Your 2026 travel calendar: where to go for spectacular natural events

Jessica Baldwin

Get the timing right and your standard holiday can become a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. From watching meteors rain over Tenerife to witnessing Majorca's first total solar eclipse in more than a century, a little planning unlocks extraordinary moments.

Step on the world's largest salt flats in Bolivia © Marc - Adobe Stock Image

Whether you're a wildlife obsessive, an amateur astronomer or simply chasing pinch-me moments, 2026 is set to offer front-row seats to the planet's most spectacular natural events. From the peak of the solar maximum to the start of the Great Migration, our month-by-month planner spans land, sea and sky, delivering unforgettable experiences all year round.

January

Catch one of the year's biggest meteor showers in Tenerife

Beyond its sun-drenched beaches and bustling resorts, Tenerife is a treasure trove of natural wonders from volcanic caves and breaching whales to the dramatic Masca Gorge.

As one of the world's top stargazing destinations, Tenerife's UNESCO-listed Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, is perfect for watching the Quadrantid meteor shower, which kicks off 2026 with up to 120 shooting stars per hour.

Climate in Tenerife in January

18
18°C max daytime temperature
6
6 hours of sunshine per day
6
6 days with some rainfall
64
64 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

February

Witness the start of the Great Migration in Tanzania

Mother Nature at her most mesmerising: millions of animals thundering across Africa in a relentless bid for survival. While the dramatic Mara River crossings in Kenya may be the poster child of the Great Migration, it begins much earlier, in the Serengeti, Tanzania, with the birth of half a million wildebeest.

February marks peak calving season, which coincides with crowds thinning, prices dropping and predators moving in. This offers the ultimate front-row seat to the circle of life.

Climate in Tanzania in February

28
28°C max daytime temperature
8
8 hours of sunshine per day
13
13 days with some rainfall
100
100 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in the Serengeti.

March

Enjoy a petal picnic beneath Japan's famous cherry blossoms

For a few short weeks each spring, Japan's iconic sakura (cherry) trees bloom, dusting streets with candyfloss-pink confetti. Locals celebrate this fleeting beauty with hanami, or pretty petal picnics.

Go for Japan's iconic cherry blossom in spring © Tawatchai1990 - Adobe Stock Image

The spectacle begins in the south as early as January, sweeping up the archipelago. Thanks to the weather wizards at Japan Meteorological Corporation, this year Tokyo is predicted to bloom on 19 March 2026; bon appétit!

Climate in Japan in March

13
13°C max daytime temperature
6
6 hours of sunshine per day
16
16 days with some rainfall
94
94 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Tokyo.

Getting there: whether you're looking for flights only or the complete holiday package, search the latest travel deals with TUI, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic for both, departing for destinations worldwide from airports across the UK.

April

Cycle the Netherlands' Flower Route

With fields of technicoloured tulips stretching as far as the eye can see, it's hard to beat the Netherlands' "bulb region" in spring. The flower route runs from handsome Haarlem, with its gabled streets and cosy cafés, to culture-packed Leiden, where excellent museums line glittering canals.

Colour fields of tulips, Netherlands © Hoeks - Adobe Stock Image

With one of the planet's best cycling networks, pedal power reigns supreme. Weary? Take a break at the scenic flower farms en route.

Climate in the Netherlands in April

11
11°C max daytime temperature
5
5 hours of sunshine per day
13
13 days with some rainfall
47
47 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Haarlem.

May

Witness the world's greatest marine migration in South Africa

The arrival of billions of sardines along South Africa's east coast each May tempts an astonishing cast of predators; whales, dolphins and sharks. This fishy phenomenon spills into the skies too, as gannets loop-the-loop around this fin-fuelled feast. Watch the drama unfold from shore or join a guided dive to see the bait balls in action.

Climate in South Africa in May

23
23°C max daytime temperature
7
7 hours of sunshine per day
6
6 days with some rainfall
58
58 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Port St Johns.

June

Kayak around the planet's brightest 'bio bay' in Puerto Rico

It has tropical rainforests, vast caves and rose-hued salt flats, yet few sights match the magic of Puerto Rico's bioluminescent bays.

In reality, it's less abracadabra and more microscopic dinoflagellates, yet watching the neon shallows sparkle from a glass-bottomed kayak still feels utterly otherworldly. Vieques Island's whimsically named Mosquito Bay boasts the planet's brightest waters. With lower hurricane risk than peak summer, June offers warm weather and more bang for your bio bay buck.

