Where to go when - July

School’s out! Get those summer holidays sorted! July is the month to make the most of the short Mongolian summer, catch the Tour de France in the French Alps, or the July Festival of flowers in Valencia, Spain, or for something completely different, go skiing in South America! We've got maps, guides and travel literature to them all.

Take an alternative summer holiday – head for the Andes Mountains of Chile, where it is mid-ski season now with a 3m-thick base of snow nearly guaranteed from mid-July. The ski areas at Valle Nevado and Portillo are near enough from the capital, Santiago to make daytrips perfectly reasonable. Or head for the volcanic hot springs at Chillan for a more relaxing break. Plan your perfect trip with our Chile maps and travel books.

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Catch the Tour de France as it swoops through the stunning French Alps for a few days in July. The cyclists grind up enormous climbs and hairpin bends and then plummet down spectacular mountain sides, reaching speeds of 100kph. Have a go yourself by hiring mountain bikes, or stick to good old hiking boots and trek your way through the highest mountains in Western Europe.

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See the full magic of this city, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, during the Valencia July Fair (Feria de Julio) with the traditional Battle of Flowers when Valencianas on floats throw blooms at passers-by. The air is filled with floral scent and the streets are covered with blankets of flowers. Late-night parties are then held in the warm summer evenings on the beaches of Valencia. Find them with our Valencia maps and guides.

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Make the most of the short Mongolian summer – in July it is warm at an average 21˚C – perfect for sleeping out on the steppes in a traditional ger (nomadic tent). Mid-July sees the fantastic Naadam Festival of competitive games celebrated in Ulan Bator and throughout the country. See our range of maps and guides to Mongolia.

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