Holidays in 2012 – where to visit throughout the year

From Winter to Summer, Autumn or Spring, from the snow in the mountains to clear waters and sunny beaches, David has it all planned in advance for this year. As usual another amazing destination list :)

Deciding where to go on holiday can be tricky. You’ll often have a month in mind for when you’d like to go away but choosing your holiday destination isn’t always easy. To help you out with your decision, TravelSupermarket has identified 12 great holiday destinations to visit – one for every month of the year!

If you’re currently thinking about booking a last minute holiday, January is the ideal time of the year to visit the Caribbean. At this time of year there is a chance of rainfall but with temperatures throughout the month being at least 22 degrees, it is certainly a lot hotter than the UK. The Caribbean also starts its carnivals in January, giving you the chance to experience island life.


With choices from Antigua, Bahamas and Barbados and many others, you will be able to find miles of long sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes, as well as experiencing the laid-back charm of local towns and villages.

If you fancy a skiing break, then Geneva has over 200 resorts in traveling distance of the city and is an ideal destination for February. The city itself is also culture-rich and offers visitors the chance to wander down the streets of this green city and experience some of the finer things of Swiss life.


March is an ideal time to visit Marrakech, as the weather is warm without being too hot! The people of Marrakech are very friendly and the city itself is bustling with colour, sights and smells. It is easy to move from the narrow streets of the old city to the modern district, allowing you to experience what the city has to offer.


Crete is a popular European destination for some early sun in April, as well as for some excellent deals. The largest island in Greece, it offers beautiful coastline that is great for water sports as well as relaxing. The island has also lots to see, from natural features such as its gorges, to ruins from ancient civilizations.


Japan in May is very lush and the temperatures have yet to reach their hottest. The country offers the traditional Japanese lifestyle coupled with modern cities, having something for all types of visitors.


June is an ideal month for going on safari, with South Africa coming into its own at this time of year. The weather can be hot during the day, but it has cooler nights. Zambia has a number of National Parks, as well as spectacular landscapes that include Victoria Falls. The country offers a huge choice of safari activities, including horseback or elephant-back safaris as well as canoe or open vehicle safaris.


The fine weather in July is great for exploring Iceland. The country has such a varied landscape, including glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and geysers. The days are long as the sun rarely sets and the land is green. There are plenty of activities, such as glacier skiing or even the opportunity to whale watch.


The jewel of the Balearics, Menorca, offers hot weather in August and the chance to relax on one of the many beaches that it has on offer. There are plenty of activities on offer for the whole family, including water sports, water parks, cycling and riding.


Menorca also offers a variety of other activities, including a number of golf courses. There is a variety of historical sites worth visiting on the island, as well as its National Park, the S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park.

There are still plenty of warm destinations in the USA in September. Although the weather can sometimes be unstable at this time of year, Miami offers some fantastic beaches with daily temperatures of above 22 degrees.


There is also the chance to visit the Everglades National Park, which as the subtropical wilderness of the USA, is home to a variety of species. There is also the Biscayne National park that offers the chance to dive around its coral reefs.

Visiting Dubai in October gives the chance for you to experience this truly unique city. Not only does it have many record-breaking landmarks and achievements, it also has many miles of beaches that are ideal for water sports. The city also offers traditional activities, such as camel racing and falconry.


November is an ideal time to take a trip halfway around the world to New Zealand. Both North Island and South Island have beautiful landscapes that include plenty of beaches, lots of wildlife, outdoor activities and the opportunity to experience the unique Maori culture. There is still plenty of sun at this time of year and it is an ideal time to explore.


Cancun in Mexico offers dry weather in December, with average temperatures of around 24 degrees. There are plenty of water sports on offer, including diving. As well as its many beaches, there is plenty to see and do. It has bustling towns and gives visitors the opportunity to explore the ancient world of the Mayans.


Whatever time of year you plan to go on holiday this year, this top picks are just a few destinations that will help you to follow the sun throughout the year.

Menorca Beachs, Balearic Islands, Spain

With a very big thanks to Claza from Documentary Area for this guest post, let's return to Spain. More precisely, let's return to the Balearic Islands, this time to the lovely beaches of Menorca... :)

Menorca, the most northern of the Balearic Islands is a lovely place to visit. We stayed in Son Parc to the northwest of the island which is a very family friendly and relaxed place to stay with plenty to do. Heathland lines the coastline between towns provided some great walks.

The beach which Son Parc is situated behind is part of a large cove, to the left of the beach is an old stone wall, there is a break in this wall where you can get onto the heathland and take a walk to the 'secret beach'.

The 'sercet beach' is a small cove about 20-30 minutes walking distance along the coast, on the way keep your eyes out for some of Menorca's wildlife including the Moorish and Turkish Gecko.

Once you reach this small cove you will be drawn down onto a sandy beach with a few trees for shade and warm shallow waters to wade in surrounded by shoals of small fish. If you are daring enough you can swim out to another cove directly opposite!

One final thank you Claza for this Menorca insights and for your beautiful pictures.

Sa Calobra, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Another curious beach I loved in Majorca was Sa Calobra. Located between Sóller and Formentor it has the most funny curvy road to get there - this one large (at least for a car) and with pavement in excellent condition - a true pleasure to drive through.

Above two photos taken from the start of the descent that gives you a very good idea of the place. The one the left taken towards the snaky road and the one on the right facing our final destiny, the beach and ocean down bellow.

Sa Calobra's road will take you all the way to a park (a few kilometers downhill) where you should leave your transport and proceed on foot following a boardwalk which I must rate as a very good one! Just take a look above and check the path you'll have to do on foot to get to the beach - inspiring view right? - three seconds of it and my day is already better ;)

As to the beach itself, fabulous... Having a background dominated by high cliffs and rocky areas and the usual sand replaced by many small round withe and gray river stones makes, the place is unique. One word of advice, beware that in the winter the place may be submerged (notice the local river on the photo above - near the cliffs to the left).

Formentor 's Bay, Pollensa, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Still in the North of the island and about halfway between the city of Pollensa and Cabo Formentor (photo bellow) is a fabulous beach you'll surely not want to miss.

Locally know as the most Caribbean beach on Majorca, Cala Formentor (in English, Formentor's beach) is in fact rather different from the rest of the beaches of the island.

Although still missing some palm trees for the "Caribbean Look" to be complete, the beach is beautiful and the waters are fantastic - clean, clear and warm - another perfect spot for a snorkel session.

You can reach this place by car following the road to Cabo Formentor and then exiting to a smaller road to the right - the signs should point towards Formentor's Hotel or Pietra - reaching there, just ask for the beach ;)

Cabo Formentor, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Located in the Northeast side of the island and our destiny in this series we've started three posts ago: Cabo Formentor (in English, Cape Formentor), a beautiful place well worthy of a visit and where the sightseeing spots you can find in the way have always magnificent views like the one bellow.

Equally amazing is the manner in how in this isolated part of the island the earth comes to an abrupt end into the sea. Even so, right in the middle of the high cliffs one can find some spectacular beaches (see bellow to the left). To bad they're only accessible by boat...

As always in Majorca be advised about the road. Getting to the lighthouse (in the end of the Cape) means driving in a very high road with a few tricky curves, nevertheless a piece of cake when compared to the one that leads to Valldemossa's Port...

Speaking of cake, or food, or so, I must leave a word to the coffee outside the lighthouse - guys, you have some life-saving pizzas! I'll explain, we lost track of time and stopped in the beach of Polensa (about 15 kms) for an eternity, therefore we arrived there very hungry about 5:00 PM ;)

Alcúdia, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Closing on to the North shore of the island you'll find Alcúdia, a small little town seems where the time seems to have stopped since somewhere around the XII century. Now, time to park the car and leave for a nice walk!

You'll find the main entrance to the historical center - a huge medieval wood and metal gate - right underneath the two castle towers (photo above). From this point the stone walls continue both ways surrounding almost completely the entire city.

The best way of getting a fair view of Alcúdia's streets, a very old labyrinth of small corners and narrow passages, is to climb to the city walls - the photo bellow was taken from there.

With some luck, you may even arrive at Alcúdia right in the middle of one of the town's festivals. If so, do remind to accompany your walk with one or two of the local delicacies they use serve in such occasions :)

Inca, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Back to Majorca I'm now going to make a series of posts that will take us from Palma to Cabo Formentor (in English, Formentor Cape). So, waking early in the morning lets head north and make our first stop in the city of Inca - breakfast or coffee, anyone?

The ideal place for that coffee I was talking about is Plaza de Espagna (in English, Spain's Plaza). There you'll find a few nice coffees and it's very easy to reach - just ask the locals for the Ayuntamiento (in English the Town Hall - it's the building in the photo above).

The most important church of the town is the one in the photo above, the Iglesia de Santa Maria (in English, Holy Mary's Church). Built in the XIII century and recently restored this Gothic style church is really worth to be seen both inside and outside.

Last but not least, do take opportunity and go for a walk on the streets around Plaza de Espagna. Like in Deía, here too you'll find several souvenirs shops with nice things at good prices :)

Valldemossa's Port, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Valldemossa's Port (in Spanish, Puerto de Valldemossa) is a very small little village lost in the cliffs of the East coast of Majorca. In fact, if I remember correctly it was by mere chance that we went there.

Nevertheless and although the place has only a few houses, a small port and a restaurant it has a rather cute beach with a water crystal clear. The rocky area just outside the port's entrance (bellow to the left) is the spot for a little snorkel session.

The major problem isn't the crowded beach but the road to get there. Be advised that the village houses in the photo above (to the right) are those little things down there and that it will take you a few frightening "U-turns" very near the cliffs to reach them...

