The Best Times of Year to Travel – And Where to Go for Better Weather and Fewer Crowds
There is a lot to be said for choosing when to travel before deciding exactly where to go.
We tend to think of destinations first: Greece for a summer holiday, the Caribbean for winter sun or New York for a city break. But travelling somewhere at the right time of year can make an enormous difference to the experience.
Temperatures can be more comfortable, popular attractions can feel less frantic, and you may get to experience a destination during one of its most beautiful seasons. Add public holidays into the equation and some carefully chosen annual leave can also turn a relatively small number of days away from work into a much longer holiday.
Rather than automatically booking the same weeks every year, these are some of the destinations worth considering throughout the seasons.
Spring: Japan, Norway and the Canary Islands
Spring opens up two completely different possibilities: chase some early sunshine or embrace destinations coming back to life after winter.
Japan is the obvious example of the latter. Cherry blossom season transforms parks, streets and gardens with clouds of pink and white flowers, making spring one of the most spectacular times to experience the country.
It is understandably an incredibly popular period, so this isn’t necessarily the choice for anyone determined to avoid other tourists. But if seeing Japan during cherry blossom season has always been on your travel wish list, spring is the obvious time to consider it.
For something completely different, Norway begins emerging from its long winter as the season progresses. Longer days and landscapes beginning to turn green make it an interesting alternative to the traditional summer visit.
If sunshine is the priority, look south.
The Canary Islands are particularly useful for an early-year escape. Their location means temperatures tend to be considerably milder than much of mainland Europe, making them an appealing option when British spring weather is still decidedly unpredictable.
Spring can also be a good time to consider the Caribbean, particularly if you’d rather travel before the hottest part of the year.
Late Spring: Greece, Spain and Turkey
There is a sweet spot in European travel when beach destinations are warm enough to properly enjoy but haven’t yet reached the intensity of high summer.
Late spring is it.
The Greek Islands are particularly tempting at this time of year. Restaurants and resorts are waking up for the season, days are becoming warmer and you can explore without dealing with the fierce temperatures that sometimes make sightseeing during July and August feel like an endurance sport.
The same principle applies to parts of Spain and Turkey.
If your ideal holiday involves a mixture of sightseeing, lunches outside and time beside the pool rather than spending every afternoon searching desperately for air conditioning, travelling either side of peak summer can make considerably more sense.
It is also worth remembering that shoulder season doesn’t mean sacrificing good weather. In many southern European destinations, late spring can already feel decidedly summery.
Summer: Look Beyond the Obvious Mediterranean Hotspots
There is nothing wrong with Italy, France or Spain in August. They are popular for very good reasons.
But if enormous crowds and soaring temperatures aren’t part of your holiday fantasy, summer is a good opportunity to look slightly further afield.
Croatia and Montenegro offer spectacular stretches of Adriatic coastline, historic towns and plenty of opportunities to combine a beach holiday with sightseeing.
Scandinavia comes into its own during the warmer months too. Long daylight hours make summer particularly well suited to exploring cities and countryside in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
And don’t dismiss North America.
New York combined with Niagara Falls can make a brilliant longer trip, particularly if you have enough annual leave to turn it into a multi-stop holiday.
Families might instead consider Orlando, although anyone planning a Florida holiday should be prepared for hot, humid weather and regular summer showers.
Autumn: Make the Most of Shoulder Season
Autumn often gets overlooked between the traditional summer holiday and the rush towards Christmas, which is precisely why it can be such a good time to travel.
Southern Europe doesn’t suddenly become cold the moment September arrives.
In many destinations, the sea remains warm from summer while temperatures on land become much more comfortable. Greece, Malta, southern Spain and parts of Turkey can therefore work particularly well for anyone who has the freedom to travel outside school holidays.
It is also a lovely time for city breaks.
Walking around a European city is considerably more enjoyable when you aren’t doing it in intense summer heat, and cafés, museums and restaurants become more appealing as the evenings begin to cool.
Winter: Swap Grey Skies for Somewhere Warmer
Once winter arrives, the decision becomes fairly simple: embrace it or escape it.
If you’re firmly in the latter camp, South East Asia opens up some enticing possibilities.
Thailand remains a perennial winter favourite, offering everything from Bangkok and northern cities to tropical islands and beach resorts.
Singapore works particularly well as part of a longer Asian trip, while Bali offers another option for travellers looking for warmth when Britain is at its darkest.
Long-haul travel obviously requires more time and planning than a quick European break, which is where strategically using annual leave around public holidays becomes particularly useful.
A longer trip feels much more worthwhile when you’ve only had to sacrifice part of that period from your actual holiday allowance.
Or Embrace Winter Properly
Not everyone wants to spend winter beside a swimming pool.
If Christmas markets, mulled wine and enormous coats are more appealing, winter is arguably one of the best times for a European city break.
Cologne is famous for its Christmas markets, while Oslo delivers the sort of properly wintry atmosphere that’s rather harder to guarantee at home.
Rotterdam offers a more contemporary festive city break, combining seasonal events with restaurants, shopping, museums and striking architecture.
Alternatively, Malta and Morocco provide something of a middle ground. You won’t necessarily get scorching beach weather, but both can provide a welcome change from a cold, dark British winter without committing to a long-haul flight.
Use Your Annual Leave More Strategically
The precise dates change every year, but the principle doesn’t.
Before booking annual leave, look at where weekends and public holidays fall and see whether adding a few days on either side could create a significantly longer break.
Bank holiday weekends are particularly useful, while Christmas and Easter can present opportunities to turn relatively small chunks of annual leave into much longer periods away from work.
And don’t automatically save your entire allowance for July and August.
Using some of it for spring and autumn travel can open up destinations when they’re quieter, more comfortable to explore or experiencing one of their most beautiful seasons.
Ultimately, maximising annual leave isn’t simply about squeezing the greatest possible number of consecutive days from your allowance.
It’s about using those precious days when they’ll give you the best holiday.