Timing is everything when it comes to travel. Autumn brings crisp weather and golden foliage ideal for strolling historic European towns; winter inspires escapes to sunny coastal getaways; spring paints flowering vistas in brilliant rainbow hues; and summer ushers in exciting festivals and world-class performances. From the tropical paradise of Costa Rica in winter to the musical celebrations of Europe in summer, each season delivers its own unique aspects to the world’s most incredible destinations.
Below, discover our top three small group tour recommendations for autumn, winter, spring, and summer – and learn when to book to experience these remarkable places at their peak.
The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) at Skogafoss, Iceland
As autumn arrives in Iceland, nights grow longer and darker, providing more opportunities to search the starlit sky for the glowing ribbons of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis). Generally, you’re most likely to see the aurora borealis above a latitude of 60° north – which means Iceland’s position at a latitude of approximately 64° north makes it one of the best places in the world to spot the legendary phenomenon.
While many factors may impact your chances of seeing the aurora borealis, you’ll likely find the most favorable viewing conditions on a September or October departure of our Exploring Iceland small group tour.
Wildebeests during migration season at Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
By September (the end of the dry season), the Great Migration is in full swing in Kenya and Tanzania, offering second-to-none game viewing opportunities. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle embark on the Great Migration, traveling in a continuous loop from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of food and water. The treacherous journey covers some 1,200 miles, traversing crocodile-infested rivers and plains patrolled by prides of hungry lions.
Our Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania and Tanzania Adventure tours offer ample safari time in both the Serengeti and Masai Mara during this peak period of wildlife activity. Check out each tour page for a full list of available departure dates.
Fall in Warsaw, Poland
For a classic autumnal experience, October departures on our Journey through Central Europe tour offer the perfect mix of colorful foliage, pleasant weather, and fewer visitors. The crisp autumn air provides the perfect environment for walking tours in old-world cities, and gray skies contrast the vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves of oak-and-beech forests – and lend an appropriate mood to our explorations of somber historic sites like Auschwitz and the Jewish ghettos.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Southeast Asia’s best weather occurs in the winter. The end of monsoon season brings slightly lower humidity and relief from the oppressive summer heat, with temperatures typically hovering in the 80s Fahrenheit throughout much of the locations on our Southeast Asia Odyssey tour. And dryer weather means clearer skies and unobstructed views of freshly watered tropical forests, green-blanketed mountains, and fertile wetlands.
Our Southeast Asia Odyssey tour provides the most comprehensive exploration of this intriguing and beautiful region during the best months for travel. Exploring Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, our small group experiences sublime natural beauty, encounters spectacular ruins, and mingles with gracious local people.
Select February and November 2027 departures of our Treasures of India small group tour attend the Nagaur Cattle Fair and Pushkar Camel Fair, respectively.
For a unique escape from winter woes, join one of the select February or November 2027 departures of our Treasures of India tour to attend India’s premier Hindu festivals: the Nagaur Cattle Fair and Pushkar Camel Fair, respectively. At these popular cultural events, locals gather in the Indian state of Rajasthan to trade cows, camels, horses, and goats, and people from all over the world flock to join in on the time-honored fun, with lively games, delicious local cuisine, traditional entertainment, and so much more.
Experience the 2027 Nagaur Cattle Fair on the February 8 and 9 departures of our Treasures of India small group tour. Or, if you’d rather travel later in the year, guests on our November 2 and 6 departures will attend the Pushkar Camel Fair. But reserve your spot now – space is limited!
Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Like Southeast Asia, Costa Rica enjoys prime weather during the winter months, with less rain, more sunshine, comfortable humidity, and predictably warm daytime temperatures. In this small Central American democracy kissed by nature, our small group discovers a nation’s wealth in four distinct regions, from cloud forest to rainforest and Central Valley to Pacific Coast. As Costa Rica presents its staggering display of biodiversity – pristine landscapes, unique microclimates, exotic flora and fauna – we enjoy a relaxed yet comprehensive exploration that celebrates the country’s wide-ranging natural resources during the best time of year.
Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, Netherlands
When it comes to must-see spring destinations, Keukenhof Gardens in the Dutch town of Lisse may top the list – and rankas as the highlight of select spring departures of our European Tapestry tour. Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is one of the world’s largest flower gardens, home to over 7,000,000 tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, all of which bloom in the spring.
The flowers you’ll see depends on several factors, including the timing of your visit. From late March to early April, you'll likely see early crocuses, early tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths; from early April to early May, tulips, daffodils, muscari, fritillaria, and late-flowering hyacinths are in bloom; from early May to mid-May, late-flowering tulips, irises, and alliums help end the season on a high note.
Our March 25 and 27, and all April and May 2027 European Tapestry departures include a tour of Keukenhof. But make your reservation soon – space is selling out fast!
Bougainvillea flowers in Obidos, Portugal
Blooming landscapes, idyllic weather, and fewer crowds characterize spring in Portugal, making it one of the most pleasant times to visit. In April and May, carnations, roses, bougainvillea, wisteria, and Spanish lavender are in full bloom, splashing whitewashed buildings and rolling green fields in rich color.
We offer three distinct tours to Portugal: Across Spain and Portugal, Discovering Portugal, and Paradores & Pousadas. To find out which is the best fit for you, visit their tour pages.
Tokyo, Japan, during cherry blossom season
Japan treasures its cherry blossom (sakura) season. In the springtime – from roughly late February to May – cherry trees across the country burst with blooms, creating a spectacle of color. Dozens of varieties are scattered throughout Japan, and while most trees produce light pink or white flowers, some have dark pink, yellow, or even green blossoms. Many cities celebrate sakura season with festivals, and families and friends often gather to picnic beneath canopies of flowers.
If you are interested in traveling to Japan during sakura season, reserve a spot on our Insider’s Japan tour right away; it is one of our most popular tours for 2027, so space is currently extremely limited. See the “Dates & Prices” section on the tour webpage or give us a call to find out which dates still have availability.
Photo credit: CGP Gray via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Polish your cowboy boots and dust off your ten-gallon hat, because summer in the western United States is rodeo season! On our brand-new The American West small group tour, guests on most June, July, and August departures will attend the Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming, the town established by and named for the legendary William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Founded in 1938, the Cody Nite Rodeo is the longest-running and only nightly rodeo show in the world, featuring classic rodeo events – such as bull riding, barrel racing, cattle roping, and more – performed by professionals and amateurs alike.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Many associate summer with festivals full of fireworks, music, and fun, and few events combine all three as well as Scotland’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which we attend on select departures of our Journey through Britain and Scotland: Highlands and Islands tours. Every July and August, over 220,000 visitors from around the world are drawn to Edinburgh, Scotland, to enjoy traditional pipe band performances, international cultural showcases, and spectacular fireworks displays.
Salzburg, Austria, lives up to its status as the birthplace of Mozart with the five-week-long annual Salzburg Festival, a celebration of classical music and drama.
Another destination with particularly musical summers is Salzburg, Austria, which serves as a backdrop for the world’s premier classical music and performing arts festival throughout the warmest months. The Salzburg Festival attracts the best conductors, orchestras, singers, actors, and solo instrumentalists from all over the world to present a wide array of operas, concerts, and dramatic performances at venues around the city. Select July and August Alpine Splendor: Switzerland and Austria departures put you in Salzburg during this iconic music and performing arts festival.
Regardless of what season you prefer to travel in, we have plenty of destinations from which to choose. Explore our full list of tour offerings here, or give us a call or submit an online reservation request for any of the small group journeys detailed above. We’d love to show you the wonders of the world in all their seasonal splendor.
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