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If you’ve got a little time off and you’re trying to figure out the best way to take advantage of it, this month-by-month guide will help you decide where to go. Whether you’re looking for the best deals in winter, the fewest crowds in summer, or beautiful weather in spring or fall, these destinations around the world are best explored at certain times of the year. Create your bucket list year of travel with this easy-to-follow monthly guide.
Bali in January
Book a resort in Bali over the holiday season is nearly impossible without planning in advance, but wait until after the New Year and you’ll be in the middle of the island’s low season, and you’ll not only find better deals on accommodation, but the crowds will have cleared out. The downside is it’s likely to rain on most days, but it usually comes in short bursts, offering the perfect excuse for a nap. January is also one of the best months for diving in Bali, a place where there are more than twice as many species of marine animals in the coral reefs than even the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The waters are teeming with technicolor nudibranchs, giant mola-mola, striped wonderpus, and much more. In addition to diving, outdoor activities include relaxing on the beautiful white-sand beaches, fishing, kayaking, water skiing, and dolphin watching. Bali certainly belongs on your bucket list.
Venice in February
February in Venice means it’s time for the famous Carnival festivals. Depending on what you’re after, that can make it the best time to go, or the worst. If you don’t mind the chaos and your goal isn’t a peaceful, relaxing vacation, by joining the reveling masses, you’ll have an incredible holiday of masked debauchery. It includes plenty of street parties along with more exclusive private festivities in luxurious palazzos, costume competitions, colorful folklore, and more. Flaunt your own finery on the Rialto, dance at the Doge’s ball, and when you’re worn out, head to a lavish four-poster bed in your very own Venetian palace.
Galapagos Islands in March
The Galapagos Islands are an amazing destination for nature lovers all year round, but March is extra special as this is the time you’ll have the opportunity to view a number of species nesting, like land and marine iguanas, tortoises, sea turtles and penguins. The sun is sure to be scorching as this is the Southern Hemisphere after all, but you can cook off by jumping in the water and enjoying the incredible visibility that makes it ideal for gazing at all that marine life. Many of the creatures here have never learned to fear humans, and appear practically tame – visitors can snorkel right alongside the marine iguana, and on land, quietly stroll among the resident sea lions and the Galapagos giant tortoise.
Netherlands in April
Spring is the best time to visit the Netherlands, particularly in April. This month not only hosts one of the world’s biggest street parties, celebrating the Dutch royal house and King Willem-Alexander, but it marks the start of the nation’s breathtaking tulip season. The world’s largest flower garden can be found in the small Dutch town of Lisse, just a 40-minute drive from Amsterdam. Open annually only between mid-March and mid-May, this is the place to see tulips in an array of vibrant colors, along with daffodils, orchids, lilies, carnations, roses, irises, hyacinths and other flowers. Divided across various gardens and pavilions, the tulips and other flowers number in the millions, and as the park has a different theme each year, it’s never the same. Be sure to take the whisper boat trip, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the endless bulb fields in a virtually silent boat along the waterways – the angle guarantees especially stunning photos.
Cape Cod in May
New England peak season begins Memorial Day weekend, so if you can visit earlier in the month you can take advantage of nearly empty beaches as well as lower accommodation rates and frequently pleasant weather. The water may not be warm enough for a swim just yet, but you can always enjoy a walk down the long expanses of sand, playing beach games, and exploring some of the region’s lighthouses. There are activities and attractions for all interests – head to Provincetown on the northern tip to embark on a whale-watching excursion, check out the cranberry bogs and take a tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chip Company’s factory in Hyannis.
Iceland in June
If you can be in Iceland in mid to late June, you can take advantage of the long days that are often referred to as the midnight sun. This is when the sun sets just after midnight and rises again just a few hours later. Once you realize how much there is to see and do in this spectacular country, you’ll be grateful for the extra daylight hours. You can spend your time gazing at majestic waterfalls and erupting geysers, hiking volcanoes, roaring through rapids down the Hvita River, soaking in hot springs and so much more. One of the best places to experience the midnight sun phenomenon is the island of Grimsey. Located on the Arctic Circle boundary, it’s the only place in the country where you can visit and boast to your friends that you’ve reached the Arctic Circle. The island is especially popular for its puffins and other seabirds, but the highlight may be the especially welcoming locals who will be happy to tell you the tales of the hardships of living in such a secluded, windswept spot.
