Places we know well enough to have opinions about.
Fourteen of these have a full guide written by our advisors, with more on the way. The rest link through to detailed region and hotel information we keep current through our relationships with colleagues around the globe. Either way, the planning starts with a conversation.
Europe
Worth knowing
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country on earth — and Greece has one of the longest coastlines in the world, at nearly 10,000 miles.
Popular seasons to visit
May, June, September, and early October for the Mediterranean — warm water, thinner crowds. July and August belong to the Alps and Scandinavia, when the mountain passes are open and the northern days run long.
Typical weather
Mediterranean summers run hot and dry, often 85–95°F. The Alps and the Nordics stay mild at 65–75°F. Winters are cold inland and surprisingly gentle on the southern coasts.
North America
Worth knowing
Alaska has more coastline than all the other US states combined — which is why so many people see it by ship rather than by road.
Popular seasons to visit
Alaska and Alberta from June through early September. Hawaii works year-round. The Northwest Territories are an aurora trip — late August through April, once the nights are dark enough.
Typical weather
Alaskan summers sit around 60–70°F. Hawaii holds 78–85°F all year. Montreal and Alberta drop well below freezing from December on.
Caribbean & Atlantic
Worth knowing
Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, which makes it one of the safer bets for travel between June and November.
Popular seasons to visit
December through April is the dry stretch and the busy one. Hurricane season runs June to November, which is exactly where Aruba’s position pays off.
Typical weather
80–88°F most of the year, with steady trade winds. Bermuda is the outlier — subtropical rather than tropical, closer to 65–75°F in winter.
Latin America
Worth knowing
Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948 and put the money into education and conservation — a quarter of the country is now protected land.
Popular seasons to visit
Costa Rica and Colombia are at their best December through April. Chile flips the calendar — November through March is the southern summer, and the only sensible window for Patagonia.
Typical weather
Costa Rica’s coasts run 75–90°F. Colombia is decided by altitude — Bogotá in the low 60s, Cartagena in the high 80s. Patagonia stays 50–65°F in summer, and windy.
Asia & the Middle East
Worth knowing
Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any other city in the world — though the best meal you’ll have there probably won’t have one.
Popular seasons to visit
Japan and Korea for cherry blossoms in late March and April, or autumn colour in October and November. Thailand, the Philippines, and Dubai are November through February.
Typical weather
Japan and Korea have four real seasons and humid summers above 85°F. Thailand and the Philippines hold 85–95°F year-round. Dubai passes 100°F from May to September.
South Pacific
Worth knowing
Fiji is made up of more than 330 islands, and roughly a third of them have anyone living on them.
Popular seasons to visit
The seasons run backwards here. New Zealand and Australia are at their best November through April; Fiji and Tahiti are driest and coolest May through October.
Typical weather
New Zealand summers reach the low 70s, cooler on the South Island. Fiji and Tahiti hold the 80s year-round. Australia’s range is enormous — Tasmania and Cairns are different planets.
Africa
Worth knowing
South Africa has three capital cities — Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein — one each for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Popular seasons to visit
May through September for South African game viewing — dry months, thin bush, animals gathering at water. Morocco is a spring or autumn trip: March to May, September to November.
Typical weather
South African winter days sit in the 70s, with mornings near freezing on an open game vehicle. Morocco’s coast stays mild while Marrakech and the Sahara climb past 100°F in summer.
Tiles marked Guide have a full Global Escapes guide written by our advisors. The rest open detailed destination and hotel information from our partners around the globe.
Somewhere else in mind?
This list isn’t the limit — it’s where we get asked most. Tell us where you’re thinking and we’ll take it from there.
