July & August Overseas Destinations | Top 3 Picks

Are you all getting your summer vacation plans ready? Lately, everyone around me seemed busy booking flights. If you’ve searched for recommended overseas destinations for July and August, you’ve probably noticed how many travel agency ads and sponsored posts are out there, making it hard to decide.

I combined big data and my own travel experiences to pick the top 3 overseas destinations for this summer. I’ll briefly cover third and second place, then dive into my number one pick—the destination I’m actually planning to revisit this July. I’ve personally been to all three places, so you can count on these recommendations!

🥉 Diving into Great Value in Da Nang

Coming in third was 다낭 (Da Nang, a popular coastal city in Vietnam), a destination so popular among Korean travelers that people jokingly called it “Da Nang City of Gyeonggi Province.” With affordable prices and excellent resort conditions, it worked wonderfully for family trips as well.

I visited Da Nang before, and I was genuinely satisfied with the value for money. A bowl of pho cost only 3,000 KRW!!

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A true paradise for food lovers. Ordering three dishes per person felt essential.

However, there was one major downside: the intense heat and high humidity. Even standing still made sweat pour down, and visiting outdoor attractions like 바나힐 (Ba Na Hills) would’ve drained a lot of energy. That’s why I ended up skipping Ba Na Hills, which I still regretted a bit.ㅠ

If you don’t handle hot and humid weather very well,

this climate is something you’ll want to think about carefully.

🥈 Stepping into Food Heaven in Fukuoka

How about a cold draft beer at the food stalls along the Nagasu riverside?

Second place went to 후쿠오카 (Fukuoka, a major city in Japan), known for its short flight time of less than an hour and a half and its incredible food scene. Getting from the airport to downtown took only about 20 minutes by bus, making it perfect for a short holiday.

On top of that, nearby destinations like 유후인 (Yufuin) and 벳푸 (Beppu) made it easy to enjoy hot springs, which was one reason Fukuoka became one of the most visited overseas destinations among Korean travelers.

I’ve actually been posting plenty of Fukuoka travel stories on the blog lately. From motsunabe that even locals lined up for to rich tonkotsu ramen with amazing broth, there was so much to eat and see.

An entire 10-story building dedicated to Ichiran Ramen.

The catch was that Fukuoka was also extremely hot and humid during summer, much like Korea. If you got stuck waiting in line at a popular restaurant, you’d end up sweating buckets on the sidewalk. If you’re hoping for a particularly comfortable summer getaway, that might feel a little disappointing. 🥲

🥇 With Cool Weather, Lavender, and Beer Festivals in Sapporo

The scenery of 홋카이도 (Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island) made every photo look professional with just a press of the shutter.

For anyone wanting to escape the heat, my true number one pick was 바로 삿포로 (Sapporo), Hokkaido, Japan!!~!

I first visited Sapporo three years ago during the Snow Festival season. The snow-covered landscapes of 비에이 (Biei), the romantic 후라노 닝구르테라스 (Furano Ningle Terrace), and the warm outdoor hot springs all left such wonderful memories. ♡♡

Sapporo reportedly has a climate similar to Wisconsin in the United States, a region famous for beer. Winters are snowy and cold, but average temperatures in July and August stay between 19 and 23 degrees. It felt cool and comfortable rather than hot, which was why many Japanese travelers reportedly chose Sapporo as their top summer escape.

That’s exactly why I went ahead and booked a July trip to Sapporo to fully enjoy the lavender fields and refreshing beer festival! 🤩

✈️ Incheon–Sapporo direct flight booked in the 500,000 KRW range!

Paid for entirely with my own money.

The flight I booked departed on July 22 at 3:25 PM and returned to Korea on July 25 at 10:15 PM on a Jin Air direct flight. The final fare came to 557,300 KRW per person.

You might think that’s a little expensive for a Japan flight. However, fuel surcharges have become quite high lately due to war-related issues, and three years ago I paid 880,000 KRW for a connecting flight during the winter Snow Festival peak season. Compared to that, getting a direct flight with good timing in the 500,000 KRW range felt pretty reasonable. Rationalizing? Reasonable? Close enough, right? 🤭ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

🚌 Planning Out an Exciting 3-Night, 4-Day Sapporo Trip

Day 1: Arrived in Sapporo in the evening, immediately headed out for Genghis Khan lamb barbecue, then stocked up at convenience stores!

Lavender💟

Day 2: One place you absolutely have to visit in Hokkaido during July is 후라노 팜토미타 (Farm Tomita in Furano), famous for its purple lavender fields. I also planned to try the lavender ice cream! I’ll share a detailed review after I get back.

Day 3: The day after my Biei tour, Sapporo’s famous summer beer festival was scheduled to begin. The festival was held at 오도리공원 (Odori Park) in the city center from noon until 9 PM. Since I could enjoy cold draft beer outdoors in the park, I definitely planned to stop by! 🍻

📍 Sapporo Beer Festival Location: Odori Park Area ⏰ Festival Hours: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM 💰 Admission & Reservations: Free admission, general table seating available without advance reservations

Winter streets of 오타루 (Otaru).

Day 4: On the final day, I planned to head over to Otaru, which had left such great memories during winter, enjoy fresh kaisendon, visit the music box museum, soak up the atmosphere, and then fly home. ㅎㅎ

💡 Who Should Come Here?

1. Anyone who’s grown tired of intensely hot and humid Southeast Asian resort destinations.

2. Anyone who wants stunning photos with vast lavender fields as the backdrop in cool weather.

3. Anyone looking for a Hokkaido food tour featuring outdoor beer festivals, Genghis Khan lamb, king crab, soup curry, and more.

💬 Wrapping Up With Sapporo

When I considered the comfortable low-20-degree temperatures that could completely wash away the stress of sweltering summer weather, along with the lavender season and beer festivals that can only be enjoyed in summer, Sapporo felt hard to beat as a summer overseas destination. If you haven’t decided on your vacation yet, how about heading to Sapporo with me?

🔗 Exploring More Fukuoka Travel Stories

I recently visited Fukuoka, which I recommended as my number two destination, and I’ve been uploading travel stories to the blog. I’ve carefully organized everything from swimming pool visits to local favorite restaurants, so they may help when planning your own vacation.

Korean Air Round-Trip Fukuoka Flight Review: KE795, KE796 In-Flight Meals and Useful Tips

Fukuoka is probably the most popular overseas destination among Korean travelers these days, right? I recently visited Fukuoka on a business trip…

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A Third-Year Swimmer’s Guide to Public Swimming Pools in Fukuoka! (Location, Prices, and Helpful Tips)

The weather has already started feeling warm and humid, so it seems summer is really on its way! Are you all planning your summer vacations? ㅎㅎ I…

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Honest Review of Shin Shin Ramen, Recommended by a Local Among Fukuoka’s Top Three Ramen Spots

When people think of Fukuoka, tonkotsu ramen is usually the first thing that comes to mind! This time, a local friend specifically recommended…