Posted by Maria Dimitrova

Read this if: If you want to save frustration and enjoy the best weather possible on your holiday

Having a good time on a holiday depends largely on the weather. Most people enjoy sunny destinations but would like to avoid the unbearable heat. Skiers are looking forward to opportunities to pursue their passion whilst surfers seek good conditions for water sports. Others enjoy the mountain trekking more than lying on the beach. Whichever of these you are, here are some ideas for your next holiday. Scroll to the dates you are interested in and start reading!

June-July-August

If you want to take advantage of the sunny weather in peak season but stay away from the swelteringly hot, crowded resorts, try some of these destinations:

* Edinburgh, Scotland.  The festival Fringe is in full flow in August ( the average temperature in this month is 18C/65F). Many travelers choose to plan their trips to the city around this time to take advantage of the long, comfortable summer days—the last traces of daylight don’t vanish from the sky until well after 10 p.m.  Experience the thrill of motorsport at Xtreme Karting ; enjoy unique views of Edinburgh from the fascinating Camera Obscura and rooftop terrace; visit Arthur’s Seat -the remains of this extinct volcano rise 823 feet making it a notable landmark of the city, enjoying the sun on Portobello Beach (a mile stretch of sandy beach with cafe’s, pubs, ice cream and a couple of old fashioned amusement arcades). If you do want to visit Edinburgh during one of its big festivals, though, make sure you plan well ahead; hotel rooms and event tickets disappear quickly.

* Amsterdam, Netherlands. It’s one of Europe’s most charming cities where tourists wander the cobbled streets of the Jordaan before visiting the city’s famous museums. However, the weather there is considered rather changeable. If you are lucky you can enjoy the long hours of daylight (between 4.30am and 11pm) at an average 20°C/ 69°F for August – but if you aren’t so fortunate, you may suffer some thunder storms or sweltering hot weather (40 celcius/100+ Farenheit). Activities include: the cobbled streets of the Jordaan (a charming neighborhood with leafy canals lined with 17th-century houses, quirky specialty shops, cafes and designer boutiques), pampering your senses by tasting  some of the finest Dutch cheeses in the famous Tasting centre; visiting the numerous historic sites and museums. Other places in Europe good to visit in the summer are Stockholm, St Petersburg ( a major European cultural center and the second largest city in Russia after Moscow) and Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic ( a bohemian city with skyline gothic spires and narrow cobbled streets, perfect for a romantic city break).

* Vancouver Island, Canada. The adventurous should set off for this rugged and wild paradise off Canada’s Pacific coast that offers great deep-sea fishing, whale-watching excursions or kayaking.The average high temperature in August there is 70°F. Things to do: go to Sante Spa Vctoria, see the Butchart Gardens, and take part in the Archipelago Wildlife Cruise or the Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours.

* Kenya. Get off the beaten track and go to the sweeping plains, where safari travelers can see the stunning and awe-inspiring wildebeest migration first-hand during July and August. Kenya’s climate varies across the country, from the tropical humidity of the coast, the dry heat of the savannah or semi-arid areas and the cool air of the highlands. Temperatures in these areas are fairly constant year round with an average of 27°C (80°F) at the coast, 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F) in the hinterland, while in Nairobi and the highlands over 5,000 ft, the daytime temperatures normally range between 19°C and 24°C (66°F to 75°F).

* Iceland. The summer tourist season is from late May to early September. During the first half of this period the sun stays above the horizon for almost 24 hours and the interplay of light and shadows on mountains, lava fields, glaciers and natural hot pools create an ever changing and exquisitely beautiful landscape. However, even during the middle of summer the sky is frequently cloudy or overcast and the sunshine does not warm the air much. During summertime tourists should bring a windbreaker, rainwear, a thick pullover (wool or fleece) and sturdy walking shoes. Travelers who are camping or heading into the interior will need warm underwear and socks, rubber boots and a warm sleeping bag.

* The Alps. In summer you’ll enjoy great weather, clean air, low humidity and off-season prices. There are freshwater lakes where you can swim or do watersports.

