Top 10 Destinations for an International Summer Holiday

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This summer, don’t just Google for the top destinations for an international summer holiday but pack your bags and leave for one.  It’s time you pack your bags and leave to a far-off place that does not offer you heat and humidity but pleasant mornings, lush green orchards to spend your evenings, a casual café for you afternoons or even a hill station with perfect panoramic views of snow-capped peaks.

Read on as we have compiled some of the top destinations for an international summer holiday.

1. Switzerland

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Why You Should Visit Switzerland?

If we are talking about the top destinations for an international summer holiday, how can we not start the list with Switzerland? The fondues, Swiss chocolates and most importantly the Swiss Alps, you are in for a perfect summer vacation this year. Switzerland offers one of the most perfect weather conditions for an Indian traveller and arrives as an ideal host to your travel goals.

What are the Best Places to visit in Switzerland?

You have the incredibly photogenic Lake Geneva, where you can indulge in some paddle boarding, the Rhine Falls, where you can experience the roar of the gigantic waterfalls up close and personal with the cruise boats and ferries, explore a range of castles, or just hop into the Bernia Express. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Bernia Express is its speed.

What to Eat?

Switzerland is one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday for a reason. Once you are done with sightseeing in Switzerland, you can always sit down for a delightful brunch with Swiss wines and cheese. If you are a couple who loves to know a little more about your wine and preferences, you can always book a visit to a vineyard, where you can get firsthand information on how your favourite wines are made. Apart from the cheese and wines, you need to lay your hands on rosti, raclette, bircher muesli and cheese fondue.

How to Reach?

Switzerland is well connected with major Indian cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and more. You can find frequent flights to Zurich, Geneva and Bern and book tickets according to your preferences.

Visa Details

You need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland. To apply, you need to have a passport that is valid at least for the next six months, return flight tickets, IT returns documents and other supporting documents as requested by the consulate.

2. Bhutan

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Why Visit Bhutan?

If your summer is all about your intentions to be happy, we recommend the world’s happiest country – Bhutan. Bhutan is the perfect neighbour for the summer and that brings Bhutan to our list of top destinations for an international summer holiday.

Bhutan is such a beautiful place probably because of the sense of mysticism that fills the air there. It could be the mighty Himalayas that always cast a magical spell amongst visitors, the umpteen number of monasteries that help us connect to our inner selves or just the friendly locals, where all you could see are their adorable smiles and compassion.

What are the Places to See in Bhutan?

So when you are here, you can

• Trek to the Tiger Hill (for which we recommend you be a little fit) to catch the monastery nestled at the edge of a cliff
• Phuentsholing, the neatly organized border town of Bhutan
• Visit Thimpu and Punakha
• And finish your trip with Paro.

You can indulge in activities like river rafting, bungee jumping, monastery hopping, trekking, hiking, or participate in yogic healing or spiritual awakening sessions.

What to Eat?

One of the top destinations for an international summer holiday, Bhutan is ideal for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. When here, you should definitely try out ema datshi (an everyday food), kewa datshi, shamu datshi, shakam paa, sikam paa, goep and more.

How To Reach?

The best way to reach this top destination for an international summer holiday is by taking a flight from your city to Paro. This will help you save time and get you started with sightseeing. If you are the adventurous soul, you can reach Jaigaon by train or road and cross the border by a private cab.

Visa Details

You don’t need a visa to enter Bhutan because of the friendly relations between the two countries. However, you need to carry documents like a passport or a government approved ID card, the complete itinerary of your stay, photographs, and hotel vouchers.

Must Read: 21 Cool Travel Gadgets You Need For A Summer Holiday

3. Hamburg, Germany

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Why You Should Visit Germany?

With photogenic places aplenty and perfect weather conditions, Hamburg in Germany is an ideal vacation spot for all kinds of tourists. Rated as one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday, Hamburg is also known as the gateway to the world because of its prominence as an international trading port.

What are the Places to See in Hamburg?

Apart from the Port of Hamburg, where you must visit as part of your summer getaway, some of the other places you should head to in Hamburg include St. Michael’s Church, Miniature Wunderland, Kunshtalle Hamburg – a world-renowned art gallery – International Maritime Museum, the picturesque Great Lakes and more.

As you know, Germany is also known for its beer houses and breweries. So while you are here, you could probably go on a brewery hopping tour, trying to understand and appreciate more about the country’s indigenous brews from stout to pale ales.

What to Eat in Hamburg?

