#ashtip Where to go this Summer

The South of France is always a good idea.

One person's idea of the best holiday destinations in the world differs wildly from the next's. It all depends, of course, on what you want from a holiday. Whether your idea of fun is taking off as many clothes as is humanly decent and dancing in Saharan conditions, or standing ponderously before Giotto's candlelit frescoes in Assisi, or hacking through rainforest to discover the indigenous tribe that has never before clapped eyes on an outsider. Why, every day thousands make the pilgrimage that is the three-hour queue at Madame Tussaud's to see pretend people which look like dead famous people, and they can't get enough of it.

Some places in the world, however, are so unequivocally brilliant, so indisputably incredible, that it would take extraordinary effort to not love them. Places that have everyone from belligerent old uncles to jaded been-there-done-it-alls about what a simply WONDERFUL holiday they had. So here is the ultimate holiday calendar to help you find out where to go when, top holiday destinations whether you want beaches or wilderness, safari or city breaks: the 5 best holiday destinations for every month of the summer.

June

Europe is so much more than Paris and Venice. Complete the picture with a visit to St. Petersburg.

Summer's here - quick, take a summer holiday before the schools break up! Here's where to find the best beach holidays in June, a few excellent city breaks, plus an epic trip of a lifetime.

Croatia
Croatia's surge in popularity has been meteoric, and it's not hard to see why. In the past 10 years it has gone from being considered a cheaper, quieter alternative to Italy, to being one of the hottest destinations for summer.

South of France
The French Riviera has always been movie-star stunning. In June the temperature is just right to frolic on the beaches Bardot-esque in your designer bikini, before the bulk of the summer tourists descend.

Amalfi Coast
A single visit to the Amalfi Coast is all it takes to understand the legions of love letters, poems and literature Italy has inspired. Confetti-coloured houses and ornate domes and spires jostle for space on sheer cliffs, looking out over the azure Mediterranean sea. And the light!

St. Petersburg
Is there anything more magical than the white nights in St. Petersburg? For a few weeks around midsummer the sun never sets, illuminating the whole city in an ethereal glow.

Peru and Machu Picchu
There's a reason Machu Picchu is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the world. Set amongst the clouds, high in the Peruvian mountains, the old Inca city is awe-inspiring.

July

I know it can feel like you have to visit literally every city in Italy. And yea, that's kind of true. But start with Rome and Puglia.

Holidays in July where you can beat the crowds, from Great British beach holidays to a few beach holiday destinations in Europe you might not have thought of - and some epic long-haul destinations at their absolute best in July.

Iceland
Chances are you won't be going to Iceland for the weather, but it's certainly most pleasant in July. The long days mean more time to explore the almost otherworldly natural landscape.

Puglia
In the heel of Italy, Puglia moves to its own beat. It's slower, quieter, and more laid-back than many parts of the country, much of it still waiting to be discovered by holiday-makers. And it also has some excellent sandy beaches.

Cartagena
Increasingly a contender for the Caribbean's coolest city, Cartagena has a buzz about it right now, making it high on our wishlist for July, when the weather is great.

Fiji
July is the best time to visit the South Pacific islands of Fiji. It's dry season and the water is at its clearest. The archipelago is one of the best places to dive in the world, surrounded by beautiful reefs which are home to around 1,000 species of fish; but on a clear day, a simple snorkel is just as good.

Seychelles
The Indian Ocean islands of the Seychelles, with their sweeping white beaches, clear blue waters and diverse wildlife, must be the most sought-after holiday spots in the world.

August

No nightclub in Mykonos can compete with the natural splendor of Tanzania

Where to go in August when the world and his wife are on holiday? These are my top holiday destinations for August to escape the crowds, where you can still find a quiet beach and a table at the best restaurants in these good-time cities.

Dublin
If there's one thing the Irish are famous for, it's their love of a good time, and where better to be wooed by the Emerald Isle's charm than in Dublin?

Amsterdam
Everything is hyped up in the Dutch city; museums are wacky, weird and downright fascinating, and cafés go from loud and lovely to totally laid-back.

Bali
Bali has graduated from hippy hideaway heaven to a sleeker, more sophisticated kind of cool island, but that doesn't mean it has lost its carefree charm.

Tanzania
For a big, blow-out beach and safari holiday, Tanzania has it all: game parks packed with wildlife, islands of icing-sugar sand in azure-blue seas and, of course, Kilimanjaro.

The Channel Islands
Slightly French, slightly British but completely unique, the islands are perfect for a quick getaway or a week of lolling around on the sand and exploring the quaint seaside villages.