Where to go in Summer

Summer holidays have a habit of creeping up on you, don't they? One minute it’s January. The next, flights are disappearing and your diary is filling up quicker than you can dig out your passport.If you’re hoping to travel over the summer – especially if you'll have children in tow – getting in touch early is key. By the time March rolls around, it really is decision time.The good news? There are still some brilliant long-haul destinations that are possible at slightly shorter notice. You just need to get in touch for a chat with our experts as soon as you can, move fairly quickly and be a little flexible in places.Here’s where we’d be looking for summer 2026.

1 - Canada
2 - Costa Rica
3 - South Africa
4 - Borneo
5 - Sri Lanka

6 - Vietnam
7 - Malaysia
8 - Peru
9 - Japan
10 - Uganda

Summer in Canada is all big skies, big wildlife, lakes you can paddle on, and national parks that are vast, they feel endless. It’s also peak season, so it’s always best to get in touch as early as possible.

March is realistically your last window to secure the best options for July and August that same year. After that, availability becomes a little patchy.A quick note for 2026 – the World Cup fixtures in Toronto and Vancouver are pushing prices up and rooms down. Those cities are already filling up quickly (and expensively!), so if you’d like your Canada holiday itinerary to include either of those top cities, we need to get ahead of it.For families, Canada is such an easy win. Self-drive adventures, canoeing, bear-watching and space to breathe. It works brilliantly for multi-generational trips, too.Chat to our expert, Paul, to get the ball rolling on your Canada adventure today.

Costa Rica works surprisingly well in our summer. It’s green season, which means green landscapes, dramatic skies and fewer crowds.You’ll likely get a little rain – but it usually comes down in short, sharp bursts rather than all-day downpours. Plus, as a pay-off, the wildlife is active, and the rainforest feels really beautiful, untouched and alive. For families, Costa Rica in the summer is a dream. Zip-wiring through the trees. Spotting sloths. Surf lessons on the Pacific coast. It’s active, outdoorsy and great for older children in particular.Flights can get pricey over the school holidays, so the earlier we look, the better. Chat to one of our brilliant Costa Rica experts today.

South Africa is a fantastic option for summer holidays – particularly for families wanting variety without long internal travel days.Our summer falls in South Africa’s winter, which means you’ll be treated to dry, clear conditions in safari areas like Kruger National Park. Wildlife viewing is excellent at this time of year, with animals gathering around water sources and vegetation thinner, making all of the Big Five wildlife easier to spot.Pair that with a few nights in Cape Town (cable car rides up Table Mountain, penguins at Boulders Beach, and easy day trips along the coast), and you’ve got a trip with a balanced bit of everything.South Africa is also one of the more straightforward long-haul options for families. There’s great infrastructure, malaria-free reserves if you prefer them, incredible driving roads for a self-drive adventure, and a wide range of accommodation styles to suit different ages. Plus, there’s no jetlag!Availability at the best family-friendly safari lodges can get a little tight during the school holidays, so it’s another one where March planning really pays off. Give us a call today to chat to one of our South Africa experts, and you could be having the adventure of a lifetime this summer.

Borneo is always in high demand during the school holidays. Wildlife lodges are small, guides are limited, and the best spots get snapped up fast.If you’re reading this in early March, we’ll be honest – it’s tight. But not impossible. Our experts can sometimes work a bit of magic right up until March for travel the same year.For families, Borneo is hard to beat. River safaris in search of proboscis monkeys, orangutans swinging through trees in the wild. Night walks with head torches keeping an eye out for all those creepy crawlies. It’s a proper, immersive adventure, just the ticket for getting those teenagers off their phones.If Borneo is on your list, chat to one of our Borneo experts asap to see what we can make happen for you.

