Plan Your Next Trip

The Travel Calendar

Best times to go, marquee events worth building a whole trip around, and every US long weekend for the next two years.

By Season

What to chase — or avoid — depending on when you’re free.

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❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)

Escape the cold in Southeast Asia (dry season), the Caribbean, or Mexico's Pacific coast — or lean into it with a European Christmas market trip or a ski week in the Rockies or Alps.

🌸 Spring (Mar-May)

Shoulder-season sweet spot: Japan for cherry blossoms (late Mar-early Apr), the Mediterranean before the summer crowds, and Southeast Asia right before monsoon season hits.

☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season for Europe and US National Parks — book early. Better value: Southern Hemisphere winter (Patagonia, New Zealand ski season) or Scandinavia's midnight sun.

🍂 Fall (Sep-Nov)

The best-kept secret of the calendar — fewer crowds, lower prices, and prime conditions in Europe, the US Northeast (foliage), and Japan.

By Region

The general window when the weather (and the prices) work in your favor.

Caribbean

Best: December-April (dry season). Avoid: June-November (hurricane season).

Southeast Asia

Best: November-February (dry, cooler). Shoulder: March-April before the heat peaks.

Mediterranean Europe

Best: May-June and September (warm, fewer crowds). Peak/crowded: July-August.

South America

Varies by country — Patagonia shines Nov-Mar; the Amazon and Andes are best in the drier months, roughly May-Sept.

East Africa Safari

Best: June-October (dry season, peak wildlife viewing) and again Jan-Feb.

US National Parks

Best: shoulder months (May, September) for good weather without peak-summer crowds.

Worth the Trip

Marquee events worth planning an entire trip around.

Rio Carnival — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The biggest party on the planet — parades, samba schools, and street celebrations across the city.

Feb 5-13, 2027

Songkran — Thailand

Thai New Year, celebrated as a nationwide water fight. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are the epicenters.

Apr 13-15, annually

Full Moon Party — Koh Phangan, Thailand

A monthly beach rave on Haad Rin beach. Upcoming 2026 dates: Aug 28, Sept 26, Oct 27, Nov 24, and Dec 24 & 31 (NYE countdown).

Monthly

Oktoberfest — Munich, Germany

The world's largest beer festival — tents, steins, and lederhosen for over two weeks.

Sep 19 - Oct 4, 2026

Diwali — India & worldwide

The Hindu festival of lights — best experienced in Jaipur, Varanasi, or Amritsar.

Nov 8, 2026

Holi — India

The festival of colors. Mathura and Vrindavan throw the most iconic celebrations. Date shifts yearly with the lunar calendar.

~Mar 22, 2027

LA28 Summer Olympics — Los Angeles, USA

The Summer Games return to US soil for the first time since 1996.

Jul 14-30, 2028

Long Weekend Getaways

Every 2026 & 2027 US federal holiday that lines up with a long weekend.

Holiday	2026	2027
MLK Day	Mon, Jan 19	Mon, Jan 18
Presidents' Day	Mon, Feb 16	Mon, Feb 15
Memorial Day	Mon, May 25	Mon, May 31
Juneteenth	Fri, Jun 19	Fri, Jun 18 (observed)
Independence Day	Fri, Jul 3 (observed)	Mon, Jul 5 (observed)
Labor Day	Mon, Sep 7	Mon, Sep 6
Columbus Day	Mon, Oct 12	Mon, Oct 11
Thanksgiving	Thu, Nov 26	Thu, Nov 25
Christmas	Fri, Dec 25	Fri, Dec 24 (observed)