Travel tip: Where to go When

Sometimes choosing a holiday destination can be challenging… there are so many options that just thinking about it can become overwhelming! If you don’t know where to start I would suggest to focus on two factors that are always important: weather and low season. Following these two principles and my own experiences, I am going to help you to decide where to go depending on the month that you are planning to take holiday in.

January: Mexico - Yucatan

January is one of the best months of the year to visit Mexico. It's in the heart of the dry season, but not quite as busy as December or February. It is a perfect month to visit all the Yucatan’s ancient ruins and enjoy the beautiful beaches and water sports.

February: Cuba

In February, in Cuba, the sun shines without being overbearing, rain mostly stays away, and night time temps are refreshingly cool. You will avoid the humid months of the summer and the hurricane season.

March: Malaysia

You will enjoy plenty of sunshine and a very nice average temperature during March on both the west coast and the east coast of Malaysia. KL can experience some sudden showers that do not last long. At the same time, March it is not a very touristic month so you have a perfect combo for a great holiday.

April: Bali

In the case of Bali, the “crowds” factor is a significantly more important than the weather. As we all know, Bali is a very touristic destination but that doesn’t mean that you have to remove it from your travel wish list, you just need to choose the right time. April is not part of the high season nor the rainy season which makes it the perfect month to visit! To be honest I visited Bali during the rainy season and it was very good! It only rained for few minutes each day on the afternoon and the island had basically no tourists!

May: Sri Lanka

It is important to mention that Sri Lanka has 2 monsoon seasons that affects different parts of the island at different times. If you are traveling to the East Coast and the Cultural Triangle (as I did), May is one of the best months to visit as it is during the dry season. May is never too crowded with tourists either so it is a great time to enjoy the beach and the cultural sites.

June: Istanbul

The beginning of June is a great time to visit Istanbul, the weather is nice and it’s not full of tourists (yet). The beautiful outdoor cafes and hotel terrace cafes are open so you can enjoy the lovely temperature . The days are longer, drier, and sunnier, but not as hot as in the peak of summer which makes it it the perfect time for a visit.

July: San Francisco

Why not spend the 4th of July on a Californian beach admiring the fireworks? The weather in San Francisco is generally good and the temperatures very mild all year long, but if you are looking to visit the Napa Valley as well, better to do so before August when the harvest season starts and it gets more touristic.

August: Kenya

August is considered to be the dry season and has very mild temperatures. Early in the morning and at night you definitely need a fairly warm jacket but during the day it can get quite warm. However the most important reason to go in august in this case is not related to the weather but to the animals migrations. Every year, during the summer months more than 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) cross from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya so you will be basically at the right place at the right time!

September: NY

New York City in September is a time of transition. It's still technically summer but the city takes on an autumn frame. NYC weather in September is pleasant and brings a bit of autumn colour to Central Park and other green spaces. It is also the perfect time to enjoy the views from one of the many rooftops while having a cocktail. Most New Yorkers are home from vacation, and the number of tourists in town is dwindling which makes it ideal.

October: India

The summer in India is extremely hot which makes very difficult to enjoy the sightseeing part of the trip. With a lot of walking to be done, the best time to visit the Golden Triangle is during the cooler months. October is the perfect balance, it is not too hot nor cold or rainy which makes a great time for exploring.

November: Cape Town

In November, when the days are starting to be shorter and colder in the northern hemisphere, what better than to travel to the opposite side of the world. It is great to visit Cape Town during November so you can enjoy the beautiful South African beaches and at the same time enjoy one my favourite activities.. whale watching!! So pack your swimsuit because you are going to need it!

December: Philippines

By December, the dry season is well underway across the Philippines. Days are typically sunny with minimal rainfall; temperatures are cooler and more bearable and humidity levels are beginning to drop. It could be a great place if you are planning on spending the Christmas and New Years holidays abroad!