5 Adventures You Should Avoid During Summer

Summer, perhaps more than any other season, is overflowing with opportunity. It stars the greatest and widest variety or food, vegetation, animal life, social events, outdoor access and free days from work and school. Which explains why you’ll land on infinitely more search results for “summer vacation” ideas than winter, spring or fall ideas.

But just because you can go somewhere in summer doesn’t mean you should. Although tempting, here are five destinations that are best explored during the shoulder (off) seasons … at least if you want to get the most from them. Granted, all of the below are better seen in summer than never at all. But if your dates are flexible, consider changing plans.

Rome
Although I’ve never been, I hear on very good authority that no sane or otherwise informed person travels to Rome in summer. The capital of Italy comes up again and again as an especially uncomfortable place in July and August. Although summer temperatures in the high 80s sound manageable, both shade and reliable air conditioning are notoriously hard to find while enduring epic lines and heat-producing ancient buildings.

Grand Canyon
Like Rome, Grand Canyon is known for its timelessness. Also like Rome, the former has a reputation for unbearable temperatures, scolding sun, and throngs of people in summer. At their peak, thermometers can read as high as 105°. And although the views are absolutely magnificent, it’s difficult to enjoy them when you’re more concerned about finding cover. The lone exception to this rule is floating the Colorado. For that, summer is ideal.