Vibrant Montreal has plenty to offer beyond the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal and poutine. With the balmy summer temperatures and bright blue skies comes the opportunity to hike up Mont Royal, cruise the St Lawrence River, and see the Montreal Botanical Gardens in full bloom. If the colourful flowers get your creative juices flowing, you should also consider a tour of the city’s extraordinary street art.

If you’re looking for more lively summer activities in Montreal, look no further than the festival scene. Between the Just for Laughs Festival, the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, and the Montreal Jazz Festival, among others, there’s plenty of variety to be found among the rosters. Make sure you book your hotel for attending one of these well in advance, though, because rooms fill up fast.

Toronto is an eclectic sort of city at the best of times, but summer really brings out its richly multicultural nature. The 360 revolving restaurant at the CN Tower, the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Pride Toronto, Toronto Dragon Boat Race Festival, BrazilFest, AlohaFest Toronto and many others bring unique flavours to the Ontarian capital and to your plate—make sure you try all the unique street food offerings!

If you’re looking for more of a peaceful break, Toronto does not disappoint. Catch some rays on the convenient Woodbine Beach or book a tour of the Toronto Islands for some beautiful natural scenery with the iconic city skyline in the background.

Summer is whale-watching season in Vancouver, with the warmer weather bringing thousands of majestic marine mammals to the Gulf and San Juan Islands. While sightings are never guaranteed, you can generally expect to see humpback whales, orcas, grey whales and minke whales, along with a host of accompanying wildlife. There’s an impressive amount of variety in the ways to see them, too, ranging from well-equipped cruisers to kayaks and seaplanes.

Back on dry land, you can watch the BC Highland Games in June, join the Bastille Day celebrations in July or check out the Pacific National Exhibition in August, with dozens of other festivals and cultural events going on in between. If you prefer to spend your summer relaxing, head for Kitsilano Beach or check out the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge offering a panoramic view of Vancouver’s thriving rainforest.

Summer in the city means street parties, Pride Week, the US Open and the famous Independence Day celebrations. Central Park, already worth visiting for its glorious blooms, becomes the venue for concerts and movie nights, giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the balmy summer evenings. The amusements of Coney Island are also open and there’s a dizzying array of multicultural festivals and events to experience around the city, from Dragon Boat racing to the India Day Parade and beyond.

Want to get away from the crowds and bustle for a while? Rent a car and check out the beaches of Long Island or head up the Hudson to see the charming small towns lining its shores. Look out for kayaking tours on New York’s famous river, too.

Las Vegas is an exciting place to visit at any time of the year, though the summer is a great time to find deals on hotel rooms as the scorching sun keeps many visitors away. Fortunately, this is also pool party season and there are plenty of waterparks for families to cool down at. You could even rent a car and drive out to Lake Mead—see the Hoover Dam and take a dip in the shallow waters off Boulder Beach.

Staying in the city, you’ll find great deals on Las Vegas’s iconic shows and attractions. There are also regular festivals, conventions and events held throughout the year—check the calendar in advance and see what's on while you’re there.

The leafy avenues of Paris are at their most verdant in summer, and the city generally has a bit more of a lively atmosphere. If you’re looking for that iconic experience of relaxing in a street café and just enjoying life, that’s a lot easier to do under a warm sun.

In the balmy evenings, the banks of the River Seine become a favourite hangout spot for Parisians. Plus, it’s just a great time to walk around among the city’s many famous sights. If you need to cool off, consider booking a Bateaux-Mouches river cruise or tour of the Catacombs—summer is probably the most comfortable time to visit them.

London is a bustling place at any time of the year, but summer brings a lot more special events. The famous parks are in full bloom, the rooftop bars are abuzz, the city’s iconic museums host special exhibitions and West End theatres are packed. The list of festivals running in summer includes iconic events such as the Notting Hill Carnival and the Chelsea Flower Show.

If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you could consider hiring a car or jumping on a train and getting out of the city for a while. The rolling English countryside isn’t far away and is best enjoyed under a bright blue sky. If you’d rather not travel out of London, make sure you check out Kew Gardens, which is especially beautiful at this time of year.