December in Mexico brings big holiday celebrations, excellent wildlife viewing, and high-season crowds. In Mexico City, traditional Christmas festivals and events abound. Head to Bahia Magdalena for seasonal whale watching. And it's a great time for watersport activities such as kiteboarding and windsurfing in Los Cabo, along with snorkeling and diving.
Jungle exploration, warm-water swimming, and seasonal festivities: this is November in Mexico. It's quieter now than in the coming winter, and temperatures are pleasant on the Pacific Coast and in the Yucatán Peninsula. In Chiapas, head to the Agua Azul waterfall park or the less-visited Laguna Miramar. And Dia de los Muertos celebrations bring a joy to the whole country—the most fabulous parades are in Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City.
October is an excellent month for both nature and culture. You could base your trip around cultural sightseeing in Mexico City: visit the famous La Merced market, take a walking through the historic streets, and day-trip to Teotihuacán to see the world's third-largest pyramid. Or, head straight to the beaches of Acapulco (especially during the quieter latter-half of the month), to enjoy the sunshine and some very daring cliff-diving performances. Read on for more options.
For the culture and beach lover, September in Mexico is a great time. You can choose between the warm weather in the south and dive into one of the 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula, or go on an island diving tour along the Sea of Cortez. September brings some of the best conditions for snorkeling and exploring places such as San Miguel de Allende. Expect culture, a lot of fun in the water, and picturesque sceneries.
August in southern Mexico is quite hot—great for travelers who love water-based activities—while cooler northern Mexico offers plenty of culture and outdoor activities. On Guadalupe Island, you can dive with the great white sharks that arrive in abundance this month. Or, visit Oaxaca to see the fantastic Hierve el Agua waterfalls and experience the sought-after regional culture. Read on for more about the weather and activities in August.
July in Mexico is all about beach time and water adventures. It is one of the hottest months, making it an ideal time to swim, snorkel, and dive in underwater caves. Take a trip to the Sea of Cortez to swim among beautiful reefs and whale sharks, cooling off in a cenote in Cancún. Go on exploration tours in the Sierra Madre, or head to one of the world's best diving reef sites in Cozumel. This month, you can also attend the annual Grape Harvest Festival, where you can bike between vineyards and enjoy some of the country's best wines.
June is an ideal month for the traveler who likes to explore authentic Mexico. If you want to experience a different Mexico - this is the time. Enjoy sightseeing and festival celebration in colorful San Miguel de Allende, go cenote diving in Cancún, and visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. June is the sea turtle nesting season, with several species making their appearance. Head to Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres, or Cancún for the best sea turtle experience. To escape the heat, visit the Mexican Highlands and enjoy history, culture, and hiking.
May is a quiet month in Mexico, with great opportunities to enjoy famous sights with fewer crowds. It is the ideal time to enjoy the beaches and attend the jazz festival in Cancún or take a day trip to Isla Mujeres. You can also enjoy an abundance of water sports at El Médano Beach in Cabo San Lucas—a true watersport mecca. If you are looking for physical activity, head to Copper Canyon which is great in May with good weather and hiking opportunities.
April in Mexico is a great time, filled with activities and fun. Enjoy some of the best manta ray diving on Socorro Island and go snorkeling and diving Riviera Nayarit. Visit Mexico City and see the beautiful garden and flower sculptures during the Festival de Flores and Jardines, and try something fun like boogie-boarding and body-surfing. Visit the beaches in the south and join the big parties in Cancún or head to Acapulco for adventure and relaxation.
Two weeks in Portugal gives you ample time to enjoy the highlights at a relaxed pace. Spend time in both Lisbon and Porto — complete with private guided tours and gorgeous day trips — while also adding time further afield, on the beaches of the Algarve or on an island like São Miguel in the Azores. Take a road trip, explore the Douro Valley, or tour the broader Iberian Peninsula by combining Portugal with neighboring Spain in one vacation. Read on for more unique itineraries.
