Start with the calendar
When can you go?
Most trip planning starts with a place. Ours starts with the month you can actually travel, because the same destination can be perfect in May and a mistake in July.
January
The southern hemisphere's July, the tropics at their driest, and the cheapest Europe of the year.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
February
Carnival season, calving season, and the best value month in the winter-sun belt.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
March
Cherry blossoms in the east, jacarandas in Mexico, and the last easy month in the desert belt.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
April
Peak bloom month: Japan's blossoms, Holland's tulips, and the desert belt's spring finale.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
May
Europe before the crowds: the single smartest month on the northern calendar.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
June
The far north switches on: midnight sun, alpine trails, and the opening of safari season.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
July
Peak season at the top of the world, and the opening of the Great Migration's main event.
9 world picks · 6 US picks →
August
Peak safari, alpine gold, and the month to read the hurricane map before you book.
9 world picks · 6 US picks →
September
The insider's summer: Europe at its best, the Mediterranean at its warmest, and the crowds gone home.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
October
Foliage in the north, the desert belt reopening, and Japan's other perfect season.
9 world picks · 6 US picks →
November
Japan's crimson season, the desert belt in full stride, and the tropics on the verge of prime time.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →
December
Dry-season prime across the tropics, high summer down south, and the great Christmas-week price divide.
10 world picks · 6 US picks →