July is the height of the summer travel season, which means there’s all the more reason for Canadian travellers to stay informed about how to get a great price on travel for the month. It’s never too early to start planning for summer travel, so to help keep you in the know, Cheapflights.ca has crunched the data – looking at things like average flight costs from departure points across the country, overall demand for flights, and even the weather forecasts – to choose some great July getaway options. So, whether you’re looking to find a great price, some great weather, the best of both or somewhere up-and-coming, we have the spot for you. We’ve also included a bonus pick for travellers planning to buy tickets in July for travel later in the year. Read on to find out more.
For budget travellers: Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe
Take a step off the well-trodden Caribbean path with a trip to French-speaking Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe. Dubbed the New Orleans of the Caribbean, flights to this island city are 11 per cent lower than average for the month of July. Take in Pointe-a-Pitre’s colourful colonial building facades and browse local fruits, veggies, spices and freshly-caught fish at the Marche Saint-Antoine outdoor market. The city itself is close to picturesque beaches, but day trippers can also access nearby mangrove swamps, championship golf courses and exceptional diving and snorkelling spots. The city is also a great jumping off point for a ferry trip to smaller islands like gorgeous Les Saintes.
For weather watchers: Reykjavik, Iceland
If the 16 hours of daylight Canada sees in peak summertime isn’t enough sunshine for you, head to Reykjavik, where the sun is out for nearly 24 hours a day in July. The month is also ideal for visitors looking to experience bird and whale watching tours. And you can make use of the mild weather and abundant daylight by soaking up the water and the sunshine at the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. Book your tickets there around the same time that you book your flight, it can book up quickly.
For the best of both: Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City comes alive in the summertime, and July is the perfect time to get not only great weather but a great price on flights. Average airfares to Quebec in July are as much as $225 below peak prices. With big festivals like Quebec City Summer Festival, which this summer will celebrate its 50th year welcoming summer to the region, as well as local celebrations related to Canada Day and Canada’s 150th birthday, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. The Summer Festival runs from July 6-16 and will feature free activities as well as ticketed concerts, events and exhibitions.
For trendsetters: Porto, Portugal
Portugal has been a trendy destination for the last few years, with cities like eclectic Lisbon and sunny Lagos garnering international attention. But this year, in-the-know visitors are turning their attentions northward to Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. This scenic waterfront destination is known for its architectural beauty, its pottery, its seafood and, of course, its wine, which is the centre of attention in July. The Porto Wine Fest runs from July 21-24 and will feature cooking workshops, wine tastings and other family-friendly entertainment.
For advanced planners: Autumn in London
If you’re looking even further into your calendar than July, we have some tips for you, too. July is the perfect time to book an autumn trip to London. Booking your tickets in the last two weeks of July for travel at the end of September or beginning of October yields some of the most affordable fares of the year. Stroll through London’s many parks, which will be dressed in their colourful autumn leaves, people watch during September’s London Fashion Week, or sample offerings during October’s month-long London Restaurant Festival or London Cocktail Week, which runs from October 2-8, 2107.
Now that you know where to go, head to Cheapflights.ca to start searching for flights. Are you planning on getting away in July? Let us know in the comments below.
