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Where to go, month by month

The best time to visit every country I've been to, and the bucket list adventures that are in season. Pick a month.

January

50 countries I've been to are at their best, and 20 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Balloon Over BaganBalloon season
Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Summit Of Africa DoneThe dry seasons
Cruise to Antarctica DoneThe Antarctic season
Explore Banff National ParkTurquoise lakes or skiing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Go Husky Mushing DoneSnow season in Lapland and Norway
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Meet The Mountain Gorillas DoneDry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda
Point At The Pyramids Of Giza DoneCooler months
Sail Out On Milford Sound DoneLong summer days in Fiordland
See The Northern Lights DoneDark nights in the far north
See The Perito Moreno Glacier DonePatagonian summer
Sit Among 300000 King Penguins DoneSouth Georgia in the austral summer
Snorkel With Manta RaysPeak season in the Maldives and Indonesia
Soak Up The Salt Flats DoneThe mirror effect in the wet season
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Stay At An Ice HotelOpen in winter only
Take In The Taj Mahal DoneCool, dry season
Trek To Torres Del Paine DonePatagonia's trekking season
Visit Angkor WatCool, dry season

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February

54 countries I've been to are at their best, and 21 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Balloon Over BaganBalloon season
Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Summit Of Africa DoneThe dry seasons
Cruise to Antarctica DoneThe Antarctic season
Explore Banff National ParkTurquoise lakes or skiing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Go Husky Mushing DoneSnow season in Lapland and Norway
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Meet The Mountain Gorillas DoneDry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda
Party At Rio Carnival DoneThe days before Lent
Point At The Pyramids Of Giza DoneCooler months
Sail Out On Milford Sound DoneLong summer days in Fiordland
See The Northern Lights DoneDark nights in the far north
See The Perito Moreno Glacier DonePatagonian summer
Sit Among 300000 King Penguins DoneSouth Georgia in the austral summer
Snorkel With Manta RaysPeak season in the Maldives and Indonesia
Soak Up The Salt Flats DoneThe mirror effect in the wet season
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Stay At An Ice HotelOpen in winter only
Take In The Taj Mahal DoneCool, dry season
Trek To Torres Del Paine DonePatagonia's trekking season
Visit Angkor WatCool, dry season

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March

47 countries I've been to are at their best, and 29 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Balloon Over BaganBalloon season
Cruise to Antarctica DoneThe Antarctic season
Dive With Whale SharksSeasons in Mexico, the Philippines and Mozambique
Explore The Atacama Desert DoneClear skies for stargazing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Feel The Power Of Victoria Falls DoneAt full power in April; Devil's Pool from August
Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls DoneFull falls without the summer heat
Go Husky Mushing DoneSnow season in Lapland and Norway
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Hang Out In Halong BayCalm seas and clear views
Hike The Annapurna CircuitClear skies before and after the monsoon
Participate In Holi FestivalThe March full moon
Party At Rio Carnival DoneThe days before Lent
Party On At St Patrick’s Day Celebrations17 March
Peek At Petra DoneComfortable days in the canyon
Point At The Pyramids Of Giza DoneCooler months
Sail Out On Milford Sound DoneLong summer days in Fiordland
See The Northern Lights DoneDark nights in the far north
See The Perito Moreno Glacier DonePatagonian summer
See Tigers In The WildHot months bring tigers to the waterholes
Snorkel With Manta RaysPeak season in the Maldives and Indonesia
Soak Up The Salt Flats DoneThe mirror effect in the wet season
Stay At An Ice HotelOpen in winter only
Take In The Taj Mahal DoneCool, dry season
Tour The Temples Of KyotoCherry blossom or autumn leaves
Trek To The Tigers Nest TempleClear spring and autumn days
Trek To Torres Del Paine DonePatagonia's trekking season
Walk In The Wadi Rum DoneWarm days, cool nights
Watch Orangutans In The Wild DoneDrier months in Borneo

