Best Luxury Travel Destinations in the Month of July

Where will July take you? Where should it? You could visit a cosmopolitan city, view some wonderful art, stroll in the parks, and have your meals at chic outdoor cafes (we’re thinking Paris, New York, London and Berlin). Want something more bucolic? You could head to Provence for the lavender. Feeling the need for adrenaline-fueled adventures? You can follow the snow and ski in Chile, Argentina or New Zealand. Or head to Kenya for a safari followed by a beach idyll. And island life is at its perfect peak in many parts of the globe, so you could ditch your shoes and set up shop in the Seychelles, Corsica or Sardinia. It’s all waiting for you. It’s July!

Here are our top 10 ideas for luxury travel this month:

1. Ski season in South America is on, from now until early October; head to Chile (La Parva or Valle Nevado) or Argentina (Patagonia’s Villa la Angostura or San Carlos de Bariloche).

2. New Zealand’s ski season runs from June to mid-October, providing ideal conditions for snow bunnies. Just two hours outside of Christchurch, you’ll find the country’s stunning Southern Alps — and plenty of space on the slopes to take advantage of. Coronet Peak on New Zealand’s South Island is a perfect spot to make your home base – the slopes stay open until 9pm, and Queenstown is just a 20-minute drive away. There’s also the mirror-smooth Lake Wakatipu to explore, and local vineyards with mountain views and world-famous Pinot Noir (but promise us, no skiing while under the influence).

3. If you’re in the mood for adventure, Kenya in July is a perfect choice. The raw beauty, sweeping plains and the Big Five (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) are reason enough, but July also marks the beginning of the Great Migration in Kenya, wherein wildebeest and zebra make their way from the Serengeti to Masai Mara. You’ll find cooler temperatures and clear blue skies – perfect conditions for the safari of your dreams. For a beachy finish to your trip, head to Watamu on the coast, where golden, sandy beaches stretch for miles.

4. It’s the perfect time to visit Provence if you love lavender – there are numerous festivals in the region showcasing artisan honeys and sorbets scented with lavender, and the fields are carpeted with purple blooms in exactly the way you’ve seen them in iconic paintings and photos. It’s not just about lavender, though: you’ll find lavish vineyards, hand-churned cheeses, cliff-top drives, Roman ruins and lovely seaside towns. The markets will be filled with baskets of fresh olives, tomatoes, garlic, and orchard fruits. Foodie heaven!

5. Berlin is on our bucket list, and July is a fine time to visit. The city’s beer gardens, cafés and parks are alive with people, and along the River Spree there are ample opportunities for a craft beer, coffee or cocktail. There are also a number of festivals — from folk at Zentraler Festplatz, to the arts Biennale, and illuminated creations at Botanical Night in the Botanical Gardens.

6. Quebec plays host to one of the largest music festivals in the world in July. The annual Quebec City Summer Festival takes place in various venues throughout the city. This year, headliners include The Weeknd, Neil Young, The Chainsmokers and Dave Matthews Band.

7. Newport, Rhode Island is ideal in July. You can opt for Gurney’s Newport hotel (from the team behind Gurney’s Montauk), and while away a few hours at the property’s Pineapple Pool Club. Or go for the iconic Ocean House, with its stunning cliffside views.

8. For the ultimate barefoot luxury vacation, head to the Indian Ocean’s Seychelles Islands: you’ll find sweeping white beaches, clear blue waters and diverse wildlife. The secluded and private North Island is a VIP destination with just 11 resort villas (thatched tree houses suspended on a hillside between forest and ocean) and a devoted following among the jet set (William and Kate had their honeymoon there, and George Clooney is a fan). On Frégate Island Private, guests share the space with aldabra giant tortoises and rare magpie robins. Or visit the World Heritage Site Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

9. Porquerolles, France is located on a tiny island off the coast of St. Tropez. The Fondation Carmignac has opened a nonprofit arts venue there, featuring works by some of the 20th century’s most important artists. Until now, Édouard Carmignac’s collection of pop art by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Roy Lichtenstein had been seen by few people outside of his family and the employees who work in his offices. Now his gallery and sculpture garden are open to the public every day until November 4.

10. The Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia see almost 11 hours of sun a day during July. French Corsica offers the secluded northern fishing villages of Cap Corse, where the new Misíncu hotel sits overlooking the rugged coast, to a windsurfers’ paradise in Bonifacio and the beautiful sandy beaches near Porto-Vecchio. Italian Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is stunning. La Maddalena is a wild, protected archipelago off the coast with the gorgeous beaches, turquoise seas and sandy coves.

So many incredible places, so little time. Happy travels!

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