Where to Go, Month by Month

Where to travel each month, from a Canadian travel advisor: when Belize, the Caribbean and Europe are at their best, a good fit, or worth a second look.

January

Whale-watching season begins in Samaná, Dominican Republic, from about mid-January.

At its best

Belize — Dry season. Clearer skies, calmer water, and the busiest months.
Jamaica — Driest and busiest, and the most popular with Canadians escaping winter.
Saint Lucia — Dry season and peak demand. The best weather for hiking.
Barbados — Dry season. Book early for the holidays, March Break and west coast stays.
The Dominican Republic — Dry season, with whale-watching in Samaná from mid-January to late March.
Aruba — The driest months and the busiest, with a steady trade wind.
Tortola — The driest stretch, and the busiest. The trade wind keeps it comfortable.
Curaçao — Dry, sunny and breezy, and the busiest stretch. Carnival season runs through these months.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Usually the driest and busiest months.

A good fit

Grenada — Dry season, with a little more chance of a shower at the edges.
Portugal — Mild and quiet, with more rain in the north. A good time for city breaks.
Spain — Cool in the cities, mild in the south and on the Canary Islands.

Possible, with a few things to know

France — Cold and often grey, but quieter in Paris outside the holidays.
The Netherlands — Short days and damp cold, but quieter streets and often better value.
Belgium — Short, cold days.
The United Kingdom — Short days, very short in Scotland, but a cosy time for theatre and cities.
Scotland — Short days, and some Highland attractions close or cut their hours. A cosy time for the cities.
Croatia — Quiet and mild on the coast, with fewer ferries and many seasonal businesses closed.
Greece — Quiet and mild in Athens, but many island hotels close for the winter.
Iceland — Short days and winter driving, but the best chance of the northern lights.
Italy — Quieter and cooler. The coast is very quiet.
Ireland — Milder than a Canadian winter, but wet, windy and dark. Dublin and the pubs work.

February

February and March are the driest months in Tortola.
Whale-watching continues in Samaná, Dominican Republic.

At its best

Belize — Dry season. Clearer skies, calmer water, and the busiest months.
Jamaica — Driest and busiest, and the most popular with Canadians escaping winter.
Saint Lucia — Dry season and peak demand. The best weather for hiking.
Barbados — Dry season. Book early for the holidays, March Break and west coast stays.
The Dominican Republic — Dry season, with whale-watching in Samaná from mid-January to late March.
Aruba — The driest months and the busiest, with a steady trade wind.
Tortola — The driest months of the year.
Curaçao — Dry, sunny and breezy, and the busiest stretch. Carnival season runs through these months.
Grenada — The heart of the dry season, and usually the driest months.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Usually the driest and busiest months.

A good fit

Portugal — Mild and quiet, with more rain in the north. A good time for city breaks.
Spain — Cool in the cities, mild in the south and on the Canary Islands.

Possible, with a few things to know

France — Cold and often grey, but quieter in Paris outside the holidays.
The Netherlands — Short days and damp cold, but quieter streets and often better value.
Belgium — Short, cold days.
The United Kingdom — Short days, very short in Scotland, but a cosy time for theatre and cities.
Scotland — Short days, and some Highland attractions close or cut their hours. A cosy time for the cities.
Croatia — Quiet and mild on the coast, with fewer ferries and many seasonal businesses closed.
Greece — Quiet and mild in Athens, but many island hotels close for the winter.
Iceland — Short days and winter driving, but the best chance of the northern lights.
Italy — Quieter and cooler. The coast is very quiet.
Ireland — Milder than a Canadian winter, but wet, windy and dark. Dublin and the pubs work.

March

Keukenhof’s gardens in the Netherlands open in late March.
Whale-watching in Samaná runs to about late March.
March Break fills Caribbean resorts early, so book ahead.

