The Best Time to Visit, by Destination: A Luxury Travel Calendar
The right destination in the wrong month is a different trip. Here is the luxury window for every place we have a seasonal guide for, grouped by the time of year, with the full guide one click away.
- December to March: the Maldives' dry season, Thailand's cool season, Egypt at its coolest, Antarctica, the Caribbean high season and the northern ski season.
- March to May: cherry blossom in Japan from roughly late March to mid-April, Morocco's spring, and Greece and Croatia from May.
- June to August: Alaska and Norway's summer, the safari dry season in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa, and Chile's ski season.
- September to November: Greece and Croatia's second sweet spot, Morocco's autumn, Japan's autumn foliage in November and the start of Egypt's season.
- The Mediterranean peak of July and August is the busiest window; the finest villas and yachts book a year ahead.
The short answer
There is a best month somewhere every month of the year. From December to March, go to the Maldives, Thailand, Egypt, Antarctica, the Caribbean or the mountains; from March to May, Japan for cherry blossom, Morocco and the first of the Mediterranean; from June to August, Alaska, Norway, an African safari or ski in Chile; and from September to November, Greece and Croatia again, Morocco, Japan for autumn foliage and the start of Egypt's season. Each destination below links to its own guide.
December to March
- The Maldives: the dry season, roughly November to April, brings the calmest seas, clearest skies and best visibility. Best time to visit the Maldives.
- Thailand: the cool, dry season, November to March, is the prime window for Bangkok, the north and the Andaman coast. Best time to visit Thailand.
- Egypt: the season runs October to April, and November to February is the coolest and most popular. Best time to visit Egypt.
- Antarctica: accessible only from November to March, the austral summer. Best time to visit Antarctica.
- The Caribbean: the December to April window is when the finest villas are claimed early. A private villa journey in the Caribbean.
- Hawaii: excellent all year; winter brings more rain and bigger surf on north-facing coasts, and whale season runs December to April. Best time to visit Hawaii.
- Norway: winter, late September to March, is the season for the Northern Lights. Best time to visit Norway.
- Ski: the northern season opens from late November, with Whistler first and Aspen on Thanksgiving Day. Ski season 2026–27: opening dates.
March to May
- Japan: cherry blossom breaks roughly late March to mid-April, moving from south to north; the window is short and shifts each year. Best time to visit Japan.
- Morocco: spring, March to May, is one of the two prime windows for the cities, the desert and the High Atlas. Best time to visit Morocco.
- Greece and Croatia: May to June in Greece and late May to June on the Adriatic bring warm seas, long days and far fewer crowds than the peak. Greece · Croatia and Montenegro.
- Alaska: the season opens in May, a quieter shoulder with emerging wildlife. Best time to visit Alaska.
June to August
- Safari: the dry season, June to October in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa and May to October in Botswana; Rwanda's gorilla months are June to September and December to February. Which country has the best luxury safari.
- Alaska: June to August is the peak, with near-endless daylight, the warmest weather and the most active wildlife.
- Norway: summer, June to August, is the green Norway of fjords, waterfalls and the midnight sun.
- Chile: the ski season runs from June to October, and July and August are the best months, according to Chile's official tourism board. Luxury skiing in Chile.
- The Mediterranean: July and August are the warmest and most glamorous, and the busiest; the finest villas and yachts book a year ahead.
- The Maldives: the green season, May to October, is quieter, with lower rates and excellent manta and whale-shark sightings.
September to November
- Greece and Croatia: September, and early October in Greece, is the second sweet spot.
- Morocco: autumn, September to November, is the other prime window.
- Japan: autumn foliage peaks in November, later as you move south, with more settled weather than spring.
- Egypt: October opens the season, a warm and quieter shoulder month.
- Alaska: September brings autumn colour, calving glaciers and the season's first Northern Lights.
- Antarctica: November and early December bring pristine ice and the quietest start to the season.
How we use the calendar
The window decides the order of a trip as much as the destination does: a safari in August pairs with the Mediterranean's quieter September, and Japan's November foliage with a winter beach after it. For how the stops and nights fit together, see how to plan a luxury itinerary, or speak with an advisor.
Questions, answered.
The Maldives, in the dry season that runs roughly November to April; Thailand, in its cool, dry season from November to March; Egypt, at its coolest from November to February; Antarctica, open only from November to March; the Caribbean, whose December to April window is when the finest villas are claimed early; and the mountains, where the northern ski season opens from late November.
June to August is the season for Alaska, at its peak with near-endless daylight; Norway's fjords and midnight sun; an African safari in the dry season, June to October in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa; and ski in Chile, where July and August are the best months. The Mediterranean is at its warmest and busiest, and its finest villas and yachts book a year ahead.
Japan for cherry blossom, which breaks roughly late March to mid-April and moves from south to north; Morocco, whose spring from March to May suits the cities, the desert and the High Atlas; and the first of the Mediterranean, with Greece from May and the Adriatic from late May, bringing warm seas and long days with far fewer crowds than July and August.
Greece in September and early October and Croatia in September, the Mediterranean's second sweet spot; Morocco from September to November; Japan, where autumn foliage peaks in November with more settled weather than spring; Egypt, whose season opens in October; and Alaska in September, for autumn colour, calving glaciers and the season's first Northern Lights.
The dry season: June to October in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, and May to October in Botswana, when thinning bush and gathering herds make wildlife easiest to find. Rwanda's gorilla months are June to September and December to February. The country comparison, with prices and park fees, is in our guide to which country has the best luxury safari.
Earlier than most travellers expect. In Greece and Croatia, the finest villas and yachts for July and August book a year ahead, and summer villas in general are reserved six to twelve months ahead. Japan's cherry blossom and autumn foliage fill the finest hotels early too, and the Caribbean's best villas for the December to April window are claimed first.
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