Long days, warm nights and plenty of sunshine: July is one of the most popular travel months of the year, but it doesn’t have to mean cramming yourself on the beach in between sun loungers. Look beyond the tried and true destinations and you’ll still find plenty of golden sands and inspiring cities, and maybe the chance to explore a new country at the same time. Here are our top travel picks for July.

Puerto Rico: A City Break with a Difference

Although hurricane season technically begins in June, storms don’t typically arrive in Puerto Rico until August. In fact PR  has one of the most consistent climates in the world, with year-round temperatures of 75-85°F, and while the weather may be mixed if you visit in July, showers are often short-lived. If it does rain, get off the beach an head into the charming city of San Juan. Explore the colorful colonial buildings of the old walled city, some of which date back to the 1500s. After a day’s exploring on foot you’ll have earned a delicious Asian fusion dinner at Budatai. On sunny days, grab your clubs and head to the Bahia Beach course designed by the legendary Trent Jones Jr, or stretch out on the beach for a well-deserved nap.
Where to stay in Puerto Rico

Swiss Alps: The Great Outdoors

The Alps are a vacation mecca for active types, and the fun doesn’t stop when the snow melts. Picture hiking up to alpine meadows filled with wildflowers against a backdrop of clear blue sky, or mountain biking through wooded trails before cooling off in a tranquil lake. Switzerland offers all this and more, and with summer temperatures in the high 70s (cooler on the peaks) days are warm without that energy-sapping humidity. Cyclists love the trails around Saas Fee, and die-hard skiiers can get their fix in Saas Fee too, which boasts 20km of glacier pistes. For those that prefer life at a more sedate pace, towns such as Verbier offer world-class spas, world class shopping, and cultural events such as the annual Verbier Music Festival.
Where to stay in the Swiss Alps

Bali: Blissed-Out Beaches

While July equals rain for most of Asia, Bali remains dry and delightful. Most days you can expect temperatures in the high 80s and not a cloud in the sky. Add to this the white sand beaches and balmy waters and you’re in tropical paradise. Spend a day chilling at Potato Head beach club in stylish Seminyak, try authentic Balinese cuisine at Mama San, chef Will Meyrick’sacclaimed street-food style restaurant, or grab your surfboard and head to Uluwatu’s famed surf breaks. Before you head home, make the trip to Purah Tanah Lot, a stunning temple complex built on a rocky outcrops off the coast near Denpasar, and one of seven spectacular sea temples that form a chain around the Balinese coast.
Where to stay in Bali

Croatia – Coastal European Charm

A beguiling mixture of red-roofed cities, rocky coves and crystal clear water, Croatia is the perfect escape for those who get bored sitting on the beach day after day. Here you can explore the old-world charm of Dubrovnik, or charter a sailboat for a lazy day on the Med, and still find time for a cold beer and a quick dip in the sea before sunset. Game of Thrones fans should head to the city of Split where walking tours will take you around key filming sites, including Diocletian’s Palace (which doubles as the palace basements and Daenarys’ throne room). Foodies will love the area around Hvar, where clifftop wineries, olive groves and excellent seafood restaurants provide plenty of culinary pleasures.