Big Travel for JULY

If you're thinking of leaving the good ol' US of A this month, here are some things to consider:

July is a Good Time to Travel To:

Galapagos Islands. 

The Galapagos are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean,  west of continental Ecuador, of which they are a part. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and wildlife is its most notable feature. While it's not exactly convenient or necessarily cheap to get here (you have to fly into Quito and then take another 3 hr flight or join your cruise ship), you'll see the wildlife documented by Charles Darwin and protected by the islands' status as a national park and biological preserve.
Being nearly equal with the equator the sun is fierce in the Galapagos so you need a healthy coat of sunscreen regardless of the time of year you visit. From June to December southern trade winds bring cooler currents so that the highlands of the larger islands are kept green and lush, while the sea level islands and shorelines have little precipitation. Thus, June to December is generally called the dry season and is known for its blue skies and mid-day showers. Also due to the cooler water currents this is the best time to observe the ocean life, and it is especially wonderful for those who dive.
One of the best ways to see the islands is by Cruise. These aren't your Carnival style cruise ships, but rather most only hold a few hundred at most and are much smaller ships, able to provide a more personalized voyage.  If you want to stay on the islands, your choices surely won't include a Holiday Inn, but check out some options Here.