The Best Places to Travel Every Month of the Year

For lots of Country Walkers guests we’ve talked to, 2022 holds the thrilling promise of once again exploring far-flung walking destinations, connecting with local cultures, and uncovering the world’s treasures in the most intimate fashion—by foot. 

In fact, the most common refrain we hear from folks is, “It’s not a matter of if we’ll travel next year, but when and where!” 

We’re here to help you zero in on the “when and where.”  

While most travelers are limited in when their schedule allows them to travel, the simple fact is that there are incredible reasons to travel at all times of year. All it takes is a little planning ahead. Don’t believe us? Here are our perfect Walking Adventures for every month of the year:

JANUARY 

Georgia: Savannah & the Golden Isles. With mild wintertime temperatures and refreshing Atlantic breezes, Georgia’s coastal splendors provide the ideal setting for long rambles. Explore the charms of Savannah, then walk the dunes, woodlands, and sweeping beaches of Cumberland, Little St. Simons, and Jekyll Islands, indulging in Southern hospitality and cuisine with every step. 

FEBRUARY 

New Zealand: The South Island. It’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere and the beauty of the South Island’s magnificent landscapes is at its peak. Glittering lakes, snow-capped peaks, ridge-top trails, and emerald-green forests spilling into the sea provide a soul-stirring setting for this truly epic Walking Adventure, the stunning Abel Tasman Coast and Charlotte tracks as its centerpieces. 

MARCH 

Morocco: Marrakech, Foothill of the High Atlas & Essaouira. Catch the dazzling beauty of Morocco during its most temperate month. Ancient caravan routes in the dramatic High Atlas Mountains deliver you to bustling spice-scented medinas, hidden gardens, and the charming seaside haven of Essaouira. Along the way, sip mint tea and savor a home-prepared meal with welcoming Berber hosts. 

APRIL 

Japan: Kyoto, Nara & the Kumano Kodo. Stays in Kyoto and Osaka bookend your pilgrimage along the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. You’ll walk in the footsteps of emperors on this enlightening sojourn, tracing timeworn steps through lush, forested landscapes and past rice paddies and pausing to explore elegant temples and meet the gracious Japanese people. 

MAY 

Spain: Camino de Santiago Self-Guided Adventure. During Spain’s springtime, walking is a revelation along the Camino de Santiago, the famed pilgrimage route. Traverse sprawling vineyards, hilltop hamlets, chestnut and oak forests, and the wide pastures of Galicia en route to the magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. We provide the detailed maps; you set the pace.  

JUNE 

Italy: Pompeii, Capri & the Amalfi Coast. Cool coastal breezes, fragrant lemon trees, and the shade of lush seaside hills soothe the soul during idyllic early-summer strolls on the Gulf of Salerno. From legendary Positano and Ravello to the Isle of Capri, sweeping vistas never felt so invigorating … or so god-like. Perhaps best of all, our walking trails let you leave the crowds behind. 

JULY 

Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley. Ancient Inca ruins, bustling old-world cities and markets, and a rich Andean culture elevate this Walking Adventure to new heights! The Andean July is cool here, so you’ll hike in comfort. You’ll marvel at every magnificent panorama, from the unrivalled saddleback setting of Machu Picchu to the pristine, deep-cut Sacred Valley. 

AUGUST 

England: The Cotswolds Self-Guided Adventure. A summer jaunt in the English countryside, you say? It’s walking at its most sublime. In the tranquil Cotswolds, gently undulating hills, stone villages in hues of honey and cream, lovely country gardens, and handsome old market towns converge into enchanting landscapes torn from a storybook. Our detailed maps help you experience it all. 

SEPTEMBER 

Vermont: Fall Foliage. Welcome to our neck of the woods, the ideal place for an autumn ramble. As the hills transform into a blaze of glorious red, orange, and gold, you’ll stroll into postcard villages, follow woodland trails and high ridgelines, and pass historic farms. During this carefully curated adventure, you’ll taste the true Vermont in its stellar craft beers and maple syrup and at an organic dairy farm.  

OCTOBER 

Portugal: Minho & the Douro Valley. There’s nothing like the picturesque Douro River during harvest time, its steep banks lined with vineyards ripe for the picking and elegant quinta wine estates. Combine it with that classic Portuguese hospitality, a scenic float on an authentic rabelo boat, and strolls along the Way of St. James, and you have a Walking Adventure of endless inspiration.  

NOVEMBER 

Ecuador: Andes & the Galápagos. Journey to the warmth of the Equator and delve into the best of Ecuador by land and sea. On one multi-faceted adventure, you’ll hike the gentle slopes of Andean highlands, ascend to a volcanic crater, and venture to the famed archipelago, where stunning walking paths reveal Darwin’s living laboratory of white-sand beaches, wild tortoises, and cavorting sea lions. 

DECEMBER 

Chile & Argentina: Patagonia & Torres del Paine National Park. Patagonia boasts a robust character all its own. Witness its scenic drama during the region’s summertime, from the imposing stone sentinels of Torres del Paine and the ever-shifting Perito Moreno Glacier to the vast Argentinian steppes. Throughout, you’ll glimpse guanacos, pink flamingoes, and condors taking wing … and receive a uniquely gaucho welcome.