2022 Travel Plans: Best Countries To Travel To Every Month Of The Year

From cherry blossoms to autumn foliage, sunny beaches, Christmas trees, and dreamy ski resorts, there's so much to see and do across the globe at any time of the year. As international borders begin to reopen and travel is made possible again after two long years, we've compiled a list of countries to add to your bucket list and plan a trip to for every month of the year! 🌏 This way you can catch the most beautiful sights, avoid crowds, and plan a dream vacation depending on what you're looking for.

💡 Visit these countries in January: 🇰🇭 🇹🇭 🇵🇭 🇮🇸 🇸🇪 🇫🇮

January is perfect for vacations as it's right after the year-end holidays, which means you'll get to enjoy generally more affordable prices and smaller crowds! Most countries in Southeast Asia (with the exception of Indonesia) are in the dry season in January, so you can expect little rain and lower humidity, great for going temple-hopping in Cambodia, an adventure in the Philippines, or a food and shopping spree in Thailand.

If you'd like to travel to Thailand, you can consider a trip to Khao Yai, a whimsical city located just 3 hours from Bangkok! This little hidden gem is filled with beautiful floral fields, farms, wineries, and even a dreamy Italian-themed village. Best part? The weather in Khao Yai is generally a few degrees cooler than Bangkok and can drop to 15°C in the evenings, allowing for fun sightseeing in a cool breeze. Book a private car charter that will bring you from Bangkok to Khao Yai and around the quaint city based on your personalized itinerary.

If you'd like to venture somewhere cold, faraway destinations like Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden are also perfect in January - not only it's one of the best months to view the northern lights, but you'll also get to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding! ⛷❄️

💡 Visit these countries in February: 🇯🇵 🇳🇿

Want to escape the year-round heat of Malaysia and experience winter? Pack your warmest sweaters and catch a flight to Hokkaido, where the Sapporo Snow Festival is held every February and the city gets decked out with giant snow and ice sculptures! ☃️ It snows everywhere and almost every day in Hokkaido during the winter, and you'll get to enjoy winter sports as well as feast on seasonal winter delicacies such as oysters, scallops, cod, and winter strawberries. If you'd prefer flowers and warmer weather though, visit Hokkaido in the summer instead (from July to August) to catch a glimpse of blooming fields of flowers. 🌼

Not too keen on the cold? Catch a flight to New Zealand for a fun and adventurous summer instead. February is one of the driest months for New Zealand, and you'll be able to expect long and bright summer days, perfect for activities such as hiking at the national parks, mountain biking, camping, or spending time at the beach. Although the hottest month in the country, temperatures usually go up to only around 25°C, so it won't be unbearably hot. You can also get the best of both worlds by planning a trip up the mountainous regions, where temperatures are cool and pleasant.

💡 Visit these countries in March: 🇨🇭 🇻🇳

Have a fairytale-like time in Switzerland in March, as the country steps into the early days of spring. You'll still get to see snow and enjoy chilly weather of up to 10°C, while not having to bundle up and freeze. Book yourself a Swiss Travel Pass and hop on scenic train rides that will bring you to beautiful villages, towering Alps, lush green meadows, popular ski resorts, and quaint historical towns.

Another great country to visit in March is Vietnam. If Switzerland is too far-fetched and expensive for you, Vietnam promises a more wallet-friendly adventure, along with pleasant spring weather and clear skies. We'd recommend planning a trip to Northern Vietnam - the weather is nice and relaxing in Hanoi, perfect for a sightseeing day trip to Ha Long Bay, and hiking in Sa Pa.

💡 Visit these countries in April: 🇰🇷 🇯🇵 🇹🇼 🇨🇳 🇳🇱 🇹🇭

April is when countries in East Asia get pretty in pink. 🌸 It's the golden period to travel to places like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the winter cold is over. Different regions in these countries bloom at slightly different timeframes (some as early as the end of March), so make sure you check the forecast calendar and plan your trip accordingly. We'd also highly recommend getting a train pass so you can embark on a 'cherry blossom chase' across the country!

