The best summer vacation destinations of 2025
The best places to visit this summer depend on the trip you’re dreaming of. Have a favorite type of travel weather or can’t-miss festivals you want to see? Find your summer escape here.
Every year, many of us wrestle with the same question: What are the best places to visit in the summer? While the usual choices like France, Spain, and Italy are always a good idea, there are also so many off-the-beaten-path destinations that you should consider for your next summer trip, too. Good thing we’re here to help! Our travel experts have compiled this list of the top places to visit in the summer of 2025 to make your choice a little easier.
1. A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini
All of our Greece tours are full of postcard-worthy, “Mamma Mia!” moments, but we love this as a summer 2025 tour because it gives you the best of Greece during the sunniest time of year.
Start in Athens, where ancient relics coexist with modern life, before taking a ferry over to two of the most famous islands in the world. Led by your expert Tour Director, you’ll navigate Mykonos Town’s streets and explore Little Venice before spending a free day soaking up culture and beach club life, or bopping around different tavernas. If you want to explore beyond The Island of the Winds, add our Delos Cruise & Temple of Apollo excursion to visit the sacred island of Delos.
Next, hop over to Santorini and visit the archaeological excavations at Akrotiri, see Mount Profitis Ilias (home to the Prophet Elias Monastery), and so much more. Cap it all off with our optional Santorini Caldera Cruise & Dinner excursion, where you’ll board a catamaran and spend the afternoon snorkeling, sunbathing, and swimming in a natural hot spring that was once the crater of a volcano.
Learn more about island-hopping in Greece with our list of 6 Greek islands you can’t miss this summer.
2. Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife
Costa Rica has consistently made our top-trip lists for the last few years, but we adore this guided tour in 2025 to the country of pura vida because that’s when the verdant landscape comes to life. Plus, our experts agree that summertime in Costa Rica is the best time to visit because it brings cooler temperatures and thinner crowds.
Add this Costa Rica tour to your summer 2025 plans and admire the country’s rare wildlife without intense heat. Summer temperatures in Costa Rica generally hover in the mid-70s to mid-80s F during the day and drop to a cool 60 F in the evening. Picture yourself cruising along the Tortuguero River and hiking through Arenal Volcano National Park, spotting everything from dormant volcanoes and calderas to various monkeys, birds, and maybe even an ocelot—all without a crowd blocking your view. This guided tour for summer 2025 will bring you all that and then some. Think: visiting an organic pineapple farm, admiring Lake Arenal (the largest lake in Costa Rica), and learning all about coffee flavor profiles and roasting techniques from local farmers.
Ready to experience pura vida? Check out the best places to see in Costa Rica and tours that’ll bring you right there.
3. Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui
Rich Hawaiian culture, teeming rainforests, and some of the best beaches in the world—Hawaii is nothing short of a paradise, no matter what time of year you go. Our experts consider this one of the best summer vacation destinations of 2025 because the longer days are usually a comfortable 75 F, and the rainfall subsides for the drier season, making this tropical getaway even more enchanting.
You’ll start on Oahu, where you’ll get to cruise along the eastern coast and visit Nu’uanu Pali, a scenic overlook with an unbelievable panoramic view and historical significance. It’s the location of a battle fought by Kamehameha I, as he moved to conquer the Hawaiian Islands. Next, you’ll visit Hawaii, also called the Big Island, and spend time in Hilo. This city on the shore of its namesake bay is as picture-perfect as can be. More highlights include exploring Rainbow Falls with your Tour Director to see the constant rainbow floating in its mist, inspiring its Hawaiian name, Waianuenue, meaning “rainbow water.” You’ll also hike through Haleakala National Park and watch the sea water burst up through the Halona Blowhole, a millennia-old lava tube.
Ready to say “aloha” to Hawaii? Read our Hawaii Travel Guide for everything you need to know before you go.
4. Bali for Solo Travelers: Beaches, Temples & Culture
Monkeys, mangroves, and meditation—oh, my! When it comes to summer trips for solo travelers, Bali has unforgettable experiences and sights in spades, making it one of our favorite places to visit this summer. See why our experts recommend this sun-kissed escape for your summer 2025 trip.
Bali is often referred to as the Island of the Gods due to its deep spiritual ties and astounding number—we’re talking more than 10,000!—of Hindu temples. On this tour, we’ll take you to several of the famous temples, including Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave in English), known for its intricate carvings meant to scare away evil spirits, and Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a cliff-top temple overlooking Jimbaran Bay. Pair those sites with morning yoga, a visit to a rice farm, and coconut tastings, and you’ve got one of the best vacations to take in summer 2025.
