Travel Guides

A jubilant mood pervades Brazil in February. Warm weather conditions and tons of merriments attract lots of visitors to the country during this time of year. Spend your days basking on beaches, exploring cities, or discovering the underrated parts of Brazil. Just remember that precipitation is high in February. But with so much to do and see in Brazil, rain should hardly be an issue to dampen your holiday spirit.

Cloaked in the flaming colors of fall, October is an ideal month for travelers eager to explore Portugal beyond its quintessential beaches. However, despite it being a mostly sunny month, rainfall gradually picks up, and the temperature drops as it gets closer to November. Overall, this is a great month to catch some insanely scenic landscapes. Opt for a picturesque train ride through the Douro Valley for your dose of spectacular fall foliage, or go on a hiking trip in Portugal, preferably in its only national park, Peneda-Gerês, to soak up the seasonal splendor. Lovers of watersports might want to head for Portugal in October as surfing is at its peak during this time of year.

Midges or not, Scotland in May is a fairy tale destination for a springtime break. The weather is pleasantly cool, and the month is almost rain-free. From charming countryside for a perfect cottage holiday to cities laced with history and culture, Scotland is studded with incredible experiences. From hiking through the highlands and sampling drams of whiskey to conquering medieval castles and embarking on a fantasy-filled chase of Nessie with the dramatic landscape of Great Glen for company, you can dress up your itinerary with dollops of imagination for a dreamy Scottish vacation.

July in Brazil is the coolest month of the year—the Brazilian version of winter—but many parts of the country are still relatively mild and perfect for exploring. It’s warm enough to sunbake on the Copacabana, cold enough to find snow in the highlands of Santa Catarina, and the lower humidity makes traveling in Brazil comfortable. Moreover, Brazil’s unique blend of cultures produces an array of winter festivities in July, such as food and music festivals across the country.

June marks the start of the high tourist season in Turkey, a time when the weather is just starting to get warmer and tourist crowds are building up. Most visitors head for coastal regions during this time to enjoy cool sea breezes from the Mediterranean and the Aegean.If you can handle the heat, there are fewer tourists and local crowds in cities like Istanbul and Ankara. This means a lot of cultural and historic monuments are relatively quiet, thereby allowing you to marvel at the history and culture of Turkey more intimately. So what else can you expect from a trip to Turkey in June? Let us find out.

With fall settling in as September begins, the high tourist season of summer is officially over. Leaves turn color with the arrival of autumn, the sun becomes gentler and the crowd recedes. Portugal calms down and grows quieter, yet it offers all summer perks at shoulder-season rates. A trip to Portugal in September means that you can concoct the perfect country cocktail with a bit of everything thrown in. Leisurely beach days in the warm Algarve, scrumptious wine harvest in the Douro Valley, a historical exploration of Lisbon and Porto, or hiking in the northeast, in Serra da Estrela. Safe to say, there won't be any shortage of things to do on your tour of Portugal.

January promises crowd-free sightseeing tours of inland Moroccan cities like Marrakech and Rabat. In addition to this, the month also offers access to the Sahara Desert. Elsewhere, in the High Atlas Mountains, the season for winter sports is in full swing, with crowds flocking to ski down and climb to the top of icy peaks.Likewise, a trip to the coast makes for some relaxed time by the deep blue sea. Morocco experiences mild weather conditions in January. However, despite that, foot traffic is sparse in most parts of the country, making it the perfect time for peaceful and relaxing excursions.

Looking to explore Turkey when the weather is just right and resort crowds are thinning out? Then visiting Turkey in October might be right up your street. With low rainfall and pleasantly warming temperatures, it is a great time to explore all that Turkey has to offer without the oppressive heat that often accompanies the summer season.If you are looking to visit Turkey for outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, biking or trekking, October offers the perfect conditions for this along with lower rates, thanks to it being the fall season. Also, if you are looking for cultural highlights and festivals, this month is jam-packed with exciting things to see and do.

Morocco in December sees a drop in mercury, resulting in tourist crowds dispersing from inland cities. The diminished foot traffic allows for better opportunities to explore some of the country’s iconic landmarks. If you prefer to stay back in inland cities, you can take the time to immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Marrakech and Fez. Or, head up to the Atlas Mountains to witness nature in all its breathtaking glory.

Rains start winding up in Mexico towards the end of October, which is still part of the so-called wet season. Therefore, the weather of Mexico in October is a curious mix of rainy days and bright sunny phases, depending on which part of the country you are in. This means that if you are planning a trip to Mexico in October, you can pack in a diverse set of destinations and experiences.There are plenty of things to do in Mexico. Discover La Merced, a colorful market in Mexico City; visit Teotihuacan, a 2000-year-old archaeological site; enjoy some excellent beach time in Acapulco. This travel guide provides a few of the best tips for your tour of Mexico.

September is still considered part of a high season in Turkey. This is because even though holidaymakers start returning to work and school as the month progresses, both crowds and prices are still pretty high across popular destinations. Temperatures remain warm throughout this month, although they are not as high as those during the peak summer.This makes it an ideal month to explore Turkey, check out its highlights, get active or snag a beach holiday at a more affordable rate. Whether you want to dive into Turkey’s vibrant culture and history or are planning to head to the coast and explore the great outdoors, there is something for everyone during a trip to Turkey in September.

Fly to tour Australia in February for an unforgettable summer retreat. Indulge in numerous summer fests, soak up the sun and relax on sandy beaches. Explore the Great Barrier Reef, an area teeming with marine life; visit the scenic wineries in the coastal town of Denmark; and tour the Whitsunday Islands. Whether you are after an adventure, exploration, or sightseeing, Australia has it all.

In terms of weather, Costa Rica is in a state of flux in November. No longer the rainy (or green) season but not quite the dry season either, it is a month when few travelers venture into the country's national parks. But at the same time, it is one of the best months of the year to visit Arenal Volcano and then explore Costa Rica to experience the culture due to a calendar of events worth looking out for.

Want to see a different side of Turkey? Well, touring Turkey in November means that you get to catch the start of the ski season in mountainous places like Uludağ and Palandöken. This is also a great time to head inland to destinations like Cappadocia, where the conditions are cooler for activities such as hiking and hot air balloon rides. If you want to stick to the popular cities like Istanbul in November, expect cooler temperatures and rain showers. But on the plus side, you will find fewer tourist crowds and lower rates. On the coast, near Antalya and Bodrum, the resorts are mostly closed for the season as the number of tourists drop with the temperature.

A trip to Portugal in August is particularly enjoyable if your five P’s are sorted: a plump purse, patience, people-loving spirit, pre-planning, and pre-booking your trip. You will need these travel essentials to fight the legendary mad tourist rush of August head-on. So, if you are a seasoned traveler, now is the time to ditch the tourist trail and go off-grid. Soaring sun and absolute dry days mean it is time to hit the beach. Foray a little deep to find an equally picturesque alternative to the famous beaches of the Algarve in the calmer Southwest Alentejo or Centro region. Substitute watersports with an adventurous outing in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Its scenic waterfalls, lush forests, and fast-flowing rivers offer you the chance to canoe, raft or simply hike.