When to Go
If you know when you'd like to escape but are looking for inspiration as to where to go, here is some guidance about where you are likely to encounter the best weather. Bear in mind though, that travel out of season often brings its own rewards, not just in terms of increased availability and lower rates, but also in terms of wild-life spotting.
February Half Term
Temperatures in the Middle East will be warming up nicely by this time of year although evenings can be a little cool. So, for a beach flop, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Dubai and Ras al Khaimah work well, perhaps combined with a desert experience for a night or two - for that touch of real adventure.
Further afield, February co-incides with dry season in the Caribbean and also the Maldives. If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, why not combine a stay in Cape Town with a safari add-on in malaria-free Madikwe - still achievable in a week thanks to overnight flights and no jet lag! Or, if you are seeking an exotic beach destination, head to the south-west coast of Sri Lanka - only a few hours drive from Colombo which is serviced by a direct flight from London.
Easter
Easter is a great time for a family adventure to many of our destinations, including Thailand, Argentina, Chile and Costa Rica. In South Africa, the weather should still be very pleasant too if a safari appeals, perhaps combined with time on the beach in Mauritius, post rainy season, so still lovely and warm. If it's time to take the kids on that dream holiday to the theme parks, now is a good time to head to Florida for a Disney encounter.
For spectacular scenery and a unique trip of a lifetime, March is a great time to tour Argentina andChile. Temperatures in Buenos Aires are altogether more comfortable and it is still warm enough to travel to the far south to witness the wonder of the glaciers.
If time out on the beach is more your thing, then the Maldives and Caribbean should still be experiencing good weather. The Middle East remains a good option with high temperatures and works well for a short trip to top up your Vitamin D.
Summer
Europe is the obvious choice for a summer holiday, although prices can be high, so if you can travel early July or early September it can make a big difference to the overall cost, and availability is likely to be less of an issue.
We find some of our long-haul destinations offer comparitively better value in these months as in some cases they are classed as out-of-season. You might be surprised to learn that July and August offer some of the best opportunities for game viewing in South Africa (northern region) due to low rainfall meaning less vegetation for the animals to hide behind. It also coincides with whale watching in the Cape and you can easily combine with a beach destination. The Seychelles offers the most warmth, but there are some fabulous deals to Mauritius at this time of year if you are happy with temperatures in the early to mid twenties. If you are not averse to taking malaria pills, it's also a great time to journey to the Okavango Delta in Botswana and witness the great migration in Tanzania perhaps combined with time on the beach in Zanzibar.
Summer is also the best time to visit Canada, perhaps combining the wilds of Vancouver island with high-octane activities in Whistler. Alternatively, consider a fly-drive from San Francisco down to LA or San Diego, or, if horse-riding is your thing, head inland to Montana and Yellowstone National Park for a taste of ranch life.
Another popular option is to visit Northern Australia; you'll find the weather ideal for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation, Kakadu National Park and the Red Centre - in our view, the locations that combine to make the ultimate Australian adventure.
Asia is a little trickier, with some locations in monsoon whilst others are expected to remain dry. For example in Thailand, the eastern areas such as Koh Samui buck the trend and it is high season at this time of year, whilst Phuket on the west is likely to see rain. Similarly in Sri Lanka, east means dry during July and August so it's the ideal time to combine game-viewing in Yala National Park with a beach stay on the east of the island. However, we also recommend including a stay in the fascinating cultural triangle, perhaps to witness the Perahera festival in Kandy, usually taking place over 10 days in August, when processions of elephants, drummers and dancers take to the streets.
Borneo should also be dry at this year, so you can combine an Asian City stop over, Singapore perhaps, with searching for orangutans and proboscis monkeys in the rainforest, before down time on the beach around Kota Kinabalu.
October Half Term
The Middle East comes back into favour at this time of year with the heat of the summer now receding to pleasant levels. It is still dry season in Mauritius too but temperatures are warming up again.
October is one of our favourite times of year in South Africa, as the whales off the Cape are still in residence and the rains have generally not yet arrived in the northern game reserves, yet temperatures are on the up.
Christmas Holidays
If you are seeking sunshine, then swapping winter for summer and heading to the Southern Hemisphere is the way to go. The Caribbean and the Maldives are back in favour after rainy season if you want to include.
For those looking for an adventure to share over the festive season, head to the Cape and drive along the Garden Route before finishing with a safari in Eastern Cape. Alternatively depart for south-west Thailand and combine the beaches of Phuket with a jungle experience at Elephant Hills. For nature and wildlife enthusiasts go west to Costa Rica, but make sure you book early for this Central American slice of paradise, as accommodation sells out early, especially in areas like the Osa.
For an Antipodean adventure, choose to see in the New Year in Sydney perhaps! Or, if you are a fan of the traditional white Christmas, head to snowy Lapland, for an adventure combining outings by husky-sled or snow-mobile, against the backdrop of the world's most impressive light show courtesy of the Northern Lights and a visit to see Father Christmas is virtually compulsory if you have children in tow.
For more information on public holidays around the world, this site is really useful.
