Narrowing down a list of holiday destinations can really be tricky, as there are so many incredible places in the world to visit. Until you’ve chosen your destination you can’t start planning your holiday, so if you’re struggling to pick a location why not look at things on a seasonal level? Certain areas of the world are better to visit at certain times of year – taking weather conditions, price and national holidays into account.
We’ve come up with a handy guide that will help you choose where to visit, based on the time of year you want to travel.
Spring Holidays
The months of March, April and May are usually home to warmer, if rainy, weather here in the UK but what about the rest of the world? Spring is a versatile time when it comes to destinations, as you can catch the tail end of the winter season if you prefer a cooler climate but plenty of places are really starting to heat up if you’re after some serious rays.
East Asia is a fantastic area to visit in spring – the weather at this time of year is heating up and you’ll miss the region’s rainy seasons. The warm weather (with temperatures ranging from 24-40°C on average) means you’ll catch your destination looking at its most beautiful but you’ll miss the stifling heat and humidity than can occur over the summer months.
Africa is also a great option for the spring. Visiting before the summer months means you can take advantage of cheaper prices – meaning you can experience a once in a lifetime safari holiday for half the price you’d pay later in the year.
Summer Holidays
Some like it hot…and if that’s you then you’ll be spoiled for choice! Many visitors avoid destinations like Dubai and Egypt during the summer months, as the temperatures can be overwhelming – but if you’re a sun worshipper then these could be your perfect match.
There are plenty of places in Europe that are brilliant summer options if you’re looking to blend excellent weather with rich culture. Locations like Italy, Austria and Greece are at their most beautiful during the hotter months and are recommended destinations for the summer.
The downside of travelling during the summer is the price jump that can make holidays twice the price they would be during the cooler months. Plus, tie in your holiday with the school summer holidays and you may find your idyllic retreat overrun with hundreds of fellow holidaymakers – if seclusion and privacy is your thing then make sure your book a spot at a quiet retreat rather than a lively hotel chain.
Autumn Holidays:
As the weather starts to cool and the kids go back to school, many of us head out on holiday to have one last fling with the sun before we start winding down for Christmas and the cold winter nights.
North Africa is extremely popular for autumn holidays, as the temperature is much more bearable than it is during the summer months. Destinations like Morocco and Egypt are particularly popular at this time of year, so are both recommended for September – November trips.
The beautiful islands in the Indian Ocean are in demand all year round, so autumn is a great time to visit as they won’t be quite so busy and you’ll have more room to breathe and soak up the beautiful atmosphere. Mauritius and the Maldives are the obvious choices here, but there are plenty of fantastic destinations to visit in this area.
Winter Holidays
The countdown to Christmas begins and plenty of us long for the sun, which is why ‘Winter Sun’ holidays boom in popularity every year.
The Caribbean is particularly sought after during the winter months, where the weather is dry but warm and sunny, providing the perfect antidote to our harsh winter climate. The usual suspects like Barbados and Jamaica make for brilliant but busy holidays, so anybody looking for something a little more relaxing may want to consider somewhere like Cuba, where you can enjoy the gorgeous weather and culture without the crowds.
Of course, winter is prime time for snow sports so skiing holidays reach their peak at this time of year. Whether you’re heading to Canada or Europe, there are show-stopping ski resorts the world over.