Ready to plan new trips? Busy rebooking postponed trips? Not sure where to go and when?
I’m so grateful to have explored the world with my family, with multiple families, and with girlfriends over the years and I created JamboGuides to inspire others to explore by making it uber-easy to plan your next trip. No need to recreate the wheel, just check out tested itineraries, book it and go.
But when to go where? I’ve grouped some of my all-time favorite trips on a month-by-month calendar to help provide easy travel inspiration. It includes trips both big and small – all of which have been tested for you so I know they will be excellent! International trips, especially ones like the Tour de Mont Blanc or an Africa safari, need to be planned ahead of time, while other local ones can be easily organized in a shorter time frame.Â
Here are some suggestions to get your 2023 travel creative juices flowing!
January
Day Hikes in Palm Desert Palm Springs is great in January as it has moderate/warm weather In addition to the popular options of golf and tennis, there are some day hikes in the vicinity and a visit to Joshua Tree is also a great option. Be sure to visit the local slot canyons which are a bit off the normal map, but a great find!
February
New Zealand, South Island It’s a big trip to get to the other side of the world, but you will be rewarded with great hiking, amazing scenery, and tons of activities.
Santa Barbara Girls Weekend If you want to stay closer to home, a long weekend to Santa Barbara lets you pack in a ton in a short time – hiking, biking, shopping, fine dining – it has a lot going on!
March
Portugal March/April is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to miss the summer crowds but still enjoy all the sights and activities the country has to offer. Unless you want a beach/surf vacation there, spring is a great time to go and explore this wonderful destination (and flights are cheaper this time of year as well).
April
Northern California’s coast between Half Moon Bay and Big Sur has a ton to offer. It can be a day trip to one of the destinations (coast from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur, and more), or it can be a multi-day trip that includes all of the above. Below are some options.
Drive along the California coast from Half Moon Bay to Watsonville along with a
May
The national parks have SO much to offer. Whether you are looking for a long weekend getaway (Zion is a great option) or a longer road trip (see other option below), there is a ton to do and see.
National Parks Family Road Trip – Page, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Death Valley
June
London London is great all year round. I took this girls trip in the fall, but it would be great in early summer as well.
Paris Paris is also great all year round. I took this trip with my son in August but June would make it a bit cooler and lessen the crowds a bit.
July
The four trips below are probably my top 4 family/multi-family trips that we have been on. Each one has something completely different to offer, but they were all FANTASTIC. Some were a while ago when my kids were younger and more available for family travel (!) but I would redo any of these in a heartbeat. My kids rate Croatia as their #1 favorite I think, and I choose Namibia/Botswana as my #1 family trip.
Bangkok and Laos Multi-Family Trip
Namibia Family Self-Driving Trip followed by Botswana/Capetown
August
Tour de Mont Blanc Hiking Trip Hut-to-hut hiking around Mont Blanc during the summer is a hiker’s paradise. Book accommodations early to ensure getting the huts that work with your hiking route!
Switzerland Trip with Kids Another great family option with some hiking, tons of activities, and amazing scenery.
September
Vietnam and Bali – Our kids were younger on this trip but it’s still a highlight for me. So much culture, history, beauty, and activities.
Mexico City/San Miquel de Allende – Mexico has so much to explore beyond beaches. Mexico City is full of amazing culture and cuisine and San Miquel de Allende was the perfect girls’ trip destination.
OctoberÂ
Is East Africa on your bucket list? The fall is a terrific time to visit, but it must be planned well in advance. There are so many destinations from which to choose. Below are itineraries from 3 different trips to Rwanda (and Kenya), Kenya, and Tanzania.
Kenya and Rwanda Girlfriends Trip
Family Trip to Tanzania, including Mafia Island and Zanzibar
November
Bhutan – What a magical place to visit! Book ahead as tourists are limited.
Cambodia – This can be a standalone trip or added on after Bhutan.
December
Cozy up at home :), or go on a great ski trip. Or to Australia. Or to Colombia….!