For those who prefer the traditional summer destinations, try San Francisco, Aruba, Barbados one of the attractions of Barbados & the region in general is the climate, especially the “high season” when it is more temperate rather than just hot), Tahiti, Curacao, Hawaii (year-round, the weather’s just about perfect there). San Francisco temperatures seldom dip below 40°F, or reach or exceed 90°F. The only climatic quirk is the morning fog – The City’s “natural air conditioner”. Most days, the sun will burn the fog back from the east toward the ocean by mid-morning. Most of the day should be nice and temperate. By 4 or 5 pm the winds kick up and the fog often starts rolling back in over the City, and it gets chilly. Dressing in layers is the most practical approach for such climate. The summer events in San Francisco include Gay Pride Parade in June, Fourth of July fireworks, Fillmore Street Jazz Festival and North Beach Jass Festival in July, The Nihonmachi Street Fair in JapanTown and San Francisco Shakespeare Festival in August.

Destinations to avoid: It’s hurricane season in the Caribbean until November 30. The three Caribbean countries listed above are located below the hurricane belt and considered safe destinations.Southern US is swelteringly hot. Only the natives can bear it.

September-October-November

* Beijing, China. Autumn is the best time to visit Beijing. The weather is gorgeous and the scenery of the trees changing color engaging. There are also fewer tourists. There are clear skies and breezy days with hardly any rainy days. Head out to the Great Wall and enjoy walking with the warm sun on your face and take in the beautiful scenery. You can also immerse in the fascinating atmosphere of other historic sites like the Summer Palace (once a summer retreat for emperors) and the Forbidden City.

* Buenos Aires, Argentina. In September are going up after the winter and the climate is pleasantly warm. In Buenos Aires you can experience a variety of pleasurable activities like horse riding in the Forestal Reserve Caballos “A La Par”, watch and play polo, do wine tasting at Anuva Wines, rejoice in the traditional Argentine Tango.

* The Mediterranean region. In September the sun is still shining and the sea is still warm but you won’t pant in the heat. Malta‘s UNESCO Heritage Sites and beautiful beaches make it an ideal late-summer sun destination.

* Florida, USA. It is just coming into season in October. Florida was the top destination state in 2011. And it’s no wonder as it’s got so much to offer – amusement parks, especially in the Orlando area, The Walt Disney World Resort,   Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld. Many beach towns are also popular tourist destinations, particularly in the winter months.

* The Catskill Mountains, New York State. Days are warm, nights are cool and the countryside is fiery with color. You can go fishing, meditate and strum guitars in surprisingly chic surroundings.

* Seville, Spain. In September it finally arrives at a temperature that allows you to explore its extravagant Moorish architecture and exuberant street life without needing a siesta. Except the abundance of historic sites, you can enjoy balloon flights over the area, walks in one of the most beautiful parks in Europe, flamenco dancing in night clubs, etc.

* Athens, Greece. It’s one of the best autumn destinations especially if you are interested in ancient history and you want to combine the cultural activities with lying on the beach.

* Perth, Australia. It’s the capital of Western Australia. Located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, it is known for its excellent weather and clean, wholesome environment. September/October are probably the best times to visit. The weather is still warm enough for sailing and some water sports in autumn, but with a less intense sun that that of summer. On average, you are likely to experience more rain than in the summer but less than in the winter. It should not be enough to prevent outdoor activities. 

* Egypt. November is a great month to visit Egypt – it’s cool enough for sightseeing in Cairo, but warm enough for sunbathing on the Red Sea Coast. You can combine the Pyramids, a luxury Nile cruise and time on the beach on a 10-night Classic Egypt holiday.

* Good island destinations in November include: The Canary Islands, The Seychelles and Mauritius.

December-January-February

December is a great time to escape the gloom and seek some winter sun. If you travel before the Christmas holidays, airfares are cheap – sometimes lower than at any other time of the year. Even over the Christmas holiday period it is possible to pick up great deals, especially if you are prepared to fly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

* Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai is a popular destination for tourists whose idea for a vacation includes fabulous hotels, shopping and entertainment. You can escape to the desert for a few days relaxing at the eco-resort of Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa.

