Book These 10 Summer Vacations ASAP, or Risk Big Price Jumps

There’s a reason this island has more choices for longer-term house rentals than hotels—nobody wants to leave, and everybody wants a “home away from home” vibe. Yet homeowners also want to wedge their relaxing vacation onto the calendar. This creates congestion during the summer months. To score the best rate, or even a decent stay, don’t book over the Fourth of July or Labor Day, as that’s when many people flock to their vacation homes. Can you swing the last week of August or the second week of June? Outside of summer’s high season, this may open up rooms at tiny (and cute) hotels like the 17-room Life House Nantucket or the 20-room Greydon House.

Since the majority of visitors to Walt Disney World, Epcot, and Universal Orlando Resort—which are all in Orlando—are under the age of 18, that means family vacations are when school’s out for the summer. This is high season. If you’ve been to any of these parks at least once, you know you’re not just buying a ticket. You’re buying a package of customized experiences. If you have your heart set on, say, a certain hotel that’s within the park—like Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa—or character dining experiences, VIP fireworks views, or other special perks, book early.

Oh, how the City of Light shines in summer, with golden light bathing the streets, outdoor cafes buzzing until midnight, and leisurely strolls (and picnics) along the Seine. This is exactly what everyone who plans a Francophile vacation is thinking: this is the best time of year. But here’s a pro tip: most of Europe is on holiday in August, and during this month you’ll be competing with more travelers, although you might also argue there are fewer Parisians in town. Perhaps you’ll score one of their stylish apartments for rent from a company such as Paris Perfect?

Similar to Paris, Americans love to flock to London during the summer when the days are longer, and kids are out of school. But that doesn’t make England’s largest city off limits. Summer in London means rooftop bars, outdoor cinemas, music festivals, pop-up urban beaches, and picnics that make you feel like royalty. If you can squeeze your trip into weekdays, that opens up more availability, as many Londoners are still working and you can dip in and out of museums with fewer crowds, and maybe even get the dream dinner reservations you crave. Getting tickets to West End musicals is not a challenge if you tap into last-minute (same-day or next-day) ticket broker TKTS or see a show during the day instead.

Just like Nantucket, this affluent coastal playground is popular with city dwellers along the East Coast, both for vacations and summer homes. One reason is the proximity to a major city: to reach Manhattan takes less than three hours, convenient for popping into the office or returning home for a weekend. Some New Yorkers even rent a home for the entire summer. Now that summer’s getting closer, you could score not only availability but a reduced rate, as homeowners are faced with last-minute cancellations and splice a month into several bookings. With only a few hotels here, it might be better to book a house with a group anyway.

Due to the long flight, many people wait until summer to travel to Hawaii so they aren’t cramming a tropical vacation into a compressed holiday week or long weekend. From the West Coast, it’s a five- to six-hour flight, and it takes longer to reach Hawaii from the East Coast than it would to access Africa. But this is when the sun sets later, kids are out of school, and the beach and ocean feel even more refreshing. With the Kona coffee region, four national parks, and one of the world’s most active volcanoes (Kilauea), Big Island is Hawaii’s largest and popular with families who want more than just a beach or snorkeling.

Alaska’s largest city is a great spot to indulge in what’s called the Midnight Sun—essentially a time of year when the sun never fully sets. This means you can take hikes in the wee hours of the morning or sit outside and enjoy dinner until the sun comes up. This is not a city with lots of hotel options, nor are there many rental cars, so it’s recommended to book as soon as possible. But even if you’ve waited until spring, don’t fret. There are always ride-share services (in lieu of renting a car in Anchorage) and plenty of group tours that handle all of the driving for you, should you want to go fishing, animal watching, canoeing or kayaking, or take a hike.

Nearly all of the national parks in the U.S. experience peak crowds during the summer months, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park—accessed through popular gateway towns Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge—is no exception. Summer is considered the busiest season, when parking lots are full and trails crowded, but it’s also refreshing to seek higher elevation and take in the lush, green environment.

We’re not saying you shouldn’t go to Osaka—Japan’s third-most populated city—during summer because, yes, there is shaved ice, street foods, fireworks, outdoor dance festivals, and gorgeous gardens. Not to mention fun festivals like Tenjin (late July, with boat parades) and Sumiyoshi (late July/early August, also called “the purification festival”). But it will be crowded. Book early to save money and also get the best pick of hotels.

Considered one of Italy’s most romantic destinations—and that’s saying a lot, as this is a country geared towards romance—this Southern Italy destination is ideal for summer because of the many beaches, scenic hiking trails, and boat tours. With some flexibility about where to stay in the summer months, as that’s peak season, don’t have your heart set on one town. You can lock in a hotel in a quieter, more affordable area, such as Minori, and then ferry hop around the region using TravelMar to popular spots like Positano or Amalfi.