Where to go in July

The Beach

Rhodes

The lowdown

With beaches and forest glades, ancient history and sunshine in spades, it’s little wonder Rhodes remains a much-loved destination. While its Mediterranean climate is perfect for lounging on golden beaches, its cooler mountainous interior packs in trails perfect for hiking or biking. If you love history, you’ll love exploring the Medieval City of Rhodes, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rammed with history, Rhodes has everything from medieval castles built by the crusading Knights of St John to the Acropolis – often said to be one of the finest examples of Hellenistic architecture. While exploring the island, don’t miss out on sampling some of its homegrown delights, including olive oils, watermelons, honey and wine – the latter trade has been ripening since the 7th Century.

There’s a coastline for all moods, too – if you love sunbathing head to scenic Lindos while windsurfers will enjoy Prasonisi. If things get a bit too hot, head to its mountainous interiors which offer pine-clad hillsides, citrus orchards, olive groves and whitewashed villages. Whether you see the frescoed monastery of Thari, taste wines in Embonas, clamber through Koufos Canyon or make a splash at Faliraki Water Park – one of the largest in Europe – you’ll want to come back to Rhodes.

Stay

Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa is a stunning adult-only resort offering a dreamy all-inclusive package including top-notch restaurants. You can upgrade to swim-up or private pool accommodation too. All this and it’s surrounded by 15 acres of lush Rhodes beachfront. 

The city

Copenhagen

The lowdown

Surrounded by sea, and with canals and lakes running through it, Copenhagen’s compact and largely pedestrianised centre offers a great cafe culture with the some of the best Danish pastries around to sample. Add engaging museums and a thumping nightlife scene – and a jazz festival in July – and the city really does live up to the title of that old song ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’. 

With its royal palaces, museums aplenty (it’s worth getting a City Card for discounted entrance) and much more, it’s hard to believe Copenhagen was once just a humble fishing village. Explore the artefacts in the National Museum, including mummified bog people and Viking weapons. Take a peaceful cruise along the city’s quaint canals, or for something more high-octane, head to Tivoli Gardens for one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. If you’re curious about Copenhagen’s chocolate and porridge meal (reimagined as dinner) and other food creations, then a visit to its food market, Torvehallerne  , should perhaps wait until after the rides. If you fancy walking off the calorific meal there’s the 209-metre spiral pathway to Europe’s oldest working observation tower, Rundetaarn. 

There are plenty of galleries to explore, including the enormous Statens Museum for Kunst (the National Gallery). Head to the neighbouring Botanisk Have  for impressive botanical gardens. Wander around Radhuspladsen square with its red-brick city hall. Finish off your day with some light refreshments at the Carlsberg visitor centre – where you can learn more about what is probably Denmark’s most famous beer. If it’s a particularly hot day, you could join the locals in taking a refreshing dip in one of Copenhagen’s many harbour baths and beaches – several are centrally located, so you’re never too far from one.

Stay

You’ll find the Andersen Hotel in the heart of Copenhagen, in the city’s most hip quarter, Vesterbro. There’s a Bohemian touch to its decor, with energetic and opulent colour schemes, plus it’s close to everything including the central station, city centre, and shops and restaurants.

The family trip

Kos

The lowdown

After Rhodes, Kos is the third largest  of the Dodecanese islands and packs in loads of history including some spectacular Greek, Roman and Byzantine ruins. It also boasts charming villages and a lively nightlife, though pull away from the clubs and bars of Kardamena and you’ll discover a more peaceful side to the island, including rural villages.

There’s plenty to explore from streets lined with Italian public buildings, minarets – don’t miss the 18th Century Gazi Hasan Pasha Mosque – or check out the huge number of Hellenistic and Roman remains. There are the ruins to the shrine to Aphrodite, while Mastichari’s Hippocrates Garden Cultural Centre features a complete replica of a typical 5th Century BC Greek settlement. The 2nd Century AD Roman Odeon, discovered in the 1920s, has an amphitheatre that could hold 750 spectators.

