16 Totally Amazing Places To Take Your Summer Vacation This Year

It’s time for summer vacation! We consulted several sources about favorite vacation spots to help make your decision-making easier. Here then, are 16 amazing places to take your summer vacation this year:

Sardinia, Italy

This Mediterranean isle has the sublime weather, historic architecture, and great food of Italy and even more idyllic terrain. Stay in the capital of Cagliari with locals. Take the train and explore inland. See the Spanish villas and ancient castles. Follow the coastline and check out the sea caves or just chill on the beach by the turquoise-colored waters.

The California Coastal Trail

Bike hike along the famous California Coastal Trail. Travel the entire West coast of the “Golden State” via this extensive network of parallel trails for bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Start at San Francisco then stop at Half Moon Bay, and Cayucos. See San Diego and head for Mexico but don’t cross the border unless you’re packing your passport.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Experience Thailand free from the chaos of Bangkok. Situated in the nation’s more temperate mountain region, you can enjoy such highlights as the night market at North Gate or the Sunday Walking Market at Wat Sam Phao. See the Elephant Nature Park where you can feed, bathe, and play with elephants. See Chiang Rai’s golden clock tower too.

Chicago, Illinois

Millennium Park hosts frequent shows by Broadway performers, music concerts, and nights on a huge LED screen. Ride the bike paths to the lakefront beaches then dine at the riverfront restaurants and numerous wine bars. Check out Wicker Park and Logan Square and Wicker Park, see a Cubs game at Wrigley Field and catch Riot Fest, Pitchfork, or Lollapalooza.

San Juan Islands, Washington

These islands are located at the north end of the Puget Sound. Three of the larger ones, Orcas, Lopez and San Juan, are reached via ferry. Orcas features Mount Constitution, a wood-fired pizza joint, and music festivals. Lopez is known for cycling and a great food scene. San Juan Island is highlighted by secluded beaches and Mount Baker.

Basque Country, Spain

Located on the French border, BC features the continent’s most distinct culture and nature. The romantic city of San Sebastián is perhaps Europe’s dining capital. The coast includes beach towns, the Oma forest, and the popular Game of Thrones location San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Bermeo. Bilbao, on the Nervión river, is home to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Relax at the National Seashore, bike along the dunes to Race Point. Sample the clams at Mac’s on the pier that overlooks Wellfleet Bay. Once you’ve seen the lighthouses, cottages and cranberry bogs check out Chatham Bars Inn overlooking Pleasant Bay. If you go in August you can party in LGBT-friendly Provincetown during Carnival.

Wales, United Kingdom

Don’t overlook this dark horse. Explore the ancient castles, coasts, and culture of this New Jersey-sized nation. Dine on Welsh dishes, attend one of the larger-than-life music festival HowTheLightGetsIn, and jump off the cliffs of Pembrokeshire into the freezing water. (It’s called coasteering.) Experience bog snorkeling in Llanwrtyd Wells and hike the 850-mile Wales Coast Path.

Traverse City, Michigan

This idyllic retreat is the Cherry Capital of the World and one of the best beer towns in the US. Attend the Traverse City Film Festival, go canoeing, paddle-boarding, or sailing on Grand Traverse Bay. See Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or tour any of the almost 30 wineries such as Bonobo or Chateau Chantal.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Famous for a nine-mile span of beaches, the city hosts an all-night party named Laila Lavan (“white night”) at the big cultural sites such as the Sarona Market and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. There is also the Water War which is an all-out water gun fight centered around one of their biggest fountains in Habima Square.

Islamorada, Florida

This 20-mile long spot in the Florida Keys features the Tiki Bar which inspired the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo.” Enjoy a bottomless boat ride, swim with dolphins, snorkel, or cruise through Toilet Seat Cut where people plant personalized toilet seats. Dine on crab cakes and calamari while taking in the purple sunset. Don’t miss the Full Moon Party either.

Interior British Columbia

See the orchards and vineyards and in August there is Ribfest, a three-day music festival by the river in Kamloops. Eat at Shuswap Pie Company in Salmon Arm. Attend the Roots and Blues Festival and stay at Sun Peaks Resort. Catch a Retro Concert Weekend and try your hand at 4,000-foot thin-air golfing as well.

Corfu, Greece

Greece’s greenest and one of the largest isles features ancient olive trees, mountain groves, rocky coastline, and beaches. Sample the wild produce, fresh seafood, kumquats, and pasta. Cool off in the translucent blue waters at Paleokastritsa Beach where the legendary Odysseus made his mythological landing, enjoy bouzouki music in a lemon tree garden and see the Venetian architecture.

Oaxaca, México

The country’s craziest cornucopia is famous for its food scene and the reported “champion of mezcal.” Enjoy pastry at Boulenc, see the botanical garden, and browse Lanii for handmade souvenirs. Take a bus to Puerto Escondido, where you can dine at Almoraduz or snag fresh oysters at Bacocho Beach. Visit San José del Pacifico and enjoy a guided “mushroom trip.”

Cologne, Germany

This huge college town is also one of the best beer cities in the world. It’s artsy and weird. Stop in the hip district of Ehrenfeld and browse the vintage shops and cute cafes. If you’re in the mood for history, visit the imposing Cologne centerpiece known as Cologne Cathedral which is reported to be the most-visited landmark in Germany.

Tasmania, Australia

This Ireland-sized island is found south of the mainland. Visitors fly into the port city of Hobart. Enjoy the affordable food scene, and visit the unique Museum of Old and New Art. The MONA eatery serves food on “living tables” of mosses and micro herbs. Attend the Dark Mofo festival in late June. It features bands, theater, art, and a nude Solstice swim.