Climate in Puerto Rico in June

30
30°C max daytime temperature
9
9 hours of sunshine per day
17
17 days with some rainfall
164
164 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Vieques.

July

Visit the land of the midnight sun in Sweden

Like squeezing every last drop from a destination? In Swedish Lapland, the Midnight Sun ensures your adventure never stops.

Kayaking in the midnight sun, northern Sweden © Alex Dreamliner - Shutterstock.com

The endless summer sun turns this vast Arctic wilderness into an anything-goes playground, and the further north you go, the longer the phenomenon lasts. Whether it's an all-night fish-a-thon, a midnight tundra hike, or a 2 am kayak, this bewitching land answers the call 24/7.

Climate in Sweden in July

17
17°C max daytime temperature
8
8 hours of sunshine per day
16
16 days with some rainfall
81
81 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Kiruna.

August

Witness the total eclipse from Majorca's UNESCO-listed mountains

On 12 August 2026, Majorca will play host to one of nature's most jaw-dropping spectacles: a total solar eclipse. Sitting on the path of totality, the island will be plunged into darkness for over a minute. With ghostly snow houses and long forgotten charcoal burners nestled within its almond and olive groves, the magnificent UNESCO-listed Tramuntana Mountains make the perfect viewing platform.

Climate in Majorca in August

27
27°C max daytime temperature
10
10 hours of sunshine per day
6
6 days with some rainfall
35
35 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Soller.

Travel with the experts: keen to go somewhere new but not sure how best to do it? Book an escorted tour with the experts from the likes of Wendy Wu Tours, Travelsphere and Explore!, which all offer small group, guided itineraries in the countries mentioned here.

September

See nature's greatest natural fireworks in Italy

Over on Italy's UNESCO-listed Aeolian Islands, smoky Stromboli has been smouldering for thousands of years. Erupting every 20 minutes or so, it's one of the world's most active volcanoes.

See the Stomboli volcano in action, Italy © Zazong - Adobe Stock Image

As darkness falls, the show heats up as jets of molten lava shoot high into the night sky. September is the sweet spot; tours are plentiful, yet crowds are smaller and prices are lower. Hop on board a sunset cruise or join a lung-busting night hike to see the drama unfold up close, safely.

Climate in Italy in September

25
25°C max daytime temperature
8
8 hours of sunshine per day
6
6 days with some rainfall
61
61 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Capo Vaticano.

October

Catch the best Northern Lights in over a decade from Finnish Lapland

Few sights are more bucket-list worthy than the Northern Lights. When solar winds slam Earth's atmosphere, the sky is illuminated with a mesmerising show. Superb displays coincide with the sun's 11-year 'solar maximum', which peaked in 2024 but will remain strong throughout 2026.

Spy the Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland © Simon van Hemert - Adobe Stock Image

While the Aurora occasionally graces the UK, Finnish Lapland offers 200 nights of brilliance.

Climate in Finland in October

2
2°C max daytime temperature
2
2 hours of sunshine per day
18
18 days with some rainfall
44
44 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Levi.

November

Snorkel with whales in Dominica

The island of Dominicia is the ultimate Caribbean idyll for wildlife watchers, with flora-filled rainforests, bubbling hot springs and thundering waterfalls. Inland, pelicans prance around pearly lakes, while offshore, resident sperm whales cruise the inky depths year-round.

Swim with sperm whales off Dominica © Tomas - Adobe Stock Image

Sightings peak in November, and as one of the only destinations on Earth where you can legally snorkel with whales, it's the perfect place to see these majestic mammals up close.

Climate in Dominica in November

30
30°C max daytime temperature
7
7 hours of sunshine per day
19
19 days with some rainfall
252
252 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Roseau.

December

Visit the world's largest salt flats in Bolivia

Destinations are often at their best when the sun is shining, but there are a few notable exceptions. Spanning snowcapped peaks and Amazonian jungles, Bolivia's varied landscapes boast pastel-hued lakes, bubbling geysers and incredible Inca trails.

When the rainy season kicks in, all eyes turn to Uyuni, the planet's largest salt flats. Covering more than 4,000 square miles, the rain transforms the blinding white expanse into a vast natural mirror, uniting land and sky.

Climate in Bolivia in December

17
17°C max daytime temperature
8
8 hours of sunshine per day
13
13 days with some rainfall
22
22 mm monthly rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Uyuni.

Get booking: browse current offers on flights, holidays, accommodation, escorted tours and so much more in our complete collection of online travel deals and discounts for 2026/2027.

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