Destination Guides: When to Go, Where to Stay, How to Book

The best time to visit the Bahamas is December through April, when the weather is dry, sunny, and comfortably warm and the risk of storms is lowest. The best value is usually in late April, May, and early June, when the crowds thin out but the weathe...

Hawaii is warm enough to visit every month, so "best" depends on what you value. For the mix of dry weather, moderate crowds and good value, April to early June and September to mid-November are the sweet spots. Winter (December to March) brings hump...

If you want beach days, island shopping, and a slower rhythm, book an Eastern Caribbean cruise. If you want Mayan ruins, jungle rivers, reef snorkeling, and a busier port schedule, book a Western Caribbean cruise. Both sail from Florida with the majo...

The best time for an Alaska cruise is late June through July if you want the warmest weather, the longest days, and the most wildlife activity at once. May and September are the better choices if you want fewer people, lower demand, and a more relaxe...

The best time to visit Bali is the dry season, from roughly April through October, when days are sunny, humidity is lower and the beaches and rice terraces are at their best. Within that window, May, June and September offer the best balance of good ...

Pick the Maldives for the widest range of resorts, the best snorkeling and diving straight from your overwater villa, and more options for families and budgets. Pick Bora Bora for the single most dramatic setting, a shorter journey from the US West C...

Choose Phuket if you want the widest choice of resorts, direct international flights, nightlife and plenty to do off the beach. Choose Krabi if you want dramatic limestone scenery, quieter beaches and a slower pace, and you don't mind an extra connec...

For most first-timers, Oahu is the best Hawaiian island: it has the most flights, the widest range of hotels, Waikiki's beach and restaurants, Pearl Harbor and the North Shore all within an hour's drive. Maui is the better pick for a resort-focused h...

The best time to visit Dubai is November through March, when days are sunny and warm rather than scorching and the whole city, from beach clubs to the desert, is open and comfortable. Four to five days is the right length for a first visit; three is ...