Luxury Holiday Destinations in July

Best For: Variety

Provence is a wonderful choice for a July escape, with long sunny days that bring lavender fields, vineyard landscapes and charming villages into full summer colour. Travellers can explore markets filled with fresh produce, walk through quiet lanes lined with shuttered stone houses and enjoy relaxed lunches on shaded terraces. The region’s boutique hotels, vineyard estates and countryside retreats feel especially inviting at this time of year, offering peaceful spots to unwind between days out.

The Mediterranean coastline provides a refreshing contrast, with beaches, coves and elegant seaside towns such as Cassis and Saint Tropez within easy reach. July is also a lively month for cultural events, from music festivals and art exhibitions to night markets that give evenings a warm, atmospheric energy. Gastronomy plays a central role, with seasonal menus highlighting tomatoes, peaches, herbs and local wines that reflect the region’s summer abundance.

Outdoor activities are equally appealing, whether cycling through the Luberon, strolling in the Alpilles or visiting historic sites such as Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. With landscapes at their most photogenic and a laid-back rhythm that encourages slow, luxurious days, Provence in July captures the essence of an idyllic French summer.

Best For: History Buffs

Walking around Krakow’s historic old town, the city’s rich history is palpable. The former capital of Poland, Krakow, generated huge riches as a key trading city during medieval times: the grandiose Wawel Royal Castle is testament to this fact. Perched on top of Wawel Hill, the castle was the seat of the now defunct Polish monarchy and manifests an exquisite fusion of gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, which inspired later castles across the continent. It also boasts an extensive art collection, the highlight of which is undoubtedly 87 beautiful Italian Renaissance canvases. Just a ten-minute walk away lies the impressive gothic St. Mary’s Basilica. As a devoutly religious city (Pope John-Paul II hailed from Krakow), the Basilica is considered one of Poland’s most important religious sites and as such it should be on any traveller’s itinerary.

Kraków’s recent history is somewhat more chilling, given its Nazi occupation during the Second World War. Many visitors use the city as a base to visit nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest and most infamous of the Nazi extermination camps. The camp is now home to a harrowing museum experience, which highlights the atrocities committed during the Holocaust in the hope that such horror will never be witnessed again. During this haunting period of Polish history, Krakow businessman Oskar Schindler showed immense courage, putting his own life in extreme danger in order to save hundreds of Jews from being deported to concentration camps. His story was immortalised by the 1993 Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List and you can learn more about his inspirational actions at his factory, which has been converted into a museum.

Best For: Slowing Down The Pace

Known as the heel of Italy, Puglia boasts some of the Adriatic’s most important ports. First on any visitor’s itinerary should be the region’s capital, Bari, home to the celebrated Basilica di San Nicola. Overlooking the glistening sea below, this 11th century Romanesque church contains the remains of St. Nicholas himself, as well as a hugely impressive art collection. It is also worth paying a visit to the harbour and the adjacent Teatro Margherita, but be warned that looking at the ferry destinations board may fuel even more wanderlust: boats depart regularly from here to Dubrovnik, Crete and Corfu, amongst many other enticing locations. But, that said, Puglia’s innate beauty is enough to keep even the most wandering mind from straying.

This is certainly true of the Trulli of Alberobello, one of Italy’s astonishing 47 UNESCO World Heritage sites. These striking stone houses, featuring conical roofs, are unique to Puglia and are testament to the creative nature of the locals, who built them as an alternative to stables at a time when their construction was heavily taxed. Puglia can also lay claim to having some of the country’s finest beaches: our favourites include the sandy bays and turquoise waters at the likes of Lecce, Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo. And of course, no trip to Puglia is complete without sampling its world-famous olive oil and the region’s distinctive orecchiette pasta!

Best For: Beach Adventure

Sometimes all you want from a holiday is to indulge in pure, unadulterated relaxation: if this rings true with you then look no further than the idyllic Seychelles. Located in the Indian Ocean, this stunning archipelagic nation enjoys a global reputation for its inviting turquoise waters and gorgeous sandy beaches. Boasting more than 150 islands and thousands of beaches, there really is something for everyone. For families we recommend visiting Mahé, the country’s largest island, where the shallow waters are ideal for young children, whilst teenagers will love the snorkelling opportunities offered by La Digue’s rockier coastline.

Feeling really adventurous? The Seychelles’ diverse marine life lends itself to some of the most breathtaking scuba diving experiences on Earth – head to one of the dozens of PADI accredited dive centres and go swimming with the sharks whilst you explore the famous coral reefs. But the Seychelles’ interest is by no means confined to its coasts: if you head to the Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé you will be rewarded with incredible hiking trails, as well as some of the world’s rarest birdlife.