Hi, We're leaving on June 19th for an 8-day road trip in South Iceland. I've heard that even in summer, it's cold and the weather can change several times a day. Should we mainly pack winter gear, like a K-Way, fleece, down jacket, beanie, etc.?

Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone,

I’ve planned a three-week itinerary for this summer, from August 9 to 27, in Sri Lanka: Negombo – 1 night Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle – 4 nights Kandy – 2 nights Ella – 3 nights Tangalle – 6 nights Colombo Airport – 1 night

I know this isn’t the ideal time for the south since the beach conditions aren’t great, but we’ve booked a hotel with a pool and won’t be swimming in the sea. We want to relax after all the travel since we’re bringing our two kids, aged 6 and 8.

I know the east would be better, but (i) I’m struggling to find suitable accommodation, and (ii) it adds a lot of travel time, and my kids can only handle about 3 hours at a stretch.

I looked into Arugam Bay, but it’s a 7-hour trip back to Colombo from there.

I’ve checked every weather site imaginable, but they don’t all agree. Do you think we’ll spend our whole trip in the rain, or is the monsoon in the south mostly limited to the sea, as I’ve read?

I’m worried about ending up in the middle of a natural disaster with my two young kids, given recent events.

Thanks for your advice! S

Hi everyone, I’m heading to Namibia from March 20 to April 7 (Kalahari, Tok Tokkie Trail, Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, Twyfelfontein, and Etosha). I was wondering if the rainy season has started and whether it’s expected to be heavy?

Also, if anyone has traveled there during this period, I’d love to hear about your experience. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, We’re thinking of heading to Monument Valley from Phoenix, then on to Moab and Las Vegas. We’re familiar with these spots but only in summer. Has anyone done this route in late December? I’m guessing Phoenix is more pleasant in December than in August, but what about Monument Valley—and especially Moab—and the road conditions?

Have a great day,

Hi there, I’m looking to travel outside Europe in September, and my first thought was to return to Thailand. Unfortunately, what I’m reading about the weather isn’t encouraging—Indonesia seems like the better option this season. Sulawesi is really tempting, but the budget is higher. Since I’ve already been to Thailand in July a few years ago (it was overcast but with little rain), this time I’d love to explore Isan and then do some volunteering at Elephant Nature Park before ending with a few days by the sea. Do you think this is a good idea, or should I postpone it? I love sunshine, even if it’s not constant, and I’ve had enough of rain and gray skies back in Belgium 😅 Thanks so much! 🙏

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Namibia in 2026. I’m torn between visiting the Fish River Canyon and the Caprivi Strip / Victoria Falls. I’d also love your advice on the best time to travel for wildlife viewing and pleasant weather. I haven’t chosen a tour operator yet... since I’m traveling solo, I’d prefer a small-group escorted trip. Has anyone traveled with a local agency and what’s your feedback or advice? Thanks so much!

Hello, We’re heading to Finnish Lapland near Rovaniemi as a family at the end of February with two kids (8 and 14 years old). We’ve got direct flights with Luxairstours. The itinerary is already set, but I’m wondering if anyone has traveled with Luxair before and knows exactly what kind of clothes they provide on the second day? The agency just told me it’s a heavy-duty cold-weather suit. I’m thinking we should get Sorel Caribou boots, maybe second-hand. Here’s what I’ve already planned: - Thermolactyl leggings and tights from Damart for the whole family as a base layer. - A first layer of Damart socks + Nordic Stocks socks in 70% merino wool for all four of us. - Loose fleece layers, including some Polartec. - Ski pants for hikes. - For my son and me, a The North Face Himalayan down parka with a hood. - A ski parka for my husband and my 14-year-old daughter (she *really* wants a Roxy one—I hope it’ll be warm enough). - For myself, for the flight and the first day at Santa’s village, I’ve packed The North Face winter hiking pants, a long-sleeve merino wool top from Decathlon (thin), a fleece, and my big parka.

I’m wondering if I should just pack fleece joggers or sweatpants for the kids and my husband, at least for the first and last days, to be comfortable on the plane? I’m also planning to buy balaclavas and neck warmers in addition to our beanies, as well as mittens for all of us. I really need advice because I have no idea—I’ve never been skiing! Also, for a 4-night, 5-day trip, should I pack a second set of base layers, like from Odlo?