At its best

Belize — Dry season. Clearer skies, calmer water, and the busiest months.
Jamaica — Driest and busiest, and the most popular with Canadians escaping winter.
Saint Lucia — Dry season and peak demand. The best weather for hiking.
Barbados — Dry season. Book early for the holidays, March Break and west coast stays.
The Dominican Republic — Dry season, with whale-watching in Samaná from mid-January to late March.
Aruba — The driest months and the busiest, with a steady trade wind.
Tortola — The driest months of the year.
Curaçao — Dry, sunny and breezy, and the busiest stretch. Carnival season runs through these months.
Grenada — The heart of the dry season, and usually the driest months.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Usually the driest and busiest months.

A good fit

The Netherlands — Keukenhof’s gardens open in late March.
Belgium — Early spring, before the busiest weekends in Bruges.
Portugal — Mild and quiet, with more rain in the north. A good time for city breaks.
Spain — Cool in the cities, mild in the south and on the Canary Islands.

Possible, with a few things to know

France — Between winter and spring: cool and quieter.
The United Kingdom — Short days, very short in Scotland, but a cosy time for theatre and cities.
Scotland — Short days, and some Highland attractions close or cut their hours. A cosy time for the cities.
Croatia — Quiet and mild on the coast, with fewer ferries and many seasonal businesses closed.
Greece — Quiet and mild in Athens, but many island hotels close for the winter.
Iceland — Short days and winter driving, but the best chance of the northern lights.
Italy — Quieter and cooler. The coast is very quiet.
Ireland — Milder than a Canadian winter, but wet, windy and dark. Dublin and the pubs work.

April

Dutch tulip fields usually peak mid- to late April.
King’s Day turns Amsterdam orange on April 27.
Easter week in Rome is busy, so book early.

At its best

Belize — Dry season. Clearer skies, calmer water, and the busiest months.
Jamaica — Driest and busiest, and the most popular with Canadians escaping winter.
Saint Lucia — Dry season and peak demand. The best weather for hiking.
Barbados — Dry season. Book early for the holidays, March Break and west coast stays.
The Dominican Republic — Dry season and peak demand.
Aruba — The driest months and the busiest, with a steady trade wind.
Tortola — The driest stretch, and the busiest. The trade wind keeps it comfortable.
Curaçao — Dry, sunny and breezy, and the busiest stretch. Carnival season runs through these months.
Grenada — The heart of the dry season, and usually the driest months.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Usually the driest and busiest months.
France — Mild weather, long days and gardens in bloom.
The Netherlands — Tulip season, usually peaking mid- to late April, and King’s Day on April 27.
Belgium — Mild weather and long days. Stay overnight in Bruges to beat the day-trippers.
Portugal — Warm, sunny days before the summer rush.
Spain — Warm and sunny, and lovely for cities and Andalusia. Easter week is busy.
Italy — Mild days, long light, and the cities at their most walkable.

A good fit

The United Kingdom — Fresh weather, longer days and gardens in bloom.
Scotland — Longer days, fewer crowds and fresh green hills.
Croatia — Mild and quieter. The sea is cool in April, and some island businesses close in October.
Greece — Spring flowers and pleasant sightseeing weather. The sea is still cool.
Iceland — Lengthening days and quieter roads. Puffins return in late spring.
Ireland — Among the driest months, though still cool.

May

May is among Ireland’s sunniest months, and often one of the drier months in Scotland.
A quieter shoulder month in Belize and the Caribbean.

At its best

Belize — A shoulder I still recommend: quieter resorts and lush mornings before the rains.
France — Mild weather, long days and gardens in bloom.
The Netherlands — Tulip season, usually peaking mid- to late April, and King’s Day on April 27.
Belgium — Mild weather and long days. Stay overnight in Bruges to beat the day-trippers.
The United Kingdom — Long, fresh days. May is often one of the drier months in Scotland.
Scotland — Long, fresh days before midge season peaks. May is often one of the drier months.
Croatia — Warm days and a warming sea, before the summer crowds.
Greece — Warm days and warm sea, without the peak crowds and heat.
Portugal — Warm, sunny days before the summer rush.
Spain — Warm and sunny, and lovely for cities and Andalusia. Easter week is busy.
Italy — Mild days, long light, and the cities at their most walkable.
Ireland — Dry and among the sunniest months, before the summer crowds.

A good fit

Jamaica — Warm, a little quieter, and often better value. Showers come and go quickly.
Saint Lucia — Warm, quieter and often better value before the wetter months.
Barbados — Quieter shoulder months, often with better rates.
The Dominican Republic — Hotter and quieter, often with good value.
Aruba — Still mostly dry, hotter, and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
Tortola — Hotter, greener and quieter, with more chance of a shower.
Curaçao — Still dry, hotter and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
Grenada — Dry season, with a little more chance of a shower at the edges.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Warmer and quieter, with more showers. The St. Kitts Music Festival is usually in late June.
Iceland — Lengthening days and quieter roads. Puffins return in late spring.

June

The longest light of the year in Ireland and Scotland.
Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1.

At its best

France — Mild weather, long days and gardens in bloom.
Belgium — Mild weather and long days. Stay overnight in Bruges to beat the day-trippers.
The United Kingdom — Long, fresh days. May is often one of the drier months in Scotland.
Scotland — Long, fresh days before midge season peaks. May is often one of the drier months.
Croatia — Warm days and a warming sea, before the summer crowds.
Greece — Warm days and warm sea, without the peak crowds and heat.
Iceland — Long, bright days and the busiest season. Highland roads are usually open.
Portugal — Warm, sunny days before the summer rush.
Spain — Warm and sunny, and lovely for cities and Andalusia. Easter week is busy.
Italy — Mild days, long light, and the cities at their most walkable.
Ireland — The longest light of the year.

A good fit

Belize — The wet season begins. Greener, with a higher chance of rain.
Jamaica — Warm, a little quieter, and often better value. Showers come and go quickly.
Saint Lucia — Warm, quieter and often better value before the wetter months.
Barbados — Quieter shoulder months, often with better rates.
The Dominican Republic — Hotter and quieter, often with good value.
Aruba — Still mostly dry, hotter, and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
Tortola — Hotter, greener and quieter, with more chance of a shower.
Curaçao — Still dry, hotter and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Warmer and quieter, with more showers. The St. Kitts Music Festival is usually in late June.
The Netherlands — Long daylight and café terraces. Peak season, so book museum slots ahead.

Possible, with a few things to know

Grenada — The rainy season begins, and hurricane season starts in June.

July

Saint Lucia Carnival takes place in July.
Crop Over builds through the summer in Barbados.

At its best

Iceland — Long, bright days and the busiest season. Highland roads are usually open.

A good fit

Belize — The wet season begins. Greener, with a higher chance of rain.
Aruba — Still mostly dry, hotter, and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
Curaçao — Still dry, hotter and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Warmer and quieter, with more showers. The St. Kitts Music Festival is usually in late June.
France — The warmest and busiest stretch. Some Paris shops close in August.
The Netherlands — Long daylight and café terraces. Peak season, so book museum slots ahead.
Belgium — Peak day-trip season. Sightsee early and in the evening.
The United Kingdom — Long daylight, especially in Scotland.
Scotland — Very long days, but midges are at their worst in the west Highlands.
Croatia — Hot, sunny and the busiest months on the coast. Book well ahead.
Greece — Hot and the busiest months. The meltemi wind can delay ferries.
Portugal — Hot and busy, especially on the Algarve.
Ireland — The warmest season, and the busiest. Showers stay in the forecast.

Possible, with a few things to know

Jamaica — Hurricane season, with more rain and humidity.
Saint Lucia — Hurricane season, with more rain. Saint Lucia Carnival is in July.
Barbados — Hurricane season, but Crop Over builds through summer to early August.
The Dominican Republic — Hurricane season. Seaweed can reach some east-coast beaches in warmer months.
Tortola — Hurricane season. The greatest chance of a storm runs from August to October.
Grenada — The rainy season begins, and hurricane season starts in June.
Spain — Very hot inland. The north and the coast are more comfortable.
Italy — Hot, especially in Rome and Florence, and the coast is at its busiest.

August

Edinburgh’s festival month: the Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo.
Grand Kadooment Day closes Crop Over in Barbados in early August.
Many Parisians take holidays, and some smaller shops close.

At its best

Iceland — Long, bright days and the busiest season. Highland roads are usually open.

A good fit

Belize — Wet season, and the start of the main hurricane window. Keep plans flexible.
Aruba — Still mostly dry, hotter, and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
Curaçao — Still dry, hotter and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
France — The warmest and busiest stretch. Some Paris shops close in August.
The Netherlands — Long daylight and café terraces. Peak season, so book museum slots ahead.
Belgium — Peak day-trip season. Sightsee early and in the evening.
The United Kingdom — Edinburgh’s festival month. Book well ahead if you want it, avoid it if not.
Scotland — Edinburgh’s festival month. Book well ahead if you want it, avoid it if not.
Croatia — Hot, sunny and the busiest months on the coast. Book well ahead.
Greece — Hot and the busiest months. The meltemi wind can delay ferries.
Portugal — Hot and busy, especially on the Algarve.
Ireland — The warmest season, and the busiest. Showers stay in the forecast.

Possible, with a few things to know

Jamaica — The highest hurricane risk. Insurance with cancellation cover matters more.
Saint Lucia — Hurricane season, with more rain and humidity.
Barbados — Hurricane season, but Crop Over builds through summer to early August.
The Dominican Republic — The highest hurricane risk. Insurance with cancellation cover matters more.
Tortola — Hurricane season. The greatest chance of a storm runs from August to October.
Grenada — Spicemas, Grenada’s carnival, peaks in August. Rainy and hurricane season.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — The wettest stretch, and the heart of hurricane season.
Spain — Very hot inland. The north and the coast are more comfortable.
Italy — Hot, especially in Rome and Florence, and the coast is at its busiest.

September

Harvest season begins in the Alsace wine villages.
Softer crowds across Europe after the summer rush.

At its best

France — Harvest in Alsace, softer crowds and comfortable city weather.
The United Kingdom — Quieter after the summer rush, with autumn colour starting in the Highlands.
Scotland — Quieter after the summer rush, with autumn colour starting in the glens.
Croatia — Warm sea and thinner crowds.
Greece — Warm days and warm sea, without the peak crowds and heat.
Portugal — Still warm, with fewer crowds and the grape harvest in the Douro Valley.
Spain — Warm sea, softer heat and fewer crowds.
Italy — Still warm, with fewer crowds than August. A strong first-trip window.
Ireland — Still a strong month for a first trip.

A good fit

Aruba — The fewest visitors. The trade wind eases, so it can feel hotter.
Curaçao — Still dry, hotter and quieter. South of the main hurricane belt.
The Netherlands — Fewer crowds and more rain. Good for museum-heavy trips.
Belgium — Cooler and quieter: museums and the Flanders battlefields.
Iceland — Fewer crowds, autumn colour, and the northern lights return.

Possible, with a few things to know

Belize — The heart of the hurricane window. Flexible plans and strong insurance matter.
Jamaica — The highest hurricane risk. Insurance with cancellation cover matters more.
Saint Lucia — Hurricane season, with more rain and humidity.
Barbados — Hurricane season. Barbados is still within the hurricane belt.
The Dominican Republic — The highest hurricane risk. Insurance with cancellation cover matters more.
Tortola — The wettest months, and the heart of storm season.
Grenada — The wettest stretch, and the heart of hurricane season.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — The wettest stretch, and the heart of hurricane season.

October

Autumn colour in the Scottish Highlands.
Alsace harvest season continues.

At its best

France — Harvest in Alsace, softer crowds and comfortable city weather.
Portugal — Still warm, with fewer crowds and the grape harvest in the Douro Valley.
Spain — Warm sea, softer heat and fewer crowds.
Italy — Still warm, with fewer crowds than August. A strong first-trip window.

A good fit

Aruba — The wetter stretch, though showers are usually short.
Curaçao — The wetter months, though showers are usually short.
The Netherlands — Fewer crowds and more rain. Good for museum-heavy trips.
Belgium — Cooler and quieter: museums and the Flanders battlefields.
The United Kingdom — Autumn colour in the Highlands and good city-break weather.
Scotland — Autumn colour in the Highlands and good walking weather on the better days.
Croatia — Mild and quieter. The sea is cool in April, and some island businesses close in October.
Greece — Warm sea early in the month. Island businesses begin to close late in October.
Iceland — Fewer crowds, autumn colour, and the northern lights return.
Ireland — Rain becomes more likely as the month goes on.

