July offers travellers the opportunity to do all of the above and more - it's a chance to savour the special atmosphere of Ramadan in some parts of the world; in others, the party – be it on beaches, beside lakes, or in parks – is in full swing. In the waters around Mexico, mighty whale sharks are feasting on plankton; Down Under the people of Darwin are demonstrating their city deserves to be known for much more than just an unquenchable thirst for beer; and in the Kansai region of Japan, the streets throb to the beat of extravagant festivals.
Put yourself in the hands of Lonely Planet's destination experts – and sink into summer.
A hiker peers over sea cliffs Iceland. Image by Johnathan Ampersand Esper / Aurora / Getty Images.
In July, Icelandic days are up to 20 hours long and the weather is mild. It’s peak season, but while big attractions like the Blue Lagoon and Reykjavík are busy, the warmer weather means once-frozen roads are open, making it a great time to explore Iceland’s elemental wilderness.
Hiking, cycling, horseback riding and kayaking are all good ways to get outdoors. There are fjords, glaciers, lava fields, gorges, meadows and countless small islands here, as well as surprisingly persistent legends of elves and trolls, and the chance to spot birds and whales. Try Hornstrandir, an uninhabited peninsula that’s one of Europe’s last great wildernesses, or popular Þórsmörk, a lush valley protected by brooding glaciers. Or venture into the deep interior – Kerlingarfjöll, on the Kjölur route, is a jagged landscape that was once outlaw country.
James Smart – Destination Editor for Britain, Ireland and Iceland. Follow his tweets @smartbadger.
A street decoration during Ramadan. Image by Guillaume Paumier / CC BY 2.0.
You might have been advised to avoid travel in the Middle East and other Muslim-majority regions during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan – but we say the complete opposite.
Between late June and late July, most Muslims here will be fasting between dawn and dusk in dedication to their religion. It’s a month when the atmosphere and pace of the whole region changes dramatically – from a traveller’s perspective, a fascinating time to be there.
Non-Muslims are welcome to join in many aspects of the tradition, and you’re likely to find yourself invited to lavish Iftar meals at sundown or hanging out in enormous Ramadan tents to snack, smoke shisha and play games until the small hours.
It’s impossible not to get caught up in the communal mood of spirituality during the day and celebration at night. But be aware - business hours are considerably shorter this month, most restaurants will be closed during the day and regardless of your own beliefs, you shouldn’t eat or drink in public out of respect. Alcohol will not be widely available.
Helen Elfer – Destination Editor for the Middle East and North Africa. Follow her tweets @helen_elfer.
The Old Town of Budva, Montenegro. Image by Alan Copson / The Image Bank / Getty Images.
Come summer, Budva is party central on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, and this July it’s promising to be bigger than ever.
This miniature version of nearby Dubrovnik has loads of charm tucked within its Old Town walls, where cobbled lanes beg to be explored. The renowned Theatre City stages open-air performances on and around the Citadel throughout July, proving there’s more to the poster child of Montenegro’s tourism than beachside bar-hopping.
Budva’s main drawcard this year is the Sea Dance Festival from 15-17 . For its 15th anniversary, Exit – voted Europe’s Best Major Festival in 2013 – is introducing the Adriatic after-party by setting up camp showcases top acts from around the world and takes place downtown. Major performances include Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Bobby McFerrin and Arturo Sandoval.
In mid-July Jericho Beach Park holds the Vancouver Folk Music Festival , an outdoor festival hosting acts such as Joan Baez, Foy Vance and Frank Yamma.
For the classical connoisseur, the Vancouver Early Music Festival is held near the end of July. Events highlight classical and historic music at venues downtown and on UBC campus.
Alex Howard – Destination Editor for Western US , which has been going strong since 1967. It’s not all about jazz and this year’s line-up includes Pharrell Williams, Massive Attack, Stevie Wonder and Damon Albarn. Along with paid events there’s also a bunch of free open-air concerts. The festival runs from 4-19 July.
Kate Morgan – Destination Editor for Western Europe. Follow her tweets @kate_ann_morgan.
Darwin's Beer Can Regatta is about more than just...beer cans. Image courtesy of Tourism NT.
Ever since a local genius came up with a solution to a litter problem in 1974, Darwin has hosted its infamous Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach.
The all-day waterside festival , held on 6 July this year, is very much a family affair despite the name conjuring images of Aussie blokes doing their bit to uphold Darwin’s reputation as a hard-drinking, beer-loving corner of Down Under.
The regatta sees seafaring contraptions of various sizes and shapes amusing the spectators while some enter the fray with ‘secret weapons’ (read: water pistols and flour bombs). Activities for little kids – as well as big kids in their homemade beer-can boats – are held throughout the day.
Beachfront competitions include tug-o-war, sandcastle building, and thong throwing (we’re talking about shoes here). The event raises money for the local Lions Club charity. July is a great time of the year to hit Australia’s Top End – it’s the coolest and driest and the sunsets are nothing short of glorious.
Tasmin Waby – Destination Editor for Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific. Follow her tweets @tasminwaby.
Kyoto's spectacular Gion Matsuri parade. Image by Chris Gladis / CC BY 2.0.
Summer in Japan is the season for festivals, fireworks and street food. For all three in July, head to Kansai, where the sultry air brings two of the country’s biggest celebrations.
Gion Matsuri, Japan’s most famous festival, runs all month in the temple-filled ancient capital of Kyoto. Don’t miss the grand parade (17 July), when downtown is closed to traffic as floats are heaved through the streets by chanting locals. Only a week later nearby Osaka lets loose for the Tenjin Matsuri on 24 and 25 July. Here a procession of performers and mikoshi (portable shrines) moves from the streets and on to the river in dozens of bonfire-lit boats. A massive firework display blasts away the final night.
At both festivals, rub shoulders with Kansai people out in their summery yukata (cotton kimono), and taste your way along rows of food stalls hawking Kansai’s finest fried goods – tako-yaki (battered octopus pieces), yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), yaki-soba (fried noodles) and more.
Laura Crawford – Destination Editor for Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. Follow her tweets @crawfplanet.