Of course, I’ll be leaving cotton clothes out of the suitcase.

As you can tell, I’m someone who gets cold easily—especially my feet, hands, and ears—so that’s my biggest worry. I *don’t* want to be cold, even at -20°C during dog sledding, snowmobiling, or aurora hunting when we might be standing still. We won’t be in the city, and the kids will likely spend most of their time outside, as they usually do.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi, we’re planning to travel through Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) in February and March 2027. From a seasonal and weather perspective, at that time of year and with hiking as our main activity, is it better to explore Patagonia from south to north or the other way around? Thanks in advance. Anne Marie

I’m taking a month-long trip to northern Argentina throughout September. Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Salta, Humahuaca, Cafayate, and if time allows, La Rioja. I’m unsure about what clothes to pack. What are the temperatures like in September? Thanks for your great tips! Dominerja

Hi there,

I'm still on the fence about heading to the American West next summer... I know it'll be crowded, but what's really making me hesitate is the heat. Is it bearable for hiking?

Thanks for your feedback!

Hi there, We're planning a trip to Vietnam in January 2025. As I start mapping out the itinerary, I see it’s not the ideal season for the north—we might run into a lot of fog. What do you think? Thanks in advance for shedding some light on this!

Hi everyone, The topic has already been discussed, but it was about ten years ago (I haven’t seen any more recent replies). We’re planning to visit Vietnam for the first time from February 21 to March 7, 2025, most likely... We were thinking of exploring the central and northern regions. However, we’ve read a lot of conflicting things about the weather in the North, like Hanoi, at this time of year: “it’s quite nice, around 20-22°C” or “it’s cold, bring socks and a sweater.” But we were hoping to escape winter for a couple of months in a warm place... What do you think—those of you who live there or visit regularly? If it’s better to focus on the Central and Southern regions during these same dates, what shouldn’t we miss? Thanks in advance to the community! Best regards, Bernard

hi After reading quite a few posts and buying a guidebook, I’m still struggling to finalize my suitcase. Given that we’ll be visiting both islands during our road trip and suitcases aren’t exactly expandable, I’ve noted that temperatures can be changeable—but should I pack more winter clothes than summer ones? Thanks for your help

hi there we’re planning a trip to the three Baltic countries: Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. What’s making us hesitate is the weather—we think June might be the best time, but is the rain still moderate, or is it a real deal-breaker for the trip? Looking forward to your tips! jean-marie

Hi there,

We’re planning a road trip in August 2025 to the cities and places mentioned in the title. What’s the weather like, and especially how hot does it get? From what I’ve read, it’s less intense than the "eastern" part we did this year in 2024 (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Death Valley, etc.). Can you confirm that for me?

Thanks for your tips!

We’ve decided to go to Skopelos for 2 weeks at the end of April. What kind of weather should we expect? Any special things to know about this remote island? Thanks for your tips

/hello, coming from China-Beijing - on 07/04 we're thinking of heading to Korea for 3 weeks. First off, we'd like to know what to expect weather-wise

We’d love to visit Georgetown and the beautiful beaches of Langkawi from mid-September to early October, but we’re worried it’ll be a real steam bath 🥵 Thanks to anyone who can share their experience! Mitisi

Hi there,

For those who’ve experienced it, what’s the weather like in Shanghai at the end of December? I’ve heard it’s cold, but coming from France, is the winter milder than in Lyon, for example?

I’m tempted to spend the Christmas holidays in Shanghai and the surrounding areas (Nanjing, Suzhou) with my family—kids are 11 and 2. It’d be a bummer if the little one catches a cold over there.

Generally, is this a good time for simple family visits to the main spots, restaurants in the city, indoor heating, and outdoor walks?

Hi everyone,

This year, 2026, I can only get away in April and May. I never travel during these months usually, and from what I know, they aren’t the best for India. But in such a big country, there are always spots that are better than others weather-wise.

Which region would you recommend? Given that I’ve already traveled quite a bit in this country, and in any case, I’ll be discovering places I don’t know yet. No need for a major tourist hotspot or luxury comfort.

I was thinking of Meghalaya???

Up north?