Deía, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Located half way between Sollér and Valdemossa, Deía is a small town that, both by its location and by its architecture, appears to be fully mimetic with the surrounding colors. The mix of red and grays from the nearby stony ridges merges perfectly with the house colors and the green pallet supplied by the olive plantations presents in the area does the rest for this beautiful landscape.

Also worthy of an high rating is the fresh air from the mountains you can breathe there. For all of this I do recommend a little stop in Deía, in fact, try looking for the Miramar Hotel (bellow to the left) - they have a very nice balcony where, along with a drink and some snacks, you can enjoy a magnificent view.

Oops... I almost forgot another important note: the souvenir shops that you'll find along the city street's generally offer far better rates then the ones you'll find on Palma or on the beach areas... Go figure! ;)

Sóller, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Continuing with the tour on the island lets head to Sóller, a small town in the upper west coast of Majorca easily reached from Palma by car or train, in this second option, catching the Ferrocarril de Sóller.

Above you can see the Ferrocarril. A very old train that almost seems like taken out of the museum and again put on the tracks but that in fact crosses all the island, connecting Sóller to the capital Palma and then going all the way to Manacor.

As to the town itself, being built on the mountains, its streets are naturally quite narrow and a bit up and down... Nevertheless the place is beautiful and well cared, full of vegetation and with several buildings worthy to take a look at such as the old Train Station (above) and the City Hall (bellow).

If you wish to go to the beach - what am I saying... Of course you wish! - you must go to Puerto de Sóller and for that, two options available. To get the best out of sightseeing, I would advise the car. On the other hand, if you are a real train lover, then the option must be the city's tram... :)

Puerto de Sóller, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

To start a mini-tour around the island I'll choose Puerto de Sóller (in English, Sóller's Port). Located about 35km North-West of Palma, this little village it's without doubts one of the 'must go' places in Majorca.

Right beside the city with the same name, Puerto de Sóller has one of the most beautiful bays in the island - in order to get the best view of it, do take the longer way when descending from Sóller and go all around the bay until the lighthouse (the photo above taken from there).

The local beach is very nice and, circling all around the bay, it's only limited by the sea and by a long boardwalk filled with nice cafes, hotels and restaurants - a fantastic place! Just one word of advice about the calm and warm waters: it's simply impossible to resist the temptation of going for a dive :) If you choose to stay for a night or so do check HotelTravel.com for Mallorca Hotels (they have many options in their site, some of them right in Puerto de Sóller).

S´Hort del Rei Gardens, Palma de Majorca, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Starting with another image of the Almudaina Palace lets proceed heading South-East in the direction of one of Palma's most fabulous parks, the S´Hort del Rei garden.

If I remember correctly (we did get a little lost back there but I can assure you that it was worth it) after going around the fort walls (last picture in previous La Seu Cathedral post) you'll found yourself facing one of its old iron gates like the one bellow, in fact, hopefully, you'll be facing the one bellow :)

Then, it's just cross the gate and walk a few more steps, and you'll reach the S´Hort del Rei gardens where the atmosphere is very calm and relaxing. All the city noise and confusion seams to magically disappear beeing replaced by the majestical vegetation.

This peaceful and abundantly green environment is only interrupted here and there by a fountain accompanied by the sound of its gentle jets of water flowing through the air - in deed, a dream place...

La Seu Cathedral, Palma de Majorca, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

With its one hundred and twenty meters high the towers of La Seu (the main cathedral in Palma) were fully built in stone in a classical Gothic style and are absolutely astonishing.

In fact, when looking at the towers from bellow it almost seems like if they were stretching themselves to better reach the sky. Right beside the cathedral is another point of interest you don't wanna miss, the Almudaina Palace (bellow).

Best viewed from the edge of the city's port, the building of the Almudaina Palace was once part of an old Muslim Palace and still maintains many of its original architectural characteristics. After that I would recommend taking the descending way towards the sea.

Just a few steps away you can reach the fort area (photo above) where you'll find a long boardwalk with several watch towers, some canons and a fabulous sea view...

Palma de Majorca, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Today it's back to the Mediterranean, more precisely to the capital of the Balearic Islands, the city of Palma or Palma de Majorca (don't confuse with Las Palmas, also Spanish, also capital, but of the Canary Islands). Located in the South East of the island of Majorca both the city and its climate are very agreeable.

Since the city isn't particularly big I would say that the best way to get to know it is by foot. The streets in the center are filled with beautiful old buildings and, scattered in the gardens and squares, are several funny sculptures - oh dear! - an upside-down house...

Still above, another of the city's fabulous buildings, this one with an exquisite balcony and an old Spanish Windmill - very D. Quixote style wouldn't you agree?

To finish, this first photo of the city's fort area, place where I'll return in the next post with more info and images of the Cathedral and other landmarks. See you soon ;)