Get ready for carnivals, beach parties, and Mayan dance performances at the Chichen Itza ruins in March. It is a great month not only to visit the beaches in the south but also go sightseeing in central and north of Mexico. Join one of Mexico's best music festivals and join the spring celebration in historical Teotihuacan. Enjoy a canal boat ride in Xochimilco and go on grand adventures such as ziplining above canyons.
February is a hot month with excellent beach time, adrenaline, and exploration. Jump into the cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula, surf the waves in Puerto Vallarta, and visit the famous ruins of Chichen Itza. Enjoy an authentic tour in Coba and learn about the Mayan culture. Continue on a bike and explore Tulum's beautiful surroundings. See where the world's largest black turtle population is residing, and spend time enjoying adrenaline-filled activities, such as ziplining and parasailing,
Beach time, warm weather, and grand festivals make January one of the most appealing months in Mexico. It is perfect for families, adventurous travelers, explorers, and culture lovers. Spend days relaxing and whale watching on the Pacific Coast, go surfing in the colorful town Sayulita, and visit the Edward James Castle in the middle of the jungle, in San Luis Potosí. Explore the history and culture of the Maya people in Merída, and embark on adventures in Copper Canyon—options abound this month.
Come rain or shine (and there will be plenty of both this month in Ecuador), the country appeals to everyone, whichever part of it you're in, through December. Despite some dreary weather, the Highlands explode with some of the year's best festivities, while it's dry in the jungle and positively radiant on the coast and in the Galápagos.
Cooler weather is coming to the Highlands, where November is a so-so month with spells of sun and, increasingly, rain. By Oriente standards, it's another dry month in the jungle, while on the coast and in the Galápagos, the weather and, as a result, the visitor numbers, start to pick up again toward the end of November.
Visitors are decreasing in the Highlands as temperatures drop and rainfall increases. In the Oriente, the comparatively drier weather persists, while on the coast, temperatures are rising back toward high-season levels. The Galápagos, however, remains very much in low season: one of the best months to get a deal on the usually expensive cruises.
it's still prime time for visiting Ecuador's Highlands, and a great opportunity to explore the country's jungles on foot because of the drier weather in those regions. Low season continues on the coast, while there's cooler weather on the Galápagos, but also great diving to be had. Add on some great festivals in the Highlands and on the coast, and you have a very interesting month for visiting.
The weather stays almost bone-dry in the Highlands while temperatures are at their highest averages of the year: time to get out and enjoy Ecuador's mountainous outdoors. Likewise, in the Oriente, the heavy rains are gone for a while, so walking into the jungle to see the wildlife that lives in and on the trees becomes more of an option. Meanwhile, it's bad weather and low season on the coast, although cool, murky weather doesn't stop the Galápagos from getting high visitor numbers this month.
During this 14-day trip, you will not only explore the remarkably beautiful landscapes and the friendly Indigenous people of the Andean highlands, but there will also be plenty of beach time on the Pacific coast.
it's exceptional weather for outdoor activities like trekking in the Highlands this month. Nor is it bad for trekking in the jungle, where jungle paths are beginning to get drier. The weather is cloudier, cooler, and drier on the coast and out on the Galápagos Islands, although in all regions, travelers are visiting in greater numbers as Ecuador segues into peak season.
High season finally reaches the Ecuadorian Highlands in June, along with cooler, drier, sunnier weather that's perfect for hiking. On the now overcast coast, it's whale watching season, while cooler, clear weather on the Galápagos is preferred by divers, those who want to hike and take boat tours. Over in the jungle, it's still very wet: a good month for seeing birds, monkeys, sloths, and sometimes pink river dolphins.
It's all change in Ecuador this month, as the coast becomes grayer and colder and the mountains brighter. It could be time to switch from sunbathing to trekking. Meanwhile, high water levels in the Amazon mean more great whitewater rafting and possibilities to explore wildlife-rich Amazon tributaries by canoe.
It's the end of high season on the coast, but low season in the Highlands and jungle. Despite continued heavy rain in these latter two regions, the sun still does come out, and crowds are low. The Highlands offer wet-weather activities, from UNESCO-listed colonial churches to superb handicrafts markets, and the jungle's rivers are good for exploring now that they have swollen. April sees a dramatic increase in interesting festivals across Ecuador, too.
Easter-related events enliven Ecuador this month, especially welcome in the Highlands to take the edge off the wet, albeit warm, weather. The coast and the Galápagos remain the most appealing destinations in March due to their favorable weather (hot and sunny, for the most part). Meanwhile, in the jungle at Parque Nacional Yasuni, rainfall increases rapidly: good for wildlife viewing but bad for road travel, which becomes very muddy.
Carnaval season brings its share of partiers to places across Ecuador this month. The coast remains the prime destination because of the lovely sunny weather, although the Galápagos warm season continues without the Christmas/New Year rush: a perfect time to visit the islands. Damp Highland weather encourages indoor activities or perhaps a session in the thermal baths, while for water-based activities like whitewater rafting, the Oriente is brilliant right now.
It might be cool and wet when you arrive in Quito this month, but in Ecuador's varied climate, several regions remain ideal for visiting. On the desert coastal strip, high season is beginning, with plenty of warmth and sun. Warm weather and gentler water make for a good Galápagos voyage, while warm, dry weather in the Amazon means great opportunities to venture into the depths of the jungle on foot.
This nine-day tour starts in the Turkish capital of Istanbul, where you'll visit famous sites like the Blue Mosque by foot and boat. Then it's on to the country's inland regions, where you'll attend a wine tasting, visit an olive oil museum, discover battle locations from World War I, and explore the ruins of Ephesus, Troy, and Assos. Stroll through the ancient city of Pergamon before ending your trip in the historic town of Sirince and the baby-blue mineral waters of Pamukkale, where you'll stay at a spa hotel.
This 9-day tour will explore the diverse regions of Turkey, starting with a guided tour and a boat cruise in the vibrant city of Istanbul, discovering the famous Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman sites. Next head to the lunar-like terrain of Cappadocia where you can take a hot air balloon ride over the stunning valleys, visit a historical caravanserai, and explore the underground city of Kaymakli. After discovering Izmir and the ancient city of Ephesus, end your trip at a spa hotel near the famous white travertine terraces of Pamukkale.
In under a week, you can discover two of Turkey's most popular destinations—the bustling capital of Istanbul and the lunar-like valleys of Cappadocia. Explore the capital's Ottoman and Byzantine sites with guided walking tours, a trip to the Grand Bazaar, and a boat cruise along the Bosporus Strait. Then, fly to Cappadocia to admire its stunning valleys with a hot-air balloon ride over the "fairy chimneys" and visit to the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum and the underground city of Kaymaklı.
This dynamic road trip takes you through some of mainland Greece's best kept secrets, starting with a mythology tour of the Acropolis in Athens and a visit to the wineries in Nemea. Then head into the picturesque Peloponnese Region where you'll discover the ancient ruins in Sparta, the medicinal tales of Ascelpius, and the charms of historic Mani villages. Visit the birthplace of the Olympics in Olympia, hike to an alpine lake for a swim, and visit a family-operated olive farm to learn all about the production process and to taste different varieties.
Enjoy some of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades on this trip, starting on the mainland with mythology tours of the Acropolis, stargazing at constellations, and walks through the Temple of Delphi. Make your way to Tinos, the hidden gem of the Aegean, where you'll enjoy visits to marble villages, an afternoon on the beach, and an art workshop, followed by the glitz of Mykonos and the ancient ruins of Delos. End your trip with historical sites in Naxos, plus gorgeous views, beaches, and a wine tasting in Santorini.
Discover Greece's distinct culture and gastronomy, starting in Athens with a private tour of the Acropolis and a hands-on cooking class, followed by a transition to some of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades. Begin in Syros for food tours and explorations of medieval cities, then head to the hidden gem of Tinos for some of Greece's best cuisine, plus a visit to marble villages, an art workshop, and an afternoon swimming in the Aegean Sea. End your trip in Naxos where you'll discover ancient sites, historic streets, medieval monasteries, and, of course, delicious, locally-sourced cuisines, the pride of the Greek Islands.
Explore Mediterranean beaches, Renaissance capitals, and medieval hill towns on this delightful 13-day tour through the Italian regions of Liguria and Tuscany. Start your adventure on the west coast, where you'll discover the quaint villages, rugged shorelines, and breathtaking scenery of the Cinque Terre. Head inland to spend a day wandering through history in Pisa, before journeying west to soak up the Renaissance splendor of Florence. The final five days take you deep into the Tuscan countryside, where you'll stay at a rural agriturismo villa and immerse yourself in the culture and landscape of the Val d'Orcia—wine tasting and truffle hunting around picturesque hill towns.
Visit some of Greece's most important sites on this archeology and mythology tour, starting in the buzzy capital of Athens, atop the famous Acropolis Hill, and at the Temples of Delphi. Then head to the islands, stopping in Crete to explore Heraklion, Chania, and the Arkadi Monastery, followed by Mykonos and Santorini for prehistoric ruins. End your trip on the island of Delos where you'll walk the Terrace of Lions, then head back to Athens for one final day visiting the Temple of Poseidon and chasing the sunset along the Athenian Riviera.
This family-focused trip features all that Greece has to offer, but with a kid-friendly twist. Start in the bustling capital of Athens where you'll take an interactive language class and tour the incredible Acropolis, followed by an archeological tour and beach day in Nafplio. End the trip on the island of Crete, where you'll visit beaches, enjoy guided tours of historic sites, and become archeologists and artists in a simulated excavation and a mosaic-making class.
This luxury tour of Greece starts in the bustling capital of Athens, discovering its incredible architecture and charming neighborhoods, followed by the exploration of the islands of Mykonos, Naxos, and Santorini. Live the posh life as you relax at world-renowned beach clubs, enjoy sunset cruises, tour villages around the islands, and discover the taste of Greece with food tours and wine tastings. Score incredible views of the islands and the Aegean Sea with hikes, trips to hot springs, and sunsets from your own private pool.
This 10-day itinerary showcases three of Costa Rica's most popular destinations: Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. In Arenal, you'll paddleboard past the volcano on the lake, traverse tropical forests on suspension bridges, and soak in the region's hot springs. Monteverde offers the chance to spot monkeys, birds, and more of the country's wildlife as you zip-line through the Cloud Forest Reserve, while Manuel Antonio provides downtime at the beach, where days end with spectacular Pacific Coast sunsets.
This tour focuses on food, wine, and culture, highlighting bustling cities like Athens and Chania, as well as the islands of Santorini and Naxos. You'll enjoy numerous food and wine tours, allowing you to taste Greek cuisine, delicacies, pastries, and local wines and liquors, plus your own handmade dishes with a cooking class in Crete. Along the way, you'll visit an olive farm, a family-owned cheese shop, wineries, and bustling food markets, indulging your taste buds in some of the country's most beloved treats.
This 8-day trip is ideal for travelers looking to experience Costa Rica's highlights. Go for a dip in Arenal's hot springs and spot monkeys and other wildlife on hikes around the famous volcano. Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches.
Channeling the words of Napoleon, "If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital", this tour explores the Ottoman and Byzantine sites of the city, including the Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern. View these grandiose structures by boat by cruising along the Bosphorus Strait and the Sea of Marmara, stopping on the island of Buyukada for a peek into the posh life of the 19th century. Peruse the Spice Market, explore the hip neighborhood of Beyoğlu, and climb the Galata Tower for amazing views of the city.
