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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Milo Boyd

Best holiday destinations for each month of the year - from Spain to Thailand

When it comes to holidays, timing is everything. Whether you want the hot and sunny weather, prefer cities when they're quieter or simply want to enjoy a new destination when it's at its peak, picking the right month can make all of the difference.

Luckily Jonathan Merry, CEO of MoneyTransfers.com, is offering a helping hand as he has compiled his list of the places to go in each different month of the year.

Looking at everything from weather, seasonal cost of visiting, and number of sunshine hours, the travel expert highlighted some big hitting cities and little known spots that are well worth a visit.

As global heating makes the sun more intense during summer months and the cold more biting in the winter, knowing where to go when is going to become more and more important.

January: Bangkok

Grand Palace, Bangkok (Moment RF)

While grey skies loom over most cities in January, Bangkok is sunny, enjoying an average of 272.5 sunshine hours during the year's first month.

The temperature also averages at around 26.5°C, which is perfect for tourists wanting to explore the wonders of the city in all their glory - by foot, without breaking out too much of a sweat.

Aside from the weather, the day-to-day costs such as accommodation and food is very cheap compared to other major cities in the region.

Bangkok is also an enthralling, buzzing city with a huge amount to see, including the boat-filled Chao Phraya River and its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district which is home to the opulent Grand Palace.

February: Mexico City

Another city that beams with sunlight at the start of the year is Mexico. Although the city isn't at it's hottest, the temperatures of up to 22.9°C are certainly enjoyable for tourists wanting to escape the brutal winters elsewhere in the world.

It is also Mexico's low season, so not only can tourists enjoy the brighter days, they can work through their must-see lists with less of a hassle.

The settlement is one of the most densely populated mega cities in the world, known for its 13th-century Aztec temple and the the baroque Catedral Metropolitana de México of the Spanish conquistadors, which houses historic murals by Diego Rivera.

March: Cape Town

Table Mountain hangs over the city (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

With South-Africa's summer months drawing to an end around this time of year, tourists can enjoy milder temperatures in Cape Town, which can often be much more pleasant than the hottest days.

At this time, the city is in it's low season, so not only can tourists makes the most of the quieter settings but they can also take advantage of the cheaper prices, with the average daily cost at just £63.

The port city sits beneath the imposing Table Mountain where slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, providing access to beautiful views of the city.

April: Tokyo

While the weather is cooler in Tokyo in April, the cherry blossoms that decorate the city far outweigh the handful of rainy days.

The temperature and low season during April create the perfect conditions for tourists wanting to explore the city.

The city is a brilliant place to see ultramodern buildings and some traditional landmarks, with everything from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples on show.

The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods, while the Imperial Palace sits amid large public gardens.

May: New York

It is wise to avoid to brutal summer's heat in New York (Getty Images)

The weather in New York at this time of year is ideal for strolling through Central Park and viewing some of some of the film locations from your favourite movies.

On the days there are rain, there is no better place to be, with endless shops for your perusal to provide you some shelter as well as countless high end restaurants, cafes and cinemas.

The 256.6 hours of sunlight makes it possible for tourists to visit all their favourite attractions and see the sun setting over the skyline of the city.

New York gets really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter, so opting to go in the spring or autumn is wise.

June: Copenhagen

In the rainy and cold city of Copenhagen, visiting in high summer is wise (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Copenhagen is beautiful in the summer and with an impressive 260 average hours of sunshine. The low season means that tourists can enjoy the man-made beaches, scenic canals, and the Tivoli Gardens without the hustle and bustle of the peak season.

Temperatures sit between 11°C and 19°C, with just 45mm of precipitation over an average of 11 days, which is unexpected given its location on the North Sea.

Visitors to the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek learn about the renowned brewing magnate Carl Jacobsen, the producer of Carlsberg beer who was also a great patron of the city.

Christianborg Palace sits on Slotsholmen island, is surrounded by canals, and houses the Danish parliament, prime minister and Supreme Court. Expect opulent interiors, colourful art work, sparkling chandeliers and jaw-dropping architecture.

July: Medellin, Colombia

During the month of July, Medellin endures it's low season, due to the volume of rainier days. However, as a tropical destination this is to expected and the city still enjoys highs of up 27.6°C.

So nice and regular is its climate, it has earned the nickname the City of Eternal Spring.

The average daily cost averages incredibly low at just £44 so tourists can lap up the local delicacies the city has on offer without worrying about spending a fortune.

Situated in a narrow valley, Medellín packs the punch of a city twice its size, with a skyline that reaches for the heavens against a backdrop of jagged peaks.

August: Rio de Janeiro

Few places beat Rio in August (Getty Images)

In August many countries are experiencing the best weather of the year. If anywhere can tempt you away from Europe during this month, then Brazil and Rio specifically can.

The cities most famous beach Copacabana is the perfect setting for tourists with a stunning backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Although it is not summer in Rio de Janeiro in August, the temperatures of up to 25.6°C are more than satisfactory for those used to much milder climates, while not scorching visitors.

The city is a positive summer paradise filled with intoxicating sounds, sights and smells that are sure to enliven your every fibre.

September: Paris

The lower, yet warm temperatures in Paris in September makes it a great time to visit as tourists can make their way through their sight-seeing itinerary without struggling in the heat.

Although the average daily costs remain considerably high, it is the low season in Paris, meaning that tourists may be able to bag some deals on accommodation and flights.

The major European city is a global centre for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture, with a 19th-century cityscape that is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine.

Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

October: Barcelona

(Moment Open)

The milder weather in Barcelona in October lets tourists to wonder the Las Ramblas Markets comfortably, yet it is still warm enough to enjoy al fresco tapas.

The low season also means that popular tourist spots such as Camp Nou will be less crowded, resulting in a much more relaxing visit for holiday makers.

The cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region is known for its art and architecture, foremost amongst which is the Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí.

November: Sydney

Australia is in the midst of its winter holidays come November, but with temperatures of between 16.3°C and 23.8°C it’s more akin to summer in many countries.

Despite boasting 241.8 average hours of sunshine, the Australian city is still very much in its low season which means lower prices, minimal crowds and no queues for attractions.

The capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities and is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House.

The massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, while Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

December: Dubai

At a time when many countries are enduring the peak of their winters, the sun is still beaming down on the city of Dubai.

With temperatures cooler at this time of year, it makes it a prime time to visit as the summer months can be unbearably hot for tourists.

Dubai is known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. In the middle of the city stands the Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower which dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline.

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