Possible, with a few things to know

Belize — The heart of the hurricane window. Flexible plans and strong insurance matter.
Jamaica — The highest hurricane risk. Insurance with cancellation cover matters more.
Saint Lucia — Hurricane season, with more rain and humidity.
Barbados — Hurricane season. Barbados is still within the hurricane belt.
The Dominican Republic — The highest hurricane risk. Insurance with cancellation cover matters more.
Tortola — The wettest months, and the heart of storm season.
Grenada — The wettest stretch, and the heart of hurricane season.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — The wettest stretch, and the heart of hurricane season.

November

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ypres, Belgium, on November 11.
Belize’s dry season begins in late November.

A good fit

Belize — The dry season begins in late November.
Aruba — The wetter stretch, though showers are usually short.
Curaçao — The wetter months, though showers are usually short.
Belgium — Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ypres on November 11.
Portugal — Mild and quiet, with more rain in the north. A good time for city breaks.
Spain — Cool in the cities, mild in the south and on the Canary Islands.

Possible, with a few things to know

Jamaica — Hurricane season, with more rain and humidity.
Saint Lucia — Hurricane season, with more rain and humidity.
Barbados — Hurricane season. Barbados is still within the hurricane belt.
The Dominican Republic — Hurricane season. Seaweed can reach some east-coast beaches in warmer months.
Tortola — The wettest months, and the heart of storm season.
Grenada — The wettest stretch, and the heart of hurricane season.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — The wettest stretch, and the heart of hurricane season.
France — Cold and often grey.
The Netherlands — Short days and damp cold, but quieter streets and often better value.
The United Kingdom — Short days, very short in Scotland, but a cosy time for theatre and cities.
Scotland — Short days, and some Highland attractions close or cut their hours. A cosy time for the cities.
Croatia — Quiet and mild on the coast, with fewer ferries and many seasonal businesses closed.
Greece — Quiet and mild in Athens, but many island hotels close for the winter.
Iceland — Short days and winter driving, but the best chance of the northern lights.
Italy — Cooler, and Venice is more likely to see high water.
Ireland — Milder than a Canadian winter, but wet, windy and dark. Dublin and the pubs work.

December

Christmas markets in Strasbourg, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Hogmanay in Edinburgh on December 31.
The Caribbean dry season begins, and holiday weeks book up first.

At its best

Belize — Dry season. Clearer skies, calmer water, and the busiest months.
Jamaica — Driest and busiest, and the most popular with Canadians escaping winter.
Saint Lucia — Dry season and peak demand. The best weather for hiking.
Barbados — Dry season. Book early for the holidays, March Break and west coast stays.
The Dominican Republic — Dry season and peak demand.
Aruba — The driest months and the busiest, with a steady trade wind.
Tortola — The driest stretch, and the busiest. The trade wind keeps it comfortable.
Saint Kitts and Nevis — Usually the driest and busiest months.

A good fit

Curaçao — The wetter months, though showers are usually short.
Grenada — The rains start to ease ahead of the dry season.
France — December in Strasbourg is the whole point for many travellers.
The Netherlands — Festive lights and quieter streets outside the holidays.
Belgium — Short, cold days, softened by Christmas markets and lights.
The United Kingdom — Christmas markets, theatre season and Hogmanay in Edinburgh.
Scotland — Christmas markets and Hogmanay in Edinburgh on December 31.
Portugal — Mild and quiet, with more rain in the north. A good time for city breaks.
Spain — Cool in the cities, mild in the south and on the Canary Islands.

Possible, with a few things to know

Croatia — Quiet and mild on the coast, with fewer ferries and many seasonal businesses closed.
Greece — Quiet and mild in Athens, but many island hotels close for the winter.
Iceland — Short days and winter driving, but the best chance of the northern lights.
Italy — Quieter, with Christmas lights in the cities.
Ireland — Milder than a Canadian winter, but wet, windy and dark. Dublin and the pubs work.

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