20 Best Places to Travel in July

"A historic shrine that hosts the month-long Gion Festival—one of Japan’s largest festivals, dating back to 869—with giant floats (Yamaboko) that parade through the city (the main procession on July 17) and floats described as reaching up to 80 feet tall and weighing as much as 12 tons, making the shrine a focal point for traditional pageantry." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines