Spring - March, April, May

 #1 in Best Places to Visit in Spring 

 Spring is an ideal time to plan a getaway to St. Lucia, before the island's wet season starts in June. From March to May, daytime temperatures sit in the 80s, so visitors can spend their days soaking up some sun on the palm-fringed beaches and hiking the volcanic Pitons. 

 #2 in Best Places to Visit in Spring 

 March and April are two of Costa Rica's driest and warmest months, offering near-constant sunshine and daytime temperatures in the high 70s to low 90s, depending on the location. During these months, you can take advantage of heart-pumping activities like whitewater rafting tours on the Pacuare River or zip lining excursions through the rainforest in Manuel Antonio National Park. 

 #3 in Best Places to Visit in Spring  

Madrid gets extremely hot every summer – so much so that residents often vacation for months away from the city to beat the heat. As such, spring is the best time to visit if you're looking to experience Spain's capital while it's comfortably warm. You can walk to and from the city's best attractions, including El Retiro Park and Plaza Mayor, without breaking a major sweat. 

 #1 Best Summer Vacation 

If gorgeous coastal views and bottomless limoncello are your idea of the perfect summer, head to the Amalfi Coast. Summers in this picturesque Italian destination feature hot temperatures (daytime highs often reach the 90s) and lively festivals and events. Take your pick among 13 seaside towns overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. You can indulge in fine dining and luxury resorts in Positano (Il San Pietro di Positano and Le Sirenuse are two top spots); take a boat tour to rugged grottos in Capri; or wander through lemon groves in Sorrento.

 #2 Best Summer Vacation

A Mediterranean island located about 40 miles south of Turkey, Cyprus experiences hot, dry summers (think daytime temperatures in the 90s) and promises plenty of things to do and see. Summer is festival season, so travelers can immerse themselves in local culture at events like the Lavender Festival in June and the Potato Festival in July. History buffs will love visiting the Tomb of Kings and other ancient ruins at Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 #3 Best Summer Vacation

Glacier National Park is open 365 days a year, but summertime brings out the best of this Montana gem. Temperatures rest comfortably in the 70s to mid-80s during the day and dip to the 40s at night. Spend your trip hiking through more than 700 miles of trails, camping in one of 13 campgrounds and taking in spectacular views along Going-to-the-Sun Road (the entire stretch of which normally opens in late June or July).

 #1 Best Places to Visit

If "White Lotus" piqued your interest in a Sicilian getaway, but you don't quite have the budget to splurge, plan a trip for October when the summer tourists have gone home. At the start of the offseason, hotel rates in this Italian paradise can drop to almost half of their peak prices. You'll still be able to squeeze in some of the season's last beach days as temperatures typically remain in the 70s.

 #2 Best Places to Visit

For smaller crowds and more affordable accommodations and airfare, consider a tropical escape to Aruba in October. During this low season month, hotels slash their prices up to 50%. Plus, the island experiences some of its warmest weather (think: daytime temps in the high 80s) come October, so you can stretch out and enjoy various water sports on popular white sand shores like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. 

 #3  Best Places to Visit

October falls at the end of this Indonesian island's peak dry season, meaning you can enjoy great weather for most of the month without the crowds and high accommodation rates of the busier summer months. Daytime temperatures hover in the high 80s, providing ideal conditions for swimming, surfing and sunbathing at beaches like those in Padang Padang and Sanur. Families on fall break will also enjoy cooling off at the Waterbom Bali water park.

#1 Best Places to Visit 

As temperatures begin to drop in other parts of the world, Hawaii's capital city remains comfortable thanks to average highs in the low to mid-80s. Visit Chinatown for festive Chinese New Year celebrations, or marvel at the Honolulu City Lights, a monthlong Christmas display at Honolulu's city hall.

#2 Best Places to Visit

Sydney's summer begins in December and lasts through February, making this a popular destination for tourists escaping the Northern Hemisphere's chilly winter weather. Average daytime temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s, providing perfect conditions for activities like surfing at Bondi Beach and kayaking through Sydney Harbour. This time of year also features a packed events calendar, with can't-miss sporting events and celebrations like the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix and Sydney's famed New Year's Eve fireworks display.

 #4 Best Places to Visi

Looking for the ultimate romantic winter getaway or tropical escape? Take a trip to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, where dry weather, temperatures in the mid-80s and some of the world's most beautiful beaches await. Though you can expect long travel days and costly accommodations, this 1,200-island archipelago's sense of exclusivity makes it well worth the trip.