Last minute holiday destinations

For snowy winter activities, check out late availability in Sweden, Finland and Norway where the 24 hour darkness has, thankfully, lifted, but the snow remains in the northern regions, as do the Northern Lights. Serious trekkers might want to bag a ticket as well as a mountain in Nepal in March, as the winter snows have melted and the monsoon season hasn’t hit yet. Monsoons still haven’t hit Burma either, where it is dry and warm, but not too hot in March. Cuba is at its driest in March too, with the winter chill having passed on.

You will still feel a chill in the air in Andalucia of a March morning, but the air heats up quickly creating warm sunny days for walking or cycling holidays, with the aromatic orange blossom also in bloom at the end of the month just to make the outings even more delicious. If March madness means splashing out on a wildlife holiday, this is a great time to keep an eye out for last minute availability in Kenya and Tanzania. You can get good deals at this time as the rainy season is due to start. The rains seem to arrive that bit later every year though – so you could get lucky with pleasant weather, low prices and few other vehicles crowding round the wildlife. March is also the month to spot the mother mammals of them all – whales. These trips do book out in advance, so if you can spot a place opening up last minute in March, head to Antarctica, the Azores or Sri Lanka for cetacean perfection.

South America is wonderful at this time of year. The Galapagos enjoy calmer seas and warmer weather - making this the best time to visit, despite the greater chance of rain. Peru’s coast is still hot and you can head into the mountains too. Inca Trail last minute availability is rare though, as the permits go in a heartbeat. Much of Patagonia is still accessible in early April - and the penguins are starting to arrive. You'll avoid the crowds and the high prices, while still enjoying some pleasant weather.

In Africa, you can get often get late availability, as it is just at the end of the rainy season for some, so some people are still wary of booking. Which is silly, because Namibia and Botswana's landscapes are still fresh from the rainy season, plus you'll have clear skies and plenty of wildlife. Madagascar is similarly lush and green following its recent rainy season. And this is also your last chance to visit Morocco before the summer heat really kicks in.

For last minute Peru, this is the start of the dry season, but the winter chill hasn’t kicked in yet, so it’s a good one to snap up. The winter has thawed in Norway and Finland, however, which is fantastic if you can get a last minute offer, because there are long daylight hours giving you plenty of time to spot the splendid wildlife all around too.

In Northern Europe, one of the joys of a last minute holiday is a huge hit of Vitamin D, with endless daylight in northern Sweden, Finland or Norway – ideal for walking, cycling, boating across lakes and even enjoying the beaches. Bring your bug spray, though! In Iceland, there’s 24-hour daylight and, just to add to the joys of that, migrating whales can be seen in the surrounding waters here during June too.

Talking of bugs, and they are inevitable, if you are lucky enough to get availability in Namibia and Botswana, the landscapes are still fresh from the rainy season, but you'll have clear skies and plenty of wildlife. The Great Migration's Mara River crossing starts now as well, so travel to Kenya or Tanzania is just perfect, plus you are beating the summer holiday rush to witness this incredible spectacle. But last minute places on these trips are pretty rare.

Heading east, although the monsoon rains hit Cambodia from June-October, they're often short, sharp afternoon storms. If you are travelling on a budget and looking to avoid the Angkor Wat crowds, this can be a great month to travel if you are lucky enough to get late availability. The stormy skies and green landscapes also make for some gorgeous photos.