July is a great time for travelers who want to do it all: witness religious ceremonies in Asia, relax on the beach in the sun, have fun at music festivals, or get away from it all and be surrounded by wild nature.
1. Music festivals
Montenegro
In the medieval town of Budva on the Adriatic coast, July promises to be especially hot, and a busy program is planned here: all month long, open-air performances will be held in the Citadel as part of the theater festival Grad- theater. And from July 13 to July 17, 2017, an electronic music festival will be held on the beaches of Budva Sea Dance, festival headliners – Fatboy Slim, John Newman, Sean Paul.
Serbia
On the territory of the 18th century Petrovaradin Fortress in the city of Novi Sad, a legendary festival will be held from July 5 to 9 EXIT, one of the largest in Europe. The first festival was organized in 2000 as a student movement for peace in the Balkans, and now it attracts more than 200,000 guests. The Killers, Liam Gallagher, Years and Years, Hardwell and more than a hundred musicians will play at 16 venues.
Spain
The festival will be held in Bilbao from July 6 to 8 Bilbao BBK. This is the perfect summer porn-rock festival with the best headliners (Depeche Mode, The Killers, Die Antwoord, Justice, Phoenix),
convenient location (the airport is just 9 km from the city, the festival site is 10 minutes from the city center) and stunning mountain scenery. In Bilbao itself you will find many bars and restaurants in the Old Town, as well as a masterpiece of modern architecture – the Guggenheim Museum, built by Frank Gehry.
France
From July 6 to 9, on the shores of Lake Malsossy, near the city of Bellefort, on the border of France and Switzerland, the festival Eurockéennes will be held. This non-profit and independent festival is one of the largest in France. More than a hundred bands will play on a dozen stages around the lake for four days, including Editors, Arcade fire, Iggy Pop, Justice, Phoenix and DJ Snake.
2. Beach holiday
July is the best month for a beach holiday; in almost all European beach resorts the air temperature is close to +30° C, and the sea warms up to 23-25° C. Despite the fact that July is the height of the holiday season, do not forget about last minute tours that will allow you to save money on a vacation by the sea.
Balkans
On the Adriatic coast Montenegroideal weather – the temperature rarely rises above +29° C, the sea breeze blows, there is almost no precipitation, and the sea warms up to +25° C. A similar temperature pleases travelers on the Black Sea beaches Bulgaria and resorts Croatia.
Europe
At Mediterranean resorts France, Spain and Italythis year it will be hot – the water will warm up to +23-25° C, the air – up to +33° C. Sandy beaches, warm sea and excellent service create ideal conditions for a beach holiday. In Turkey July is the peak of the tourist season and the hottest month of the year; with complete calm, the air warms up to +35° C, and the water – up to +26° C.
3. Active recreation
Iceland
July is the warmest month of the year in Iceland, most tourists go to the Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik, and outdoor enthusiasts have the chance to get acquainted with the island’s wildlife – explore glaciers, fjords and gorges, ride horses on lava rocks plains. Head to the “Land of the Gods” in Þórsmork, where glaciers surround a lush plain, or to Hornstrandir National Nature Reserve, where nature is unspoiled. Or you can go to the Kerlingarfjol geothermal area, where the Kjölur mountain road leads.
Mexico
The island of Holbox with beautiful sandy beaches is located in the Caribbean Sea, off the northern coast of Mexico. Every July, the world’s largest fish, whale sharks, swim to the island. Despite the fact that these huge sharks weigh 15 tons, they are very peaceful, feed on plankton and do not attack people. Many agencies on the island offer guided dives in July, giving travelers the chance to swim alongside these enormous creatures.
4. Religious holidays and festivals in Asia
Japan
July in Japan is a time of holidays and festivals. The most famous of them, Gion Matsuri, lasts the whole month. The culmination of the holiday is the grand Chariot Parade, which will take place in Kyoto on July 17. Huge multi-colored platforms are carried along the city streets and fantastic chariots ride, in which sit actors and musicians dressed in historical costumes.
A week after the Chariot Parade, from July 24 to 25, the Tenjin Matsuri festival will be held in Osaka. On the first day, drummers will walk around the city, and traditional puppet theater performances will take place in the squares. And on the second day there will be a parade of thousands of people in medieval clothes carrying palanquins from the Tenmangu Shrine. As darkness falls, participants board the boats, pick up torches, and the water parade begins, with fireworks and a music show.
Sri Lanka
The ancient town of Kataragama, founded in the 2nd century BC, is considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. Every year it comes to life for 2 weeks, during which pilgrims from all over the island gather for the festival Esala Kataragma. Tens of thousands of people walk through Sri Lanka on the path of Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory. During the festival, pilgrims chant prayers during processions, people in fancy dress dance everywhere, and elephants march to the beat of drums.
