When can you go?

35 at their best

January

Thailand, Patagonia, Maldives. 12 events.

The southern hemisphere's July, the tropics at their driest, and the cheapest Europe of the year.

47 at their best

February

Thailand, Riviera Maya, Patagonia. 11 events.

Carnival season, calving season, and the best value month in the winter-sun belt.

42 at their best

March

Tokyo, Kyoto, Mexico City. 14 events.

Cherry blossoms in the east, jacarandas in Mexico, and the last easy month in the desert belt.

62 at their best

April

Kyoto, Amsterdam, Tokyo. 10 events.

Peak bloom month: Japan's blossoms, Holland's tulips, and the desert belt's spring finale.

77 at their best

May

Rome, Croatia, Barcelona. 4 events.

Europe before the crowds: the single smartest month on the northern calendar.

68 at their best

June

Iceland, Alaska, Swiss Alps. 5 events.

The far north switches on: midnight sun, alpine trails, and the opening of safari season.

25 at their best

July

East Africa Safari, Swiss Alps, Iceland. 7 events.

Peak season at the top of the world, and the opening of the Great Migration's main event.

23 at their best

August

East Africa Safari, Swiss Alps, Iceland. 6 events.

Peak safari, alpine gold, and the month to read the hurricane map before you book.

86 at their best

September

Santorini, Croatia, Paris. 5 events.

The insider's summer: Europe at its best, the Mediterranean at its warmest, and the crowds gone home.

69 at their best

October

Kyoto, Jordan, Morocco. 10 events.

Foliage in the north, the desert belt reopening, and Japan's other perfect season.

43 at their best

November

Kyoto, Egypt, Jordan. 10 events.

Japan's crimson season, the desert belt in full stride, and the tropics on the verge of prime time.

19 at their best

December

Riviera Maya, Thailand, Patagonia. 8 events.

Dry-season prime across the tropics, high summer down south, and the great Christmas-week price divide.