Where to travel in June (4 top travel destinations + COVID requirements)

June is the perfect time to explore the world’s best destinations. Long, balmy evenings sipping wine, the narrow, winding streets on a historic city break — and all while avoiding the inevitable price hikes and endless queues that come with the summer holidays!

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COVID continues to add an extra layer of logistics when holidaying, of course, with the ever-changing ‘are-they-aren’t-they’ testing restrictions. So here, as well as telling you all about the best destinations for June, we’ll also run through the current COVID regulations, helping to streamline your holiday planning process.

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Choose the destination, book your test and away you go!

What are the best holiday destinations in June?

Tuscany, Italy 

June in Tuscany delivers rejuvenating warmth, bustling (but not overcrowded) attractions and the last few weeks of cheaper flight and hotel costs before peak season arrives. 

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Cost: Return flight London-Florence in June 2022: from £90

Average temperature: 27°C during the day and 17°C at night.

Why visit in June?

• Florence

The jewel in Tuscany’s crown, June represents Florence at its best. The city boasts world-class museums and art galleries, jaw-dropping architecture — the ornate Duomo, for example — as well as limitless gastronomic pleasures. 

• Sample Tuscan vineyards

Tuscany is synonymous with ruby-red Chianti wines grown only in this part of Italy. Don’t miss visiting some of the many wineries to sample the latest vintage, as well as to soak up the stunning vineyard landscape.

• Join the Feast of St John

Florence provides the perfect backdrop for the Feast of St John the Baptist, an annual festival on 24 June that’s dedicated to Florence’s Patron Saint. The day brings parades and special events and culminates in an impressive firework display that can be viewed citywide. 

What are the current COVID restrictions?

Until 31 May 2022, when traveling from the UK to Italy, visitors must show one of the following:

• Proof of vaccination
• A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arriving in Italy, or a negative lateral flow test within 48 hours of arrival
• A certificate showing proof of recovery from COVID within the last 6 months.

The French Riviera, France

Including the tourist hotspots of Nice, Cannes and San Tropez, the French Riviera in June is a glamourous and exclusive destination that welcomes visitors with warm days and enjoyably long evenings.

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Cost: Return flight London-Nice in June 2022: from £30 

Average temperatures: 19°C during the day and 11°C at night. 

Why visit in June?

• Beaches

By June, it’s warm enough to sunbathe while avoiding the crowds that descend in July and August. Many beaches are urban, providing the opportunity to combine beach relaxation with exploring the historic and charming towns along this 550-mile stretch of coastline.

• Café culture

You haven’t ‘done’ the south of France without a little time spent people-watching. And, as June welcomes the summer, you’ll find ideal conditions to indulge in cafe culture. Pick a table, slip on your sunglasses, and watch the world — and beautiful people — go by. 

• Féte de la Musique

A nationwide festival celebrating World Music Day, Féte de la Musique is a colourful and vibrant day-long event held on the summer solstice each year. The best of the celebrations are found in St Tropez and Nice. 

What are the current COVID restrictions?

All UK visitors over the age of 12 must provide proof of full COVID vaccination to enter France. If this cannot be supplied, then one of the following is required:

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• A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure
• A negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of travel to France.

Pacific Northwest, USA 

The USA’s Pacific Northwest is notorious for its temperamental weather. But June means sunshine and warmth — perfect for experiencing the best of city life, as well as appreciating the jaw-dropping nature found in this evergreen region.

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Cost: Return flight London-Seattle in June 2022: from £550 

Average temperature: 22°C during the day and 12°C at night. 

Why visit in June?

• Seattle

The unofficial gateway to the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a premier destination, offering a downtown area that enticingly combines history and modernity, while also proudly celebrating its grunge-music legacy.

• Island-hop by ferry

There are a vast number of islands off Seattle’s coast — and with regular ferry services in operation, island hopping in June is an absolute pleasure. Take in Seattle from the water, as you head to Bainbridge or Vashon Island, where vibrant displays of early summer wildflowers await you. 

• Visit Mount Rainier

Part of the Cascade range of mountains, the legendary Mount Rainier is a live volcano that stands watch over Seattle at an altitude of almost 4,300 metres. Take a trip to the National Park — hiking, camping and enjoying the cooling spray from the Ohanapecosh waterfalls.  

What are the current COVID restrictions?

The CDC regulates the entry requirements for foreign visitors to the USA. According to these rules, all UK visitors to the USA must be able to prove full vaccination status. 

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In addition, you must either:

• Provide proof of COVID recovery in the last 90 days, or 
• Take an approved test within one day of travel to the USA. 

Basque Country, Spain

Northern Spain sees plenty of rain, but little of it falls in June — go now, and you can enjoy the abundant greenery of early summer without the need for an umbrella. You’ll also avoid the crowds, meaning you can experience the many food, drink and cultural delights of the region in relative peace.

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Cost: Return flight London-San Sebastian in June 2022 from £100.

Average temperature: 23°C during the day and 16°C at night. 

Why visit in June?

• Eat your way around San Sebastian

San Sebastian is famous for its tapas — or pintxos — served as a free snack alongside drinks in bars. The quality of pintxos is standout in this city, with gourmet offerings as standard. 

• Visit Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum

Like its cousin in New York, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao displays contemporary, and often interactive, art displays right on the banks of the Bilbao Estuary. 

• Promenade on La Concha beach

San Sebastian’s main beach, La Concha, is an attractive bay that plays a big role in the city’s identity. Sunbathe, swim or pack a picnic and watch the world go by on the golden sands that curve for almost a mile along the fringe of this seaside city.

What are the current COVID restrictions?

All UK visitors to Spain must be able to prove they are either:

• Fully-vaccinated, or
• Have recovered from COVID in the last 6 months.

Travel is back on in a big way for summer 2022. Don’t get caught out at the airport, though. Do your research well ahead of time and book any necessary tests or recovery certificates to enjoy your holidays stress-free.