Your clients come to you with a time frame of when they plan to take their next vacation. They may already have a destination in mind, or they are seeking your input on which countries have ideal weather conditions compatible with their window for travel. Whether you are determining when or where to send your clients, here is a rundown of the best time to go to our most in-demand locations.
ASIA
India
Best Time to Go: September and January – March
Winter: December – March | Summer: June – September
India is a huge country with different climates throughout its regions. While you want to note summers in North India can reach beyond 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees C) – making conditions for exploring the cities of Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai very brutal – avoiding the monsoon seasons must be at the forefront of your planning.
The summer monsoon (southwest monsoon) affects all of India from June to September. If visiting the Indian state of Rajasthan is on clients’ list, book it for September to miss the monsoon and have good weather. The winter monsoon (northeast monsoon) causes loads of rainfall in Southeast India from October to December, so it is best to postpone a trip to Bangalore or Chennai during this time.
In general, the best time to book clients’ trip to India is January through March to avoid the monsoon seasons. In addition, clients visiting in March have the bonus of catching some of the colorful Holi celebrations taking place.
Japan
Best Time to Go: March – May and September – November
Winter: December – February | Summer: June – August
Japan gives travelers the options of experiencing sub-tropical weather in the south (islands of Okinawa, Shikoku, and Kyushu) and sub-arctic weather in the north. The northern island of Hokkaido is top choice for those going to Japan to ski, in which the best time to go is December through February. Another activity, exclusive to the winter months, is seeing the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi (northeast of Tokyo). The colder months of November through February are said to be the best months to see Mount Fuji.
Typhoon season takes place from late May to October, peaking in the months of August and September. The southernmost island of Okinawa is most affected by typhoons, but the northward island of Honshu, where Tokyo is located, is low risk to being thrashed by tropical cyclones. On the other hand, Japan’s monsoon season lasts from May to July, starting in Okinawa and moving to Tokyo. While clients are likely safe from typhoons in Tokyo, the city is most affected by rainy monsoons in June and July.
The months regarded as the most comfortable with the least amount of crowds are March through early April and October through November. That being said, each of Japan’s seasons has its beautiful advantages: Cherry blossoms bloom in April and springtime has perfect temperatures, summer is packed with festivals, autumn is praised for vibrant colors, and winter is prime for skiing and snowboarding. Once you know what clients want to do, you will easily be able to plan around Japan’s weather patterns.
Read up on things to do in our blog post, Visiting Japan: Top Destination for 2021.
The Philippines
Best Time to Go: December – February
Winter: December – March | Summer: June – September
Vacationing to the nirvana that is The Philippines during December through February avoids the most active months of its typhoon season, which happens June to September. Even so, the central island of Cebu stays fairly dry during typhoon season and your clients can still experience a beautiful paradise if they go during these months.
January is agreed as the best time to visit The Philippines because the islands are fully accessible, temperatures are high and encourage long days of relaxing in the sun and splashing in the ocean, and it is the month least likely to be spoiled by rain. The Sinulog Festival occurs the third Sunday of January in Cebu, giving clients the opportunity to engage in a local celebration. If clients are heading to Manilla in February, they are in a similar position to attend authentic festivities as the city of Baguio (north of Manilla) celebrates Panagbenga, the Flower Festival.
Europe
Ireland
Best Time to Go: March – May and September – November
Winter: December – March | Summer: June – August
Although it rains a lot here, extreme weather is a very rare occurrence, and a mild climate is common throughout the year. Summer temperatures range in the sixties (15-20 degrees C) during July and August, which are considered the warmest months. These comfortable temperatures are excellent for exploring the cities and seeing eye-opening landscapes that are most vibrant during this time. However, this is also the most crowded and expensive time of year. Reserve your hotels or hostels early and get the best deals on lodging with WINGS.
Springtime, between March and May, is favored as the best time to visit Ireland because it is less crowded and beginning to warm from winter – which only dips to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees C), so winters aren’t unbearable by the standards of those who live in Midwest of the United States. Dublin’s Saint Patrick’s Day in March will thrill clients who want to attend one of Ireland’s biggest festivals. Derry, in Northern Ireland, is known to host a big-time Halloween celebration in October.
