Outlooks & Setbacks Saturdays

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” ― John Steinbeck

1. Summer vacation is a recent invention

Students on Rustic Pathways’ Aloha Service.

One of the interesting summer facts is that summer vacation is a recent creation. While its exact origins are unclear, the tradition of taking a summer break between school years is attributed to the United States.

By 1900, the 9-month school calendar became common. As cities grew and urban areas heated up, families escaped summer heat by spending time in cooler areas, leading to lower attendance and longer summer breaks.

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 in average from four to 13 weeks, depending on the 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 through the snow.

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.

Explore Student Travel Programs to Thailand

4. The top summer song of all time is “I’ll be missing you”, according to Billboard

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:

1. 100 million arrivals in France
2. 85.2 million arrivals in Spain
3. 66.5 million arrivals in the United States
4. 57.3 million arrivals in Italy
5. 55.2 million arrivals in Turkey
6. 42.4 million arrivals in Mexico
7. 37.2 million arrivals in the United Kingdom
8. 34.8 million arrivals in Germany
9. 32.7 million arrivals in Greece
10. 30.91 million arrivals in Austria

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.

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, where Americans consume over 7,000,000,000 hot dogs. Hot weather does odd things to diets.

10. Summer is packed with festivals worth traveling for

Many festivals fall during the summer season, making it a perfect time for celebrations across the globe worth traveling for. Warm weather creates the stage for iconic events like Spain’s La Tomatina and Sweden’s Midsummer.

Here are some festival highlights during the summer months worth traveling for:

• Midsummer – Sweden (June 19-25): Midsummer celebrates the summer solstice and marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The day is also the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere, marking their winter solstice. Swedes gather in the countryside to dance around the maypole, light bonfires, wear flower wreaths and watch the “Midnight Sun Game”
• Independence Day (Fourth of July) – United States (July 4): The biggest national holiday in the U.S., featuring fireworks and parades. Many countries also celebrate independence in summer, including:
  • France – July 14th (Bastille Day)
  • Pakistan – August 14th
  • India – August 15th
  • Indonesia – August 17th
  • Brazil – September 7th
  • Mexico – September 16th
  • Chile – September 18th
• Nit del Foc (Night of Fire) – Barcelona, Spain (June 23rd): In Barcelona, this summer solstice celebration honors St. John the Baptist with bonfires and fireworks.
• O-bon – Japan (August 13-15): A festival honoring ancestors with lanterns, flower displays and traditional dances, culminating in ceremonies to send spirits back with floating candle-lit lanterns.
• La Tomatina – Spain (Last Wednesday of August): In Buñol, this famous festival turns into a giant tomato fight, covering the streets in red and offering a playful way to embrace summer.
• White Nights – Russia (April 22 to August 21): St. Petersburg celebrates near 24-hour twilight with all-night festivals and concerts, capped off by the Scarlet Sails celebration and fireworks show.

11. Local economies benefit from summer vacations

Local economies benefit from summer vacations. In the U.S. alone, summer vacation brings billions into the tourism industry, supporting many jobs.

Travelers spend money on accommodations, food, transportation and activities, helping local businesses grow. For 2024, the Allianz Travel Insurance estimates Americans will spend $214 billion on summer vacations.

Thanks & Gratitude

What is your favorite summer activity to do with your family?