Lucas Toft

Greece, known as the cradle of classical western civilization, is filled with architectural wonders, from the Pantheon in Athens to the temple of Poseidon in Attica. The country seems to have it all—towering monasteries of Meteora, sun-drenched beaches along the Aegean Sea, an idyllic countryside dotted with olive trees and vineyards, rugged mountains with scenic hiking trails, and lovely islands like Santorini and Mykonos. Add to this endless variety of cuisine that has inspired the world. Planning a trip to Greece? This is your perfect guide to this astonishing country.

The weather in Greece in June is warm enough for a proper beach vacation. The country sees very little rain during this time of year, the skies are a beautiful blue and you can enjoy long, bright days. If you visit Greece at the beginning of the month, you are unlikely to encounter massive crowds, since the peak summer rush starts around the end of the month.

Make the most of your stay in Greece in June with visits to destinations like Santorini, Naxos, and Milos. Admire the archaeological wonders of Athens; Explore Thessaloniki and find out why it, with its strong Ottoman influences, is a place like no other; and enjoy the brilliant food and wine scene of Tinos, an island in the Cyclades archipelago.

A trip to Portugal in August is particularly enjoyable if your five P’s are sorted: a plump purse, patience, people-loving spirit, pre-planning, and pre-booking your trip. You will need these travel essentials to fight the legendary mad tourist rush of August head-on. So, if you are a seasoned traveler, now is the time to ditch the tourist trail and go off-grid. Soaring sun and absolute dry days mean it is time to hit the beach. Foray a little deep to find an equally picturesque alternative to the famous beaches of the Algarve in the calmer Southwest Alentejo or Centro region. Substitute watersports with an adventurous outing in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Its scenic waterfalls, lush forests, and fast-flowing rivers offer you the chance to canoe, raft or simply hike.

July is one of the wettest months of the year in Mexico. But that does not mean that the weather is nothing but overcast and gloomy all the time. In fact, you will find plenty of bright days with lots of sunshine during your trip to Mexico in July. Plus, soaring temperatures and humidity make all water-related activities particularly attractive. Spend time on the beach, go diving and snorkeling, and get your adrenaline pumping while kayaking around Isla Espiritu Santos.

Mexico is a large country, and some parts are cooler than others meaning that there are plenty of things to do even in July. Take advantage of the relatively moderate temperatures in the Sierra Madre and go hiking. Else, explore Mexico City, which rarely becomes unpleasantly hot even in July.

The weather in Mexico in May is mostly hot and dry, but for some parts of the country, this is the beginning of the rainy season. From the point of view of tourists, May is a quiet month, which means you can cover the country’s top-rated destinations without big crowds. There is plenty to do and see in the country—from lazing on beaches and attending a jazz festival in Cancún to enjoying water sports in Cabo San Lucas, hiking in the Copper Canyon, and spotting adorable sea turtles in Isla Mujeres. Since tourists tend to avoid traveling to Mexico in May because of the heat, you can get amazing discounts during this month and might even find the weather surprisingly mild in many places.