Turkey
Best Time to Go: March – May and October
Winter: November – February | Summer: June – August
Visiting Turkey March through May and October keeps travelers from experiencing the hot and cold extremes of Turkish weather. But booking vacation in Turkey during its winter months eliminates the crowds clients would encounter at the many historic sites they want to see while there. Even in winter, coastal cities like Istanbul and Antalya, do not have terribly low temperatures. November through February is an advantageous time for curious clients to explore the country’s wealth of ruins, mosques, and bazaars without fighting crowds and getting overheated.
It gets very hot in the summer, but the high temperatures are perfect for those wanting to spend their vacation at one of Turkey’s beautiful beaches. Keep in mind summer is high season for Turkey’s gorgeous seaside resorts, meaning crowds and higher prices. The interior city of Cappadocia, while much busier in autumn, is a better bargain during this time. Plus, the Balloon Fest Cappadocia happens in July. Another beautiful Turkish festival worth noting is the Istanbul Tulip Festival which takes bloom in April.
Greece
Best Time to Go: April – June and September – October
Winter: November – March | Summer: June – August
Travel experts and veteran visitors suggest avoiding August when scheduling a vacation to Greece. The extremely inflated prices, masses of tourists, and the scorching heat waves make traveling during this month horrific and, even though it is high season, will keep clients from experiencing a lot of Greece due to overbooked hotels and activities.
Fortunately, water temperatures remain warm through September and October, so clients can enjoy multi-day boat tours across the sea and absorbing the sunshine at Greece’s many adored beaches. Although Greek winters manage an average low temperature of 53 degrees (12 degrees C), November through February are its rainiest months, and the off-season renders many tourism amenities unavailable.
April through June is the best time to go to experience springtime in Greece and get better deals on hotels and activities. The temperatures are also pleasant for exploring ancient sites like the Acropolis or Delphi, and it is less busy. Be wary of Easter Week in the beginning of May. This short period brings a spike in prices and many hotels booked out by locals joining the festivities.
South America
Peru
Best Time to Go: May – September
Winter: May – September | Summer: December – March
After Peru a drop in COVID-19 cases, Machu Picchu reopened to travelers. Seeing bucket list excursions on our Top Travel Trends 2021, we expect to learn of clients who are asking their travel agents about hiking Machu Picchu. April and May are the best times to discover the Inca citadel as it is part of Peru’s dry season (May – September) and yields the most vibrant surroundings. The Inca trail closes in February, so do not plan hiking Machu Picchu then
Peru’s dry season is best overall because clients are likely to be outside a lot when visiting. The capital, Cuzco, is known for its cobblestone street walking tours and Inti Raymi (the Festival of the Sun) in the end of June. Both are major outdoor activities. However, northern Peru, close to Ecuador, is nice year-round while Lima receives a lot of heavy fog during the dry season, obstructing the coastal views clients would otherwise look forward to.
Africa
South Africa
Best Time to Travel: May – September
Winter: June – September | Summer: December – March
The best things to do in South Africa involve being outside, so booking trips during the dry season is key to ensure your clients have the best time. South Africa’s dry season runs from May through September, where the temperatures are comfortable. September is considered the best month for safaris because animals tend to gather around the watering holes during this time and excursions won’t be booked out by school trips.
In contrast, the beyond beautiful destination of Cape Town experiences the most rainfall from May to September, and the best times to go end up being November through February. Because Cape Town is famous for its surfeit of outdoor wonders, you want to lower the risk of your clients encountering rain days as much as possible by sticking to this timeframe. The average temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees C), making the weather perfect for hiking Table Mountain and Lions Head.
When you and your clients have settled on a destination, log in to your WINGS Booking Engine to book airfare, hotels, car rentals, and land activities that will interest your clients. WINGS is armed with technology that brings the best deals on airfare, hotels, and additional travel needs to the front of your search. Secure all of it right from your portal, and add travel insurance to ensure their safety throughout the trip.
For the most updated information on traveling during COVID-19 and a list of which countries are open to U.S. travelers, visit our resource page here.