All of which, in an admittedly rather roundabout fashion, brings us here. As a travel company, it stands our perennial duty to pander to the holiday proclivities of all. Even to those who, in the words of the late Bill Hicks, consider a beach \u2018little more than a place where water meets dirt.\u2019 And thus, with one nod to beach despisers and another to France\u2019s most finely featured philosopher, so follow seven recommendations for beach-free breaks over the European summer.<\/p>\n
1. Mongolia<\/h2>\n![\"Mongolia\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TAZ_MONGOLIA_UNITEDNATIONSPHOTO-1024x675.jpg\")
Image c\/o United Nations Photo, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n
Landlocked and lofty, Mongolia<\/a><\/strong> doesn\u2019t care a pittance for beaches. After all, who needs expansive ocean views when you\u2019ve got boundless seas of grassland to gaze out upon? Who cares for snorkelling among seahorses when there are real horses to ride? If all this sounds a mite trite, consider this: Mongolia used to have beaches. Yup. Back when Genghis Khan was the man and the Mongol Empire stretched over the better half of the Eurasian landmass, the Mongols laid claim to the seas Arabian, Caspian, East China and Black. Then they gave them back. Why? Didn\u2019t want \u2018em.<\/p>\nThe best time of year to appreciate Mongolia\u2019s lack of beaches is May to September, when the days are sunny, the temperatures mild and the rainfall low.<\/p>\n
\u00a02.\u00a0Botswana<\/h2>\n![\"TAZ_BOTSWANA_JONRAWLINSON\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TAZ_BOTSWANA_JONRAWLINSON-1024x683.jpg\")
Image c\/o Jon Rawlinson, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n
With one of the largest, wildlife-laden inland deltas on Earth, it\u2019s no wonder Botswana<\/a><\/strong> never bothered to build a beach. Flowing down from the Angolan Highlands to cover approximately 15,000 sq km, the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta feature forested islets, lily-padded inlets, watery vistas galore and plenty of opportunities for mokoro<\/em> outings \u2013 all sans<\/em> sand or sea lice.<\/p>\nThe best time to visit Botswana is April to October. The weather here\u2019s pretty lovely year-round, but April to October is the dry season when, ironically, the Okavango swells with water and wildlife spotting is at its prime.<\/p>\n
3. Canada and Alaska<\/h2>\n![\"TAZ_ALASKA_JJJCP56\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TAZ_ALASKA_JJJCP56-1024x686.jpg\")
Image c\/o jjjCP56, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n
Ok, so a coastline Canada<\/a><\/strong> has. In fact, quite a lot of coastline Canada has. But with an average water temperature of well below a wee bit chilly, not a whole lot of it invites a splash. There\u2019s a reason Jack London didn\u2019t write a book titled \u2018The Call of the Tides\u2019. Forests, lakes, mountains, moose \u2013 they\u2019re the nature Canada\u2019s good for.<\/p>\nNorth America not being known for its balmy climes, summer\u2019s the choicest time for a visit. Mid-May to mid-September is best for Canada \u2013 basically because it\u2019s not grey, cold and liable to snowing you in. June and August are the go for Alaska.<\/p>\n
4. New Zealand<\/h2>\n![\"TAZ_NEWZEALAND_LOICLAGARDE\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TAZ_NEWZEALAND_LOICLAGARDE-1024x683.jpg\")
Image c\/o Loic Lagarde, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n
When the top half of the world\u2019s going gaga for sun-inspired fun, lil\u2019 old New Zealand<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s slopes are quietly getting cloaked in some of the finest snow this side of the galaxy. If snowboarding, skiing, snowball fighting or snowman building are your tonic, New Zealand\u2019s your gin. Rug up, swap hemispheres and do away with summer altogether.<\/p>\n5. Macedonia<\/h2>\n![\"TAZ_MACEDONIA_PANORAMAS\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TAZ_MACEDONIA_PANORAMAS-1024x798.jpg\")
Image c\/o Panoramas, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n
Sure, summer\u2019s a pretty lovely time to see a lot of Europe, but we\u2019re singling out Macedonia<\/a><\/strong> here because, well\u2026 basically because we like Macedonia. From June to September, when the land\u2019s otherwise gloomy weather gives way to warmth and sun, party time sets in on this little Balkan Republic. An eclectic array of celebrations get hip and happening this time of the year, from a specially marked wedding day to beer and wine festivals\u2026 and all with ne\u2019er a beach in sight.<\/p>\n6. Malawi<\/h2>\n![\"TAZ_MALAWI_SKIPRUSSELL\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TAZ_MALAWI_SKIPRUSSELL-1024x680.jpg\")
Image c\/o Skip Russell, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n
Fond of bodies of water just not so keen on salted ones? Google image \u2018Lake Malawi\u2019. It might be a little hard to believe, but those shots of yachts afloat on emerald waters and folks snorkelling among colourful fishies weren\u2019t taken in the Adriatic. A natural quality of meromictic-ness \u2013 which basically means a lake\u2019s water depths don\u2019t mix \u2013 is to thank for Lake Malawi\u2019s ridiculously clear waters. Beach-iness, just not as you know it.<\/p>\n
Malawi\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> dry season, meaning April to November, is the best time to visit. Dryness, tempered warmth and reams of sunshine ensue.<\/p>\n7. The Arctic<\/h2>\n![\"TAZ_ARCTIC_NASAGODDARDSPACEFLIGHTS\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TAZ_ARCTIC_NASAGODDARDSPACEFLIGHTS-1024x683.jpg\")
Image c\/o NASA Goddard Space Flights<\/p><\/div>\n
