June is special, because it begins summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere, making it one of the most temperate months. In many cases, it’s also the off-season, because children aren’t out of school yet. It’s one of the best times to take things in without the rush.
Because June is such a mild month, there are plenty of travel destinations to appreciate on almost every continent. While you have the chance to laze with plenty of time to yourself, many countries enjoy festivities, giving visitors great opportunities to interact with locals in a more relaxed setting. International travel during June is one of the best times to explore and experience a less hectic getaway where you won’t need a second vacation to recover from your first one.
01 Cusco
In Cusco, Peru, June is the beginning of the dry season, with temperatures touching 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the days and dipping to the thirties at night. This means that your trek through Machu Picchu should be relatively comfortable and less crowded. If you head to Cusco by mid-June, you’ll be in time for the annual Andean glacier pilgrimage called Quylllur Rit’i and the Festival of the Sun, Inti Raymi, a tribute to the Inca sun god and the winter solstice.
02 Fiji
Fiji in June is dry and about two months free of the cyclone season. It’s also one of the more peaceful times of the year, considering that neighboring Australia and New Zealand don’t have winter school holiday visitors until July or August. For those who love surfing, Fiji is great for catching 8- to 10-foot wave swells, but if you want to do some sunbathing, the beaches are a little quieter and cooler.
03 Corsica
This French-controlled Mediterranean hideaway, known as the birthplace of Napoleon, is a mixture of quaint towns and rugged landscapes with a touch of romance. In June, not only is the weather warm, but the water is that sparkling turquoise-blue that’s come to exemplify the Mediterranean. When you’re in Ajaccio, you can take in its architectural beauty, while Bonifacio, the oldest town on the island, is a mysterious mixture of narrow cobblestone streets and dark history.
04 Cappadocia
Cappadocia, Turkey, in June is a time to explore the ancient history of a culture that goes all the way back to the Hittites. The Kaymakli Underground City is one of the nearly 40 such cities that was used by its first inhabitants to escape the harsh Anatolian winters. Then there are the natural rock structures that make up the Pasabag and Devrent Valleys. As the word Cappadocia means “land of beautiful horses,” you can go horseback riding through the various mountains and trails.
05 Gobi Desert
A sub-arctic desert may not be your first choice for a June holiday, but don’t discount it. Located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Gobi Desert is a region of mystery and lore that looks like something out of the movies. Visitors travel by camel along vast sand dunes and interact with locals. Summers are moderate, thanks to the rain shadow cast by the Himalayas, which block a lot of precipitation, so you don’t have to deal with wet, frigid weather.
06 Ningaloo Reef
Just above the Tropic of Capricorn in the Indian Ocean, Ningaloo Reef is located on the West Coast of Australia and is one of the most temperate holiday locations during June. As the country is just coming from a scorching summer, cool temperatures allow visitors to explore Exmouth, an emerging location for diving trips and the gateway to Ningaloo. If you’re lucky, you may get to see Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, which can make your scuba excursion eventful.
07 Andaman and Nicobar
Composed of 300 islands located approximately 750 miles from India in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago has some tranquil attractions you can enjoy even more during the less-crowded summer month. While it is technically monsoon season, you can still have fun going to the beach and scuba diving. In addition to parasailing and banana boat rides, enjoy a quiet trek through the islands’ lush forests.
08 Québec
Québec, Montreal, in June is all about celebration. Explore Quebec City’s history by touring its pedestrian walkways. Plan day and half-day trips to Montmorency Falls, a breathtaking site that provides hydroelectric power to the surrounding region, or enjoy the day and nighttime beauty of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Later in the month is Québec's Independence Day, along with a festival from its First Nations.
09 Mykonos
As one of the most famous Greek islands, Mykonos is a stunning experience at any time of the year, with its cycladic blue and white buildings. You can take in a panoramic view of the Aegean from Armenistis Lighthouse or get a taste of Italian beauty in Little Venice, located in Mykonos Town. No matter where you go, be sure to check out the most famous jewels of the Cyclades islands that are symbols of Mykonos, the windmills.
10 ABC Islands
Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 until November 30, except for the ABC Islands. Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are outside of Hurricane Alley, and stay relatively dry and sunny year-round. As special municipalities of the Netherlands close to South America, the ABC Islands are a heady mixture of cultures. Aruba is the most popular destination and has the most developed tourism infrastructure, Bonaire is a quiet coral reef diving getaway, and Curaçao’s capital, Willemstad is known for its bright, colorful buildings
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