* The Carribean. It’s the start of the season in December and the weather is perfect. If you’re looking for a cheap holiday in December, be sure to travel before the Christmas school holidays, when flight costs shoot up and high season hotel rates surge.

* India. February is perfect for visiting New Delhi. A country with intriguing culture where yoga and other world-famous healthy practices originate from. You could try The Serai, a luxury desert camp in Rajastan, a tour of Northern India or a tiger safari in one of the country’s many national parks.

* Bali, Indonesia. It is perfect for beach holidays in December, with culture, warm seas and great value local cuisine.

* Chiva-Som, Thailand. If you are sick of the cold winter weather in your home country, that’s another ideal location to soak some sunshine and warmth, pamper yourself and prepare for an over-indulgent Christmas, with a luxury detox. Celebrities like Kate Moss, Liz Hurley, Elle Macpherson, and David and Victoria Beckham love this spa location. For a real cultural treat, take a private tour of Burma. And though the weather is hot, the cool sea breeze keeps temperatures manageable.

* Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. In Rio, New Years Eve is a big event. Copacabana beach is the location of one of the world’s most famous parties and fireworks displays. On Copacabana beach alone, it is customary to see several million revelers gather for this famous event. There are also other festivities on other beaches such as the Ipanema beach at midnight. The world-famous Rio Carnival is an explosion of colors, dancing and vibrant emotions. Celebrities like Gisele Bundchen and Naomi Campbell have also joined this exuberant event. Bear in mind that in December and January the temperature can reach 104 Deg. F (40 Deg. C) so embark on a trip to Rio only if you are a fan of hot weather.

If you can’t imagine a winter vacation without skiing or snowboarding, you might like these places: The Alps, Aspen (pictured), Beaver Creek (USA),  Fairmont Chateau Whistler in British Columbia (Canada), Stein Eriksen Lodge (Deer Valley, Utah), the Mont-Tremblant in Quebec and some cheaper European ski destinations like the resorts Borovets and Bansko in Bulgaria.

March-April-May

* The Mediterranean. April is a great month to explore the Mediterranean by ship – before it gets too hot

* Sri Lanka. March is a perfect month to explore its cultural heritage sites and beaches

* The Cayman Islands of the Carribean. Another ideal destination in March to enjoy long stretches of white sand fringed by turquoise seas.

* Venice, Italy. You can avoid the summer crowds if you explore the beauty of this romantic destination in spring. It’s the perfect holiday location for art and history lovers. Summer is also not a good time for visiting Venice because it is hot and damp in this season there and hundreds of mosquitoes appear. Paris, London Rome are also likely to offer mild weather in April-May and by visiting them in the spring you can avoid the summer crowds.

* Other places that are suitable for a spring holiday with warm, mild weather are Athens, Istanbul, Cairo and Australia. In the summer the heat is unbearable.

* Tokyo, Japan. April is often considered the best time to visit Japan because the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in most regions of the country and the weather is pleasantly mild. The city also offers quite a lot of fascinating sites to see – gardens, temples, art, historic and science museums.

* Cuba. It’s a good choice for a beach holiday in April. At that time of the year the country gets the most sunny days, low rainfall and low humidity. It’s hot, but not too hot and there are no hurricanes.

* Astoria, Oregon Coast, USA. Soak in the town’s unspoiled beauty, marveling at well preserved period architecture and checking great attractions such as the Friends of Astoria Column, Oregon Coast Aquarium, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, as well as taking a fun ride on the riverfront trolley.The Astoria Column, in particular, is one of the most amazing places to visit along the Oregon Coast because of the stunning views you can get of the Pacific Ocean, Washington and the Columbia and Young’s river bays.

* New York and Washington DC. Experience the spring bloom in these cosmopolitan cities especially by visiting the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC and Brooklyn Botanical Garden in New York. Other places to visit in USA in March-April are Arizona and Las Vegas.