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A group of travelers jumping off a boat into the ocean.

Where to Go Abroad This Summer? 8 Ideas from Beaches to Festivals

There are only so many late-night Taco Bell runs you can make and lazy-day movies you can binge with your friends before summer starts to drag. It’s time to get out there. Trade in the T-Bell in your town for tapas in Spain or Netflix movies for monkeys in Costa Rica. Here are eight great places to go and things to do abroad this summer.

by Madeline M.

Vernazza Beach in Cinque Terre, Italy.

1. Vernazza Beach

Splash around this Cinque Terre beach. The natural harbor around the beach keeps the waters calm, and the sandy beach is just begging to be napped on. Especially after you’ve hiked across the hills of Cinque Terre and your legs have turned to jelly.

See it on on a trip to Italy

A board of charcuterie, cheese, olives, and wine.

2. A rooftop tapas bar in Spain

Say that 5 times fast. After catching your breath, head to a tapas bar in Madrid and stuff yourself with everything from patatas bravas (fried potatoes) to albóndigas (meatballs). For dessert, enjoy a sunset view of Spain’s capital city.

Do it on a trip to Spain

Two beer steins being cheers'd in an Oktoberfest tent.

3. A German beer garden

Kick back at one of Munich’s beer gardens with a frosty stein and a pretzel or seven. If spending hours gathered around outdoor picnic tables with live music is Germany’s idea of the perfect summer day, we’re ready to move ASAP. The beer is flowing, the folks are friendly, and the camaraderie is unrivaled.

Drink up on a trip to Germany

Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica

4. Manuel Antonio National Park

Lounge on Costa Rica’s most well-known beach, venture through the rainforest, and keep an eye out for the new friends you’ll meet along the way (talkin' about monkeys and sloths).

See it on a trip to Costa Rica

A yacht on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia

5. A private boat on the Adriatic

Jet around Croatia on a private boat and take the walk of #NoShameNoShameNoShame. Get ready for you, the stunning coastline, and the bright blue water of the Adriatic Sea. Winter may be coming, but this is a summer you won’t forget.

Set sail on a trip to Croatia

A person relaxing in Iceland's Blue Lagoon geothermal spring.

6. Iceland's Blue Lagoon

The warm, light-blue waters of Iceland’s geothermal spa will have you relaxed and rejuvenated quicker than it’ll take for your toes to start looking like raisins.

Dip in during a trip to Iceland

People covered in tomato sauce at Spain's La Tomatina Festival.

7. La Tomatina Festival

Get (tomato) sauced during this annual, tomato-filled event outside the coastal Spanish city of Valencia. Equal parts bizarre and amazing, the world’s most epic and well-planned food fight definitely deserves a spot in your summer travel plans.

Do it on our La Tomatina Festival trip

People white water rafting.

8. The Arve River

Ride the rapids like a pro as you whitewater raft through the Chamonix region of France. Splashing your fellow travelers is not required, but highly encouraged. Don’t forget to wipe the spray out of your eyes and look up every once and a while because, trust us, the Swiss Alps look best from a rubber raft.

Do it on our Hike the Alps trip

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