If you’re mapping out your next vacation, don’t just follow your wanderlust—check the forecast, too.
“Weather can make a vacation magical or really dampen the fun,” warns Amandine Robin-Caplan, Chief Brand and Communications Officer for Travel + Leisure Co. “Of course, always consider global weather patterns when you’re planning a trip.”
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From hurricanes in the eastern U.S. and Caribbean to typhoons in Southeast Asia and tornadoes in the Midwest, Robin-Caplan points out these high-risk zones can disrupt travel plans—especially in late summer and fall. And winter weather isn’t much kinder. “I’ve been stuck at airports with flights that couldn’t leave because of winter storms. It’s not a fun place to be.”
Still, travelers aren’t shying away from adventure—they’re just getting smarter about how and when they go. “Since the pandemic, people have put travel as their top priority,” Robin-Caplan said. “They want to go to all these must-see destinations, and some that are lesser-known.”
One trick to lessen weather’s impact: Stick closer to home. “Take advantage of a drive-to destination,” she suggests. “Some of the popular drive-to destinations are Orlando, Myrtle Beach, and the national parks. It’s a good hack to consider with those weather delays.”
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For those looking to beat the crowds and the storms, Travel + Leisure’s editors recommend a handful of unique spots. “We’re noticing travelers getting excited about those lesser-known destinations,” Robin-Caplan said. “Especially for the summer—the White Mountains in New Hampshire for outdoor adventures, Colombia for its beaches and lush coffee regions, and in Europe, Slovenia, with medieval architecture.”
Winter travelers also have choices that go beyond the ski slopes. “There is Baraboo in Wisconsin, a snowy, small town with small-town vibes,” Robin-Caplan shared. “Sevierville in Tennessee offers outdoor adventure and family time. And then I’m French, so of course I’ll mention Paris for the winter—the Christmas markets, gentle snow, and holiday shopping are wonderful.”
Looking for sun instead of snow in the winter months? “If you want to escape the cold, you have Costa Rica, that was Travel + Leisure’s Destination of the Year. Also, Tunisia, which is a bit more unexpected internationally,” she adds.
As for awe-inspiring destinations that put the weather front and center, Robin-Caplan suggests Avan, Colorado for sleigh rides and outdoor ice skating, the Scottish Highlands for moody weather and mystical atmosphere and the Big Island in Hawaii for stargazing under dark skies.
For aurora seekers, Alaska tops her list, along with Canada’s Northwest Territories and Iceland’s volcanic landscapes.
If you’re eyeing popular cities like New York, Chicago, Paris, or Amsterdam, Robin-Caplan recommends a smart workaround: travel in the shoulder season. “It can be more affordable and you’ll also have fewer crowds.”
National parks, too, are best enjoyed in spring or fall. “You have comfortable climates and fewer crowds,” she said. “Yellowstone was our #1 National Park by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. And there’s Yosemite, Arches, Canyonlands.”
(MORE: Crowd-Free Alternatives To America’s Busiest National Parks)
And no matter where you go, tech could be your best friend. “There is so much online,” Robin-Caplan emphasized. “I was just on a huge traveling trip with flight delays, but I went online through the airline and their chat and got served in five minutes instead of the two-hour line at the airport.”
Her final advice: “People want travel to be a priority, continue to make it a priority, explore the world—whatever you’re into, whether it’s national parks, winter, summer, beach, or nature. There’s something out there to discover. So if you have any doubts, just go for it.”
Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.
