Where To Travel When

Escape the winter chill and chase the sun. January is the best time to travel to two of The Slow Cyclist's most dramatic destinations. January offers the perfect riding weather for traversing the dramatic mountain passes in South Africa’s Klein Karoo, and the vibrant jungle tracks in the lush highlands of Rwanda.

For the best places to travel in February, swap the freezing temperatures for winter sun and adventures on two wheels. Enjoy the clear skies of the dry season in Northern Rwanda, comfortable tiger safaris and luxury camps across rural India, or golden-hour gravel riding through South Africa's spectacular Klein Karoo with luxury boutique accommodation.

If you are wondering where to go in March, India offers the ultimate travel sweet spot. Nestled perfectly between the cool winter months and the intense pre-monsoon heat, it's a great time to enjoy wildlife safaris before the hotter weather. In South Africa, the Klein Karoo is devoid of all other tourists, with temperate weather that makes for comfortable, easy going riding.

By April, the cycling season starts across much of Europe. The early spring days are warm enough for long rides, orchards and hedgerows are coming into blossom, and low-season prices still hold in many regions. If you're deciding where to travel in April, look to Portugal, Greece and Turkey; where the landscapes are at their freshest and greenest, before the busy season and high summer set in.

May is arguably the most reliable month for good weather in the cycling calendar: warm enough for short sleeves, cool enough for a full day in the saddle, green wherever you look. Mountain passes reopen, wildflowers peak, and many of Europe's best-loved routes are still uncrowded. For where to travel in May, we recommend the mountains of Zagori in Greece, where quiet roads and hillsides strewn with wildflowers in bloom will take your breath away; France, for the vineyards and cool river dips, or stay closer to home and visit Herefordshire for the absolute treat that is the English countryside in springtime.

June marks the glorious arrival of early summer, with long, light-filled days perfect for long rides and extended picnic lunches. For those wondering where to travel in June, the answer lies in the lush, vibrant landscapes. Ride through the wildflower meadows of Transylvania, tackle the spectacular coastal roads of the Basque Country, or embrace the wild, dramatic glens of the Scottish Borders before the mid-summer rush.

When the intense heat of midsummer settles over southern Europe, the best places to travel in July are found at higher latitudes and altitudes. Enjoy endless daylight cycling past the breathtaking, deep-blue fjords of Norway, or head east to explore the ancient, mountainous beauty and high-altitude trails of Armenia, where the air remains crisp and the roads refreshingly quiet.

August is the height of the summer holiday season, but tranquil cycling can still be found if you know where to look. If you're deciding where to travel in August to avoid the coastal crowds, head inland to the quiet, historic villages of France's Quercy region, the rugged, untamed peaks of Italy's Abruzzo, or the dramatic valleys of Armenia for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

September is a magical time for a cycling holiday, as the fierce heat of summer subsides and the crowds of school holidays vanish. It’s the perfect month for comfortable, leisurely riding and harvest-season gastronomy. Discover the best place to go in September by winding through Portugal's historic Côa Valley, the quiet mountain roads of Abruzzo, or the world-renowned culinary landscapes of the Basque Country.

As autumn chills northern Europe, the Mediterranean still clings to late summer warmth. October is the ideal time to follow the sun and enjoy quiet routes after the seasonal crowds have departed. For the best places to travel in October, explore our boat trips to the Dodecanese Islands, the rugged coastlines of Crete, or the wild, historic landscapes of Greece’s Mani peninsula.

When winter truly sets in across Europe, it’s time to head south in search of warmth. Swap grey skies for winter sun on a November cycling holiday. Experience the thrill of riding through the culturally rich landscapes of rural India, the lush, vibrant hills of Rwanda, or the vast, open plains and gravel tracks of South Africa's Karoo.

Escape the cold and end the year with an extraordinary adventure. December offers prime conditions for cycling in our favorite winter sun destinations. If you're wondering where to travel in December, treat yourself to comfortable daytime temperatures and spectacular scenery with a journey through the heart of India, the breathtaking highlands of Rwanda, or the stark, cinematic beauty of South Africa.