The perfect holidays for every month of 2025
Timing. It’s the key to successful travel. With the whole of 2025 stretching ahead, now is the perfect moment to think about what’s on your holiday wish list and precisely which month to pack your suitcase.
Weather is important of course, but there’s a lot more to think about when planning the perfect break. Avoiding the peak season weeks may be preferable in terms of cost and crowds, but sometimes it’s fun to hit the high days and enjoy the communal excitement of an annual festival, a one-off performance or a regional celebration – or just to immerse yourself in the upbeat buzz of a lively resort.
Seasons are a big factor for choosing when to travel too. Being in the right place for the best of the springtime flowers or the autumn colours; or coinciding your trip with the annual migration of birds, animals or sea life. If food is your thing, then it makes sense to time your trip around local harvests for the tastiest produce at the cheapest prices.
We’ve come up with a breakdown of holidays to suit every month of the year whether you fancy a culture-filled city break, an adventurous touring holiday, a chance to get active, or perhaps just a flop on the beach in some warm sunshine. Whatever your preference, there’s something for you.
And since timing is also a key factor when it comes to booking, the good news is that January is the month when the travel industry magics up a whole range of money-saving offers for getaways throughout the year. Whether low deposits, hotel upgrades, early-bird flight prices or complimentary child places, it’s a great time to fill your calendar with exciting plans without breaking the bank.
So read on to find sunshine without the crowds in the Caribbean, a family beach festival in Cornwall, beautiful blooms in the Netherlands, culture without the queues in Madrid, or spectacular whale-watching in California. Here’s your month-by-month guide for tracking down the perfect holiday.
Choose your month:
January
City sights: Soak up the culture in London
Now is the perfect time for a short break in the capital as the festive frenzy ebbs away. There’s time to catch the Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael exhibition at the Royal Academy or the British Museum’s Silk Roads exhibition before they close next month. Take in a West End show and find a bargain in the sales.
Sun and sand: Head to a beach in Thailand
Make the most of this month’s long-haul bargains. Thailand is a good last minute bet because of the number of flights to Bangkok. Keep an eye on tour operator websites: Kuoni (0800 088 5783; kuoni.co.uk) offers deals to the beach destinations of Phuket or Khao Lak on the west coast where temperatures will be nudging 30C.
On the move: See the Northern Lights in Finland
Head north to Narvik, beyond the Arctic Circle, one of the best places to view the lights. Book a berth on a 15-night “In Search of the Northern Lights” offered by Fred Olsen (fredolsencruises.com) departing Southampton on January 18, from £1,399pp. The cruise takes you up the Norwegian coast, calling in at Alesund, Leones, Tromsø and Alta.
Active adventure: Hit the slopes in Obergurgl
This month you not only have the best chance of good snow but at the lowest prices and without the crowds. The Austrian resort of Obergurgl is pretty, with wonderful mountain scenery and comfortable half-board hotels. Crystal (020 3451 2821; crystalski.co.uk) offers a range of hotels to suit all budgets.
February
City sights: Dance the night away in Vienna
It’s ball season in Austria’s capital and everyone is welcome to join in, whether to dance or watch the glittering spectacle from tables which circle the dance floors of magnificent ballrooms. In February, Marriott Hotels (0800 085 8179; marriott.com) offers a two-night Opera Ball break at the Hotel Imperial, from £620 per night.
Sun and sand: Take bucket and spades to Lanzarote
Take the family to the Canary Islands for temperatures averaging 20C and long days with around seven hours of sunshine. Some of the best beaches fringe the south coast of Lanzarote, around the resort of Playa Blanca – but the north of the island is quieter and less developed. First Choice (0203 451 2690; firstchoice.co.uk) has a range of good all-inclusive packages.
On the move: Go whale-watching in Mexico
Witness the extraordinary sight of grey whales gathering off Baja California’s Pacific Coast to mate and calve this month before they head to the southern Arctic feeding grounds. Whale-watching cruises accompanied by expert naturalists are offered by Wildlife Worldwide (01962 302086; wildlifeworldwide.com), from £4,195, including flights.
