2. Summer break is global, but the length varies by country
The length of summer vacation varies worldwide. Generally, summer break is the longest school break, lasting on average, from four to thirteen weeks, depending on the country.
This difference in school calendars is one reason summer vacation can mean different things depending on where a student lives—and why travel timing varies by country.
In the United States, summer break typically lasts about two and a half to three and a half months. Students finish the school year between May and June and return in August or early September.
So, how long is the school break around the world?
3. It’s always summer somewhere in the world
You can enjoy summer year-round by traveling between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. In Europe and the U.S., students usually take their summer break from June to August.
Meanwhile, in Southern Hemisphere countries like Australia and New Zealand, summer vacation falls between December and January. So, when it’s beach time in Australia, students in Finland are sledding in the snow.
That’s why international travel can turn “summer vacation” into a year-round feeling—by following the sun across hemispheres.
RP’s students enjoy summer vacation around the world – here in Australia.
In places with warm weather all year, like Thailand and Mexico, summer breaks vary, often aligning with the hottest months.
4. The top summer song of all time is “I’ll Be Missing You”
Billboard‘s top summer song of all time is “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy (now Diddy) and Faith Evans featuring 112.
Every memorable summer deserves a great soundtrack. Here are the top summer songs from the past ten years, according to Billboard:
5. France, Spain, and the U.S. Were the Most Visited Countries in 2023
See the Eiffel Tower with us on a trip to Paris!
In 2023, France, Spain and the U.S. topped the list of the most visited countries.
Here are the ten most popular travel destinations, according to UN Tourism:
- 100 million arrivals in France
- 85.2 million arrivals in Spain
- 66.5 million arrivals in the United States
- 57.3 million arrivals in Italy
- 55.2 million arrivals in Turkey
- 42.4 million arrivals in Mexico
- 37.2 million arrivals in the United Kingdom
- 34.8 million arrivals in Germany
- 32.7 million arrivals in Greece
- 30.91 million arrivals in Austria
Explore Europe trips for Students
6. Every four years, the Summer Olympics become a top travel destination for sports fans
Attending the Summer Olympic Games is a bucket list experience for many sports fans looking to see athletes set a world record. This turns different cities into top summer vacation destinations every four years.
The first Summer Olympics in the modern era took place in Athens in 1896, with just 241 athletes from 14 countries. As you travel to Greece, don’t miss this chance to explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
>> LEARN MORE: 117 Fun Facts About The Olympics
7. Millions of people in the U.S. attend summer camps
Every summer, millions of people across the U.S. attend summer camps. Joining a summer camp can provide a great opportunity to build social skills, enhance confidence and foster teamwork in an exciting setting.
Related: A Parent’s Guide to Safe Adventures
Students connect over summer camp activities.
8. The hottest weeks of the year are called “dog days of summer”
The “dog days of summer” refer to the hottest weeks of the year, typically occurring between July 3 and August 11 in the Northern Hemisphere.
As a non-native English speaker, I have to admit I was confused by this expression and wondered what dogs had to do with hot days in summer. Little did I know that there’s no direct connection at all.
The dog days of summer are named after the Dog Star (Sirius), located in the Canis Major constellation. Ancient Greeks blamed Sirius for the hot temperatures, discomfort and illness that came about during summer.
While the ancient Greeks and Romans associated Sirius with bad luck and drought, the Egyptians viewed its rising as a positive sign. The “dog days” of Sirius meant the flooding of the Nile River which was crucial for Egyptian agriculture.
Who doesn’t love ice cream on a hot summer day?
9. The U.S. celebrates National Ice Cream Month in July
July is the hottest month of the year (Weather.com). This makes the month ideal to celebrate National Ice Cream Month. Americans eat an average 20 pounds of ice cream each year, with vanilla taking the crown as the favorite flavor, followed by chocolate and cookies and cream.
Extra fact: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans consume over 7,000,000,000 hot dogs. Hot weather does odd things to diets.
