Taking regular vacations is good for your health, but what time of year is best? Here are a few tips about the best times of year to take a vacation.
Traveling the world can lead you to experience many things. But, how do you know when you should travel to certain destinations and when you should avoid them? While many people find themselves vacationing during the summer or winter holiday breaks (especially those with children), there are others who travel at various other times throughout the year to experience all that they can – in search of the perfect travel time. Luckily there are some must-see travel hot spots during each of the four seasons.
Want to know where to head out throughout the year? We’ve listed the top 3 must-visit destinations for each season —
Fall
Anywhere in the Caribbean
The Caribbean is made up of approximately 30 inhabited islands. There are the most popular, such as The Bahamas*, Dominican Republic, Aruba*, and Barbados. However, there are quiet gems also located here, such as Little Exuma and St. Kitts*. These islands are full of tropical dreams, beautiful beaches, rainforests, and silence. Temperatures range from the upper 70s to the low 90s this time of year. Discover each island and see which one fits the vacation you are dreaming about.
Duoro Valley, Portugal
Duoro Valley* is known for its breathtaking landscapes and extensive vineyards. In the fall, the leaf-watching in this area is phenomenal. It’s both a photographer’s dream and the perfect place for a quiet spa getaway. The average temperature in the fall is 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Located in the Great Smokey Mountains*, the area provides a spectacular fall foliage show not to be missed. In addition to all the nature that surrounds you, Gatlinburg also has Oktoberfest, Halloween events, a huge Craftsmen’s Fair, and other fun things to do this time of year. Average highs this time of year range from the 60s to the 80s.
Winter
Montego Bay, Jamaica
With winter temperatures ranging in the 70s and 80s, Jamaica is perfect to visit during this time. This is their off-season which means you can enjoy all the events, such as Junkanoo and the Bob Marley Festival* that take place in the wintertime, as well as the beautiful beaches, without having to fight with too many crowds.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast*, with its boutique shops, vertical mountains that meet the sea, many trails and winding roads, and small coastal residences, is an escape away from reality as we know it. With temperatures ranging from an average low of 40 degrees to an average high of 55 degrees, the area still enjoys milder winter temperatures compared to other countries regions in Europe.
Visiting Alaska in the winter may not seem like the most logical thing to do, however, for the adventurous soul, it is the absolute perfect time visit! Longer nights and shorter days, with freezing temps do not stop the fun. Whether you are into ice fishing, snowboarding, skiing, winter biking, or just beautiful landscapes – there is always something going on.
Spring
The Wye Valley, Wales
Wye Valley has the Black Mountains, festivals, abbeys, vast landscapes, and trails galore. In springtime, Wye Valley comes alive in all different shades of green.
Osaka, Japan
Spring is the season when Osaka’s Cherry Blossoms* come to life. In parks or in the Japanese gardens, crowds come from all over to take in the wonder and beauty of these spring-signifying blossoms.
Amsterdam
Just as Japan has Cherry Blossoms, Amsterdam has tulips. The flower strip has rows of flowers as far as you can see. Also worth mentioning is that Spring time is festival season in the Netherlands, so there is more to do and see other than viewing the tulips.
Summer
Bonito, Brazil
Bonito is an eco-tourism hot spot. You can walk through the jungle at Natural Aquarium or make your way down an abyss to a crystal-clear lake at Abismo Anhumas. The friendly people of Bonito show great hospitality to all those who want to see its beautiful natural wonders.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Have you ever considered searching for gorillas? You can at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda*. In fact, they have monkeys, hyenas, and buffaloes, too. These treks and hikes can take you on all-day adventures!
Colorado
Visiting Colorado in the summer means that you can enjoy all the fun – without all the crowds. Instead of skiing, you can discover hiking through the mountains, check out a hot air balloon rodeo, visit the hot springs, or take in the beauty of all the mountainside wildflowers!
Where the Seasons Don’t Matter
Lastly, you have those vacation destinations that are just always welcoming and beautiful – without depending on what season it is!
Canary Islands
The Canaries are a group of seven islands west of Morocco. They have beautiful beaches and amazing Spanish wines. But, these islands also boast some interesting landscape. Almost appearing as though its pictures of a planet from space, their black and white beaches and active volcano make it something to see.
Nice, France
Nice is the home of the famous French Riviera – the longest beach. The best vantage point for the ultimate view of the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean, is by Castle Hill*. If the water isn’t your thing, then perhaps strolling the Waterfront Promenade is. If you want to see all the ins and outs of the city, you can hire a greeter – locals who volunteer to take you around and show you all of Nice.
Loja, Ecuador
Located in the southern part of Ecuador, Loja is a culturally-hip city known for its musicality. It’s a small friendly town that has just recently begun to grow in population, thanks to the warm vibes it delivers. It has a mix of all things – jungles and preserves, colleges and universities, and a rich cultural history.
There is no rule book that tells you when you should or shouldn’t visit destinations. However, if possible, traveling to locations during their off-season gives you a better chance to do all that you desire. Sometimes, such as in the case of Osaka, Japan, you just have to fight the crowds to take in all the beauty.
* Link to third party site