Celebrating Summer in Style
2 March 2011
Summer afternoon … to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.
-Henry James, 1934
The longer days of summer are calling. Will you answer with work days, summer camps for the kids, and afternoons at the pool? Or will you indulge your wanderlust and answer the call with an unusual journey of your own? Heed James' words and cherish the balmy summer afternoons in the most spectacular locales. Gaze out at the Ring of Kerry. Rejoice over port. Dance in Dubrovnik.
Below, a few of our favorite summer destinations.
• Croatia: Not too well known among American travelers, Croatia has long been a guilty pleasure for Europeans who love to mix history and culture with some time at the beach. Jacques Cousteau called the Adriatic the clearest water on Earth. You be the judge on the island of Hvar (they say it gets more hours of sunshine than any other place in Croatia). Its lavender fields and secluded bays are enchanting. On the nearby island of Trogir, tour the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, completed in 1250. Don't miss Diocletian's Palace in Split and the dramatic city of Dubrovnik, one of the world's best-preserved medieval towns.
• Ireland: With its warm and breezy weather, summer is a great time to be on the Emerald Isle. In Dublin, visit Trinity College and see the medieval Book of Kells. Stroll through St. Stephen's Green, and shop on Grafton Street. Witness the stunning Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. More than 650 feet above the roaring Atlantic, these beauties defy words. Head to Galway, a vibrant, youthful city, and make it to the Arts Festival to see the best of Irish theater, dance, music, and more.
• Portugal: Begin your summer journey in wine country, the Douro Valley, home of the world's great port. Visit Buçaco and its enchanting walled forest with more than 700 types of trees. Take time to wander Sintra (Lord Byron did). See its stunning Pena Palace and shops full of tiles and ceramics. Worried your golf swing will get rusty if you miss tee time back home? World-class golf courses await you. Conclude your Portuguese expedition in Lisbon, where the country's explorers once set sail.
• Kenya: Game viewing is an incredible part of any trip to this East African nation, and summer is among the best times to explore. In Amboseli, see the largest elephant herds in all of Africa — and a view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Head to Samburu for Grevy's zebras and the reticulated giraffe. And take a hot-air balloon ride in the Masai Mara. Return home with unbelievable stories of animal encounters, and the pictures to prove it.
• Galápagos: Looking for a tropical vacation that doesn't involve crowds or toting a beach umbrella? Head south and cruise through the Galápagos Islands. Take in your surroundings on a glass-bottom boat, or jump in and snorkel. Make room for the other beach bums — marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and blue-footed boobies. This archipelago is an exquisite paradise, unlike anywhere you've been. On either end of your journey, spend time in Quito and experience life on the equator.