Newfoundland, Canada in July
July is an optimal time to go to Newfoundland for mild weather that’s perfect for viewing the abundance of wildlife and the beautiful diverse landscapes. It’s right in the heart of the season for whale watching, with majestic humpback whales swimming through the waters just offshore, and you might even see a few icebergs floating around too, especially if you head to the northern end of the province. On a sunny day, the stunning 10,000-year-old glacial giants come in every shape and size, and in colors that range from snowy white to deep aquamarine. Outdoor adventurers will find a wealth of hiking trails that traverse soaring mountains and freshwater fjords, sea kayaking and rafting opportunities, zip-lining and more. If nightlife is your thing, be sure to spend a few days in St. John’s, famously home to George Street, which boasts the most bars and pubs per square foot of any street in North America. Plan to be here on July 1st, and you can join the locals who head to Signal Hill and watch the sun rise as the very first in Canada to celebrate the country’s birthday
Kenya in August
August in Kenya is dry and cool, and it also signals the start of the great migration, known as the eighth natural wonder of the world. This is when herds of wildebeest and zebra depart the Serengeti for Kenya’s Mara region, and wildlife viewing is at its very best. One of Africa’s most popular safari destinations, the Masai Mara National Reserve is part of the Greater Serengeti ecosystem. While the vast red-oat grass plains provide food for the grazing herds of wildebeests and zebras, during the rainier seasons, big herds of elephants and buffaloes feed on the tall grass. A forest grows along the banks of the Mara River, offering refuge for elephants as well as leopards and monkeys, while the big cats, find shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Ireland in September
The Emerald Isle in September often means lower airfares, fewer tourists, and wonderful weather. While there can be no guarantees, of course, the air is often crisp and cool, blue skies are more frequent and the trees are typically covered with a brilliant, golden hue. The Wicklow Mountains are especially stunning this time of year and heather may still be covering much of the landscape. It’s an ideal place for a hike, and if a storm happens to roll in, there are plenty of cozy pubs where you can enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire along with an Irish coffee or a pint of Guinness.
Tuscany in October
The summer months in Italy tend to be very hot and crowded, but the arrival of October often brings idyllic weather, and the hordes of tourists have begun to dissipate. You can also enjoy beautiful autumn foliage in places like Tuscany, and, this is also the peak season for food and wine. Truffles and mushrooms, chestnuts, and chocolate all enjoy their own festivals in the fall – and, it’s vineyard harvest time too. Piedmont in particular is renowned for brilliant fall scenery as well as fantastic cuisine and wine culture. With the northwest region hemmed in by the Alps, there are hundreds of roads and trails to explore the surrounding peaks set ablaze with color.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in November
This UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Mexico’s best-preserved colonial towns manages to be cosmopolitan and quaint at the same time. With narrow cobblestone streets, magnificent architecture, and idyllic weather, many feel it’s the most picturesque town in the country. Foreign retirees, artists, and writers, mainly from Canada and the U.S., come to enjoy its vibrant art scene featuring numerous studios and galleries with working artists and artisans. There’s something interesting to be found around nearly every corner, and in November there are a host of events, starting with Dia de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead and then moving on to arts and crafts, jazz, and patriotism.
Germany in December
It may be cliche, but December in Germany is something everyone should experience at least once, with spectacular Christmas markets held throughout the country. They boast gorgeous light displays, holiday tunes, handmade gifts, and plenty of mulled wine to sip as you shop and enjoy the sights. From Frankfurt to Nuremberg, which holds the country’s oldest market, there is Christmas magic everywhere you go – and, most of the month, accommodation rates are at their lowest all year.