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April

40 countries I've been to are at their best, and 20 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Climb Mt Everest, Summit Of AsiaThe spring summit window
Dive With Whale SharksSeasons in Mexico, the Philippines and Mozambique
Explore The Atacama Desert DoneClear skies for stargazing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Feel The Power Of Victoria Falls DoneAt full power in April; Devil's Pool from August
Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls DoneFull falls without the summer heat
Gaze At The Grand Canyon DoneMild days on the rim
Get Soaked At SongkranThai New Year, 13–15 April
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Hang Out In Halong BayCalm seas and clear views
Hike The Annapurna CircuitClear skies before and after the monsoon
Peek At Petra DoneComfortable days in the canyon
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
See The Fairy Chimneys Of Cappadocia DoneCalm mornings for balloons
See Tigers In The WildHot months bring tigers to the waterholes
Snorkel With Manta RaysPeak season in the Maldives and Indonesia
Tour The Temples Of KyotoCherry blossom or autumn leaves
Trek To The Tigers Nest TempleClear spring and autumn days
Walk In The Wadi Rum DoneWarm days, cool nights
Watch Orangutans In The Wild DoneDrier months in Borneo

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May

54 countries I've been to are at their best, and 23 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Admire Yellowstone National ParkWildlife without the crowds
Climb Mt Everest, Summit Of AsiaThe spring summit window
Dive With Great White Sharks DoneWinter in Gansbaai: the most sharks
Dive With Whale SharksSeasons in Mexico, the Philippines and Mozambique
Explore The Atacama Desert DoneClear skies for stargazing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Feel The Power Of Victoria Falls DoneAt full power in April; Devil's Pool from August
Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls DoneFull falls without the summer heat
Gaze At The Grand Canyon DoneMild days on the rim
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Hang Out In Halong BayCalm seas and clear views
Hike The Inca Trail DoneDry season (closed in February)
Peek At Petra DoneComfortable days in the canyon
Savour Sunset At UluruCooler outback days
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
See The Fairy Chimneys Of Cappadocia DoneCalm mornings for balloons
See Tigers In The WildHot months bring tigers to the waterholes
Trek To The Tigers Nest TempleClear spring and autumn days
Visit Yosemite National ParkWaterfalls in spring, quieter in autumn
Walk In The Wadi Rum DoneWarm days, cool nights
Walk The Avenue Of The BaobabsMadagascar's dry season
Wander Around Plitvice Lakes DoneFull waterfalls, fewer people
Watch Orangutans In The Wild DoneDrier months in Borneo

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June

65 countries I've been to are at their best, and 23 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Admire Yellowstone National ParkWildlife without the crowds
Dive The Great Barrier Reef DoneDry season, out of stinger season
Dive With Great White Sharks DoneWinter in Gansbaai: the most sharks
Dive With Whale SharksSeasons in Mexico, the Philippines and Mozambique
Drive The Atlantic RoadLong summer days on the coast
Explore Banff National ParkTurquoise lakes or skiing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Go Whale Watching DoneHumpbacks and southern rights in many places
Hike The Inca Trail DoneDry season (closed in February)
Meet The Mountain Gorillas DoneDry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda
Savour Sunset At UluruCooler outback days
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
See The Fairy Chimneys Of Cappadocia DoneCalm mornings for balloons
Soak Up The Salt Flats DoneThe mirror effect in the wet season
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Spot The Polar Bears In SpitsbergenSpitsbergen cruise season
Trek To Trolltunga DoneThe hiking season
Visit A Bioluminescent Beach DoneWarm, dark summer nights
Visit Yosemite National ParkWaterfalls in spring, quieter in autumn
Walk The Avenue Of The BaobabsMadagascar's dry season
Wander Around Plitvice Lakes DoneFull waterfalls, fewer people
Watch Orangutans In The Wild DoneDrier months in Borneo

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July

38 countries I've been to are at their best, and 22 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Summit Of Africa DoneThe dry seasons
Dive The Great Barrier Reef DoneDry season, out of stinger season
Dive With Great White Sharks DoneWinter in Gansbaai: the most sharks
Drive The Atlantic RoadLong summer days on the coast
Drive The Transfagarasan HighwayOnly open in summer and early autumn
Explore Banff National ParkTurquoise lakes or skiing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Go Whale Watching DoneHumpbacks and southern rights in many places
Hike The Inca Trail DoneDry season (closed in February)
Meet The Mountain Gorillas DoneDry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda
Run With The Bulls In PamplonaSan Fermín, 6–14 July
Savour Sunset At UluruCooler outback days
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
Soak Up The Salt Flats DoneThe mirror effect in the wet season
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Spot The Polar Bears In SpitsbergenSpitsbergen cruise season
Trek To Trolltunga DoneThe hiking season
Visit A Bioluminescent Beach DoneWarm, dark summer nights
Walk The Avenue Of The BaobabsMadagascar's dry season
Watch Orangutans In The Wild DoneDrier months in Borneo
Witness The Great Migration DoneRiver crossings in the Masai Mara

