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Last minute holiday destinations

Keep an eye on this Last Minute Holiday Destinations page as it keeps changing all the time. We have month by month tips such as where to see whales right now, where the best sea kayaking is next week, where the beaches are gorgeous but the monsoon is mega right now, and so on. But there is always somewhere to go at the last minute. It just might be somewhere different to what you imagined. But that’s half the fun of travel of course.

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Last minute holiday destinations

WHERE TO GO NOW

On this webpage we will regularly update the best last minute holiday destinations for you to visit over the next few weeks and even months, with details of holidays that that have late availability. To some travellers, booking three months in advance might not seem like ‘last minute’ at all, but if you are hoping to do something that usually requires booking a year or so in advance, like hiking the Inca Trail, going gorilla watching or climbing Kilimanjaro, then three months in advance is actually super last minute. And for something like Kili, you will need to make sure you have a few months to get in training anyway. If you just want to go cycling in Croatia, or horse riding in Catalonia, then you have a better chance of landing a place on the saddle at short notice – and forget about any notion of getting in training.

See our month-by-month guide for the best last minute holiday destinations below.

Hello.
If you'd like to chat about last minute holidays or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team.

01273 823 700

rosy@responsibletravel.com

January minute holidays

If you just want to embrace winter, then January has interesting options such as Japan, which – if you can find last minute spaces to go skiing or winter walking – is very de rigeur. Closer to home, Europe's mountains (including the Alps, the Cairngorms, Carpathian, Dolomites, Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada) also have plenty of snow for winter activities. Places like Scotland, Slovakia and Romania are not always the most obvious ones to book, but just as stunning and with much more tranquil pistes than some of the more traditional snow destinations. For more winter wanderlust, head to Sweden, Finland or Norway for snowshoeing, igloos, husky sledding, skating and, of course, seeing the Northern Lights.

For sunshine, it’s southeast Asia that you want, where it is dry and warm but not too hot. Other popular destinations at this time of year, but still with availability popping up as schools are back, are the Galapagos Islands, where there are calmer seas and warm weather, although you might still get spots of rain. As you will also in Costa Rica, as it is mostly rainforest after all, but in general, January brings warm sun.

You might get a bargain in the Patagonia sale when it comes to the shop , but unlikely in the destination where summer warmth, long days and access to the whole region make it peak season. But if availability does pop, it is magical at this time of year, and will get your new year off to the most inspiring start. Kerala in southern India is another great destination for some winter sun in contrast with the Himalayas, Delhi and the Golden Triangle regions which are best avoided though - they're freezing! However, this is one of the best times for tiger watching, if you bring your layers for those morning safaris. You won’t need layers in southwestern Sri Lanka, however, where the sun will shine, but avoid travelling to the northeast, where the monsoon has started.

Don’t write off Europe for sunshine off the pistes; parts of Andalucia can top 20 degrees in January and rainfall is rare. This is actually a much more pleasant time to take a walking or cycling holiday than midsummer – when 40°C heat makes any activity unfeasible. And if you head up into the mountains, you'll find plenty of the white stuff to keep you busy too.

February last minute holidays

Another tricky one for late availability – the beginning of the month is what is known as the ‘shoulder season’ in many countries, with more chances of late availability as February is outside the peak season. Until school half term holiday kicks in towards the end of the month, and then bookings can go crazy again. Also, a lot of families forget that February half term is coming, as they are just recovering from Christmas, so they also rush to book at the last minute. It is also hard to gauge where best to go at this time. Some unusual choices include Carnival season in the likes of Venice or Trinidad. Which will blow away any winter worries, for sure. If you want to treat a loved one to a romantic sun filled holiday for Valentine’s Day, watch last minute availability cropping up in Southeast Asia, where it is dry and warm but not too hot. But hot enough for Valentines.

Kerala in southern India is also a great destination for a bit of February fieriness. And if you want hot and wild, head to Costa Rica as this is a top time for wildlife holidays. Galapagos too, which are wild and wonderful all year round, but in February you will love the calmer seas, warmer weather although with risk of showers too. Bookings will pick up towards half term, as these islands are very popular with families. Don’t overlook mainland Ecuador at this time of year, especially before the school half term, when last minute availability is more likely to happen.

In southwestern Sri Lanka, the wildlife is abundant in Yala National Park and whales can be seen off the coast and it is also one of the top times for tiger safaris in India and Nepal. Although these book up way in advance, so if you spot late availability, you’ll need tiger feet to grab it quickly.

February is also a time when people get cabin fever, feeling the impact of the short days. You will soon shake off this feeling if you can get a last minute trip to Patagonia where, with vast open spaces, extraordinary scenery and hiking galore to wake up the senses and enlighten the soul, there is actually summer warmth, long days and easy access to the whole region. It might not be chilly in Chilly, but it will be still freezing in Finland. And Sweden and Norway, but the Northern Lights will lift you out of February’s dark moments, and also the 24-hour darkness is lifting here at this time, so you can still enjoy fun in the snow during the day as well, such as snowshoeing, skating, husky sledding and meeting the Sami.

If it’s snow that you want, Italy and Spain's mountains also still have plenty of it for winter activities - with the option of heading back down to the milder coastal areas for a bit of hiking or just chilling out.

March last minute holidays

We love activity holidays at this time of year and, as they are often small group holidays, you have a good chance of getting a last minute place in the group. For example, the spring time sunshine in southern Morocco is just perfect for activity holidays, as it is not too hot, as long as you don’t want to go too high in the mountains, where there may still be snow. But then again, you can combine snow with fun in the desert and the coast, so a win-win for those sprightly March hares out there. Costa Rica is dry and mostly sunny, so this is a great time for combining wildlife watching with activity holidays and the Galapagos are great just now for action, especially if you pick a land based holiday from where you can totally immerse yourself in real island life, and also their beaches.

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.

April last minute holidays

Although southern Europe is starting to warm up, it isn’t beach weather yet but the kayak trips are starting, albeit with wetsuits. And if you aren’t climbing too high, hiking and cycling breaks can be good too, as long as you pack your waterproofs. And your wildflower books, as this is when the hills start to blossom. The skies are coming to life in Scotland at this time of year too, as migratory birds are starting to arrive, and other wildlife starting to thrive too, so it is a great time for a wildlife holiday. Sicily, Sardinia and the south of Spain are starting to slowly simmer at this stage, however, for both water and land activities. The Northern Lights are usually still burning brightly at this stage too in the Far North of Europe, such as Iceland.

Further south, this is the best month for spotting as many species of whales as you can in the Azores. We also think that this is one of the most perfect times to visit Morocco, especially if you want desert adventures. Further afield, this is a good time to visit Borneo, as it’s the driest season. Cuba and Costa Rica are also at their driest in April, and wildlife at its most prolific, although Cuba is very de rigeur right now, so if you see late availability, grab it. It’s a hot ticket these days. This is also a great time to head to China, the north having thawed from the winter chill, while the summer heat and humidity haven’t yet kicked in in the south. Heat has kicked in big time in India’s Golden Triangle, however, so if there is late availability, be prepared.

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.

Photo credit: [May: Patty Ho] [June: Patrik Jones] [July: Ignorant Walking] [August: Moyan Brenn] [November: Leo Hidalgo] [December: kansasphoto]

Written by Catherine Mack

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