Active adventure: Ride a camel in Morocco
Introduce your children to Morocco’s intriguing culture and landscapes on an adventurous week touring the souks of Marrakech and exploring the Sahara Desert. Adventure operators Explore (01252 240702; explore.co.uk) organise seven-night itineraries timed to fit into the half-term week, from £1,175pp.
March
City sights: Tour the sights in Rome
Nip to Italy’s capital this month while airfares are relatively low and before the pilgrims arrive (it’s a Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church in 2025, so Easter will be particularly busy). The big tourist sights including the Forum and the Colosseum will be quieter too. Flights with easyJet (easyJet.com) and Ryanair (ryanair.com) start at £42 return.
Sun and sand: Bask on the beach in Barbados
Blissful in March and a perfect moment for a pre-Easter bargain before schools break up and prices escalate. Temperatures are in the high 20s with around nine hours of sunshine. Caribtours (020 7751 0660; caribtours.co.uk) offers the best of the west coast beach hotels.
On the move: Hike the trails of Cyprus
Savour the early spring sunshine in Cyprus, among the first of the Mediterranean destinations to warm up. Temperatures of around 17C and seven hours of sunshine makes it perfect for a walking holiday. Headwater (01606 720199; headwater.com) opens its programme with a seven-night “Walking on the Akamas Peninsula”, from £619pp.
Active adventure: Watch the wildlife in Antarctica
Book a berth on an expedition ship to spot king penguins with their chicks plus plenty of Antarctic fur and elephant seals. March falls at the end of the short summer season and although the wildlife is still active, there are fewer cruise ships about. Discover The World (01737 214250; discover-the-world.com) offers itineraries from Ushuaia in Argentina, from £6,680, excluding flights.
April
City sights: Join the party in Seville
Time your visit for Seville’s Holy Week (Semana Santa starts on April 13) to watch the celebrations in the lead-up to Easter Sunday (April 20). Floats depicting religious scenes and images are carried through the city streets in long and colourful processions. Book flights and accommodation with Jet2 Holidays (0333 014 0236; jet2holidays.com).
Sun and sand: Combine rides and beach in Florida
Spend the Easter holidays in Florida, where temperatures nudge 28C in April. Trailfinders (020 7084 6500; trailfinders.com) offers a two-week “Ultimate Family Adventure” combining Universal Orlando Resort, the Walt Disney World resort and Clearwater Beach on the west coast, with a day at the Kennedy Space Center. From £9,149 per family, based on two adults and two children.
On the move: Admire the flowers in the Netherlands
It’s peak time for admiring dazzling displays of spring blooms. Catch the full glory in Lisse’s Keukenhof Park with its variety of themed gardens and the fields of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips, south of Haarlem. The annual Flower Parade travels from Noordwijk to Haarlem on April 12. Shearings (01709 249 698; shearings.com) has the four-day “Delightful Dutch Bulbfields and Amsterdam” trip from £399pp.
Active adventure: Find the pharaohs in Egypt
Bring the classroom to life with a family trip to Egypt where April temperatures will be warm and sunny but not sizzling. Family specialist Stubborn Mule (01728 752751; stubbornmuletravel.com) has an eight-night “Highlights of Egypt” tour – combining the Giza Pyramids, Cairo, Aswan and Luxor with an overnight Nile felucca cruise – from £1,550pp.
May
City sights: Book a book break in Dublin
Immerse yourself in the city’s International Literature Festival (ilfdublin.com) from May 16-25 in Merrion Square Park. The programme includes readings, conversations, debates, screenings and guided walks plus a Fringe programme and family events. Stay at Stauntons on the Green (from £164; stauntonsonthegreen.ie) next to MoLi (Dublin’s Museum of Literature Ireland).