Thanks for your ideas!

Hi everyone. Not sure if guidebooks, agencies, and other tour operators are keeping up by changing their visiting hours and offerings. Personally, I see a promising opportunity here—jumping on this adaptation to extreme climates before others do, since they’re inevitably coming. From my own travel experience, I’ve met a few guides so far who are starting to adjust, like in Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, and elsewhere. They avoid crowds and the hottest hours by starting their tours around 6–7 AM, when it’s cooler. Yeah, you’ve gotta wake up early, but the payoff is so worth it. 😴 If you’ve got any great tips like this, why not discuss them in this thread and share addresses or websites where the people in charge have realized climate change is real and are adapting? 😊

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Thailand from October 16 to 29, 2025, with my two teens. We’d love to explore Southern Thailand (for the beaches...). I’ve read that it’s the end of the rainy season—do you think it’s a bad idea or not? Also, I’m familiar with traffic in Asian countries—it’s pretty challenging. Do you think I should go through an agency for a well-defined itinerary? Or do you have any tips for hotels and getting around? Looking forward to hearing from you, and thanks in advance! 😊 Mylène

Hi, We’re planning a trip to Nosy Be from March 14th to 29th. I saw on the "Where and When to Go" site that the weather isn’t great then—has anyone been to this part of Madagascar during this period? Does it rain a lot? Thanks so much for your help!

Hi there,

We’re heading to Peru from February 3 to 27, 2025. From the 12th to the 23rd, we’ll be traveling through high-altitude areas above 4,000 meters between Arequipa and Puno, Puno and Cuzco, and then Cuzco and Nazca. My question is whether we might encounter snowy roads, and if so, whether rental vehicles (a standard tourist car rented at Lima airport) come equipped with chains or anything similar. Thanks in advance! Eric

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Mauritius in February and I’d love some details about the weather there. I’ve gotten a lot of conflicting advice—on many websites, it says February in Mauritius is strongly discouraged, but when I check the temperature history, it seems like the best time (for those who love the heat and swimming without any issues). I’ve noted that it’s a month with frequent showers, but nothing compared to the monsoon season in Asia. Any thoughts? Thanks

I'm planning a 10-day trip to Tenerife to go hiking in February. Is the weather decent without too much fog at this time of year? Is an excursion to Teide National Park doable? Thanks for your replies.

Hi everyone, I need to go to Sri Lanka at the end of January. I’ve seen that many roads, hotels, and parks were closed after the cyclone, which unfortunately caused a lot of damage. Does anyone have more information? Would it be wiser to postpone our trip? Thanks, Alain.

Hi, I’m planning a trip to Oman, probably the first half of February to avoid the extreme heat and Ramadan. But after checking various weather sites and reading accounts, I’m a bit worried about rain, which can apparently be frequent and heavy in February. I’d love to hear from travelers or locals who’ve been there recently. What would be the ideal month to explore Oman without extreme heat or rain? November? Also, it’s best to avoid visiting the wadis on weekends—does that mean Saturday and Sunday?

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Virginie

Hi everyone, We’d love to return to India next year for 3 weeks (we visited Rajasthan about fifteen years ago). Unfortunately, we’re tied to traveling in September, and our initial plan was to explore Himachal Pradesh. However, it seems like that might not be the best month for this region. Could you share your experiences from that time of year in Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, or even the Spiti Valley—in short, anywhere in Himachal Pradesh? Otherwise, which region of India would you recommend for a September trip? Thanks so much!

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip from mid-January to the end of February but I just can’t make up my mind 😕 I’ve looked into a few different options: Brazil, Cambodia, and Ecuador. The last one really appeals to me, but what’s making me hesitate is the risk of our trip being a bit too rainy (literally ), We’re more drawn to the Andes, exploring colonial cities, typical villages, markets, and a bit of the coast. We’ve already gotten a taste of this in Bolivia, Colombia, and Chile. Plus, we’d love to do part of it by car since we’re used to driving at our own pace and stopping whenever we feel like it. Anyway, time’s running out, and I need to decide so I can finalize a route and book the tickets!! Can anyone help me make up my mind or decide to postpone it for later? But for this year, I don’t have any other time slot to travel. Thanks for reading this far! !