The European winter isn\u2019t simply the best time to stop in on Santa\u2019s stomping grounds<\/a>; it\u2019s really the only time. Rather woeful weather conditions ravage the region the rest of the year, chocking it up with literal oceans of ice that even the hardiest of icebreakers can struggle to slice through. Book a berth, amble out to deck and think off all those poor fools loading up on Greek isle sunshine as the world\u2019s ultimate winter wonderland sallies on past.<\/p>\nInspired to take your own summer break?\u00a0Check out our range of small group adventures.<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Image c\/o United Nations Photo, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n
Landlocked and lofty, Mongolia<\/a><\/strong> doesn\u2019t care a pittance for beaches. After all, who needs expansive ocean views when you\u2019ve got boundless seas of grassland to gaze out upon? Who cares for snorkelling among seahorses when there are real horses to ride? If all this sounds a mite trite, consider this: Mongolia used to have beaches. Yup. Back when Genghis Khan was the man and the Mongol Empire stretched over the better half of the Eurasian landmass, the Mongols laid claim to the seas Arabian, Caspian, East China and Black. Then they gave them back. Why? Didn\u2019t want \u2018em.<\/p>\n The best time of year to appreciate Mongolia\u2019s lack of beaches is May to September, when the days are sunny, the temperatures mild and the rainfall low.<\/p>\n Image c\/o Jon Rawlinson, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n With one of the largest, wildlife-laden inland deltas on Earth, it\u2019s no wonder Botswana<\/a><\/strong> never bothered to build a beach. Flowing down from the Angolan Highlands to cover approximately 15,000 sq km, the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta feature forested islets, lily-padded inlets, watery vistas galore and plenty of opportunities for mokoro<\/em> outings \u2013 all sans<\/em> sand or sea lice.<\/p>\n The best time to visit Botswana is April to October. The weather here\u2019s pretty lovely year-round, but April to October is the dry season when, ironically, the Okavango swells with water and wildlife spotting is at its prime.<\/p>\n Image c\/o jjjCP56, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n Ok, so a coastline Canada<\/a><\/strong> has. In fact, quite a lot of coastline Canada has. But with an average water temperature of well below a wee bit chilly, not a whole lot of it invites a splash. There\u2019s a reason Jack London didn\u2019t write a book titled \u2018The Call of the Tides\u2019. Forests, lakes, mountains, moose \u2013 they\u2019re the nature Canada\u2019s good for.<\/p>\n North America not being known for its balmy climes, summer\u2019s the choicest time for a visit. Mid-May to mid-September is best for Canada \u2013 basically because it\u2019s not grey, cold and liable to snowing you in. June and August are the go for Alaska.<\/p>\n Image c\/o Loic Lagarde, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n When the top half of the world\u2019s going gaga for sun-inspired fun, lil\u2019 old New Zealand<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s slopes are quietly getting cloaked in some of the finest snow this side of the galaxy. If snowboarding, skiing, snowball fighting or snowman building are your tonic, New Zealand\u2019s your gin. Rug up, swap hemispheres and do away with summer altogether.<\/p>\n Image c\/o Panoramas, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n Sure, summer\u2019s a pretty lovely time to see a lot of Europe, but we\u2019re singling out Macedonia<\/a><\/strong> here because, well\u2026 basically because we like Macedonia. From June to September, when the land\u2019s otherwise gloomy weather gives way to warmth and sun, party time sets in on this little Balkan Republic. An eclectic array of celebrations get hip and happening this time of the year, from a specially marked wedding day to beer and wine festivals\u2026 and all with ne\u2019er a beach in sight.<\/p>\n Image c\/o Skip Russell, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n Fond of bodies of water just not so keen on salted ones? Google image \u2018Lake Malawi\u2019. It might be a little hard to believe, but those shots of yachts afloat on emerald waters and folks snorkelling among colourful fishies weren\u2019t taken in the Adriatic. A natural quality of meromictic-ness \u2013 which basically means a lake\u2019s water depths don\u2019t mix \u2013 is to thank for Lake Malawi\u2019s ridiculously clear waters. Beach-iness, just not as you know it.<\/p>\n Malawi\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> dry season, meaning April to November, is the best time to visit. Dryness, tempered warmth and reams of sunshine ensue.<\/p>\n Image c\/o NASA Goddard Space Flights<\/p><\/div>\n The European winter isn\u2019t simply the best time to stop in on Santa\u2019s stomping grounds<\/a>; it\u2019s really the only time. Rather woeful weather conditions ravage the region the rest of the year, chocking it up with literal oceans of ice that even the hardiest of icebreakers can struggle to slice through. Book a berth, amble out to deck and think off all those poor fools loading up on Greek isle sunshine as the world\u2019s ultimate winter wonderland sallies on past.<\/p>\n Inspired to take your own summer break?\u00a0Check out our range of small group adventures.<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a02.\u00a0Botswana<\/h2>\n
3. Canada and Alaska<\/h2>\n
4. New Zealand<\/h2>\n
5. Macedonia<\/h2>\n
6. Malawi<\/h2>\n
7. The Arctic<\/h2>\n
![\"blog-800x150-NORTHAMERICA\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/blog-800x150-NORTHAMERICA.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"