The Best Places to Visit Each Month of the Year: Where to Go and When

Spring is almost upon us, and no doubt that means you’re contemplating where to go over the Easter holidays or — if you’re child-free — what dates to avoid! Whatever your travel style, Southeast Asia is a solid bet, with Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam top of the list before rainy season.

Wildlife lovers should avoid African safaris this month as the rainfall is particularly high, and instead head for Mexico’s Baja Peninsula in search of grey whales. These majestic beasts frequent the waters here between December and April. For a dose of culture, India's Holi Festival runs for two days throughout the month — creating an explosion of colour and bonfires.

Here’s a great one for the celebrations calendar: Songkran. Head to Thailand (particularly the northern parts like Bangkok and Chiang Mai) for April 13 to get immersed in Thai New Year. And, when we say immersed, what we mean is getting pulled into a very damp battlefield, where fire hoses and super soakers are your weapons of choice.

Or, if natural wonders are your thing, try Japan to witness the annual cherry blossom in full bloom; chat with your consultant for their best budgeting tips at this busy time in Central Asia.

May is shoulder season in Europe — your next unforgettable adventure across the pond could be in Rome, Paris, Athens or the United Kingdom. They are all spot on this time of year as the weather is mild, while the summer crowds are few. 

You can also save the pennies with a visit to Vietnam. Venturing to Asia in May means you’ll miss the high season prices of April, while also enjoying temperatures around 28-30°C — just be prepared for a bit of rainfall.

June is the time for adventure. If you’ve planned ahead and booked your permits, now is when you should tackle Peru’s Inca Trail before the temperatures drop. June is the perfect month for a Euro-trip before the crowds descend, and when European midsummer parties are in full swing. 

Closer to home, head for the legendary Icefields Parkway. Stretching from Jasper to Banff, this wildlife-packed self-drive route is pocked with glaciers, mirror lakes and endless wilderness. Be sure to pack for all weathers though — it could be glorious sunny weather one minute, and snowy skies the next.

If you’re thinking Europe this month, be wary that some areas are very hot this time of year, while also being in peak season due to the summer holidays.

If you’re in search of an epic wildlife encounter, it doesn’t get more impressive than the Great Migration. Wildebeest thunder across the Masai Mara from July–September, making August a great time to be right in the thick of it all. Head to Bali for a relaxing yoga retreat — just the ticket (literally) if you’re planning to travel onwards Down Under for the Southern Hemisphere’s warm weather.

Spring has sprung in Australia! Now is the perfect time to go before summer arrives. Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef are a particularly solid choice as stinger season (when the box jellyfish frequent the waters here) doesn’t peak until November, which also aligns with the start of more tropical conditions.

Mehr bier bitte! Despite the name, Ocktoberfest kicks off mid-September, so this month is a great opportunity to visit Germany and sample the best steins before the rest of the world catches on. Or, if a road trip is more your speed, head for New England as the leaves begin to fall.

October = New Zealand with fewer crowds and the perfect adventure. So you can sip Marlborough wines, cruise through the sounds, get up-close to gurgling geysers and follow in the footsteps of Hobbits — all while seeming like you’re the last person on Earth. Bliss.

Wildlife on your agenda? The dry, warm weather in Kruger, Madikwe and Pilanesberg make it a great opportunity for spotting South Africa’s very best big game; keep your eyes peeled around watering holes and any undergrowth.

Celebrate Christmas and the New Year with the best when you travel in December. Of course we’d be remiss not to mention all the European winter markets (hello gluhwein!), but it’s the Big Apple that’s calling our name. Take in the big tree at Rockefeller — Home Alone 2-style — go skating in Bryant Park or simply stroll beneath the glittering lights whatever the time. This city doesn’t sleep after all.

For ringing in the New Year, where else but Sydney? Enjoy some winter sun, alongside one of the most spectacular firework displays on the planet as you stare across the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Our top tip? Chat with our consultants about watching it in style from aboard the Glass Island NYE Cruise.

The beauty of our planet is that, no matter when you go, most destinations have something different or amazing to see and do. If we were going to pick one for 2024, it would be Costa Rica.

While this previously up-and-coming destination has started to get slightly more expensive in recent years, it’s still great value in-destination, with the Canadian dollar strong against the Costa Rican colón. What better excuse for some offbeat adventures, spending an entire month searching for sloths, traipsing through the jungles and past wildlife-rich waterways, or gazing at volcanoes from the edge of an infinity pool. Best of all, it’s the perfect size for seeing all the country’s highlights in good time — we suggest ideal trip length of just a few weeks. Sign us up!

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