Asia
Thailand
The easiest way into Southeast Asia: limestone islands, temples, street food and transport that works.
When to go: November–March (Andaman Sea); April–September better for Koh Samui and aroundVietnam
A long country: mountains in the north, bays and old towns in the middle, the Mekong Delta in the south.
When to go: March–May and September–November (north), December–April (south)Cambodia
The temples of Angkor, rice-field countryside and a quiet coast. Often combined with Vietnam or Laos.
When to go: November–MarchLaos
A slow country on the Mekong: monasteries, karst mountains, waterfalls and a railway linking the north.
When to go: November–January (smoke from field burning from February)Philippines
Thousands of islands with volcanoes, waterfalls, coral reefs and turtles. Ideal for sea and nature away from the crowds.
When to go: December–AprilIndonesia
Bali is just the start: volcanoes on Java, dragons on Komodo and island idylls around Lombok.
When to go: April–October (Bali, Lombok, Flores)Malaysia
Modern Kuala Lumpur, tea highlands, rainforest and islands with crystal-clear water.
When to go: March–October (east-coast islands), December–March (west)Sri Lanka
A small island with huge variety: ancient cities, tea country, safaris and beaches.
When to go: December–March (south and west), May–September (east)India
Rajasthan's palaces, the Taj Mahal, sacred Varanasi or laid-back Kerala. Intense and unforgettable.
When to go: November–March (north and Rajasthan)Nepal
The Himalaya within reach: treks to Annapurna and Everest, Kathmandu's temples and safari in Chitwan.
When to go: October–November and March–AprilJapan
Modern cities, temples, mountains and hot springs, connected by transport that runs like clockwork.
When to go: March–May and October–NovemberSouth Korea
High-energy Seoul, royal palaces, mountains with temples and the volcanic island of Jeju.
When to go: April–June and September–NovemberMaldives
Coral atolls, turquoise lagoons and some of the world's best snorkelling, now also in affordable guesthouses on local islands.
When to go: December–AprilMiddle East
Oman
A hospitable land of forts, canyons with turquoise water, desert and mountains. Perfect for a road trip.
When to go: October–MarchUnited Arab Emirates
Dubai's skyscrapers, Abu Dhabi's grand mosque and desert just outside the city. Often a stopover on the way to Asia.
When to go: November–MarchJordan
The rock city of Petra, the Wadi Rum desert and a float in the Dead Sea.
When to go: March–May and September–NovemberAfrica
Egypt
Pyramids, temples along the Nile and the coral reefs of the Red Sea.
When to go: October–AprilMorocco
Medinas, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara and blue Chefchaouen, just a few hours' flight from Europe.
When to go: March–May and September–NovemberTanzania & Zanzibar
Safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, then the white beaches of Zanzibar.
When to go: June–October and January–FebruaryKenya
The Maasai Mara and the Great Migration, elephants below Kilimanjaro and Indian Ocean beaches.
When to go: July–October and January–FebruarySouth Africa
Cape Town and Table Mountain, the winelands, the Garden Route and safari in Kruger.
When to go: October–April (Cape), May–September (safari)Namibia
The red dunes of Sossusvlei, desert meeting ocean and safari in Etosha. A land of empty roads and starry nights.
When to go: May–OctoberMauritius
Lagoons, mountains and waterfalls on a small island in the Indian Ocean.
When to go: May–DecemberCape Verde
Volcanic islands in the Atlantic: green hikes on Santo Antão, the Fogo volcano and beaches on Sal.
When to go: October–JuneEurope
Canary Islands
Volcanic islands of eternal spring: Teide on Tenerife, green La Palma, wild La Gomera.
When to go: All year; best for hiking October–MayMadeira
An island of levadas and peaks above the clouds. One of Europe's best places for hiking.
When to go: April–June and September–OctoberAzores
Green volcanic islands in mid-Atlantic with crater lakes, hot springs and whales.
When to go: May–SeptemberPortugal
Lisbon and Porto, the Douro valley vineyards and the cliffs of the Algarve.
When to go: March–June and September–NovemberAndalusia
Moorish palaces, white villages and flamenco in southern Spain.
When to go: March–May and October–NovemberSicily
Etna, Greek temples, Baroque towns and superb food.
When to go: April–June and September–OctoberGreece & the islands
Hundreds of islands, ancient sites and mountains. Quiet and authentic outside the peak season.
When to go: May–June and September–OctoberCrete
Greece's largest island: gorges, lagoons, Minoan palaces and mountain villages.
When to go: April–June and September–OctoberCroatia
More than beaches: Plitvice Lakes, islands, Dubrovnik and the Velebit mountains.
When to go: May–June and SeptemberAlbania
The Albanian Riviera, the Accursed Mountains and UNESCO stone towns. A cheaper, more authentic Balkans.
When to go: May–June and September–OctoberMontenegro
The Bay of Kotor, canyons and the Durmitor mountains in a compact space.
When to go: May–June and SeptemberGeorgia
The Caucasus with churches on the ridges, qvevri wine and legendary hospitality.
When to go: June–September (mountains), May and October (cities and wine)Turkey
Istanbul, balloons over Cappadocia, the Lycian Way and ancient cities.
When to go: April–June and September–OctoberIceland
Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes and hot springs. Made for a road trip.
When to go: June–August (hiking), September–March (northern lights)Norway
Fjords, the Lofoten Islands and some of Europe's finest hikes.
When to go: June–SeptemberScotland
The Highlands, the Isle of Skye, castles and whisky.
When to go: May–SeptemberAmericas
Cuba
Havana, colonial Trinidad, the Viñales valley and Caribbean beaches.
When to go: November–AprilMexico
Maya cities, cenotes, colonial Oaxaca and outstanding food.
When to go: November–AprilCosta Rica
Volcanoes, cloud forests, sloths and two oceans in one small country.
When to go: December–AprilPeru
Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon.
When to go: May–SeptemberColombia
Caribbean Cartagena, the coffee region, Medellín and the Caribbean coast.
When to go: December–MarchPatagonia (Argentina & Chile)
Fitz Roy, Torres del Paine and the Perito Moreno glacier. A hiker's paradise.
When to go: November–MarchChile
The Atacama Desert, the Andes, vineyards and Patagonia to the south.
When to go: October–AprilBrazil
Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, the Amazon and the Pantanal.
When to go: April–October (depends on region)USA – national parks
The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Utah and endless roads. The ultimate road trip.
When to go: May–June and September–OctoberCanada
The Rockies, turquoise lakes, bears and endless forests.
When to go: June–SeptemberOceania
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