June’s long days and balmy climes mark the sweet spot in European summer. Tables are spread with farm-to-table feasts, mountain trails emerge from the snowpack, and jovial locals welcome visitors after a quieter spring. Plus, there are extended daylight hours for more exploring or lingering at leisurely dinners.
European Alps
Country-hopping has never been so exhilarating. The European Alpine range crosses eight countries in one giant, sweeping arc and is in all ways superlative—it is the highest and largest mountain range in Europe. It is also the youngest, which means these mountains are still evolving, uplifting and reshaping, and they’ve not yet lost their youthful features to erosion. They step forward with sharp, crystalline peaks and carve out deep, verdant valleys below.
The mountains’ breadth and position also gave them a pivotal role in European history. They shaped the paths of armies and pilgrims, housed diverse ecosystems for foraging and farming and created borders and safe havens for budding cultures. The imposing stature of these peaks did not seem to dampen historic notions of conquest. The ancient general Hannibal surprised his Roman foes by crossing the Alps with a herd of elephants. Napoleon crossed with an army of 40,000 soldiers. In the Golden Age of Alpinism in the 1800s, sportsmen thronged to the peaks to revel in the challenge and the views.
A trip to the Alps this summer would add you to this roster of hardy mountain travelers, but your trip will be decidedly more luxurious and focused on the fun. If you arrive in June, waterfalls are at their peak, and higher trails with spectacular views are now clear of snow. You’ll be in good company up there. Bears, marmots and ibex have emerged from their winter slumbers, and the glossy black Alpine chough is once again earning its “Sky Acrobat of the Alps” moniker by looping and dipping on the warm thermals above.
Down below, green valleys are dotted with villages, each humming with their own local heritage and way of life. There is a hamlet lined with hand-painted buildings, one that specializes in violin-making and one where traditional brown suits and blue dresses are perpetually en vogue.
On a Backroads trip, you could cycle through Český Krumlov, a World Heritage Site whose cobblestone streets and hidden squares are wrapped by a bend of the Vltava River. You could cycle along a converted World War I rail trail through the Dolomites or pedal to find the hidden lake of Pillersee. The end of any day is made better by a refreshing draught at a charming hospoda (traditional country pub) or a dinner of fresh-caught seafood.
The Alps are striking and full of life. June inspires these dramatic mountains to throw their arms wide open to welcome you in.
Norway
Leave your backyard sprinklers and crowded pools behind—we’ve found you some much more enticing places to cool off. Summer opens up the entire country of Norway to adventures that winter simply won’t allow, yet maintains just enough glacial chill to keep your adventure nice and breezy.
Hike up close enough to feel the spray of Skjervsfossen’s—not one but two—thundering waterfalls. Cycle in the cool breeze along the Loelva River and catch a glimpse of the Jostalbreen glacier. Drag your fingers through the icy fjord waters as you kayak across the Bjørnafjorden or hand over your paddles and take an exhilarating plunge! If you’re still in need of refreshment, hop a private boat and cruise over to a tree-to-table cider tasting.
Norway in summer also means the days are lovely and lingering, so extend your evenings for as long as you like. Take a scenic stroll at 11 p.m. or gather by a fjord with a picnic at midnight. There’s no need to rush back to your hotel before dark, because dark is kept at bay by a misty golden light.
The Norwegians will add their infectious summer enthusiasm to the tone of your trip. When the weather turns this warm, they flock to pubs to enjoy the phenomenon of utepils (outdoor beer), gathering in the beer gardens or even on the pavement. At its heart, this joyful tradition is about community and a deep appreciation of nature, and it is so ingrained in the culture that the first opportunity to indulge is announced with fanfare in the media.
June will show you a Norway that is calm, cool and collectively ready for celebratory summer adventures.
Azores
Water, water, everywhere… In the Azores, water is more than a feature. It is the lifeblood of the people, and the force that shapes the spirit of the entire archipelago.
It emerges throughout the islands as geysers, bubbling mud pools, and volcanic steam vents used to cook the famed cozido das Furnas stew. Waterfalls descend to help sustain the fertile valleys. Rain has turned ancient calderas into emerald lakes filled with fish, but thankfully, by June the downpours give way to lighter and more intermittent showers; a moment to take advantage of in a place known for dramatic, fast-changing skies. An ancient aqueduct is a reminder of the 17th century engineering skill it took to transport water from interior springs to sustain the agriculture and drinking water for the city of Ponta Delgada.
On the saltier side, the ocean offers up clams, blue mackerel, limpets and cracas (cousins to our barnacles). And in June, you’ll want to jump on in! This month, the sea temperature begins to climb, making it possible to swim, surf and snorkel without a wetsuit.
Rinse off the saltwater with a dip in Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul, two very different-colored sides of one freshwater lagoon; phytoplankton blooms have caused the blue on one side to seem vibrant green, creating a stunning visual effect and making for a wildly colorful swim.
Sperm whales live here year-round, but June is a special month. It’s migration season for bottlenose dolphins and fin and sei whales. Blue whales, the largest creature in existence, are still passing through at the tail end of their spring migration. It’s a unique moment; keep your eye on the seas for possible sightings.
June is a particularly rewarding time of year to immerse yourself in this extraordinary archipelago.
Baltics
The Baltics comprise Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, an intriguing set of countries that have not always been easily accessible. Now you can bike your way through all three. Their winters are cold and snowy, so the summer months are your key to unlocking the adventurous elements of this trio.
These countries can now celebrate over three decades of sovereignty, so enjoy them with gusto. Cycle through the ancient trees of the Anykščiai Forest, thought to once shelter the legendary fortress of Lithuania’s first king. Create your own historic moment by cruising into Latvia on two wheels, through what was once a Soviet checkpoint, and then re-fortify yourself in proper historic fashion with a hearty Latvian lunch at a baroque manor.
Cross another border into Estonia, and bike from village to village through lush forests and relax in a stunning castle-turned-hotel. Snap yourself fully back into the present by renting kayaks or paddleboards during a sunny summer afternoon in Pärnu. Or explore the museum and music center dedicated to Estonia’s most famous contemporary classical composer, Arvo Pärt, who often infuses his work with tintinnabuli, a compositional technique he invented inspired by Gregorian chants.
June is your special opportunity to see the beauty and history of these places that were until very recently hard to access.
Camino de Santiago
This ancient pilgrimage dates back thousands of years. But as a modern-day pilgrim, you have the luxury of being able to choose its most breathtaking segments and take respite each night in elegant hotels.
The Palace Vidago Hotel is a prime example, and June is the right month for enjoying its curated grounds and nature park, with groves and trails mirroring an early 20th century landscape. Its spa has been long-revered as a retreat among Europe's elite, who have for hundreds of years come to benefit from the famed mineral waters and facilities fit for a king—in fact, its modern renovations were commissioned by one! The hotel was constructed in 1910, inaugurated by King D. Manuel II as his brother and father King Carlos had both visited for treatment. It became a cultural hub, with concerts, tennis, croquet events and even a skating rink. Many remodels and upgrades later, it is the lap of luxury that any spa aspires to be.
The Baiona Hotel is another perfect rest stop for any pilgrim. Originally the castle of the Count de Gondomar, it holds its own in the history books: it was the first observation site of Columbus’ La Pinta as it sailed toward Spanish soil with the announcement that what they deemed the “New World” had been discovered.
The weather is balmy, the traditional Portuguese fado music is echoing through the trees. Green hills, forests, rural villages and tiny fishing ports provide a peaceful backdrop and delicious stops all along your travels in June. Summer pilgrims are happy pilgrims.
