The ultimate trip planner for every month of the year: discover the best places to visit throughout the seasons. This tiny volcanic outcrop in the middle of the vast Pacific has an outsized reputation around the world thanks to the 887 monolithic human statues (known as moai) that guard its azure shores. The mystery of how the ancient Rapa Nui people were able to build and move such massive structures has fascinated travelers for decades.

When the climate turns cold in the Northern Hemisphere, Budapest’s hot springs and thermal baths are a great way to escape the chill and give yourself some much needed TLC in one fell swoop. Anguilla Yes, December can be bitingly cold in Prague – but that doesn’t mean it’s not a magical time of year, and the perfect month to find a traditional cozy pub to warm up and sink a tall Czech beer. Hearty Czech cuisine warms you up, and the cobblestone streets are illuminated with twinkling lights. Don’t miss the Christmas markets: the biggest is in the Old Town Square and runs until the end of the month – with mulled wine, gingerbread biscuits, seasonal gifts and musical performers.Día de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – is celebrated over three nights, from October 31 to November 2. According to Mexican tradition, it’s when the deceased may briefly cross into the world of the living. Families construct graveside altars, adorned with photos, candles, marigolds and sweets; skull masks are worn, marching bands play, and everyone feasts. While celebrations might be experienced all over Mexico, the state of Oaxaca – known for its strong Indigenous culture, unique cuisine and flourishing arts and crafts – is an excellent choice. Oaxaca City is a riot of artisan workshops, baroque plazas, and busy markets (where you can buy sugar skulls and pan de muerto, bread of the dead); the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures is also worth a look. Then explore further afield: visit the weaving town of Teotitlán, the historic Tlacolula market and Soledad Etla’s flamboyant Comparsa Parade. By night, head to the region’s many cemeteries for the festivities. Valletta, Malta Known to the Greeks as the “column that holds up the sky,” Mt Etna is not only Europe's largest volcano, it's one of the world's most active. The ancients believed the giant Tifone (Typhoon) lived in its crater and lit the sky with spectacular pyrotechnics; today they simply call it idda, or “her.” Liguria’s remote Cinque Terre area is coastal Italy at its most spectacular. Five seaside villages wedged between cliffs, encircled by a national park and connected by clifftop footpaths, this is a place where humanity has lived in symbiosis with nature for thousands of years. People have chiseled terraces into the steep cliffs and grown wine here since Roman times; until the 20th century, the locals got about by sea or footpath. From spring 2024, European Sleeper will expand its services to offer travelers even more overnight rail options. The expansion connects Berlin to more Dutch and Belgian cities, and will simplify travel from London to Paris or Prague. Book a journey in early May before the summertime crowds arrive, and you can enjoy scenic train rides through lush green valleys, cherry-blossom-lined landscapes and snow-capped mountains. The Western Balkans

Travelers will love Chile in November. After the hush of winter months, Patagonia awakens to the vibrant hues of spring, while the northern regions gradually shed their chill, offering a respite from the dampness of previous seasons. This also marks the ideal time to explore the picturesque coastal towns and desert landscapes of the north, a month before the busy tourist season swings into action. Swahili Coast, TanzaniaWhy now? Mix romance with relaxation – and perhaps a chocolate chaser – in this cooler, drier month. Chile’s frenetic capital is a cultural powerhouse whose historic center is filled with world-class museums, stately theaters and palm-lined plazas. Key neighborhoods for travelers include Barrio Yungay (for street art), Barrio Italia (for shopping), Lastarria (for strolling), Providencia (for sleeping) and Vitacura (for dining). Come nightfall, neighborhoods like Bellavista and Barrio Brasil explode with energy as Chileans party until sunrise at clubs blasting everything from Latin trap to K-pop, EDM and Reggaeton. Often considered the best time to visit, spring offers the ideal mix of good climate and bearable tourism flows. Nature blooms as the snow melts in the mountains and the rolling hills of the central Italian countryside come to life after the chilly winter.

If visitors to France fancy something other than the Olympics, the region of Normandy is hosting the Normandy Impressionist Festival from March to September next year to celebrate 150 years of Impressionism. The event will bring visitors into the heart of a 19th-century movement that turned art on its head with its radical, soulful focus on outdoor scenes and the effects of light. The program includes open-air theater performances and dance cafes, art exhibitions and workshops, plus forest walks, stargazing, sound- and-light shows and romantic picnics straight out of a Renoir. SpainVisit Michoacán’s forests on a sunny February morning and you’ll witness an astonishing spectacle, as vast clouds of monarch butterflies take to the air. Each winter up to a billion of these incredible insects migrate thousands of miles from northeastern North America to the warmer climes of Mexico ⁠— specifically, Michoacán Province’s Oyamel fir forests, some of which are now protected as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Head to the El Rosario or Sierra Chincua sections for the densest clusters of monarchs. Tanzania Morocco is a fantastic year-round vacation destination, but choosing the best time of year to travel will depend on your interests and holiday needs.