*Well…11 places and a rogue risk.
While the rest of the world thinks that New Zealand winters still resemble an island paradise, we know that winter in parts of New Zealand can be just as shin-crackingly cold as anywhere. What’s more, because we’ve fashioned our houses for the heat, most of the timber huts we live in are colder than a witch’s nipple. And as the winter season returns, so too does the cold. The bitterness. The desire for Vitamin D. The quest for sunburn.
Soon we’ll be enveloped in blankets and novelty onesies, using hot water bottles to fill the lonely void in our beds. Never fear, because while the south of New Zealand is frosting like an ice cream cake, there are a lot of places where the mercury is a lot more appealing.
1. Brisbane
Average July Temperature – 15o
Yes it’s in Australia and what’s best it’s my hometown. It rarely dips down into single figures even during the dead of winter, which makes it a great weekend destination. Brisbane is a dark horse capital city, often forgotten, and coming up the rear fast as it competes with Sydney and Melbourne culturally. And while you’ll probably still wanna pack a jumper, it certainly won’t resemble Winterfell.
Return flights to Brisbane from:
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
2. Fiji
Average July Temperature – 26o
Fiji is just ace, and our winter is the perfect time to visit the island nation. July is their dry season, and the sun blasts an appealing stream of high twenties goodness. I like to think of Fiji as the Oceanic version of Hawaii – the locals are beyond friendly, there are palm trees, rum and surfing and everything basically runs at half the pace.
Return flights to Fiji from:
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
3. Malta
Average July Temperature – 26o
Malta is a relatively unknown, yet amazing little place. Of extremely high historical significance, the island nation, situated between Sicily and North Africa has had more rulers than a school stationary cupboard. The Romans, Moors, French, British and even some random Knights were all grappling for control of the place. But you’re not here for a history lesson, just know that it’s an absolutely beautiful place, surrounded by crystal clear water perfect for swimming, and so littered with castles and cannons you’ll think you’ve stepped into a game of Risk.
Return flights to Malta from:
Auckland
4. Macedonia
Average July Temperature – 27o
Macedonia is dead set one of my favourite places. Situated near Greece, it’s so blissfully untouched by Western Europe, it’s like a European-Cuba. There’s no H&M’s, no TopShops, no McDonalds – just a lot of plagariased companies with similar names and horrible logo designs. But, it also boasts some stunning countryside, friendly people, a fascinating history and some amazing lakes with icy fresh water. It’s also cheaper than your unemployed uncle at Christmas.
5. Koh Samui
Average July Temperature – 29o
Like a scene from Leonardo DiCaprio’s unquestionably best movie, The Beach, Koh Samui is a palm tree filled oasis and one of the larger islands in Thailand. I’m not sure how many times I can use adjectives like picturesque, but this place is seriously where they shoot most of the postcards that say, “Wish you were here”. Stretches of white beaches as far as the eye can see and Keith Richard endorsed coconut trees everywhere. It also has the best Thai weather for mid-year. Go early July to avoid the crowds.
Return flights to Koh Samui from:
Auckland
Christchurch
Wellington
6.Cancun
Average July Temperature – 28o
Mexico often gets dismissed as being a cheap-tequila-swilling, drug-producing, frat-boy Corona zone, but that’s just not true. It’s a well-manicured wonderland, with a stunning coastline, colourful hammocks and some of the best food in the world. Refreshing, zesty, misty, cathartic, spiritual – however you want to slice the lime, a holiday in Mexico is a sun-bleached adventure where your biggest movement decision could be exploring an Aztec site, or walking from beach front cabin to beach front bed.
Also, I put Cancun as the city to go to, but in honesty, there’s dozens of places on the Mexican coastline that are just as good.
Return flights to Cancun from:
Auckland
Christchurch
7. Corsica
Average July Temperature – 22o
An outdoorsman’s wet dream, Corsica manages to condense a lot into a tiny island. From one sweeping side to the other you’ll find beaches that morph into cities which change into villages which flow over rolling hills that take you to rocky cliffs. If you like to be outside in warm, glorious weather, then go to Corsica. It boasts over 11 hours of sunlight a day in July, which gives you ample time to spin like a mad man around the amazing Sound of Music type hills and stand atop the cliffs and look majestically into the ocean and ponder why you’d ever want to go back to New Zealands’s 3 degree July days.
8. San Sebastian
Average July Temperature – 22o
Situated on the mainland of Spain, close to the border of France, San Sebastian is a beautiful coastal town with some of the best social experiences I’ve ever enjoyed. The city part of town bursts at the seams with alleyways, each spluttering with dozens of bars and restaurants. There are sticky nightclubs, relaxing bars, family restaurants, and just random holes in the wall serving beer, all side-by-side like one beautiful street festival.
Return flights to San Sebastian from:
Auckland
9. Morocco
Average July Temperature – 29o
While some think of Morocco as an orange tagine flavoured bazaar, it’s actually got a fantastic coastline with some of the best swell in the world – it’s also relatively unknown. That means it’s not as crowded when you’re getting pitted, bro.
Return flights to Morocco from:
Auckland
10. New Orleans
Average temperature – 33o
If you like voodoo, hot sauce and jazz, then New Orleans is the place to go. If you’re not interested in Mardi Gras (Jan-Feb) then this is also probably the best time to visit. While the threat of a hurricane keeps things interesting, the whole city is built for the heat, with plantation wooden houses and lots of outdoor eating and drinking. The French Quarter is an amazing cultural experience and you can drink alcohol on the streets.
Return flights to New Orleans from:
Auckland
11. Barbados
Average temperature –27o
Couldn’t include a list of where you’d rather be without including a bit of Caribbean action. Barbados has a lot to love and it’s great place to live like a king, or just chill out and relax. Has amazing rum soaked adventures and excellent food and the people are just great. July is rainy season, but the showers pass early and you’re left with a beautiful sun kissed day. Also it has a lot of those blue beaches you dream about from your solitary isolated cubicle as the rain trickles down the window and you contemplate stapling the next report to Gina’s forehead – this report is incomplete, Gina, and you know it!!
Best flight deals to Barbados from:
Auckland
12. BONUS: London
Average July Temperature – 19o
A cliché. I know. But for a reason. London has a deserved reputation for being cold and miserable, and it is. 10ish months of the year it feels like the heavens are throwing a tantrum. But for those few glorious months in the middle of the year, there are few places you’d rather be than London. The odd part about London is its misguided optimism. There are so many rooftop bars, so many parks, so many outdoor activities, all of which are essentially as useful as piranhas in a hot tub for a large proponent of the year, but when the sun’s out, the vibe is unbeatable, and the city is rejuvenated.
*Not guaranteed to be hot, but you gotta risk it to get the biscuit.
Best flight deals to London from:
Auckland
Wellington
