Everyone wants to travel. But the big question is – of course – where to go and when. There are so many places to see around the world, it can be a tough one to answer. But, if one of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2019 is to travel more, look no further. We’ve selected the best places to visit throughout the year. Seasonal activities, colourful festivals, and perfect weather are just a few things to look out for in our guide to the best destinations for every month of the year (a perfect mix of both popular and offbeat places to see)
JANUARY
The best way to start the year is by celebrating, which you can do at the unforgettable end-of-year parties at Sydney Harbour. This is also the perfect time of the year to enjoy Australia’s beaches. The Philippines has the Ati-Atihan festival honouring Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), with exciting games and dances, while Costa Rica also enjoys amazing weather at this time of the year, with lots of sunshine, little rain. If you’ve been waiting to visit any of Orlando’s theme parks, this is the best time to do so, with fewer crowds and col weather.
Also Read: 8 Reasons why you should visit the Island of Bohol, Philippines
FEBRUARY
February is the month of festivals. Start off with the Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong with its amazing music and food. At Venice, you can enjoy the Carnival with its exciting chaos and masked debauchery. On the other hand, if you want to escape from the crowds, you can head to New Zealand. February is the tail end of summer here, which means warm seas, golden beaches and lush forests.
Also Read: The 11 Things You Cannot Miss In New Zealand
MARCH
The party continues in March with the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. New Orleans has Mardi Gras, with its vibrant beaded carnival outfits and street parties. Though hectic, you’ll be experiencing the city at its best. Head to Ireland at the end of the month to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations (or see the same in Chicago or New York). March is also an amazing time to visit Tuscany, which can get extremely crowded in summer. Vietnam also has lots of sunshine with low humidity and moderate temperatures, making it the perfect time to laze on the beach, or go trekking.
Also Read: Top 6 Carnivals From Around the World
APRIL
April heralds the start of spring which is the perfect time to see the cherry blossoms (or sakura) in Japan. Be sure to check the forecasts which tend to shift each year. You can also head to the Netherlands to see the amazing tulips blooming in Keukenhof, the largest garden of Europe. It is also when the country celebrates King’s Day. In California, you can see poppies in bloom, and visit the exciting Coachella Festival, while in Bangkok you can enjoy the Thai New Year — Songkran.
Also Read: 11 Beautiful Places to See Flowers This Spring
MAY
Amazing weather continues through May, making it the perfect month for outdoor activities. Head to Hawaii to enjoy the beaches and mountains, and to see the wonderful lantern floating ceremony in Honolulu. It is also the best time to visit Morocco, as you can avoid its hot summers. May is also perfect to visit France, with fewer crowds and amazing sights. You can also visit New York to see its Manhattanhenge.
Also Read: What is Manhattanhenge and how can you see it?
JUNE
In June temperatures begin to warm up. Visit the Hunan Province of China and the amazing sandstone towers and the amazing 1,200-year-old city of Fenghuang nearby. June also marks the start of the cold season in Peru, which brings dry weather, making it the perfect time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu. You can also experience the Inti Raymi or the Inca Festival of the Sun on the Summer Solstice.
June is also the perfect time to visit Iceland, as the solstice is when you can see the longest day of the year and the midnight sun. The warm weather and long days also make it easy to explore the country’s stunning landscape. (Though if you want to see the Northern Lights it’s better to visit after September).
Also Read: Top 11 Things To See In Cusco, Peru
JULY
July is the start of the peak tourist season for most destinations. So, if you want to head away from the crowds why not check out Mongolia, which is known for its ger camping. It is also the time of the Naadam Festival. Meanwhile, you can visit the Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea. July also means warm weather in Sweden and Denmark, which is the perfect time to enjoy their beaches and lakes.
Also Read: Don’t Miss These 6 Things To Do In Denmark
AUGUST
August marks the start of the dry season in Kenya and Tanzania, making it the perfect time for a safari. It is also the start of the great wildebeest migration, as herds cross from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya. It is also a great time to explore Indonesia and see its giant Komodo dragons. With perfect temperatures, you can also go island hopping. In Sicily, you can see the amazing San Sebastiano celebration, while Spain’s Valencia region hosts the annual Tomatina festival in Buñol.
Also Read: Here Are The Best Destinations For Animal Lovers
SEPTEMBER
September marks the start of cooler temperatures and autumn. It is a great time to visit Canada, especially its national parks, as there are fewer crowds, and vibrant fall foliage. September also brings amazing weather to the Mediterranean, making it the perfect time to visit the many islands around there, as well as places like Mallorca and Corsica.
Also Read: Say Yes to these Mediterranean Adventures
OCTOBER
Two things stand out in October – Oktoberfest and Halloween. You can head to Munich to experience the world’s largest beer festival, or to Transylvania for Halloween. Where better to celebrate Halloween than the birthplace of the world’s most famous vampire? Or you could head to Mexico to check out Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. However, there is more to October than just these celebrations. In New England in the US, you can experience fall in all its glory, with the leaves turning red and gold across the region.
Also Read: The 13 Best Places To Celebrate Halloween Around The World
NOVEMBER
It begins to get quite cold in most places in November, so why not head south? India has clear, blue skies and dry sunny weather throughout the month, and you can also experience Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Why not check out places like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Goa. You can also visit the Loi Krathong lantern festival in Thailand. November is also the best time to see the Northern Lights in Norway, as it gets quite dark, but isn’t as cold as the peak of winter.
Also Read: The Best Places to View the Polar Lights
DECEMBER
For many people across the globe, December is the start of the festive season, with important celebrations like Christmas and Hanukkah dominating the calendar. It is also the perfect time to visit Germany and Austria, which boast some of the most amazing Christmas Markets in the world. Cologne, Berlin and Vienna are the places to go for some holiday cheer and plenty of mulled wine. You can also head to Edinburgh for its amazing its three-day New Year festival, Hogmanay, which is said to be one of the largest street parties in Europe. However, if you want to head somewhere warmer, why not visit Dubai to get in a bit of shopping done ahead of the new year.
Also Read: Amazing Winter Destinations To Celebrate Christmas At This Year