Sun and sand: Find the spring heat in Crete
For the best chance of balmy weather without flying too far in May, head to Greece’s largest island where temperatures are rising to 23C, with 14 hours of daylight. GIC The Villa Collection (0208 232 9780; gicthevillacollection.com) has a wide range of self-catering properties, including Villa Anastasia (sleeping seven) near the beach at Kalives, on the island’s north coast.
On the move: Savour the scents in France
Savour the perfumed blooms at Grasse’s International Rose Festival in mid-May, famous for its perfume industry and near to the resort of Cannes. Garden tour specialist, Brightwater Holidays (01334 402209; brightwaterholidays.com) offers a five-night “Gardens of the Riviera” trip, departing May 8, from £2,395, including flights and private access visits.
Active adventure: Hike the Inca trail in Peru
This month offers the best chance of clear, mild weather and quiet trails before the busier peak season months for the iconic, four-day walk from Ollantaytambo, through the high Andes mountains and cloud forests to Machu Picchu. Exodus (0203 399 32193; exodustravels.com) offers a variety of itineraries which include the trek.
June
City sights: Hit the high notes in Verona
The city’s Opera Festival season, based in its vast Roman amphitheatre, starts on June 13, with tickets ranging from around £25 to £250. This is the month to see Verdi’s Nabucco, Aida or La Traviata. Tailormade specialist Kirker (020 7593 2288; kirkerholidays.com) offers three- or four-night breaks with tickets for performances included.
Sun and sand: Beat the crowds in Majorca
The perfect month to enjoy a quiet week on a Majorcan beach before the schools break up and the families arrive. Tui (0203 451 2688; tui.co.uk) offers stays at four-star Hotel Illa d’Or, in a secluded spot near Albercutx beach, a ten-minute drive from the old town of Pollença with a pool, tennis court, spa and views of the Tramuntana hills. From £1,414pp for seven nights B&B, including flights.
On the move: Tour the parks in the US
The Grand Canyon’s North Rim, quieter and more scenic than the South Rim, is open for the season and the peak summer crowds are yet to show up. The North America Travel Service (0333 323 9099; northamericatravelservice.co.uk) offers a 15-night “Classic West” fly-drive from Los Angeles, taking in both the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.
Active adventure: Mark the solstice in Sweden
Midsummer celebrations include traditional dancing and feasting throughout the country. Days are at their longest and the sun barely sets at all making June the perfect month for outdoor activities. Best Served Scandinavia (020 3318 9695; best-served.co.uk) offers various fly-drives and adventure holidays.
July
A city break: Celebrate Independence in Boston
Time your visit to coincide with Independence Day on July 4, when the city hosts one of the country’s largest festivals over several days of events. Boston Harborfest includes re-enactments, processions, marching bands, concerts and a spectacular fireworks display over the Charles River. BA Holidays (0344 493 0787; ba.com) offers short-stay breaks.
Sun and sand: Find family fun in Cornwall
Head to the West Country. This month sees the Arts on the Beach family festival take place (July 5-6) on Watergate Bay’s soft sand beach near Newquay on the north coast. Stay at Watergate Bay Hotel, which has rooms from £280 (01637 860543; watergatebay.co.uk), for this free event which combines music, dance and creative workshops.
On the move: Smell the scents in Provence
The lavender fields reach full bloom this month, a glorious sight, and the sunflowers also start to unfurl on the Luberon and Verdon plateaus to the north of Aix-en-Provence. Expressions Holidays (01392 441245; expressionsholidays.co.uk) can arrange eight-day fly-drive holidays from Marseille from £2,310pp.
Active adventure: Catch the migration in Kenya
Wildebeest and zebra start their long journey through the Masai Mara as the dry season gets under way this month. Get ahead of the peak season crowds to view this extraordinary spectacle as the herds congregate to make the Mara and Talek river crossings. Audley Travel (01993 460 411; audleytravel.com) has a 10-day “Northern Kenya & the Great Migration” trip, from £14,850pp.