Villages worth visiting include Asomatos, in the foothills of Mount Dikaios, and Pyli with its castle and cafe-lined square. For sporty types there’s the 1.5-mile-long stretch of Marmari Beach offering water sports and a water park, while Kefalos Bay offers Paradise Beach with Instagrammable turquoise waters, sandy beaches and perfect sunsets. Psalidi Beach, just east of Kos Town, is great for water sports, too. In fact, with around half of the island’s perimeter is framed by beaches, you won’t have to go far to find one.

Stay

The chic Ikos Aria offers an all-inclusive stay along the sunny south west coast of Kos, with 47 acres of tended grounds that overlook the Aegean Sea. With extensive on-site facilities, innovative cuisine, five swimming pools and the sands of Kefalos Beach, you won’t want to leave. 

The cultural break

Budapest 

The lowdown

Whether you love the outdoors or prefer indoor culture, Budapest has so much to offer. From its many museums to the Buda Hills, Danube cruises to DJ sets in the House of Music, this beautiful city is certain to get your heart rate increasing.

For some of the best city views, head up the famous dome of St Stephen’s Basilica, where there’s an outdoor gallery 65 metres up. Explore Budapest’s medieval Castle District with its domed Royal Palace, cobbled streets and the breathtaking Matyas Church. Explore the Szemlo Hill Caves, over 2,000 metres in length with mineral deposits that sparkle under light. The caves are in the Buda Hills, which are great for walks and are also home to the Children’s Railway – staffed by local kids.

Experience the chilling House of Terror, a seemingly ‘normal’ building that was once used as the headquarters for the fascists and then the Communist secret police. Music fans will love House of Music Hungary, set within an architectural marvel, and featuring a permanent exhibition here shows the country’s musical heritage and influences. You can even join in with a traditional Hungarian dance.

Refuel at the Great Market Hall with its multi-coloured roof, where there are plenty of food stalls serving local dishes. For the ultimate in relaxation, why not soak under the sky at Szechenyi thermal baths? This historic spa complex, housed in a neo-Baroque palace, is one of the largest in Europe. Indoors, there’s 15 pools of different temperatures, while outside it’s not unusual to see people playing chess on the banks of the bathing pools.  

Stay

Take in the stunning views of the castle and Danube at the Hilton Budapest. It boasts the Baroque facade of a 16th Century Jesuit college and is set in the heart of the Royal Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Buda side of the city. 

The wild card

Nice

The lowdown

Transport yourself to the glittering French Riviera with its azure waters, sub-tropical greenery and grand promenades, and of course some of the world’s glitziest resorts including Cannes, Monaco and St Tropez.

Nice is a blend of bold, cultured, charming and grand. It became popular with the English in the 18th Century, and the city was a popular winter retreat. You can enjoy exploring the haphazard cobbled streets and pastel buildings of the vibrant Old Town of Vieux Nice through the stylish, more modern architecture that sprang up during the Belle Epoque. For a walk back in time be guided by your senses in the charming flower markets of Cours Saleya and if you come here in the evening, you might be able to get a great dining spot.

If you’re feeling energetic, walk up Castle Hill for vistas of the Bay of Angels – just perfect under that Mediterranean sunshine. Once back down, you can stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, which spans the whole city, and perhaps stop for coffee or be distracted by some of the many shops that line this part of the Cote d’Azur. You’ll also find about 20 public and 15 private beaches in Nice. The city is also a treat for art lovers, including the Musee Massena set in a Genoese villa in pleasant gardens. Getting around is now much easier thanks to a recently revamped 3-line tram network.

Stay

Just a short way from Nice in well-healed Monaco is the elegant Fairmont Monte Carlo. It’s neatly located between the Mediterranean and the world-renowned Monte Carlo Casino. It also overlooks the famous hairpin bend of Monaco's legendary Formula One course. When you’re not exploring Nice, why not relax in its spa – after leaving the kids at the children’s club – and take a dip in the rooftop pool.

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