As summer and winter get into full swing in their respective hemispheres, wise travellers seek to make the most of the weather in July.Take to the twinkling, snow-capped peaks of Queenstown with your skis; dip a toe in the cool, crystalline waters of Austria’s lakes; or celebrate all things America on the golden coast of California with these tips from Lonely Planet’s travel experts.
Make a splash in Austria’s lakes
It must be one of life’s greatest pleasures – jumping into deliciously clear, cool water on a hot summer’s day. Austria is one of the most scenic places in the world to do just that, with any number of its natural lakes perfect for a spot of outdoor swimming. In most cases, the waters have warmed up considerably by July, to the less-than-bracing mid-twenties°C.Head to Carinthia’s for open water swimming, divebombing from lakeside jetties or just a relaxed paddle. As it’ll be high season, the public bathing foreshore is likely to be crowded with holidaymakers, but you can hire a boat to take you to the more peaceful opposite shore. The rest of the country is dotted with equally beautiful lakes to try out – consider in Salzkammergut for a wide selection of watersports and in Upper Austria for a particularly sensational mountain scenery backdrop.