August
City sights: Pick a performance in Edinburgh
The 79th Edinburgh International Festival is themed “The Truth We Seek”, and runs from August 1-24, combining opera, music, theatre and dance, with the Festival Fringe attracting the usual range of comedians, children’s shows and exhibitions. Native Places (020 7221 2028; nativeplaces.com) has studio and one-bedroom apartments in the city centre to suit a range of budgets.
Sun and sand: Soak up the rays in Northern Spain
Find a family-sized villa by the beach. Vintage Travel (01954 261431; vintagetravel.co.uk) has introduced new properties for August including Villa Jimena, sleeping eight with a private pool, on a hillside overlooking the sandy shores and fishing village of Tamariu on the Costa Brava. The beaches of Aiguablava, Platja Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell are close by.
On the move: Explore the landscapes of Iceland
Grab your chance to visit Iceland in August before its fleetingly short summer season ends and temperatures drop. This month, Discover the World (01737 214291; discover-the-world.co.uk) offers a 14-night “Around Iceland” self-drive package with whale watching and glacier hiking, based in the scenic Snaefellsnes Peninsula. From £2,472, excluding flights.
Active adventure: Sail the seas in Indonesia
Join an exciting eight-night sailing itinerary offered by Venturesail Holidays (01872 487288; venturesailholidays.com), during which you’ll travel on a traditional Indonesian yacht to the island of Komodo, home to the world’s largest lizard. The August 9 departure is aimed at families, and highlights include a swim with whale sharks. From £4,320pp, excluding flights.
September
City sights: Race to the regatta in Venice
The first Sunday of this month (September 7 2025) sees the Regata Storica take place in the Grand Canal, an event which dates back to the 13th century. Witness the spectacular water pageant preceding stand-up rowing races, Venetian-style. The four-star San Cassiano Residenza D’Epoca (0039 041 5241768; sancassiano.it) overlooks the Grand Canal, and has rooms from £218.
Sun and sand: Join a house party in Turkey
Take advantage of this sunny shoulder season month when seaside hotels empty and resorts quieten down. Single specialist Friendship Travel (0289 446 2211; friendshiptravel.com) has a seven-night break, departing September 2, from £975pp, including flights and exclusive use of Forever Hotel in Fethiye, a family run three-star hotel near a long stretch of sandy beach with double rooms for single occupancy.
On the move: Love the leaves in New England
Peak time for spectacular Fall colours starts in mid-September when blue skies combine with sunny days for perfect touring weather. Titan Travel (0800 988 5823; titantravel.co.uk) offers a nine-night “Boston and New England in the Fall” trip from £3,495pp, travelling through Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, with a cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Active adventure: See the bears in Canada
As the autumn migration of Pacific salmon returning to British Columbia to spawn gets underway, it’s now that Black and Grizzly Bears can be spotted feasting on the fish. Naturetrek (01962 733051; naturetrek.co.uk) offers a ten-day ”Spirit Bears, Grizzlies & Humpbacks” tour from £7,995pp (including flights), departing September 12, timed to coincide with this unforgettable sight.
October
City sights: Have half term in New York
October sees this exciting city on a cusp, with shop windows dressed for Hallowe’en and the skating rink opening in Central Park with weather that can be bright and sunny with a tingly chill in the air. Perfect for a family half term, for the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and other city sights. Virgin Atlantic Holidays (0344 472 9646; virginholidays.co.uk) has various options from £922pp.
Sun and sand: Lounge on a beach in Mauritius
By October temperatures are rising to around 27C with eight hours of sunshine and deliciously warm seas. This is one of the driest months in Mauritius, a great destination for a sun-drenched half term break, if you’re happy to fly the distance. Tui (0203 451 2688; tui.co.uk) has a range of good-value packages.
