The Best Places to Travel in July

The bell towers of the Pantheon were on the two sides of the flat rooftop structure
The bell towers of the Pantheon were on the two sides of the flat rooftop structure | Unsplash | Gabriella Clare Marino

Editorial Manager

When planning for a summer holiday this year, you’ll want to make the most of destinations that sometimes get overlooked or at the very least explore popular hotspots in a different way. In July we have dozens of trips you can join, and here are five we think you’ll want to take a closer look at before making your mind up.

Classic Northern Italy by Train

A boat tour of Lake Como will take you to some famous locations. This house is recognisable from popular series Succession.

If we told you about a trip that let’s you eat some of the finest food in the world, shop in some of the best designer locations in Italy and see the ancient ruins of Rome, we know we would already have your attention. Now think about doing all of this from the comfort of a train making excellent use of the outstanding rail network across northern Italy? Yeah, we’re thinking of joining this one too! This nine-day tour starts in the capital, Rome heads to art and history in Florence via a taste of the Tuscan countryside between Siena and San Gimignano. We’ll jump back on the high-speed line to Bologna and Emilia-Romagna for two days stuffed with gourmet foodie experiences, before zipping into Milan – for designer shops, jaw-dropping architecture and a day-long train excursion to Lake Como.

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Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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All aboard our Northern Italy Rail Trip this July!

Epic Morocco

The city in the Sahara, one of the highlights of our Epic Morocco trip

Journey deep into the Sahara, explore the majestic kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou, and stargaze with an expert astrologer on this 11-day Moroccan adventure. You’ll experience local culture and marvel at the architectural wonders of Casablanca and Fez. Away from the usual tourist trail, you’ll explore more remote places such as the blue city of Chefchaouen and the Todra Gorge, deep in the High Atlas mountains. Foodie highlights range from authentic Berber meals in the desert to contemporary dishes at a trendy rooftop venue in Marrakech.

Epic by name and epic by nature, this trip to Morocco has it all

Blissful Bali

Seminyak Beach at sunset, Bali, Indonesia

Let’s plan something really special this month. One of our most popular trips, and its easy to see why, is our incredible itinerary to Bali. Over 12 magical days you’ll see the sun rise from a mountain top, take a speedboat to the Gili Islands and snorkel with sea turtles to name a few highlights. We’ve packed a lot into a few days but also made sure you get to soak up the relaxing environment in all its natural beauty. Bali is becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world right now, and its one of the places we want you to see this July.

Relax and enjoy Blissful Bali with Culture Trip

Coastal Croatia

The setting and inspiration for Game of Thrones

Experience the best of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast this July through an incredible 8-day trip. Start your adventure in the stunning port city of Split, known for its impressive Roman and Venetian architecture. Discover the island of Vis and its intriguing military past, before taking a ferry to Korčula for wine-tasting, beach relaxation and mouth-watering local dishes. On your way back to the mainland, savor fresh oysters and explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Dubrovnik. End your trip with a memorable group dinner. Don’t miss this opportunity to cycle, indulge in delicious food and wine, and soak up the beauty of Croatia’s coast

Visit Coastal Croatia in July

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Train

Is there a more iconic train route on the planet? The Jacobite steam train, or Hogwarts Express, is also one of the most picturesque

We previously spoke about visiting Scotland in the winter, but let’s not rule out the charm of the country in the summer either. The rolling hills turn a lush shade of green and as you speed along by rail you’ll get to experience them from the perfect vantage point. We have a number of highlights from the Highlands to enjoy, and also recommend the ferry to the Isle of Skye for a taste of island life in Scotland. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of all the logistics, you just have to book yourself on the trip.

Traverse Scotland’s most scenic landscapes, from west coast to east by rail

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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