12 of the World’s Places to Stay Awhile

Each makes its own case for a month, a season or longer: when to go, where to base yourself, and how to get there, with the trade-offs laid out plainly.

Europe

A Paris street of limestone buildings and café terraces in late afternoon light ParisFrance The cultured city baseBest May–Jun, Sep–Oct · Stay 1–3 monthsRed-brick mansion blocks around a London garden square LondonEngland The connected global cityBest May–Sep · Stay 1–3 monthsA tree-lined Barcelona avenue with café terraces BarcelonaSpain The urban MediterraneanBest May–Jun, Sep–Oct · Stay 1–3 monthsA farmhouse among cypress trees on rolling green Tuscan hills TuscanyItaly The countryside immersionBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Stay 1–3 monthsFaro’s old town and marina beside the Ria Formosa lagoon The AlgarvePortugal The Atlantic alternativeBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Stay 1–6 months

Americas

Mountain homes among aspen trees below a snow-streaked peak AspenUSA The alpine escapeBest Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug · Stay a winter or a summer seasonSoft surf on a pale beach at sunrise Palm BeachUSA The established seasonal retreatBest Dec–Apr · Stay a season, December to April

Asia-Pacific

A weeping cherry tree in blossom over a lane of traditional Kyoto houses KyotoJapan The cultural immersionBest Mar–May, Oct–Nov · Stay 1–2 monthsAuckland’s skyline across the harbor from Devonport AucklandNew Zealand The faraway home baseBest Dec–Apr · Stay 2–4 months, December to MarchA golden temple spire above forest with Chiang Mai and a mountain beyond Chiang MaiThailand The alternative long-stay cityBest Nov–Feb · Stay 2–4 months, November to February

Middle East & Africa

The Dubai skyline at sunset seen from a lit apartment balcony DubaiUAE The winter-sun hubBest Nov–Mar · Stay 1–4 months in winterCamps Bay and Table Mountain at sunset Cape TownSouth Africa The nature-meets-city baseBest Nov–Mar · Stay 2–4 months, November to March