Mashed potato is one of the all-time favourites and a crowd puller here. Apart from it, you should try out

• Schnitzel
• Sauerbraten
• Pretzel
• Rouladen
• Potato salad
• Bratwurst
• Crepes
• Marzipans and more.

How To Reach?

Airways is the only medium to reach Germany. You can take a direct flight from a major Indian city like Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai or others and reach Hamburg. If you want to see more places in Germany, you can also club Berlin with your trip.

Visa Details

You need to apply for a Schengen visa for entry.

Check out our Europe tour packages for best holiday experience in Germany for your upcoming summer holiday.

4. Iceland – One of the best place for an international summer holiday

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Why You Should Visit Iceland?

Raw, wild, uncaged and filled with a myriad of terrains and ecosystems like steaming volcanos, gushing fishing areas, canyons, vodka bars, and natural hot water springs, this island in Scandinavia is nothing less than a landmass straight out of a fantasy novel. All these come together to make Iceland one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday. The weather conditions are perfect and complementing for the summers.

What are the Places to visit in Iceland?

You can visit the Blue Lagoon – the country’s most popular tourist location to start your Iceland tour. Once here, you would know why this is one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday. You can also head next to the idyllic Gullfoss Waterfall that cascades through a scenic landscape to give you a true view of the Icelandic landscape.

You can also visit Reykjavik, the country’s capital, Akureyri, Selfoss – another enchanting waterfall – Keflavik and more. One of the top destinations for an international summer holiday, the place is known for its Northern Lights phenomenon.

What to Eat in Iceland?

For the ambitious souls out there, you can try out fermented sharks or hakarl when you are in this top destination for an international summer holiday. You can also eat Brennivin, hot spring rye bread, svio or sheep’s head, harofiskur or dried fish and more.

How to Reach Iceland?

Keflavik is home to the country’s only international airport. You can find frequent flights from major Indian cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi and more to Keflavik.

Visa Details

You need to apply for a Schengen visa.

5. Bali

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This is one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday that is quite close to home. Name a setting or an activity that you would like to see or indulge in and you would find it in Bali. From volcanoes, coral reefs, or mountains to temples, you will find them all.

What are the Places to Visit in Bali?

When in Bali, you can indulge in water sports like jet skis, banana boats, scuba diving, snorkelling, go on hiking or trekking tours to the mountains, spend time with yourself with yoga retreats or just enjoy your solivagance by the beach.

Bali is also home to world-renowned temples – many of mythological origins – and forests. The place is also famous for the idyllic views of the sunset. Apart from the places of attractions, Bali is also a place you can shop till you drop and expect an exhilarating nightlife. In short, the place is a blend of a party town and rich cultural heritage that will help you appreciate the world better and have fun while doing it.

What to Eat in Bali?

Try your hands on nasi goreng, nasi cumpur, gado gado, sate lilit, lawar and more.

How to Reach Bali?

From India, one of the best ways to reach Bali is by taking a flight to the Denpasar International Airport or the Ngurah Rai International Airport. If you are in any other part of Southeast Asia like Jakarta, you can also go on a cruise ship.

Visa Details

Bali follows a visa on arrival procedure for Indians. The approximate cost of the visa is Rs. 2,000. You need to have all the necessary funds, travel plans, hotel vouchers and a passport valid for six months to obtain the visa.

6. Nepal

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Why You Should Visit Nepal?

Nepal makes it to our list of top destinations for an international summer holiday because of the presence of the Himalayas. The scenic mountains majestically welcome you to their land, where all you can see and experience are pleasant mornings, chilly nights and occasional snowfall. Ideal for a summer vacation isn’t it?

What are the Places to See in Nepal?

When you are in Nepal, you can visit Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, Bhaktapur and more. Nepal is also home to several temple and monasteries of prime significance such as Bodhnath Stupa, Amarnath, Swayambunath, and others. You can also indulge in high altitude trekking to places like the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna circuit, the Langtang region and more.

What to Eat in Nepal?

Some of the popular dishes in Nepal include momos, aloo tama, dal bhat, chaku, baji, and kwati.

How to Reach Nepal?

You can reach this one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday by road and flight. However, the most ideal way to cross the border is by taking a flight from a major Indian city to Kathmandu. It is both time-saving and easy on the health.

Visa Details

Indians do not need a visa to enter Nepal. You need to carry a valid Indian identification card to enter.

Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Nepal

7. Singapore

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Why You Should Visit Singapore?

