Cusco, Peru

Average Summer Temperature: 67 °F

Summertime in the Northern Hemisphere is actually the perfect time to head south of the equator where countries are experiencing their winter months. Cusco, Peru, high up in the Andes, is one of the best destinations in the Southern Hemisphere for a North American summer getaway, especially as Cusco is the gateway to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Weather-wise, the best time to visit Cusco is from June to mid-September when you can expect dry weather and temperatures that hang out in the mid-60s. But if you want to beat the crowds, May is the ideal month for travel to Cusco.

Journey back in time wandering the cobblestone alleys of the city's UNESCO-listed historic center, where centuries-old Incan ruins rub elbows with Spanish colonial architecture. Most travelers to Machu Picchu set out from Cusco, but if you want to visit the ancient Incan city with minimal effort, a scenic train journey meanders through the Sacred Valley, soaking in stunning views of snow-capped peaks along the way.