Sri Lanka is one of our favourite all-rounder destinations, especially if you're looking for a family holiday to remember.In July and August, the East Coast comes into its own. Beautiful beaches around Passikuda and Trincomalee, warm seas and a lovely, relaxed feel.You can combine that much-needed beach time with some culture, history and adventure in the Cultural Triangle. Hop on the iconic blue train and fly through tea country. And head off on a safari in Yala or Minneriya National Park. Accommodation does get booked up early over the school holidays, but there’s usually still good availability around March if we get cracking. As always, the best starting point is a conversation. Chat to one of our experts for an idea of how a Sri Lanka summer holiday might work for you.

Vietnam is a great option in the summer, particularly in central areas like Hoi An and Da Nang.You get warm, generally dry beach weather, with easy access to culture, food and history. It’s a brilliant mix for families, cycling through rice paddies one day, diving into a cooking class at a local home the next.Add in a couple of nights in Hanoi or a cruise in Halong Bay, and you’ve got a varied, high-energy trip that will be one for the family memory bank for years to come. There’s still space to plan something special here – but the best family rooms do get snapped up, so give us a call sooner rather than later.

Malaysia is brilliant in our summer, particularly over on the east coast islands.The water is sparkling clear, the sand beautifully soft, and conditions are perfect for snorkelling straight off the beach. Malaysia over the summer makes for a relaxed and easy escape, blending nicely with a few nights in Kuala Lumpur or the rainforest to mix up the experiences a little. For families, it’s that real sweet spot of adventure plus proper downtime. You’ll be sat on little plastic chairs chowing down of street food one night, and tucking into a beach barbecue with your toes in the sand the next.Availability is generally better than some other destinations, but the best family-friendly beach stays do go quickly. So, as always with tailor-made holidays, do get in touch as soon as possible so our Malaysia experts have as much time as possible to design the perfect escape for you.

Peru is in its peak season during our summer, with huge clear skies in the Andes and ideal trekking conditions throughout the country.The main thing to flag is Inca Trail permits. These are limited and can sell out months in advance. So, if you’re set on hiking the classic trail, we’ll need flexibility, or we may look at alternative routes to Machu Picchu, which are equally special and often quieter.For families with older children, Peru is an epic choice. There’s culture, colour, wildlife in the Amazon, and landscapes that feel properly adventurous. The whole family will be in their element. Peru this summer is still doable in March, but we’ll need to move fairly quickly and keep an open mind.

A Japan holiday works really well in summer. It might be hot, but there's an energy to the cities, and the culture is a brilliant draw for families. With immersive workshops, quirky neighbourhoods in Tokyo, bullet-train journeys between regions, and traditional ryokan stays where teens can try on yukata and soak in onsen, no one will get bored! On our Japan with Teenagers holiday idea, you’ll mix hands-on cultural experiences with easy-paced days that keep everyone interested. Heat and humidity can be factors in July and August, so pace your trip accordingly. Cooler mountain towns, early starts for sightseeing, air-conditioned museums and plenty of shade help to keep things comfortable. And if you head further north into Hokkaido or into the Japanese Alps, you’ll find another side to the country that’s both calmer and cooler.For families who want something a bit different in summer, Japan brings a cultural uniqueness and engaging experiences that appeal to a wide age range. As always with Japan, the best spots get snapped up quick. So do get in touch early if a Japan summer holiday is on your wish list.

If you’re after something really memorable, Uganda in summer is a winning choice.This is the dry season. Conditions are ideal for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Park and Kibale Forest, and wildlife viewing in parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park is excellent.It’s better suited to families with older teens, but for the right group, it’s unforgettable. There’s something remarkably humbling about trekking through the forest to spend time with a gorilla family. Watching them go about their lives (from a safe distance) is an experience so few people get to enjoy in their lifetime. It really is an honour you won't forget in a hurry.For the summer holiday to end all summer holidays, why not head to Uganda for gorilla trekking, before hopping on a flight to the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar? Have a read of our Gorilla, Safari & Beach holiday idea for more.Permits are limited, though. So, if Uganda is even a maybe, do get in touch with our expert, Cat, so she can check availability sooner rather than later!