Looking to visit Bali solo, not alone? Check out 10 reasons why you should book a solo trip to Bali.
5. Canadian Rockies by Train: Banff, Lake Louise & Vancouver
Travel to North America is taking off this year, so it’s no surprise that this train trip through the Canadian Rockies is one of our favorite summer trip ideas for 2025. That upward trend of North American travel combined with the comfortably warm temperatures (usually around 72 F) makes those long, sunny days in Canada perfect for enjoying stunning natural landscapes and spotting rare wildlife.
This tour takes you from Canada’s Rockies to Banff National Park’s snowy summits and then aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer train. Chug along the valleys and peaks of the Coastal Range, enjoying the scenic ride all the way to Vancouver. As you go, you’ll be privy to some of the country’s most beautiful natural landscapes—so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like bears, elk, and moose, too! Admire the Rocky Mountains’ peaks, deep valleys, and crystalline waters like those of Moraine Lake. The lake’s azure appearance is the fascinating and beautiful result of sunlight refracting off the rock sediment left behind by glaciers. It’s truly not something most of us get to see every day.
Pro tip: Read our Banff National Park Travel Guide before you head off on this tour!
6. South Africa: Cape Town to Kruger National Park
With its abundance of wildlife, globally significant historical sites, welcoming locals, and unforgettable natural landscapes, Africa easily ranks among the best places to take a guided summer tour in 2025. We think you should visit in the summertime because the dry season, which starts in May and ends in October, is the ideal time to see wildlife on safari.
This wildlife safari in Africa delivers the best of the continent. You’ll start in the southern tip of South Africa, where bustling cities and safari landscapes coexist in harmony. Stroll through Company’s Gardens and explore the South African Museum before opting for our Cape Winelands Tasting & Lunch excursion for a delicious afternoon! Next, jet to Johannesburg and the Kruger Region. You’ll walk past Vilakazi Street, once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, who fought to end apartheid. Then, spend a full day on game drives, where you’ll have a chance to see the Big Five: buffalo, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos. Sit down to enjoy an included lunch at a private boma, or fenced community center.
Pro tip: Any trip to Africa tends to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so go ahead and add the Victoria Falls extension. You don’t want to miss your chance to witness the legendary, roaring falls with an expert guide leading the way.
Need another reason to book this trip? Here are seven reasons to visit Kruger Park.
7. A Week in Sicily: Palermo, Syracuse & Taormina
There are plenty of options when it comes to stunning Europe tours in the summer of 2025. The bustling city squares, colorful flowers in bloom, and local festivals, combined with the proximity of multiple cities, make every European trip feel like a voyage of discovery. That’s why we love this tour so much: You get the best of not one, but three different dreamy Sicilian cities in just nine days. Talk about la dolce vita!
Start in Palermo on the Tyrrhenian Sea, a bayside city that’s saturated with Baroque architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You’ll step into history when you enter the Cappella Palatina, a 12th-century chapel that blends Byzantine, Islamic, and Norman influences. Continue to Syracuse and dive into the history and mythology of the region with a tour of the massive Latomia del Paradiso, or Paradise Quarry, and gardens. Pay a visit to the Greek Theater, which is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates to the fifth century B.C.!
End your tour in seaside Taormina, where you’ll admire the awe-inspiring Mount Etna. Take a piece of your tour home with you when you choose to add our Sicilian Cooking Class & Lunch. You’ll learn how to make traditional Sicilian recipes—a souvenir you can use again and again and again.
Headed to Sicily? Find out everything to know before you go with our Travel Guide to Sicily.
8. Grand Tour of Portugal & Spain: Porto to Barcelona
When it comes to choosing your summer tour for 2025, why choose just one country? This grand tour of Portugal and Spain takes you from Porto’s old-world architecture and vibrant azulejos to Barcelona’s Gothic cathedrals and kaleidoscope mosaics. With some of the most beautiful historical cities in Europe, this sun-kissed escape is ideal for a summer travel adventure.
Not only will both Portugal and Spain be sunny and warm (with temperatures ranging between 70-80 F) in the summer, but they each host seasonal festivals like Festa de São João in Porto and Corpus Christi in Seville, Granada, and Sitges. (Psst... if you love a local festival, check out the best festivals in Spain to experience on your next trip!)
This tour will take you from Porto to Coimbra, which dates to the first century B.C. View monuments describing the Roman and Moorish occupation, which stand alongside impeccably manicured parks and ancient streets. As you move on to Spain, marvel at the Seville Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic churches in the world. Of course, we’ll take you to the legendary La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished but stunning church with intricate details and stained glass unlike any other.
