Where to go in June

Apr 21, 2012 4:45:51 AM

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Planning to go tripping in June? In an extract from the January 2010 issue of Lonely Planet Magazine, we’ve got the best places to head for – and the best place to avoid!

1. Montenegro

Sea temperatures in this corner of former Yugoslavia hit 28°C – small wonder the historic walled coastal towns such as Kotor and Budva are rapidly gaining in popularity. Beds are predictably scarce in summer, but a June visit should ensure you beat the hordes.

2. Provence

The rolling fields of lavender that stretch across Provence are up there with the Eiffel Tower and stripy jumpers in the Gallic iconography stakes. If you’re entranced by the rural French dream, take a trip down to the majestic Parc National du Mercantour to see this region at its peak.

3. Greece

Despite the modern day claims of Broadway and the West End, Greece is still the real home of theatre. The arts season here peaks in June – try bagging a seat for a classic play or music concert in the ancient surrounds of the open auditorium at Lykavittos Hill.

4. Peru

Image by jack_g

The climb to Macchu Pichu is one of the best hikes imaginable. June’s low humidity means you won’t lose half your body weight getting up there.

Avoid! – Middle East

Dressing like a local won’t just be a demonstration of cultural affinity this month – it’ll be a necessity. From Dubai to Egypt, we’re talking upwards of 40°C heat. For a more pleasant experience, wait until October when there’s seven months of less extreme heat.

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Comments

6 May 2010 10:01AM dyakhnov Report this comment
>> Sea temperatures in this corner of former Yugoslavia hit 28°C
Are you sure about this? Kinda too warm for water.
8 May 2010 8:53AM eliade Report this comment
Greece? This June? Guys, you really need to look out the window sometimes when you're writing these lists.
And regarding the "avoid Dubai to Egypt lol!" stereotype: Dubai (and the Gulf region) is far warmer than any Eastern Mediterranean countries like Egypt, so lumping them together is like generalizing about, say, Italy and Germany's climate in the same breath.
In fact, I've found Greece to be far more humid and unbearable in the summer than drier Middle Eastern countries like Turkey and Syria (having visited all around August).
14 May 2010 10:07PM jdsd91 Report this comment
Couldn't agree more - hit Europe without sharing a beach with the entire population of the UK ! At the moment both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have reached temperatures of upto 40 degrees. Although hardly humid at all, temperatures like that would make most people stay in the shade all day.
21 May 2010 2:39AM kategoesout Report this comment
Well,guys,I live in Greece and comparing to other European countries it is hot in the summer but it's not so hot as in Egypt,the temperatures may be the same high but the environment is different(there are more trees,etc)and there is always wind from the Aegean!I think that Greece is perfect for tourists but not to live here!So give it try!!!
31 May 2010 12:53PM mdlb Report this comment
Peru is the best place to go!
29 April 2011 9:42PM nazntm Report this comment
#2 you are totally right, talking about the middle east... let me tell you that Lebanon ( Beirut) are part of this middle east you are talking about, and the most pleasant time to visit it is the month of June, you have warm temperatures during the day and cool ones at night, most of the musical concerts are taking place here during June.. and its the best time to go the beach and cool at night in the mountains (3083 highest peak) i dont think you can find a cooler place overlooking the mediterranean ....
so as #2 says : be careful LP & do not generalize (commenting was because we like you & appreciate your work) thank you
29 April 2011 9:49PM nazntm Report this comment
by the way, People generally trust you, so i think it won;t be good for you to generalize and write down a comment this vague: " Avoid the Middle East"
29 April 2011 11:48PM sinejhlastan Report this comment
I loved the way of your description for the hot and burning June dry days. As i have the idea that there are lots of lightening and musical programs to be held at the night, which makes the warm day forgot.
30 April 2011 12:04AM travleguide Report this comment
I am really happy to find some one,who can guide me to spend my dry summer with a great fun. I love your simple and straight way of expression.
2 May 2011 7:21AM pavlinakon Report this comment
Hello everyone!Eliad, they are talking about JUNE. June in Greece is the best time, along with September, where did you go and it was humid? I think that we really have the best climate, if you exclude some really hot days mostly in July or August. I totally agree with Montenegro, i just visited it for the second time, and its nature is amazing. I also adore Provence, i think it is a place that everyone should visit sometime.
Also...dont get personal. They say dont go during summer, and everybody knows that middle East is not the place to go on summer. If you have asked me i would say not to come to the Greek islands in August, since they are growded by Greeks and , yes it is hot!
15 May 2011 9:50AM dmekonnen08 Report this comment
Its definitely hot in parts of the middle east now but that is a good thing.... Now let me clarify that I am all for not generalizing things particularly countries stretching over thousands of kilometers and many local features such as altitude , proximity or distance from coastlines that will result in variations.... however .... very broadly it is generally warm ... and humid...which is why in MY view this is one of the best times of the year to travel to the area ( middle east) for one huge reason... around this time of the year everyone from the airlines, to restaurants to five star hotels are slashing their prices to ridiculous lows .... if you like me you are eternally bound to travel on a low budget I say brave the weather and GO! Finally luxury that is affordable .... I did just that at the height of summer in humid , muggy Dubai and loved it !
17 May 2011 3:46AM mostinterestingman Report this comment
Nice artIcle that, as usual, gets expansive comments. Got me thinking about Sicily in June, 2012. Thanks!
19 May 2011 4:43PM escapenormal Report this comment
I love the lavender fields. I'd like to make a whole trips based on fields of wild flowers- how pretty would that be? Just like the scene from the Wizard of Oz. And Machu Picchu has been at the top of my to-do list for years.
Here is a nice list of world festivals broken down by month, June has the Aspen food and wine festival and Russian white nights. http://www.escapenormal.com/2011/03/29/50-greatest-festivals-in-the-world/
24 May 2011 6:21PM dunkin2012 Report this comment
some place in Australia can get 40C in the day time around December that is winter in the norther hemisphere. check Alice-spring,Perth and Adelaide.
26 May 2011 10:21AM stergiosnomad Report this comment
Everybody is welcomed in Greece but for trolls...Sorry :)
26 May 2011 10:57AM quimiorlando Report this comment
I am traveling to Japan and Myanmar, LW. I've heard that this is monsoon time for SEA and the temperatures might hit 104...