On the move: Take a cruise from China to Japan
A new 15-day itinerary from Beijing and Tokyo departs on October 17 with Viking Cruises (0800 298 9700; vikingcruises.co.uk), priced at £7,490pp, including flights. Voyage to Shanghai before crossing the East China Sea to the South Korean island of Jeju, and on to Japan. Highlights include the cities of Kochi and Osaka with an excursion to Mount Fuji.
Active adventure: Get out and active in Jordan
With temperatures around 25C and nine hours of sunshine, it’s an optimum time to explore Jordan. Adventure specialist, Families Worldwide (01962 302062; familiesworldwide.co.uk) offers a small-group nine-day “Active Jordan” tour to suit children aged from 12 years, departing October 25, with a Dead Sea swim, a visit to Petra and snorkelling in Aqaba. From £2,665 (adult) and £2,295 (child), including flights.
November
City sights: Avoid the queues in Madrid
In November, the queues that usually snake from the doors of Madrid’s top sights to see the Prado’s art collection, Picasso’s Guernica in the Reina Sofía Museum and the Royal Palace die away – making this an ideal month to tour the highlights on a short break in the Spanish capital. Stay at centrally-located NH Collection Madrid Paseo del Prado (0203 4998 271; nh-hotels.com), which has doubles from £261.
Sun and sand: Catch the action in Mexico
Indulge in the feasting, music and dancing of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations from November 1-2, or go later in the month for balmy beach weather combined with trips to see the iconic Mayan sites of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá before the peak season rush in December. Trailfinders (0207 084 6518; trailfinders.com) has some good options, including the four-night “Yucatan Discovery” trip, which costs £1,705pp, excluding flights.
On the move: Circle the triangle in India
Dry and sunny but not too hot, November is the perfect month for touring northern India’s classic sights. Voyages Jules Verne (020 3553 9341; vjv.com) offers a nine-night “India’s Golden Triangle” tour (departing November 1 or 15) from £2,295pp, including flights. Highlights include Jaipur’s Amber Fort, the Taj Mahal at Agra, and a tour of Old and New Delhi.
Active adventure: Spot the babies in Botswana
This month sees the arrival of spring in sub-Saharan Africa: a quiet but magical time of year for watching the dry and dusty bush transition to a green, flower-filled landscape. It’s also the month when the antelopes, including tsessebe and impala, produce their endearingly doe-eyed calves. Cazenove+loyd (020 7384 2332; cazloyd.com) has a good range of holidays, including a tailormade Zimbabwe and Botswana trip, priced from £10,240pp, excluding flights.
December
City sights: Make for the market in Tallinn
Chilly December temperatures mean the best chance of seeing snowflakes flutter down on a twinkling Christmas market is in Estonia’s fairytale capital, where a huge Christmas tree dominates the Town Hall Square. Stay at Hotel St Petersbourg (00 372 628 6500; st-petersbourg-tallinn.at-hotels.com) in the city’s Old Town, which has rooms from £116.
Sun and sand: Seek out the sand in Cape Town
South Africa’s beaches are sun-splashed year round, but for particularly clear skies, long days and soporific heat with temperatures reaching 30C, December is a perfect month to visit. Head to the white sand of Camps Bay or Clifton 4th beach with its translucent waters. Scott Dunn (020 4600 5396; scottdunn.com) has the 10-night “Extraordinary South Africa” tour, which includes time on Cape Town’s coast, from £4,500pp.
On the move: Board a festive cruise to the Caribbean
Escape the UK gloom with Christmas on the Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, which begins a 27-night voyage by calling into New York before sailing on to the Caribbean islands of St Kitts, Antigua, St Maarten and Tortola (0344 338 8641; cunard.com). From £4,699pp, departing Southampton on December 15.
Active adventure: Meet Father Christmas in Lapland
There’s no better month for meeting Santa and his elves – as well as introducing the children to a range of snow-based activities, from a husky sled ride to a snowmobile safari. Inghams (01483 944 936; inghams.co.uk) offers three- or four-night Santa Breaks in the Finnish resorts of Yllas, Levi and Muonio.
