A Year of Travel | Our Favourite Holiday Destinations
The Top 12 places to go for each month of the year.
The year is still so very young and with so much of it ahead its the perfect time to shift those post-Christmas blues and plan your next getaway.
We have created a list of destinations based on each month of the year so you get the best out of your holiday time. Whether you are interested in sunning it up in Florida in November or spending your March viewing mount Fiji through the stunning Japanese cherry blossom, we have it all here.
1. January – Sydney
Sydney is the perfect place to spend your January. You can switch the grey cold days of England for the beautiful blue skies of the Australian Summer-time. It will be a stark contrast to the many winter days spent trying to avoid splashing freezing cold puddle water into your shoes.
Depending on whether you are craving some relaxation on the many beautiful beaches or going for a touch of sightseeing at the world-famous Opera House or Harbour Bridge, Sydney has you covered. Now if that’s not enough January is jam-packed with fun events including the Sydney Festival, an arts and culture festival and Australia Day, which is usually celebrated in style with many barbecues, fireworks and other festivities
2. February – Cape Town
February is the perfect month to visit this wonderful place, with the beautiful weather still beaming and so much on offer, you couldn’t really pick a more perfect time!
Wine lovers can rejoice as two of the top wine regions Franschhoek and Stellenbosch host wine festivals throughout February. Even if that isn’t your thing you need not fret as the acclaimed Cape Town art fair appears mid-month, the vibrant Cape Town Pride Festival at the end of the month and the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival takes place across various locations throughout the month… what more could you want? To top it off February sees the end of the peak holiday season, meaning that popular destinations are less crowded and flights are cheaper! WIN!
3. March - Japan
As Japan will be gearing up to host to the 2020 Olympic Games in the summer, March may be a great time to visit this incredible destination. Along with avoiding the guaranteed summer rush, this is the perfect time to see the cherry blossom bursting into full bloom.
You can join the annual ritual known as Hanami where the whole country celebrates this spectacular event with picnics, parties, and festivals. Then once you have experienced the amazing neon buzz of Tokyo you can head out to the Five Lakes region for stunning views of Mount Fuji framed by the pretty pink cherry blossom.
4. April - Amsterdam
A brilliant destination for any time of year, but April makes Amsterdam even more desirable with the beginning of the world-famous tulip season. Lucky enough to be in arms reach of this remarkable city and the choice of multiple travel options, this is the perfect place for a short or long break.
Explore all the notable sights including the Vondelpark, the Anne Frank Museum and the Opera House but then make sure to take a trip to the tulip fields. The main attraction is Keukenhof where thousands of tulips are grown and begin to bloom this time of year, you will absolutely not regret it!
5. May – Vienna
Not that anyone truly needs an excuse to visit the incredible city of Vienna but May does its best to show up the other months. Along with warmer weather and just before the peak tourist season ensues, it also brings some wonderful culinary delights.
Make time to explore the usual museums, galleries and other recommended sights as they are definitely not to be missed. But If you are visiting in May you must check out which of the many food and drink events which would suit you. One to note is the Genuss Festival, which rolls into town from the 8th-10th, and showcases local specialties from all over the country. Another is the two-day Craft Bier Fest (that is usually in the first half of the month) that brings in dozens of breweries from all around the world.
6. June – Peru
Although technically the winter, June marks the official start to Peru’s dry season, creating clear skies and perfect conditions for hiking. With loads to do from trekking in the highlands, biking and rafting, exploring the history of the Inca ruins, discovering the culture in Lima or a river cruise in the Amazon, June is the ideal month to visit as its full of festivals in and around Cusco.
Including the most prominent of the Inca festivals, the Festival of the Sun, which is held on the winter solstice each year. The Semana de Andinismo is also held in the month of June where mountaineer connoisseurs come in force to celebrate the Andes with rock climbing, hikes, skiing, paragliding, and concerts.
7. July – Alaska
Holidays aren’t always about sunbathing and sipping cocktails by the pool. Cooler climates are sometimes a preference, and Alaska is a faultless destination for anyone wanting to experience incredible sights and amazing wildlife. At this time of year the nights stay lighter for longer, meaning you can fill your days with adventure and excitement until the early hours.
Visiting the national parks is essential, including the Denali National Park, which spans over 6 million acres and homes to the tallest peak in North America. You can catch glimpses of moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep and wolves there. You can then mix things up and visit Valdez to kayak amongst glacier, sea otters, puffins and humpbacks.
8. August – Tanzania
The perfect destination for August, Tanzania has so much to offer in its dry season. From pristine white-sand beaches to fascinating local culture, you will have your hands full with options. Not to mention the incredible wildlife where viewing is at its best at this time of year.
You can catch the wildebeest river crossings in northern Serengeti, or head off on a safari around the Ngorongoro Crater to look for rare black rhinos! August also brings the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the world’s tallest freestanding volcano. With several different routes varying on ability and price, this is a must!
9. September - Croatia
The majority of the high season crowds will have gone home and the weather will still be glorious, making this the perfect time to visit! Accommodation will be cheaper too! Boasting a stunning coastline that stretches for 1,778 kilometers and 1,185 beautiful islands floating offshore with breath-taking beaches, pretty ports and Venetian architecture what could you not like?
If I haven’t already convinced you, it’s also a great place for snorkeling and diving. With shallow waters of the Istrian Riviera and Dalmatian Coast for beginners, and the deeper waters of the south are full of coral reefs, caves and shipwrecks for more experienced divers. With the list never-ending you should also check out There are just so many things to do and see including vineyards, pine forests and national parks. The list is never-ending.
10. October - Vietnam
A beautiful destination all year round, however, October can be considered to be one of the best months to visit Vietnam. Typically, Autumn, the temperature has slightly cooled off but remains delightfully warm and the leaves are changing colour. Top-end accommodation is a fraction of the price you would pay in Europe, along with delicious pho noodles and world-famous coffee.
There is so much to take in from this stunning destination, full of fascinating historic sights, Buddhist temples and Instagram worthy beaches. You can enjoy the famous buzz of the cities with the millions of mopeds and speedy tuk-tuks or you can visit the quiet countryside for the perfect escape. Hoi An has the perfect sleepy town vibe or take a trip to Da Lat to explore the waterfalls and lakes.
11. November - Florida
Now when you think of Florida you may think of theme parks, but there’s so much on offer from the Sunshine State. Come November the kids are back in school, the temperature is cooler (but still warm) and the rainfall is low, making this the right time to hit the theme parks if you’re a thrill-seeker or Disney enthusiast.
If that’s not quite your thing and you’re more of a sunbathing type Florida has you covered as its home to Clearwater beach, which has been deemed USA’s best beach! That’s not even it! Miami is a great place to party and to view some amazing Art Deco architecture whilst Florida Keys is perfect to escape amongst nature. Florida is the gift that just keeps on giving, well worth a visit.
12. December – Prague
Although December may be one of the coldest months for Prague, it’s definitely the most magical time to visit this wonderful city! It's like a real-life winter wonderland, the stunning architecture coated in winter snow creates a scenery that looks like its jumped right out of a fairy-tale.
In December the Old Town Square and Wenceslas are full of festive markets which is perfect if you’re looking for a Christmas fix. Alternatively, you can cruise comfortably down the Vltava River on a heated boat and enjoy the views of Charles Bridge, National Theatre, and Prague Castle. Visit Prague at the beginning of the month to avoid the Christmas crowds who descend on the city the closer it gets to the 25th, you will manage to get better rates on airfare and accommodation and a much more relaxed atmosphere.
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