Destinations To Avoid In The Summer

The summertime is when most people take their vacations, and year after year, the most popular destinations get packed with holidaymakers looking for their own personal slice of sunshine or a spot on a sandy beach. But, are the most popular places to go in summer actually the best to visit during the hottest season? Crowds, inflated prices and unbearable heat often plague destinations that are perennially popular. So, where should you avoid in the summertime?

1. Florida

When people think of a sunny destination in the USA, their minds often go to Florida. Sandy beaches and the southernmost tip of the continental USA mean that folk from colder climes often travel en masse to the Sunshine State during the summer months, but should they? Humidity in Florida during the summer reaches near unbearable levels, and add to that beaches that are packed with not only North American, but also European holidaymakers, and you’d be wise to give Florida a miss during the summer months. Head there in spring or autumn, when the weather is still glorious but the crowds are noticeably fewer.

2. Paris

Paris in summertime can be, to be quite frank, an absolute nightmare. The city can get alarmingly hot, with temperatures teetering towards the top of the mercury. Add to this tons of people flocking in from across the world to this legendary city, and you have a situation that you’d be wise to avoid. Thanks to the increased number of tourists in the summer, the streets become packed with scammers (gypsy women pretending to be deaf and working for charities) and aggressive touts flogging shoddy merchandise. Paris is best enjoyed in spring or autumn, or even winter - just not summer, when it all gets too much.

3. Melbourne

If you are planning on heading to Melbourne in the summer months, you’d be wise to remember that it’s winter at that time in the Southern Hemisphere. The hippest Australian city, Melbourne in winter becomes windy, rainy, and chilly - a far cry from the usual image of a sun-drenched city with lively street side cafes. Save Melbourne for the winter months, by which point the city will be enjoying its summertime, and you can enjoy a dosage of unseasonable warmth.

4. Dubai

If you head to Dubai in summer, expect to spend a lot of time in malls. Beautiful, luxurious, air-conditioned malls, but malls nonetheless. If your aim is to enjoy a holiday consisting of nothing more than retail therapy, then this should be fine. Otherwise, you might want to reconsider visiting a part of the world where temperatures can easily reach up to 120 degrees Fehrenheit in the summer months.

5. Washington D.C.

Just like most of the east coast, D.C. becomes too much in the summertime, as people wipe sweat off their brows as the city succumbs to some intense humidity. Walking around the National Mall in the summer is not recommended, and what is usually a beautiful stroll around some of America’s grandest monuments can become a real slog thanks to the moisture hanging in the air. Try and time your visit to coincide with the springtime blooming of the cherry blossoms, which is when the city is at its most beautiful.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.