February, at the world’s best hotels.

The quiet months in spa country: thermal baths and three-star cooking without the summer cure crowd.

Truffle season and fireside quiet in the Umbrian hills.

Winter Tuscany: olive harvest, truffle menus, and estate fires lit.

Ireland's great houses in winter: drawing-room fires and the demesne to yourself.

Deep-winter Paris: museums, brasseries, and the year's best hotel rates.

Deep-winter country house season: long walks, longer dinners, fires everywhere.

The Alentejo's quiet half-year: olive harvest, starlit skies, fireplaces lit.

The Alentejo's quiet half-year: olive harvest, starlit skies, fireplaces lit.

Late wet season: the island at its lushest before the dry-season rush.

Winter kaiseki and hot springs with the temple town to yourself.

Deep-winter onsen bathing after the New Year rush clears out.

Snow-country bathing and crab season on the quiet Japan Sea coast.

Winter on the strait: gardens in bloom early, the city at its most local.

Kalahari summer: meerkat pups, desert blooms, and the reserve's quietest months.

Green season on the pans: zebra migration, desert flowers, dramatic storm light.

Winter light on the kasbahs, snow on the High Atlas behind them.

Crisp winter days in the medina after the holiday crowds leave.

The green season on the atoll: brief warm rains, dramatic skies, meaningful savings.