Not sure where to book next? As we look ahead to the coming months, a handful of destinations begin to come into their own, shaped by shifting seasons, wildlife movements, and cultural moments that offer a different perspective on each place. 

From calmer waters in the Galapagos to festive celebrations in Malaysia, and from Tasmania’s summer landscapes to wildlife spectacles across Africa and Central America, these are the journeys our specialists are recommending for travel between December and March, and beyond. 

Whether you are planning ahead or simply gathering inspiration, these seasonal highlights offer a thoughtful starting point for your next trip. With Audley Travel’s local expertise and the service of Travel Four Seasons, we can help you create a considered, tailor-made journey designed to be exactly right. 

Where to travel in the next 6 months. 
Here are a few of the destinations coming into their own over the next six months: 

GALAPAGOS ISANDS 

The waters around the Galapagos become calmer toward the end of the year, making expedition cruises all the more appealing. As you venture on land, you might spot iguanas defending their territories as they attempt to win a mate and waved albatross chicks preparing for migration. Ship staterooms are already filling up, so we recommend planning soon.  

MALAYSIA 

Malacca’s Portuguese Settlement comes to life with festive cheer in the run‑up to Christmas, when houses are bedecked in lights, bright decorations, and nativity scenes. What’s more, December is an ideal time to visit Malaysia’s west coast. Temperatures are warm but not stifling, and while you can never be guaranteed a dry day, rain is less likely at this time of year.  

AUSTRALIA 

Tasmania drifts into summer in December, its mild warmth ideal for exploring on foot. You could hike Cradle Mountain, passing glacial lakes en route to windswept lookouts, or wander through old gum forests, where wombats graze beside the tracks. Meanwhile, Hobart’s Taste of Tasmania festival showcases local produce, from whisky to rock lobster.  

Where to travel to in the next 9 months. 
And looking slightly further ahead, these destinations reward early planning: 

COSTA RICA 

Often likened to the Amazon, Tortuguero National Park is a network of marshy islands and wetlands that ring out with a cacophony of screeching macaws and howler monkeys. In March, the (mostly) dry weather means you’ll spend longer on boat safaris without the threat of rain. Along the coast, naturalists can lead you to shores where leatherback turtles come to nest. 

TANZANIA 

Tanzania’s Great Migration often steals the limelight, but Botswana plays host to its own spectacle the longest landmammal migration in Africa. In early March, as the rainy season draws to a close, you can watch as thousands of zebras move through the Makgadikgadi Pans. You might also see flamingoes feeding in shimmering pink flurries.  

CHINA 

An hour from the bustle of Shanghai, Xitang is one of China’s Ming‑era water towns, where low‑slung houses and stone bridges meet a web of canals. We find it comes into its own in late March, when clouds of cherry blossoms hang overhead, and bright‑green willow fronds brush the water’s surface. You can admire this scene up close, drifting along on a traditional canal boat.  

Feeling inspired?

Speak to Travel Four Seasons to start planning your next journey, brought to life through Audley Travel’s local expertise.