Top 10 Travel Times You Can’t Miss – Plan Around These International Holidays and Seasons

Popular international travel destinations usually boast well-developed travel infrastructure. These tourist hotspots are well-maintained, and locals are typically considerate toward visitors. However, sometimes, local circumstances can prevent locals from accommodating tourists or restrict tourists from fully exploring the area. Here are some instances when it’s advisable to avoid traveling abroad.

Japan’s Golden Week

In Japan, Golden Week occurs annually from late April to early May, and it is highly popular. On April 29th, they celebrate Showa Day, followed by Constitution Memorial Day on May 3rd, Greenery Day on May 4th, and Children’s Day on May 5th. Due to these consecutive holidays, some years can see nearly ten days of continuous break. Japanese people often use this time to travel and go on postponed outings, leading to higher prices for accommodations and flights than usual.

Vietnam’s Independence Day

Vietnam’s Independence Day falls on September 2nd every year. It marks the day in 1945 when President Ho Chi Minh declared independence, ending over 150 years of French colonial rule and Japanese imperial occupation. Vietnam designates the days around Independence Day as public holidays, creating an extended break following the Lunar New Year and Reunification Day. As a result, during this period, popular tourist destinations in Vietnam are bustling with numerous people enjoying the holidays.

Taiwan’s Qingming Festival Holiday

The Qingming Festival, one of the four major traditional Chinese holidays, typically falls in early April. On April 5th, Taiwan is designated a national holiday for ancestral worship. During this time, families gather for ancestral worship and enjoy reunions, similar to traditional holidays in Korea. Taiwan also celebrates Children’s Day early in April, contributing to increased domestic activities and holiday enjoyment beyond ancestral worship.

Philippines’ Easter Holiday

About 80% of the population in the Philippines is Catholic. Therefore, Easter holds significant importance and is observed as a national holiday. The Philippine Easter spans from late March to mid-April and is designated as a public holiday from Thursday to Sunday, encompassing the day before the resurrection. During this time, all stores, shopping malls, banks, and government offices close their doors. TV broadcasts primarily feature church masses and news, with entertainment shows suspended. Consequently, this period is often considered less than ideal for tourists.

Thailand’s Wan Visakha Bucha

In Thailand, the holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha is designated as Wan Visakha Bucha. It is the most significant Buddhist festival in the country. On this day, Thai people visit temples to make merit and participate in candlelit processions. During Wan Visakha Bucha, the sale of alcohol is prohibited in most restaurants, hotels, and even convenience stores. Avoiding this period is advisable for those who enjoy tasting local spirits while traveling abroad.

Singapore’s Independence Day

Singapore celebrates its Independence Day annually on August 9th. This is the day Singapore commemorates its separation from Malaysia and its attainment of independence. Throughout this period, national flags were prominently hoisted across the city and accompanied large-scale events such as parades and fireworks displays. However, this time of year also coincides with hot weather; certain areas have street controls in place, and there is a significant amount of pedestrian traffic, all of which makes it less than ideal for tourists.

The period of Ramadan in Islamic countries

The Islamic festival of Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, known as the hot month in Arabic. The exact dates vary slightly from country to country. In Islam, Ramadan is one of the five fundamental duties Muslims must observe, requiring fasting from dawn until sunset throughout the month. As a result, most restaurants close during the Ramadan period. In some countries, there are adjustments to the operating hours of stores, banks, and government offices, necessitating that tourists check this information in advance.

Turkey’s Antalya Region Heatwave Season

Turkey is another popular destination for American tourists. It is advisable to avoid visiting the Antalya region, a city located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, between June and August. As a port city, the area experiences high humidity and soaring temperatures, resulting in a high discomfort index. For travelers seeking a more comfortable trip, the heatwave period in Turkey’s Antalya region may present a challenging experience.

Laos’ Mid-June Rainy Season

Laos, nestled between China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It typically experiences few typhoons and has minimal rainfall during the dry season.

However, the onset of the rainy season around mid-June often brings heavy downpours. This seasonal change affects the Vang Vienna Blue Lagoon, a famed tourist attraction in Laos. The increased rainfall causes it to lose its characteristic blue hue. The continuous rain during this period makes popular activities such as rafting, diving, and ziplining unavailable.

Croatia’s Winter

Croatia is a popular destination for Eastern European travel. One of its famous tourist spots is the Plitvice Lakes National Park, renowned for its 16 stunning blue lakes. However, the transparent, emerald-blue lakes depicted in photos are not visible during winter. Visiting during the warm weather is highly recommended for those wishing to admire these picturesque clear lakes.