Prefer tulips over cherry blossoms? The Netherlands is also a dreamland for flower lovers in April, when the country's beautiful, colourful tulips are in full bloom. The weather in April is perfect for exploring the countryside by bike, taking a river cruise in the sunshine, and strolling through fields with blooming tulips.

How can we miss out on Thailand in April? Thailand may be hot and humid in April, but it really comes to life with the iconic Songkran festival, celebrated every year from the 13th to 15th of April! The world-renowned festive water celebration involves water fights on the streets, getting drenched, and lots of laughter. There's also great meaning behind it, as the Thai people believe that water is spiritually purifying, can cleanse you of your bad luck from the past year, and bless you with fortune and happiness for the year ahead.

💡 Visit these countries in May: 🇲🇾 🇮🇩

Why travel far when there's much beauty to be explored close to home? In May, the islands on the East Coast of Malaysia will have fully reopened after months of monsoon closures. If you're a beach and ocean lover, it's the perfect time to go snorkelling and scuba diving on islands such as Pulau Redang, Perhentian, Tioman, and Lang Tengah. Dive conditions are usually pleasant, and the islands don't get as crowded as in peak months such as July and August.

Bali is also a great spot to travel to in May, when the weather is warm and sunny, and there are fewer crowds, little rainfall, and calm seas. Spend your days cafe hopping, sipping on fresh coconuts, visiting temples, exploring the paddy fields, and catching sunsets by the beach! You can also cool down at the Waterbom Bali waterpark, trek through the majestic Mount Batur at sunrise, and get an adrenaline rush via white water rafting along the Ayung River.

Looking for a nearby destination to escape to during the May holidays? May is shoulder season for Singapore (also known as 'the quiet month' leading up to the school holidays), which is when you can see the best of the Little Red Dot before it gets too crowded. Have a fun day at Universal Studios Singapore, book a stay at a hotel with amazing city views, catch sight of the world's tallest indoor waterfall, or just spend hours exploring hidden gems and underrated spots around our neighbouring country.

💡 Visit these countries in June: 🇦🇺 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Up for a mid-year road trip? We've previously travelled to Australia and June and loved it there during this time of the year. The weather in Australia is great in June (averaging around 10 - 16°C) and it's also a low travel season, which means fewer tourists as well as cheaper flights and accommodation. The moderate temperatures and great sunshine make it perfect for road trips, swimming in the Great Barrier Reef, days at the theme park or zoo, or just city explorations - you'll be able to walk a lot because it's neither too hot nor too cold!

Another destination we'd recommend travelling to in June is Scotland. Scotland is so often overshadowed by other more popular countries in the United Kingdom and Europe but is definitely worth adding to your bucket list. June marks the beginning of summer in Scotland, which means longer daylight hours, pleasant weather of just under 20°C, and lots of fun things to do such as summer festivals, adventures in the highlands, camping, hiking, and more. We also recommend planning a road trip to the Isle of Skye, known as one of the most beautiful spots on earth. ✨

💡 Visit these countries in July: 🇺🇸

July may be the hottest month of the year for most cities in the United States, but it's great for sunshine junkies! You can hike, swim, go on a road trip, or just spend time in the city museum-hopping, food-hunting, and seeing all the sights you have on your bucket list. Also, you'll be treated to colourful Independence Day celebrations, street parades, concerts, food fairs, and fireworks if you plan your trip to coincide with the Fourth of July! Some of the best cities to get a taste of the celebrations include New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

💡 Visit these countries in August: 🇲🇾 🇨🇳

Dedicate August to showing our very own country some love, how 'bout that? We always love rediscovering Malaysia in August, in the days that lead up to the Independence Day of Malaysia. Go camping, plan a road trip, visit a state that you've not checked off your list, hunt for some good local food, or escape to a sparkling beach for some vitamin sea. You'll be surprised by how much beauty there is so close to home.

