How to Choose Your Next Holiday Destination

Choosing where to travel isn’t just about ticking a destination off your list – it’s about finding a place that aligns with what matters most to you.

Before booking, think about when you want to travel, the type of holiday you’re looking for and the experiences that matter most to you. A little planning can help ensure your next trip matches the memories you want to create.

When do you want to travel?

The time of year you travel can have a huge impact on weather, crowds and pricing.

At WANDERLUSTMUSTS, we’ve found that travelling during the shoulder season can often offer the best balance of good weather and better value. We’ve visited Turkey and Albania in September and found it to be an ideal time to travel, with warm temperatures and fewer crowds than peak summer.

Morocco is another great example. Whether visiting Marrakech in March or December, we’ve enjoyed warm daytime temperatures that made exploring comfortable, while the evenings were cooler. Barbados in November was also a fantastic winter sun escape, offering tropical weather just as temperatures were beginning to drop in the UK.

What type of holiday do you want?

Think about the experiences you want from your trip.

Are you looking for relaxation, adventure, shopping, culture or a combination of everything?

For example, Thailand offered us the perfect mix of beautiful beaches, incredible food and unforgettable experiences when we visited in March. Before booking, we spent months researching the best time to visit because we wanted to island-hop and make the most of the trip.

What we discovered was that December to March is often one of the best times to visit Thailand, particularly if you’re planning to explore multiple islands. As the year progresses, some regions experience the rainy season, and certain island experiences become more limited. Researching the seasons helped us maximise our experience and reinforced the importance of choosing the right time to travel.

We’ve also visited Egypt and Dubai during July. While the temperatures were extremely high, both destinations were perfect for travellers whose priority is guaranteed sunshine and relaxing by the pool.

Another thing worth considering is whether there are any events, festivals or seasonal experiences taking place during your trip.

We first visited Albania because of Afrofete Festival. Not only did we discover a destination we may not have otherwise considered, but we also got to enjoy music and experiences that genuinely interested us. It became the perfect combination of exploring somewhere new while creating memories around something we were passionate about.

Whether it’s a music festival, Christmas market, local celebration or cherry blossom season, planning your holiday around both the weather and the experiences available can transform a good trip into an unforgettable one.

Interested in planning your travels around festivals, concerts and unique experiences? Be sure to check out our Festivals & Experiences guides for more inspiration.

What matters most to you?

Your lifestyle, interests and priorities should influence your destination choice.

If you’re a foodie, think about whether your chosen destination caters to your preferences. If relaxation is your priority, look for spa resorts and wellness retreats. If culture excites you, prioritise destinations rich in history and local experiences.

The best holidays aren’t always the most expensive or the furthest away – they’re the ones that align with what you need at that particular moment in your life.

Save this list for future travel planning and use it as inspiration when deciding where to go next.

Final Thoughts

Before booking your next holiday, ask yourself:

• When do I want to travel?

• What type of holiday am I looking for?

• What matters most to me while I’m away?

The best holidays aren’t about following trends or booking the first deal you find. They’re about choosing a destination that fits your lifestyle, interests and the memories you want to create.

Ready to plan your next adventure? Start by asking yourself one simple question:

What do I truly want from this holiday?