Best 2015 Summer Travel Destinations
Planning your summer getaway may be as easy as returning to a favorite hotspot, but for many outdoor adventurers, they’re looking for something out of the ordinary. With enough planning and preparation, a host of unique and exotic travel locations can be available for the picking! Here are a few of our favorite summer travel destinations for 2015.
Photo by Alexander Weichsel, Flickr
1. Japan : Many locations in Japan go largely unnoticed by those from the Western world, but a little monastic complex in Koyasan is a must-see venue for the world traveler! You can reach this sacred Buddhist site by taking a train two hours south of Osaka. “Koyasan is purity,” says a monk after a crack-of-dawn fire ceremony. Visitors can expect to be welcome to morning ceremonies and be fed vegetarian meals in the evenings by monks.
When to go: According to National Geographic, travel on weekdays (April-November) to avoid weekend tourist crowds; June 15, Aoba Festival's colorful float procession and drumming; August 13-16, Mandokuyo-e (Candle Festival).
What to do: You can book a walking tour with the with the Koyasan Interpreter Guide Club. Also, partake in the ancient fire rituals while you’re there to get a real feel for the local cultures.
2. India : There are a few places in India that we favor for the world-traveler. Hyderabad is a location in southern India rich with history and palaces. Madhya Pradesh is the exact opposite, boasting lush forests that harken to images of the Jungle Book. Both areas give visitors a wide array of cultural and exotic heritage to take in during your trip.
When to go: For Hyderabad, visit in November-March (dry season) for relatively mild temperatures (about 85º to 95°F); January 23-26, Hyderabad Literary Festival; February 25-March 1, Deccan Festival celebrating the varied cultures of the Deccan, a vast area stretching from the Maharashtra in the north to Karnataka in the south, Goa in the west, and Andhra Pradesh in the east. The best time to visit Madhya Pradesh is in the winter months, anytime from October to March. Bhopal has an extremely pleasant climate, so all times of the year are good to travel. Gwalior, Mandu, Indore and Jabalpur can be very hot in summer months with the mercury climbing as high as 40°- 42° Celsius. Make sure to pack all of your outdoor camping gear for Madhya Pradesh to take advantage of your jungle surroundings!
What to do: Hyderabad boasts many cuisines that can be taken advantage of for the full cultural experience. In Madhya Pradesh, you can stay in village-owned accommodation in the forest community at Sakata, with wildlife walks and safaris into the Pench tiger reserve. A five-night trip costs from £561pp full-board, including internal flights and transfers.
3. China : Taiwan has long been underrated by travelers, but as the cleaner and calmer version of many of China’s cities, it’s a must-see. Taiwan is a high-tech global urban sector and a thriving aboriginal society boasting a population of seven million. In fact, the area is well-known for its amazing culinary cuisines. “Forget about breakfast at the hotel,” says Peray, a popular Taipei food blogger. “In the early mornings, at food stalls, you can get clay oven rolls, charcoal grill sandwiches, rice with chicken, and rice noodle soup with pork. The challenge here is staying hungry.”
When to go: National Geographic recommends going during the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Taiwan Lantern Festival, Nantou; mid-April to mid-June, Mondays and Thursdays, Penghu Ocean Fireworks Festival, Magong City; Mid-July to late August, Keelung Midsummer Ghost Festival, Keelung City; October 2014-January 2015, Taiwan Hot Spring and Fine-Cuisine Carnival, multiple locations.
What to do: Because of being known as a food paradise, you’ll definitely want to stop around town to sample the cuisines from xiao chi (small eats), including xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings), pan-fried bao (buns), mochi (rice balls), braised pork, to the Taiwanese go-to snack: deep-fried—and pungent—stinky tofu.
Stock up on all your travel needs with us at Outdoor Shopping, and take advantage of some of summer’s best travel destinations for 2015!