Two weeks is an ideal amount of time to spend in Provence: the region's highlights, from wineries to medieval villages to lavender fields, are best experienced at a relaxed pace. Go on a self-guided adventure, driving or riding an e-bike down country roads, or opt for an action-packed tour of the Provençal Alps that features hiking, boating, and kayaking in the mountains. Alternatively, visit Provence as part of a broader trip plan that includes Paris, Lyon, and Nice. The choice is yours—find out more about your options with these unique itinerary ideas.
With 10 days in Provence, you can take your time and enjoy the relaxed pace and beautiful scenery of one of France's most famous regions. Opt for a road trip with stops for hiking and a hot-air balloon ride, focus on wine country and the beach with a trip plan that includes a detour to the French Riviera, go on a luxury tour that features a private boat outing in Marseille, or explore Provence on an electric bike.
With a week to spend in Provence, you can tour the region's highlights, focus your time on a sub-region like Upper Provence, or opt for a trip that also includes a few days in the French Riviera or Paris. Take a road trip through wine country, pedal through lavender fields on a bike tour, cruise around Calanques National Park on a boat, hike and swim in gorges and rivers, take a cooking class at a country estate: there's so much to see and do. Learn more about your options with these unique itinerary ideas.
In eight days, explore Croatia's captivating Dalmatian coast and nearby Adriatic islands on foot, using Dubrovnik as a springboard into the surrounding area. Local-curated walking routes will take you past stone villages, family-run vineyards, dramatic coastal paths, and through thick forests of pine, oak, and Mediterranean scrub. Along the way, you'll spend three nights in the fortressed city of Dubrovnik, the perfect baroque and Renaissance contrast to all that untouched countryside.
Bundle up warm and immerse yourself in the beauty of a Norwegian winter with this exciting 10-day itinerary. Start in the country's south, where you'll spend two days soaking up the culture and cool of Oslo. After a day sailing through the breathtaking scenery of the fjords, head to the coast to explore the historic port city of Bergen without the summer crowds. Fly north to finish your adventure above the Arctic Circle, where you'll search for the northern lights, learn to dogsled, and discover the lively Arctic city of Tromsø.
Traveling together as a family is such a special experience, and this 10-day action-packed adventure is specifically designed with families in mind. From Kanto to Kansai, this trip takes you from Tokyo and its modern, bustling streets to Kyoto with its tight hold on tradition. It's the perfect way to take in all that Japan has to offer while having plenty of family fun.
Spend a week and a half exploring the state of Rajasthan with the family on this packed 10-day itinerary. You'll start and end your trip in lively Delhi, completing a circuit that sees you and the little ones immersing yourselves in the culture, history, and majestic landscapes. Let the kids roam the gleaming marble tiles of the Taj Mahal, explore the deserted red sandstone buildings and structures of Fatehpur Sikri, and count the number of bird species and exotic wildlife at Bharatpur's Keoladeo National Park.
This epic Central Europe itinerary highlights the top cities and attractions of the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. From the cobblestone streets of Prague, you'll head south and discover a new level of elegance and pastoral beauty in Austria, from opera houses to Alpine lakes. Then it's off to Slovenia to explore the charms of Lake Bled and the Karst region before a weeklong tour of Croatia from Zagreb to the sunny Dalmatian coast.
Perfect for travelers who want to learn about the history, cuisine, and culture of Morocco in one quick trip, this 5-day itinerary is focused on the busy city of Marrakech with quick trips to the Altas Mountains and the seaside city of Essaouira. You'll sample the dynamic flavors of Moroccan tagine, browse aisles of spices and textiles in markets, tour historic Medinas, and pamper yourself with a traditional spa experience in a hammam.
This quick-moving tour will take you on a fascinating circuit through Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, visiting UNESCO cities such as Ohrid, Kotor, and Berat and combining culture with the scenic nature that abounds in the Balkans. You'll enjoy scenic drives through tall mountain passes, vibrant national parks, and along the picturesque coast of the Adriatic Sea, stopping for day hikes, traditional meals, and beach days, plus in charming old towns like Perast and Prizren. Explore two of the region's capitals, Tirana and Podgorica, as well as Montenegro's Old Royal Capital of Cetinje.
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