the country but these showers only last for a few hours (if that) and the temperature is hot and ideal for all.

Thailand is truly the land of smiles, the people are the most welcoming and warm you will find and they adore children.  From temples to quirky attractions like the Poo Poo Paper Factory or Hello Kitty Cafe, stunning beaches, amazing animal and massages for everyone, you are guaranteed to have a magical time and find activities to suit every member of the family from young to old. Thailand offers amazing value for money with meals from under £1 and massages for less then £1.50, your money will do so much more then it would on a holiday closer to home!

Greece
Clare from Suitcases and Sandcastles

Greece is the place I dream of escaping to every summer. It has everything I’m looking for in a family holiday: it’s beautiful, it’s laid-back, it’s easy to get to from the UK and great value for money. So much of Greece still feels unspoilt. I love the laid-back vibe you get on the quieter Greek islands. There’s a timelessness to Greece that you find so rarely in other parts of the Mediterranean where it is so much busier in summer.

It’s not hard to find that picture-perfect little harbour with colourful wooden boats and a couple of simple tavernas. It’s the perfect place for a family. Children are adored and the atmosphere is so chilled that the whole family can relax. When we are in Greece we take pleasure in the little things: building sandcastles, swimming, reading, taking boats out to deserted islands and sharing big plates of mezze at the end of the day.

It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe. You can find crystal clear waters, stunning sunsets, mountains and some of the world’s most extraordinary historical sites. The wonderful stories of Ancient Greece bring history alive and there are temples and statues on almost every island.

There are so many islands to choose from that we try to visit a new one on each trip. Our favourites have included Crete, Kefalonia and Syros but we’re hoping to add Folegandros to the list when we visit this summer.

Gran Canaria
Cathy at MummyTravels

I’m a big fan of the Canary Islands and while they are known as a great winter sun destination, they’re perfect for a sunshiney beach break in the summer too – with enough breeze to stop temperatures rising too much, especially in May and June. And while the beaches are wonderful, there’s so much more to discover on the islands too. Lanzarote is another favourite with its volcanoes and vineyards, but I loved Gran Canaria when we visited last year.

Try riding a camel over the protected dunes in Maspalomas, sitting on the top deck of one of the little ferries which cruise along the south coast to the incredibly picturesque Puerto de Mogan, or driving into the mountains where the twisty roads have some fabulous views and you can stop off for lunch in a cave restaurant. Head right to the north and there’s even a rum distillery in Arucas (try the honey rum and I defy you not to buy at least one bottle).

And as well as the sun, sand and sea, there are some great waterparks like Aqualand which has pools and slides for younger kids plus more adventurous options for adults, along with its sister attraction Palmitos Park zoo and aquarium.

Although there is no beach or sea nearly, there are lakes to go boating on and miles and miles of lush, green mountains so plenty of hiking and mountain bike trails to explore. Other activities – suitable for all the family – include horse riding, swimming, road biking and white water rafting. My daughter particularly loves the ‘swimming pool playground‘ in the centre of Morzine. In 2016, the small town is also part of the Tour de France route.