Top Places to Travel by Month
Some places come alive at the start of the year, while others welcome tourists during wildlife migrations and festive celebrations. Good for you, you can choose if you want to chase sunshine, dreamy rains, snowfall, culture, adventure, or simply enjoy a well-timed escape. We’ve rounded up our favourite places to travel to for each month of the year.
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January
As the sun rises in the new year, the world is already on its high. The Northern hemisphere enjoys frosty winter peaks while its Southern counterpart is ready to put on flip-flops and stroll the streets.
Indulge in Switzerland’s winter sports, or paraglide through the Indian hills. Spot blue whales off Sri Lanka’s Mirissa coast, delight in Tanzania’s wildebeest calving season, or move your body to lively Brazilian parties. Be prepared for January to surprise you!
Best for Cold Weather: Portugal • Switzerland • India • Sri Lanka • UAE • Georgia • Azerbaijan
Best for Mild Weather: Maldives • South Africa • Australia • Tanzania • New Zealand • Thailand • Brazil • Vietnam
February
February gives you the chance to tick off a few of the global iconic sites. It offers a destination for every kind of traveller there is. Filled with colour, culture, and history, this month delivers excellent weather across many destinations.
Escape to Venice’s famous carnival, swim in the Arctic Gulf of Bothnia, or go snowtubbing with your loved ones in Azerbaijan. If you’re a fan of warm sunshine, take a dip in the Maldives, spot the Big Five in Kenya, or join the locals to celebrate Cambodia’s Meak Bochea Day.
Best for Cold Weather: Italy • Croatia • Sweden • Norway • Finland • UAE • Georgia • Azerbaijan
Best for Mild Weather: Maldives • Australia • South Africa • Kenya • Sri Lanka • Cambodia • India
March
March is one of the most rewarding months to travel. Spring begins to bloom across many destinations, while others enjoy comfortable temperatures before peak tourist season arrives.
This beautiful month can take you to the Punakha Drubchen festival in Bhutan, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, and St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. Hold on because it can also take you to trekking trails in Laos, the Cape Town Jazz Festival in South Africa, or cycling in New Zealand.
Best for Cold Weather: Bhutan • Italy • Japan • Morocco • Spain • Ireland
Best for Mild Weather: Maldives • Brazil • Laos • Maldives • Vietnam • South Africa • New Zealand • UAE
April
April brings longer days, vibrant landscapes, and ideal conditions for exploring. Whether you’re admiring spring flowers, island hopping, or discovering ancient cities in faraway corners, April feels fresh and full of possibilities. It won’t make a fool out of you.
Eat, shop, and drop in London or be amused at the sight of pink and white Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Trek through the peaks in Nepal, take a walk in Bali’s rice terraces, and if you want to relax, chill by the sea in Central Vietnam!
Best for Cold Weather: United Kingdom • Ireland • Switzerland • Japan • Bhutan • Nepal
Best for Mild Weather: Australia • Maldives • Bali • Thailand • Vietnam • Cambodia • UAE • Azerbaijan
May
May prepares the Northern hemisphere for summer, while edging the Southern hemisphere into winter. It kicks off outdoor festival season across Europe while opening the opportunities for hikers to scale the Table Mountain in Cape Town or coast through Hawaiian trails.
Taste good wine in South Africa and enjoy the safari, soak in the bursting wildflowers in Slovenia, or simply stroll through the Acropolis and ancient Agora in Greece. There are antique spiritual structures to decode in Tbilisi’s Old Town and enjoy France’s Chocolate Days too!
Best for Cold Weather: South Africa • Canada
Best for Mild Weather: Italy • Greece • Spain • Portugal • Croatia • France • Austria • Slovenia • Japan • Sri Lanka • United Kingdom • Georgia • Azerbaijan
June
If you want to lose yourself in the beauty of nature, June is the month for you. Breathe in the clear air of alpine towns and witness volcanic drama in New Zealand. Chase the golden sun in South Africa and relish the fine taste of complex red wine.
Land in Bali and surf your heart out, move to the beats of Flamenco in Barcelona, or even better, snorkel and dive in the clear waters of Fiji.