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August

36 countries I've been to are at their best, and 25 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Summit Of Africa DoneThe dry seasons
Dive The Great Barrier Reef DoneDry season, out of stinger season
Dive With Great White Sharks DoneWinter in Gansbaai: the most sharks
Drive The Atlantic RoadLong summer days on the coast
Drive The Transfagarasan HighwayOnly open in summer and early autumn
Explore Banff National ParkTurquoise lakes or skiing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Feel The Power Of Victoria Falls DoneAt full power in April; Devil's Pool from August
Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls DoneFull falls without the summer heat
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Go Whale Watching DoneHumpbacks and southern rights in many places
Hike The Inca Trail DoneDry season (closed in February)
Hurl Tomatoes At La TomatinaThe last Wednesday of August
Meet The Mountain Gorillas DoneDry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda
Savour Sunset At UluruCooler outback days
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
Soak In The Devils Pool DoneOnly open when the river is low
Soak Up The Salt Flats DoneThe mirror effect in the wet season
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Spot The Polar Bears In SpitsbergenSpitsbergen cruise season
Trek To Trolltunga DoneThe hiking season
Visit A Bioluminescent Beach DoneWarm, dark summer nights
Walk The Avenue Of The BaobabsMadagascar's dry season
Watch Orangutans In The Wild DoneDrier months in Borneo
Witness The Great Migration DoneRiver crossings in the Masai Mara

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September

61 countries I've been to are at their best, and 32 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Admire Yellowstone National ParkWildlife without the crowds
Attend The World Nomad GamesHeld every two years in September
Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Summit Of Africa DoneThe dry seasons
Dive The Great Barrier Reef DoneDry season, out of stinger season
Dive With Great White Sharks DoneWinter in Gansbaai: the most sharks
Drive The Atlantic RoadLong summer days on the coast
Drive The Transfagarasan HighwayOnly open in summer and early autumn
Explore Banff National ParkTurquoise lakes or skiing
Explore The Atacama Desert DoneClear skies for stargazing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Feel The Power Of Victoria Falls DoneAt full power in April; Devil's Pool from August
Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls DoneFull falls without the summer heat
Gaze At The Grand Canyon DoneMild days on the rim
Go To OktoberfestLate September into October
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Go Whale Watching DoneHumpbacks and southern rights in many places
Hang Out In Halong BayCalm seas and clear views
Hike The Inca Trail DoneDry season (closed in February)
Meet The Mountain Gorillas DoneDry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda
Savour Sunset At UluruCooler outback days
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
See The Fairy Chimneys Of Cappadocia DoneCalm mornings for balloons
See The Northern Lights DoneDark nights in the far north
Soak In The Devils Pool DoneOnly open when the river is low
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Trek To Trolltunga DoneThe hiking season
Visit A Bioluminescent Beach DoneWarm, dark summer nights
Visit Yosemite National ParkWaterfalls in spring, quieter in autumn
Walk The Avenue Of The BaobabsMadagascar's dry season
Wander Around Plitvice Lakes DoneFull waterfalls, fewer people
Watch Orangutans In The Wild DoneDrier months in Borneo
Witness The Great Migration DoneRiver crossings in the Masai Mara