Singapore is one of the most well-planned countries in the world that offer one of the best holiday experiences to an Indian traveller. The weather is pleasant and ideal and you have tons of things to see and experience in Singapore. Plus, it is also one of the most cost-effective places in India you can visit. That makes Singapore one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday.

What are the Places to See in Singapore?

You can go to

• The Sentosa Island
• The Universal Studios
• Chinatown Heritage Center
• Marina Bay Area
• Singapore river cruise
• Clarke Quay and more.

You can also visit the night safari at the Singapore Zoo.

What to Eat in Singapore?

Singapore is rich in its diversity. So you can find cuisines from all over the world like Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian and more. You can try Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, chilli crab, nasi lemak, rojak and more.

How to Reach Singapore

There are daily flights operating from major Indian cities to Singapore. If you book in advance, you can get the best deals for your journey.

Visa Details

Singapore requires applying for a visa before you start your trip. You can visit Singapore’s official website to find out the documents required for the visa and follow the procedure accordingly.

8. Japan

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Why You Should Visit Japan?

It’s a country that is not just advanced in terms of technology and lifestyle but is also the one that is incredibly rooted in its cultures and tradition. When in Japan, you would see and experience ethnicity at its best and get to know a lot about their way of life. From learning new qualities as humans to experiencing the cherry blossom, Japan during summer makes it to our list of top destinations for an international summer holiday.

What are the Places to See in Japan?

You can visit the cherry blossoms at most places in Japan. Apart from this, you can visit Koyot, Mount Fuji, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Disneyland, the Universal Studios, Koya-san, Ishigaki, Kanazawa and more.

What to Eat in Japan?

Obviously, you should not miss their sushi and teppanyaki. Apart from these two delicacies, you should try their seafood tempura, sashimi, sukiyaki and more.

How to Reach Japan?

Japan is best reached by flights. There are multiple operators flying to Japan on a daily basis. You can choose a major international airport close to your home and reach Japan conveniently. You cannot reach Japan by road or ship.

Visa Details

Japan also requires you to apply for a visa before you enter. With proper documents, bank details and valid passports, you can get a Japanese visa within 7 to 10 business days.

9. The United States of America

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Why You Should Visit America?

To live your American dream probably. One of the most popular countries in the world, the US is accommodating and has myriad places and experiences to offer. If you didn’t know, it snows in the northern states of the US during the summer and makes it ideal for you to visit the country.

What are the Places to See in the US?

When in one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday – the US -, you can visit the New York City, home to umpteen number of movies and television shows, Philadelphia, San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, The Niagara Falls, Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas and more.

What You Should Eat in the US?

The US is famous for its American fried rice, Charleston red rice, Hawaiian haystack, hamburgers, fried chicken, chips and dip, steaks and more.

How to Reach the US?

You can reach the US only by flight. Depending on which states you intend to cover and what place you want to see first, you can reach the respective international airport from some of the major Indian cities. The earlier you book, the better deals you would get.

Visa Details

The US is very stringent when it comes to its visa policies. You need to have a round-trip air ticket, hotel vouchers, invitation letters, bank statements and sufficient funds, IT returns and more to apply for a US visa. The price depends on the type of visa you apply for.

10. Austria

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Why You Should Visit Austria?

Another European delight and yet another top destination for an international summer holiday! Austria is a picturesque country with rich cultural heritage and a sound music legacy. It is home to architectural marvels from the medieval period and is also home to the Central Eastern Alps, which means your summer is sorted!

What are the Places to See in Austria?

One of the first places to visit in Austria is the Belvedere followed by places like the Alps, Zillertal, Innsbruk, Vienna, Hochosterwitz Castle, Imst, the Gothic Clocktower, Hallstatt and more.

What to Eat in Austria?

When you are in Austria, one of the top destinations for an international summer holiday, you need to definitely try out their apple strudel, tafelspitz, sachertote, boiled beef, Salzburger Nockerl, Linzer torte, Danish pastry and more.

How to Reach Austria?

Taking a flight is the only way to reach Austria. The only international airport is in Vienna and you need to plan your schedule from and to Vienna for your journey. There are multiple airlines operating from India to Vienna.

Visa Details

You need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Austria.

So, this was our list of the top destinations for an international summer holiday. We believe you are already convinced with one of the destinations. No matter if you intend to spend time with your special someone by the valleys of Bhutan, sharing a fondue by the Alps or simply backpacking to witness the northern lights, we wish you have a great summer holiday minus the summer.