Where to travel in June

Iseltwald | Switzerland

Switzerland is top of our Good Trip Index for 2024 – the Holiday Extras guide to travelling ethically, sustainably and well – scoring especially well for human freedom, animal welfare, quality of life and women's rights. And June's a great time to visit. Switzerland's Alpine regions are loved by skiers in the winter, but when summer comes it's all about hiking, cycling or, if that sounds like too much effort, chilling by the lake.

We love the Jungfrau region in the summer. Interlaken is a popular starting point, which is around a 45-minute drive from the capital Bern, but for somewhere quieter drive just 10 minutes along Lake Brienz and you'll find hidden gem Iseltwald. This fairytale village is a peaceful alternative to busy Interlaken, which means it's perfect for a relaxed swim or kayak along the beautiful lake away from the crowds.

---

Cusco | Peru

Next up is Cusco in Peru, which on 24th June celebrates Inti Raymi (so this one's not so much a 'where' to go as a 'when').

The Incan sun festival was celebrated in the 15th and 16th centuries, banned for 400 years by the Spanish conquistadors, and then resurrected in 1944 'to restore the pride of the indigenous Quechua people'. Now it's the second largest festival in South America, only behind Rio's famous Carnival, and is legally protected as part of the cultural heritage of Peru.

Inti Raymi is celebrated in Cusco, not far from Machu Picchu, which is an excellent base to explore the major sites of the Incan Empire. You'll normally fly into Lima (though Bogota, in neighbouring Colombia, is almost as close) and then make your way to Cusco by plane.

June is the start of high season in Cusco as South America begins to cool down, so walking outdoors in the Andes becomes more pleasant and visibility improves. Everything will be more crowded, and expensive, but if you want to see the spectacle of the Incan sun festival this is when to go.

If you're visiting, be mindful of the altitude. Cusco and Machu Picchu are thousands of metres up in the Andes, so if you can take a day or two to acclimatise before you start trekking up a mountain.

---

Nungwi | Zanzibar

If you want to travel to what many have called the best beach in the world and don't mind a 14-hour flight to get there, Nungwi at the northern tip of Zanzibar could be the exotic getaway you need this June.

June's the end of rainy season, temperatures regularly reach 30°C and TUI run a great value package holiday there, so there's never been a better time to visit this Instagram-friendly island off the coast of Tanzania. Old meets new on Nungwi's gorgeous coastline, as traditional wooden fishing boats float past high-end hotels, snorkellers and bronzed tourists lazing on sun loungers with cocktails in-hand.

It's worth pointing out that Tanzania scores poorly on our Good Trip Index. It's low on our list across most indices except animal rights, but performs particularly badly for LGBTQI+ travel. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and homosexuality is widely frowned upon by locals, so it's important for LGBTQI+ travellers to be discreet when in Nungwi.

If you don't want to have to hide who you are while on holiday, take a look at our favourite LGBTQI+ friendly destinations.

---

Chisinau | Moldova

Moldova's one of the least-visited destinations in Europe, but we think Chisinau has everything you need for the perfect city break. There are excellent museums like the National History Museum of Moldova, wonderful green spaces like Valea Morilor Park and plenty of bars and outdoor cafés where you can buy a pint for less than £1.50. If beer's not your thing, Moldova's famous for its wine and you'll find plenty of bars and nearby wineries for a tasting.

The warm weather in June makes it a great time to explore the countryside surrounding Chisinau. Check out Old Orhei and its cave monasteries, churches and ancient ruins of the former city, then head to nearby villages Butuceni and Trebujeni for a taste of the great hospitality, history and stunning scenery rural Moldova is known for.

Moldova's one of the biggest risers on our Good Trip Index for 2024, climbing 14 places from 57th to 43rd. While there's still work to do, scores improved for women's rights, press freedom and LGBTQI+ travel. Back in 2012, ILGA-Europe ranked Moldova last out of 49 European countries for LGBTQI+ legislation, but in 2023 the country rose to 23rd thanks to improving anti-discrimination laws.

---

Santorini | Greece

The Greek islands have long been touted as the ideal summer destination thanks to their perfect beaches and even more perfect weather. But in recent years the height of summer has brought scorching temperatures, wildfires and floods, so we'd recommend avoiding the islands in July and August.

Instead, head there in early June. Summer has arrived, the weather's perfect and the sea is warm enough for a swim, but the crowds that come with the school holidays are yet to arrive. Schools start to break up in Scotland at the end of the month and the rush from the rest of the UK is then only weeks away.

Three Greek islands – Kefalonia, Crete and Zante – are way up on our real-time destination leaderboard, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the ever-popular Santorini. It's known for its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed roofs and idyllic views over the caldera, and is a favourite with honeymooners. Head to Imerovigli for somewhere quieter with luxury hotels, excellent restaurants and arguably the best sunset views on the island.

---

Malta

Along with New Zealand, Portugal and Canada, Malta is joint first on our Good Trip Index for LGBTQI+ rights, making it an ideal place for gay travellers to visit this June.

There's so much to do and see in Malta, and getting lost in the narrow streets of the capital Valletta, lined with charming Baroque architecture, is a great place to start. Make sure to visit St. John's Co-Cathedral while you're there, a magnificent place of worship featuring ornate decorations.

A relaxed beach day more your thing? Head to the northern part of the island, where you'll find gay-friendly beaches like Golden Bay and G?adira Bay. These spots offer crystal-clear waters and a welcoming environment for sunbathing and socialising.

When the sun sets, Malta's vibrant nightlife comes alive. Paceville is the epicentre of the island's clubbing scene, offering a range of LGBTQI+ friendly venues. For a more laid-back evening, explore the quaint coastal towns of Sliema and St. Julian's, which boast lots of stylish bars and restaurants.

---

French Polynesia

June's a great time to visit French Polynesia. It'll be winter there, but that's actually a good thing – temperatures reach the balmy high-20s, there's less rain than in other seasons and the ocean's cool and inviting for a dip. It's perfect for exploring the islands' beautiful coral reefs and exotic marine life whether you're snorkelling, scuba diving or swimming.

Exotic island escapes, like Zanzibar as we mentioned above, tend to sit fairly low on our Good Trip Index – particularly for LGBTQI+ rights. But that's not the case for French Polynesia. As an overseas collectivity of France it shares many of the same laws, from same-sex marriage being legal to the right to change your legal gender. Social attitudes do tend to be more conservative in French Polynesia, but the islands have become more tolerant in recent years.

Tahiti's where you'll fly to, and the island's so good for surfing that it's hosting the surf events at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The best island for a luxury stay is Bora Bora, as the overwater bungalows and postcard-ready views are perfect for loved-up couples, while Huahine is great if you want to explore an immense tropical jungle and archaeological sites like marae that hold great importance to the local community.

Top