30 Places to Get an Early Start on Summer

March, April and May are three of the best months to visit Sydney as temperatures tend to be comfortable and the crowds are likely to be limited. However, if you're content with the city's relatively mild winters, pack a light jacket and hold off until June to save big on a hotel stay.

A spring trip to Las Vegas is your best bet for fewer crowds and pleasant weather. Keep in mind though that Sin City is a premier destination for weekend getaways. Therefore, you'll want to put those vacation days to work with a midweek stay.

Avoid overpaying and plan your Aruba visit for April or later. Temperatures will still feel like summer while room rates won't break the bank. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino on Palm Beach should be high on your list of potential accommodations as it has everything you need to ensure the perfect vacation.

Mexico City is a tremendous value destination and is guaranteed to surprise first-time visitors. For example, you might not know that the Mexican capital trails only New York City and London for the most museums in the world.

The Grand Canyon's South Rim features stunning views all year long but is at its best during the spring months, when visitors will discover mild temperatures and fewer crowds that make for ideal hiking and camping.

Kick start your best summer ever with a Cinco de Mayo celebration in San Diego. Rain showers are much less likely in mid- to late-spring so you shouldn't have any trouble relaxing on the beach, even if the water is still a little chilly.

With summer approaching, expect popular tourist attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park to still draw plenty of crowds.

Spring is perhaps the best time to head to Miami for those seeking abundant sunshine, vibrant events and favorable rates on hotels. The city hosts the annual Ultra Music Festival each March, the week-long Miami Beach Gay Pride celebration in April and Miami Fashion Week in late May.

Let's be honest. There's never a bad time to visit Nassau Paradise Island in the Bahamas. However, visitors will find that the weather is near-perfect in late-winter and early-spring with water temperatures nearly mirroring the thermostat on the beach.

One of Mexico's most famous tourist destinations, Los Cabos boasts a robust collection of luxury resorts and beautiful beaches. Plan a late-spring, early-summer escape to take advantage of the biggest discounts and fewest crowds.

Got your eyes on Mexico's Riviera Maya instead? Leave the kids at home and indulge your senses at the newly-renovated adults-only TRS Yucatan Hotel or bring the entire family for a fun-filled stay at the Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa.

Head to Punta Cana during shoulder season and you'll save money and stress as crowds will be thin. The award-winning all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana resort is where you'll want to unpack your bags. For families, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is a no-brainer.

Experience Jamaica's beautiful beachfront stress-free with a stay at Sandals Montego Bay. The all-inclusive resort sits on a private stretch of white-sand beach and features luxe accommodations, including swim-up suites that come complete with a soaking tub and personal butler.

The Colombian port city of Cartagena has earned the nickname "The Magic City." Visitors will uncover phenomenal beaches along the Caribbean coast as well as numerous historic and religious sites, including the centuries-old Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress.

Americans counting down the days until the start of fall will find a pleasant preview of autumn in Santiago, Chile when visiting March through May. The autumn foliage is picturesque and the daytime temperatures are warm enough for visitors to experience it up close and personal. It's the best of both seasons.

Morocco is never more attractive than it is between March and May and the former imperial city of Marrakesh is a tourist's dream. You should expect plenty of company in the spring but there's no shortage of art, cuisine, culture and history to dive into.

You would hard-pressed to run out of things to do on the Thai island province of Phuket, which combines lush rainforest and scenic mountains with some of Asia's most stunning beaches. That said, nature lovers will especially fall for this destination. Anticipate hot temperatures if visiting at the conclusion of the high tourist season in March.

If you're looking for a last-minute deal on a luxury stay in paradise, Saint Lucia's Marigot Bay Resort & Marina by Capella has got you covered. Now through April 6 you can save 25 percent on your booking and receive a complimentary rum tasting for two on travel up to April 8.

Dubai is known for its brutal summers so visitors will want to make their trip by the end of March. The impending heat and humidity will mean fewer tourists to contend with on the white-sand beaches.

Mardi Gras may be over in February but the Big Easy will be jumping all year long as it continues to celebrate its Tricentennial. The end of winter means rising temperatures and electric outdoor music festivals. New Orleans is also set to host the Show of Shows in WrestleMania 34 in April.

The Canary Islands is another fantastic destination to explore in the offseason as weather conditions remain excellent while crowds die down. As a result, you'll have a much better shot at finding a hotel rate that suits your budget in the months of March, April and May.

Beat the high season crowds and plan a May or June trip to the Greek island of Crete. Weather won't be an issue and visitors shouldn't have trouble booking accommodations. Be sure to check out the famously pink Elafonissi Beach before its overrun with tourists.

The Mediterranean archipelago is indeed a country despite boasting a total area of just 122 square miles. While Malta's climate is favorable year-round, history buffs in particular will be drawn here as there are almost too many historic sites to count. A tour of the old fortified city of Mdina is an excellent starting point.

Visitors to laidback Waikiki in 2018 will want to experience the new-look Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, which recently underwent a $115 million redevelopment. The resort boasts 830-plus new guestrooms among other highlights, which include a three-story oceanarium of tropical marine life and a fifth-floor saltwater infinity pool overlooking the beach.

Florida's Emerald Coast is easy to overlook but it doesn't take long to realize what makes it so special. Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island are home to some of the prettiest sandy beaches in the world, unique family attractions, nature parks and countless activities for water sports enthusiasts.

You'll find the tiny island of Caye Caulker in the Caribbean off the coast of Belize. It's most-ideal for snorkeling and diving thanks to its proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef but it's also a perfect place to unwind as the village and its people are among the most friendly and laidback you'll find anywhere in the world.

Fiji's tropical storm season concludes in April and peak season ramps up in July so you'll want to target a trip somewhere in that window to ensure the best combination of weather, crowds and costs. Nonetheless, it's hard to go wrong when planning a getaway to this perennial paradise.

Bermuda's record-smashing 2017 certainly speaks to its appeal. After all, few destinations can offer visitors pink-sand beaches, clear blue waters and a taste of American/British culture all in the area of 22 square miles.

The two-month-long Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld Orlando makes the Theme Park Capital of the World an ideal spot to begin your summer of travel. Better yet, the nearby DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld will offer special nightly rates starting at just $119 for the duration of the event, February 17 through April 15, 2018.

Beach bums will feel right at home in the Cayman Islands, a destination boasting warm temperatures and sunny skies from January through December. Grand Cayman is the largest island and a hotspot for snorkeling and scuba diving. If you visit in May or later you're likely to find slightly fewer tourists.

Mexico certainly isn't lacking in resort towns. Puerto Vallarta is yet another stellar destination for travelers looking to hit the beach, let loose and experience a new culture. It's also extremely diverse and one of the world's most LGBT-friendly destinations.