9. South Carolina & Georgia: Charleston to Savannah
It’s no secret that North America is one of the top places to visit in summer 2025. And when it comes to legendary hospitality, balmy temperatures, and historic sites, our experts agree that heading to South Carolina and Georgia is one of the best travel decisions you can make for your summertime trip.
This tour starts in historic Charleston, South Carolina. Led by a local guide, you’ll tour the city and visit places like the Old Exchange Building and City Market. We’ll take you to the Middleton Place plantation and gardens and the Reconstruction-era Eliza House, which contains an exhibit on those who were enslaved. Next, travel to Savannah, one of the South’s premier foodie hotspots, for more historic tours and, of course, soul food. Add our optional Southern Dinner & Music excursion for some authentic southern cooking. (Think: fried chicken, fresh seafood, and Lowcountry boil.) Then, head to the famed Savannah Theatre for an evening of entertainment and Southern hospitality. Close out your trip by learning about the Gullah Geechee people, who can trace their ancestry back to West Africa. You’ll learn about how they developed a native Creole language, distinct music, art, and traditions.
10. A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome
Experience Venice’s winding canals, Florence’s collection of Renaissance art, and Rome’s rich religious history all in one tour. It’s no surprise that this trio of heavy-hitting historical cities in Europe is one of the best guided tours to take in the summer of 2025.
Start with Venice’s unparalleled Baroque architecture, with its storied waterways navigated by gondolas gently cruising beneath ancient bridges. Next, venture to Florence, where you will visit its exquisite, 15th-century cathedral—the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, most commonly referred to as the Duomo. Stroll along the Arno River and through the Uffizi Gallery’s courtyard before enjoying a free day to spend as you want. We recommend adding our optional San Gimignano: Medieval Sights & Tuscan Flavors excursion, where you’ll tour the medieval village and visit a local winery. Taste through the area’s wines and sample local olive oil and balsamic vinegar. When in Rome, do as the Romans did and visit the Forum, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon.
Pro tip: Add our Iconic Sights: Vatican City optional excursion to get a guided tour of the independent city-state within Rome, which serves as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.
11. Highlights of Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway & Denmark
Walk Stockholm’s colorful, cobbled streets; admire the drama of water and stone in Bergen’s fjords; and lose yourself in the fairy-tale charm of Copenhagen’s coastal castles—all while under the summer’s midnight sun. Sound appealing? We couldn’t agree more.
Start in Stockholm, where you’ll embrace the Swedish tradition of fika—a delightful coffee and snacks break that encourages conversation and connection, a concept that is carried through Scandinavian culture. Enjoy a free day to explore the historic city or add our optional Historic Sweden: A Day in Uppsala excursion to get a guided tour of the ancient city of Uppsala, which is considered the birthplace of Sweden. Next, it’s off to Norway’s fjords region in Bergen. Here, you’ll board a boat cruise through the Naeroyfjord, to a 1,640-foot-tall waterfall called Sagfossen that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Finally, conclude your summer travel adventure in Copenhagen on a guided tour through the fishing-centric city. Full of public parks, colorful architecture, and world-famous restaurants, the Danish capital is a coastal delight. Not ready to go home yet? We don’t blame you. Add the Iceland extension for more Nordic experiences like driving along the famous Golden Circle and marveling at Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, which is one of the most powerful in all of Europe.
12. Spain’s Balearic Islands: Menorca & Mallorca
Sunny beaches, scenic coastal tours, and delicious seafood—this is Menorca and Mallorca, and it’s one of the best summer travel packages you can treat yourself to. These Spanish islands are musts if you’re looking to fill your summer 2025 with a Mediterranean vacation.
This trip isn’t just island time—you’ll begin in bustling Barcelona, the Catalan capital. There, you’ll explore La Sagrada Familia and have time to marvel at the still-under-construction architectural masterpiece. Hop on a flight to Menorca and experience the idyllic island’s laid-back lifestyle. Visit a local cheese farm, dig your toes into the sand on an unspoiled beach, and take to the water for a sunset sail along the stunning coast. Then, it’s off to Mallorca for olive oil tasting, underground cave exploration, and picturesque island views around every turn. Discover how the sister islands complement each other and create lifelong travel memories in these can’t-miss summer vacation destinations of 2025.
Whether you opt for a tried-and-true summer locale or decide to venture off the beaten path for a wildlife adventure, your 2025 summer trip is waiting.