Best for Cold Weather: New Zealand • South Africa
Best for Mild Weather: Bali • Italy • Greece • Spain • Portugal • Switzerland • Sweden • Norway • Finland • France • United Kingdom • Kenya • Fiji • Turkey • Georgia • Azerbaijan
July
July is for slow travels. Fewer crowds, warm weather, and long daylight hours mean you have all the time to enjoy a relaxed trip.
Go on thrilling Dwarf Minke Whale expeditions in Australia or take a dip in the Mornington Peninsula thermal springs, see bubbling hot springs in Iceland and catch sight of the magnificent two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall. If you’re looking for a warmer vacation, head to beaches in Porto, hop islands in the Stockholm Archipelago, or swim in Nusa Penida.
Best for Cold Weather: New Zealand • Australia • Iceland
Best for Mild Weather: Bali • Greece • Portugal • France • Austria • Finland • Sweden • Kenya • Tanzania • Switzerland
August
Landscapes in August feel larger, greener, and more alive. It’s the month to trade crowded city streets for winding roads, fresh air, and unforgettable views. Some months are for ticking destinations off a list. August is for slowing down and soaking them in.
Welcome the spring in South Africa with the enchanting orange bloom of Namaqualand daisies and witness nature’s most magnificent whale migration from land or sea. Admire the historically modern architecture of Norway, play midnight golf in Scotland’s Shetland, and attend the longest-running music festivals in Austria, the Salzburg Summer Festival.
Best for Cold Weather: South Africa • Norway
Best for Mild Weather: Iceland • Scotland • Norway • Austria • Germany • Kenya • Tanzania • Brazil
September
The summer rush is starting to fade, and temperatures are becoming gentle. The cafes are quieter, the streets are easier to wander, and the views are every bit as beautiful.
Take your chances with the Northern Lights in Iceland, see the cow parades in Swiss hills, or go straight to Denmark to tour the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet!
Best for Cold Weather: South Africa • Iceland • Switzerland.
Best for Warm Weather: Italy • Iceland • Denmark • Norway • Spain • Austria • Greece • Portugal • Turkey • United Kingdom
October
Oh! Now’s the time when the leaves begin to change color, the air feels crisp, and many destinations enjoy some of their most comfortable weather of the year.
Italy turns magical, with Sicily and Tuscany ready to welcome the guests. Japan’s Universal Studios leaves you stunned with its real-life interactive horror experience, while India raises excitement with paragliding in Bir Billing and the autumn foliage in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.
Best for Cold Weather: Italy • Japan • Nepal
Best for Mild Weather: Greece • Croatia • Spain • Australia • Tanzania • Morocco • India • UAE • Vietnam
November
November sits quietly between the busy holiday seasons, making it one of the smartest times to travel. While winter begins settling into parts of the world, many destinations are enjoying perfect conditions for beaches, city breaks, wildlife adventures, and cultural exploration.
It’s the month for travelers who know that the best trips often happen before everyone else starts planning theirs. Enjoy the hot air balloons in Cappadocia, stargaze in Chile’s Atacama Desert, or go all out in the UAE with Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and Yacht tours.
Best for Cold Weather: Portugal • Turkey • Japan • Morocco
Best for Mild Weather: Maldives • Australia • Chile • Brazil • Singapore • Tanzania • Vietnam • Laos • UAE
December
Some people celebrate December with parties. You can celebrate it with passports. Filled with anticipation, celebration, and a little bit of magic, it’s a month that offers every kind of holiday imaginable.
Rest in the hills of Auli and Manali or party until your feet hurt in Thailand. Go a little further away to Sri Lanka’s pristine beaches, spot tiger sharks in the Maldives, and even better, step into the future at the UAE’s Museum of the Future.
Best for Cold Weather: Italy • France • Norway • Austria • Denmark • Bhutan • India • Singapore • Thailand • Vietnam • UAE • Georgia
Best for Mild Weather: Maldives • New Zealand • Thailand • Sri Lanka • Cambodia.