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October

39 countries I've been to are at their best, and 32 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Balloon Over BaganBalloon season
Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Summit Of Africa DoneThe dry seasons
Dive The Great Barrier Reef DoneDry season, out of stinger season
Dive With Whale SharksSeasons in Mexico, the Philippines and Mozambique
Drive The Transfagarasan HighwayOnly open in summer and early autumn
Experience Dia De Los Muertes Festival31 October to 2 November
Explore The Atacama Desert DoneClear skies for stargazing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls DoneFull falls without the summer heat
Gaze At The Grand Canyon DoneMild days on the rim
Go To OktoberfestLate September into October
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Go Whale Watching DoneHumpbacks and southern rights in many places
Hang Out In Halong BayCalm seas and clear views
Hike The Annapurna CircuitClear skies before and after the monsoon
Peek At Petra DoneComfortable days in the canyon
Point At The Pyramids Of Giza DoneCooler months
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
See The Fairy Chimneys Of Cappadocia DoneCalm mornings for balloons
See The Northern Lights DoneDark nights in the far north
See The Polar Bear MigrationChurchill, Canada, as the bay freezes
Soak In The Devils Pool DoneOnly open when the river is low
Spend A Birthday In Fiji Celebrating Fiji Day10 October
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Take In The Taj Mahal DoneCool, dry season
Trek To The Tigers Nest TempleClear spring and autumn days
Visit A Bioluminescent Beach DoneWarm, dark summer nights
Visit Yosemite National ParkWaterfalls in spring, quieter in autumn
Walk In The Wadi Rum DoneWarm days, cool nights
Walk The Avenue Of The BaobabsMadagascar's dry season
Wander Around Plitvice Lakes DoneFull waterfalls, fewer people
Witness The Great Migration DoneRiver crossings in the Masai Mara

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November this month

32 countries I've been to are at their best, and 24 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Balloon Over BaganBalloon season
Cruise to Antarctica DoneThe Antarctic season
Dive The Great Barrier Reef DoneDry season, out of stinger season
Dive With Whale SharksSeasons in Mexico, the Philippines and Mozambique
Experience Dia De Los Muertes Festival31 October to 2 November
Explore The Atacama Desert DoneClear skies for stargazing
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Hang Out In Halong BayCalm seas and clear views
Hike The Annapurna CircuitClear skies before and after the monsoon
Peek At Petra DoneComfortable days in the canyon
Point At The Pyramids Of Giza DoneCooler months
See Komodo Dragons On Komodo IslandDry season
See The Northern Lights DoneDark nights in the far north
See The Perito Moreno Glacier DonePatagonian summer
See The Polar Bear MigrationChurchill, Canada, as the bay freezes
Sit Among 300000 King Penguins DoneSouth Georgia in the austral summer
Soak In The Devils Pool DoneOnly open when the river is low
Take In The Taj Mahal DoneCool, dry season
Tour The Temples Of KyotoCherry blossom or autumn leaves
Trek To The Tigers Nest TempleClear spring and autumn days
Trek To Torres Del Paine DonePatagonia's trekking season
Visit Angkor WatCool, dry season
Walk In The Wadi Rum DoneWarm days, cool nights

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December

50 countries I've been to are at their best, and 22 bucket list adventures are in season.

In season on the bucket list

Balloon Over BaganBalloon season
Cruise to Antarctica DoneThe Antarctic season
Dive With Whale SharksSeasons in Mexico, the Philippines and Mozambique
Explore The Galapagos Islands DoneSomething to see every month
Go Husky Mushing DoneSnow season in Lapland and Norway
Go To The Full Moon PartyEvery month on Koh Phangan
Meet The Mountain Gorillas DoneDry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda
Point At The Pyramids Of Giza DoneCooler months
Sail Out On Milford Sound DoneLong summer days in Fiordland
See The Northern Lights DoneDark nights in the far north
See The Perito Moreno Glacier DonePatagonian summer
Sit Among 300000 King Penguins DoneSouth Georgia in the austral summer
Snorkel With Manta RaysPeak season in the Maldives and Indonesia
Soak In The Devils Pool DoneOnly open when the river is low
Spend Christmas On The Beach DoneChristmas on a beach
Spend NYE In NYC DoneNew Year's Eve
Spend New Year At Sydney Harbour DoneNew Year's Eve
Spice Things Up On Zanzibar DoneThe dry seasons
Stay At An Ice HotelOpen in winter only
Take In The Taj Mahal DoneCool, dry season
Trek To Torres Del Paine DonePatagonia's trekking season
Visit Angkor WatCool, dry season

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Best months are a general guide; check the weather and the Foreign Office travel advice before you book.