The following correction was printed in the Guardian's Corrections and Clarifications column, Wednesday January 7 2004

In the article below we suggested that Ramadan usually fell in December. That is not the case. This year, for example, it will be from mid-October to mid-November.

Africa

Africa's 30 million square kilometres encompass so much longitude and latitude that good weather can be found somewhere on the continent any time of year. Temperatures don't fluctuate dramatically and, of course, the closer to the equator the less variation. November and December are best for travel in West Africa, after the rainy season (March to October). Note that many national parks and wildlife reserves are closed during the rainy season and that the "Harmattan winds" can make for hazy and unphotogenic views in February.

Central Africa gets rain all year round but July and August are the driest months, while southern and North Africa have four seasons and are best visited April to August, and March to June, respectively.

There are two wet seasons in East Africa - the "short rains" and "long rains", making the best time to visit from June to October when the air is coolest.

Islamic holidays are observed throughout much of Africa, with the holy month of Ramadan usually falling in December.

Beware of heavily booked accommodation during the December/January school holidays in South Africa.

Asia

Asia is so vast that at any time of the year, you'll find good weather somewhere. The best time to visit northern Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Taiwan - is in spring (late February to May) and autumn (late September to early December). If travelling through southeast Asia - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and the lowlands of the Indian subcontinent - the best period is the cool season (October to late February).

The countries of Oceanic southeast Asia - Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines - are in the tropics and surrounded by sea, keeping the temperatures fairly consistently hot. These countries can be affected by monsoons, although you can often simply cross to the other side of the country or island to find better weather.

Australia

Any time is a good time to be in Australia, although summer (December to February) can get uncomfortably hot just about anywhere, even sometimes in Tasmania. Up north, this is the wet season, when it's very, very humid and when the sea is swarming with box jellyfish. On the upside, the Top End is beautifully green and free of tourists at this time.

From June until August, things cool down a little and dry up a lot in the north. This is a good time to visit Queensland or the outback. Overall, spring and autumn are probably the safest bets - the weather is reasonably mild wherever you are, and spring brings out the wildflowers in the outback, while autumn is particularly beautiful around Canberra and in the Victorian Alps.

The Americas

Autumn and spring are the best seasons to visit North America. Winters are cold (Canada has an average of -18 C in January), and summer is peak tourist season. California's southern coast is comfortable all year, but the beach scene is best between June and September.

Central and South America's best times are off-peak months of February, May, and September to November. Hurricane season in Central America spans June to November, and El Niño (the weather phenomenon with its torrential rains) hits between November and February. It's best to avoid Latin America at Easter due to overbooked accommodation.

Europe

Avoid Europe in August, when most Europeans take their annual summer holiday. Flights and accommodation are heavily booked and prices shoot up.

Consider remote areas of eastern Europe and parts of Scandinavia at this time of year to avoid the tourist frenzy. June through to August is hot, particularly on the Mediterranean coast. If you're not constrained by school holidays, September and October are ideal months - peak season is over and it's still relatively warm.

November to March sees Arctic weather in northern Scandinavia while snow covers the Alps and the Pyrenees. January and February are the best (and peak) skiing months.

March to June is beautiful, with the return of fine weather. Spring is a great time for sightseeing and walking, but pack your waterproofs as rain is likely in any season.

The Middle East

Most of the Middle East is best visited in autumn and spring. The summer months of June through to September should definitely be avoided - it is too hot to do anything. Winter, however, can be difficult in parts of Syria, Iran and Turkey when the weather is miserable and there is heavy snowfall.

It's best not to visit during Ramadan when many restaurants and cafes are closed and transport is slow (usually December). You should also avoid Moharram (the month of mourning) and Persian New Year celebrations in Iran. Passover and Easter in Israel and the Occupied Territories can be difficult as pilgrims flock to holy places and fill up hotels. There are some very colourful religious holidays to time your trip with, however, such as the Prophet's birthday (in May).

· For individual country advice on when to go, visit Lonely Planet's online World Guide, lonelyplanet.com.