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Escape the winter blues: 10 must-visit summer destinations in the Southern Hemisphere
Feb 24, 2025
Earth may be a fairly uniform sphere, but the Northern Hemisphere has the lion's share of landmass at an estimated 68%, while the Southern Hemisphere's solid ground clocks in at 32%. Even more striking, approximately 87% of the world's population lives up top, while just 1.04 billion people (13%) reside below the equator.
Arguably, less land, more water and, yes, even less humanity make the austral half of our planet all the more special and worth the long flight to get there. With so few people and far less development, landscapes tend to be delightfully wild, customs intriguingly unique and wildlife fascinatingly rare.
Of course, traveling to the Southern Hemisphere during its summer — December through February — has the added benefit of being warm when it's cold on the other side of the globe. That said, check the weather because in certain places, it's monsoon (read: super rainy) season.
As a Southern Hemisphere dweller living just eight-odd degrees south of the equator in Bali, Indonesia, I highly recommend venturing southward during these months for warm temperatures, natural wonders and world-class hospitality. Here are ten of the best places to start planning a trip for next year during summer in the Southern Hemisphere:
Sydney
There is nothing quite like summer in Sydney. An Australian city that can feel like one giant beach town one moment and an urban center of cool fine dining and chic fashion another. There are dramatically beautiful cliff walks scenic spots for lawn bowling with a drink in hand plus Sydney Harbour cruises. The Sydney Festival dishes out dance theater musical performances each January. You can't miss Bondi Beach iconic Bondi Icebergs swim club above-the-ocean pool storied Opera House.
TPG tip: In reimagined circa-1912 sandstone Department Education building downtown glamorous culturally connected Capella Sydney bursting inspiring art including large commissions Indigenous talents plush place rest your head dine spa up when not gallivanting around radiant city suburbs Rooms start $692 per night summer.
Chilean Patagonia
Chilean Patagonia is a region breathtaking beauty spanning some square miles half long skinny country Summer ideal time visit epic destination hike Torres del Paine white water rafting kayak fjords view Perito Moreno Glacier spot wildlife penguins whales Highs typically mild thrills anything but.
TPG tip Blending into landscape enough let peaks shine Tierra Patagonia overlooks Sarmiento Lake comprises rooms celebrate staggering natural vistas besides luxurious creature comforts All-inclusive rates start $3 per night December.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda
If Uganda best thing gorilla trekking highlands designated UNESCO World Heritage Site cooler rest country sprawls across equator remarkable endangered mountain gorillas home dry season results dense foliage easier view untamed natural habitat Planning kind key considering need permits limited.
TPG tip When reopens Gorilla Forest Lodge Sanctuary put guests sumptuous suites close humanly possible seeking sustainable immersed national park itself Rates start $520 person based double occupancy.
Sao Paulo
You'll like rather love heat swing Brazil populous city summertime daytime temperatures hover humidity chance rain high worth steamy atmosphere explore vibrant metropolis eye-catching aesthetics plenty architecture guided walking tour recommended culture art February March main event Carnival explosion colorful parades samba performances music street parties fabulously over-the-top costumes imaginable.
TPG tip Close festivities Bela Vista neighborhood Rosewood elegant option cultural immersion thanks collection works artists rooms begin per night season.
Queenstown New Zealand
Calling adrenaline-fueled adventurers set amid Alps Lake Wakatipu excitement especially warmest months theoretically person travel way mind enjoy wine views many fly Milford Sound teeny airplane morning aboard waterfall-strewn cruise active pursuits come bungee jumping hiking paragliding jet boating skydiving.
TPG tip Rustic luxury tap shores Hilton Resort Spa cozy fire pits indoor pool water taxi reach town rates begin or Honors points.
Cape Town
Breathtaking mountains innovative affordable Michelin-quality dining sandy beaches turquoise waters await South African live music explore wine country immerse wild spaces partake outdoor activities surfing free diving hotels best attention detail plush design worth quick lag stopover safari warning however days decide give never enough.
An icon Victoria Alfred Waterfront Fairmont Managed hotel reopened entirely look cements dynamic destination slumbering sweetly hours cushy tasting native generational recipes flavors drinking seen waterfront bar taking art starts per
Hainan Airlines announced on X that it is offering rewards to eligible inbound passengers who book accommodations through designated Marriott channels from September 15 to December 31, 2025.
Japan Airlines has announced via the social media platform X that its partner, Malaysia Airlines, will introduce the Airbus A330neo on the Tokyo (Narita)–Kuala Lumpur route.
Allegiant Air recently highlighted a couple whose long-distance relationship between Lexington, Kentucky, and St. Pete, Florida, was sustained through the airline's flights.
MOST, an aviation technology firm, has announced on LinkedIn that it releases new features for its onboard retail and payment platform every two weeks, providing automatic updates at no extra cost.
Amazon Air announced on Instagram that its Women Air group hosted a wellness event at the KSBD facility in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness.
Ethiopian Airlines announced on X that it has reinsaid flights to Port Sudan, with daily service starting on October 15, 2025, and increasing to two daily flights on November 1, 2025.
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