While August is one of the hottest months in China, it's still a lovely destination to add to your mid-year vacation list, and you can plan a trip to provinces with cooler weather if you're afraid of the heat! Some popular destinations with high altitudes and spring-like weather even in August include Yunnan, Guilin, Guizhou, and Tibet. Be prepared for breathtaking landscapes and lots of summer fun.

💡 Visit these countries in September: 🇹🇷 🇳🇵

September is when most countries shed off the heat of summer and step into autumn. One of our top recommended countries to travel to in September is Turkey, where the weather starts to cool off and makes it more comfortable for travelling (especially towards the end of September and in October). Take the opportunity to see all the sights on your list during this time of the year as you'll likely not have to rub shoulders with throngs of tourists. You can also escape the bustling streets of Istanbul by catching a ferry to the Prince's Islands.

As the monsoon gradually dissipates leading up to September, Nepal is another beautiful country to add to your list. Expectblue clear skies, fresh air, breathtaking views, and pleasant hiking conditions as you travel there during this time of the year. The peak travel season in Nepal is actually from October to December, so if you head there in September, you'll be able to avoid huge crowds and have most of the beauty to yourself. ✨

💡 Visit these countries in October: 🇩🇪 🇨🇦

At the top of our list of countries to travel to in October is none other than Germany. Grab a slice of the excitement at the Oktoberfest, the world's most famous beer festival in Munich, if beer is your sort of thing! But besides Oktoberfest, there are plenty of other festivals happening in October in Germany, such as the Festival of Lights in Berlin, the world's largest pumpkin festival in Ludwigsburg, and wine festivals across the country. Festivities aside, October blesses the country with pleasant weather - though it's important to note that there may be rainy days, so make sure you pack your autumn jacket, solid walking shoes, and a raincoat or umbrella.

Another country that comes to life with fall festivals in October is beautiful Canada, a destination that's always dreamy when it comes to travelling in autumn. Catch a glimpse of colourful fall foliage and have fun at fall celebrations where you'll get to eat lots of pumpkin and apples, and sip on wine. 🍷

💡 Visit these countries in November: 🇯🇵 🇹🇭

If you've always wanted to travel to Japan yet cannot stand the extreme cold or heat, November is the perfect time to visit the Land of the Rising Sun. The weather in Japan is cool and crisp in November, and you'll get to stroll through streets with radiant autumn foliage. If you get cold in the evenings as the temperature starts to get chillier, an onsen soak will do the trick to bring you back to warmth! 🥰

One popular Southeast Asia destination to travel to in November is Chiang Mai, a mountainous city located in Northern Thailand. November is when the magical Yee Peng Festival (celebrated in tandem with Loy Krathong) takes place - the Thai Festival of Lights is one of the most beautiful and popular festivals in Asia, and you'll get to catch sight of thousands of paper lanterns as they drift into the full moon sky. You can make a wish and launch your own lantern while you're there!

💡 Visit these countries in December: 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 🇨🇭 🇨🇿 🇩🇪 🇭🇰 🇸🇬

December is undoubtedly the most popular month of travel (especially if you've saved up all your annual leaves and can't wait for a break from work!), and plenty of destinations are great for travelling during this month of the year.

If you're ok to spend a bit more, we highly recommend planning a trip to the UK or Europe, where the year-end Christmas vibes will be in full swing. 🎄 Our top picks for Christmas getaways are London, Edinburgh, France (you can visit the capital of Christmas in Strasbourg 🎅🏻), Prague, Germany, and Switzerland! Travel hassle-free between multiple European countries with a Eurail Global Pass bookable on Klook.

If you wish to get some Christmas vibes without travelling too far, destinations in Asia such as Hong Kong and Singapore are great alternatives during the year-end. Hong Kong and Singapore get decked up in December, and there are annual decorations and events at attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland, Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, and more. Besides Christmas fun, you'll also get to countdown to the new year with amazing fireworks displays!

Let us be a part of your adventures across the globe! From train passes to day tours, pocket wifi, car rental, and more, we've got all you need to plan a safe and hassle-free trip wherever you wanna go.