When: around the world following the calendar

Playing on the components of time and place, Booking.com has drawn up an ideal travel map for 2026, punctuated by cultural events and natural phenomena, reflecting a habit (shared by 21% of Italian holidaymakers) whereby the destination is chosen according to scheduled events or natural spectacles (a choice shared by almost half of European travellers). Travelling in tune with the rhythms of the seasons, in short, can make a place truly unrepeatable if experienced at a specific time of year, and so in January the destination to consider is Yukon, in Canada, when the long Arctic nights create the ideal conditions for observing the Northern Lights. In February, the destination to reach is the colours of the Lunar New Year in Nanjing, amidst lanterns, traditional dances and celebrations that blend spirituality and urban life. With spring, the journey becomes exploration, and March takes us to the heart of Oman, to Nizwa, where we discover the desert in mild temperatures amid fortresses, souqs and nights under the stars. April, on the other hand, is the month of Hanami in Japan, with the blossoming of the Fukuoka cherry trees becoming a collective ritual among picnics in parks and walks that weave together nature and culture. May is the perfect month to fly to Bhutan, to Thimphu, to savour the magic of spiritual festivals and Himalayan landscapes, focusing on well-being and balance. In summer, we travel between Europe, to the Croatian island of Vis in June, and the United States, to Mackinac Island, where we celebrate Independence Day in a setting of yesteryear. In August, however, people escape the crowded beaches to go skiing in Wanaka, New Zealand, while in September, the northern Serengeti offers the most intense time of the Great Migration. Bodh Gaya, India, is the destination in October during the Diwali celebrations, while in November, head to Sayulita, Mexico, for Día de los Muertos, combining tradition and coastal atmosphere. Grand finale, in December, among the markets of Merano, to immerse oneself in the Christmas atmosphere among gastronomic specialities and illuminations.