June

Summer is really beginning now so head to Athens in sunny Greece for a mix of culture and island-hopping. Further afield, this is the best time of year to spot tigers in India’s national parks. If you’re lucky enough to be able to holiday during school term-time, June makes a great month for travel. Jet off to the beaches of Mauritius or Malta while temperatures are pleasant. Head to Barcelona for the globally renowned Sonar music festival. Avoid flying and take the train down to Devon to explore its traditional seaside villages or up to the Scottish Highlands.
  1. India

    India

    June is the tail end of the dry season in India which presents the most likely tiger sightings in the national parks. Whether you're travelling to India or intrigued by its past, look no further for India maps, travel guides and history books. From Rajasthan to Goa and from Kolkata to Rishikesh, Stanfords have got the fascinating and beautiful subcontinent covered.

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  2. St. Petersburg

    St. Petersburg

    St Petersburgmust be visited during the White Nights in late June, when the sun never sets and the city celebrates all night long. Catch performances of opera and ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre, the Hermitage Theatre and the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. Also on is the Festival of Festivals – the country's annual international film festival.

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  3. Scottish Islands

    Scottish Islands

    June is the best month for activities in the Scotland Highlands– you can experience year-round ice-climbing in Kinlochleven, hike the 90-mile (145km) West Highland Way, take boat cruises and seaplane trips to the outlying islands. The weather tends to be better at this time of year and there are long hours of daylight – in the far north, the sun doesn’t set until 11pm or even later – perfect for action-packed days.

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  4. Athens

    Athens

    Get some sun in the Grecian capital,Athens. Visit the majestic Parthenon a top the Acropolis, wander round the museums, shops and pavement cafes of the city. Or head out on day trips to nearby islands or Cape Sounion to see the famous sunset at the Temple of Poseidon. Weekend break or week’s holiday with the family, we’ve gotmaps and guidesto match your trip perfectly.

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  5. Iceland

    Iceland

    You’ll have the best weather and long days in Iceland at this time of year, plus there are some great events. Sailors’ Day, on the first Sunday in June, is the biggest party of the year in fishing villages, with tug-o-war, drinking, swimming and rowing contests. While on 17 June the country celebrates the granting of independence from Denmark in 1944. Then around 24 June are the Midsummer festivities marking the longest day of the year.

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  6. Corsica

    Corsica

    VisitCorsicain June to see the maquis shrubland in full blossom, with its vivid hues and beautiful scents, to enjoy sunny weather without being too hot, and to avoid the hoards of holiday-makers that descend in July and August. The weather is ideal for hiking the GR20, and you’ll spot plenty of spring flowers in the countryside, with snow lingering on the high peaks as late as mid-June.

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  7. Mauritius

    Mauritius

    Benefit from cooler and drier weather in June as Mauritius moves slowly into its comfortable winter. Sip rum on palm-fringed beaches or have a laid-back picnic on a peaceful offshore island. For the more adventurous, go diving in the tropical lagoons, explore the Black River Gorges and hike the miniature volcanic mountains. Take time out in the capital, Port Louis, for museums, markets and delicious local food. You can gamble away the rest of your money at mid-season horse racing at the historic Champ de Mars racecourse or wander idly through the resplendent botanical gardens at Pamplemousses. If you stay to the west and north coasts, you’ll avoid the chance of strong winds blowing you off your hammock.

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  8. Devon

    Devon

    Whether it’s the wild and windswept landscape of Dartmoor or the pretty coast that appeals, go to Devon in June before the summer crowds arrive. Find your own Basil Fawlty in the holiday resort of Torquay, or discover Agatha Christie connections round Torbay, with places that played a part in both her fiction and real life. Take a million photos in the picturesque villages and seaside towns of Ilfracombe, Brixham, Dartmouth and Beer. For something livelier, explore the ancient, cobbled streets of the county town – Exeter – with its vibrant atmosphere and super-stylish places to eat and drink.

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  9. Malta

    Malta

    Hit the beautiful beaches and ancient sites of Malta in June to beat the summer crowds and scorching temperatures. Check out the bays, rugged cliffs and grottoes along the quieter northern coast of this Mediterranean island, or take a boat ride out to the tiny isle of Comino and swim and snorkel in its stunning blue lagoon. And don’t miss a visit to Gozo, an island with an air of exclusivity about it. Malta’s capital city, Valletta, could satisfy a weekend break in its own right, with history-filled alleyways and squares, some great museums, the impressive St John’s Co-Cathedral and the 16th-century Grand Master’s Palace.

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  10. Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Barcelonamakes a superb weekend break for June. The city hosts one of Europe’s biggest festivals of electronic music – Sonar. June’s sunny weather is ideal for admiring Barcelona’s Modernist architecture, Gaudi’s masterworks such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, and for taking a wander along Las Ramblas. After all that sightseeing, head to the restaurants along the waterfront at Port Vell (Old Port) or chill out on the beaches of La Barceloneta.

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