Your Specialist will be able to tell you more about the region’s climate, including details of regional festivals, but here is a general guide.
Japan’s climate varies greatly, ranging from temperate in the north to sub-tropical in the far south. Essentially, Japan and Korea’s seasons are more pronounced than our own, with the blossoming spring and multi-hued autumn the best times to travel.
As with all countries of its size, China is subject to enormous variations of climate. Spring and autumn are traditionally considered the times to visit China, but though we recommend avoiding the Chinese holidays of early May and October it is generally possible to travel all year round.
Central Asia has hot, dry summers and cold, bitter winters. The desert regions of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are best visited in late spring and early autumn, but though summers are extremely hot the bazaars are at their most bustling and the mountainous areas, including much of Kyrgyzstan, are lovely.
Travel to Tibet is only practical between the months of April and November, when it is surprisingly warm despite the altitude. The long, balmy evenings of Mongolia’s summer offer the classic time to visit, especially on the Trans-Siberian railway.
Iran has unusually diverse weather due to its size and varied geography, but broadly speaking the best times of year to visit are in spring and autumn. This is also true of The Caucasus, with temperatures somewhat higher than the UK and autumn in particular very beautiful indeed.
The best time to travel in Ukraine is when the spring blossoms are on the trees, and autumn when the weather is most clement. In both the Baltics and Ukraine, year round travel is possible.
The brief but glorious months of spring and autumn offer an excellent opportunity to experience European Russia in uncrowded peace, while many consider St Petersburg at its best when dressed in winter snow. Despite plummeting temperatures, travel in winter does remain a possibility - even the Trans-Siberian railway continues to chug across the icebound steppe.