You might notice that in the photo above, I have Machu Picchu, the ancient wonder in Peru, pretty much all to myself. How’d I manage that? By going in January. It may be the rainy season, but I only experienced a few brief daytime showers during my weeklong trip—and those low-hanging clouds made the views all the more mystical and my photos all the more dramatic. Besides, it’s called a “cloud forest” because there’s moisture in the air year-round.

January, along with February and November, are the three months when we see the fewest of our travelers taking WOW trips. That makes those three months an underrated window of opportunity: Not only are crowds diminished and prices lower, but local fixers and their friends on the ground have more time for you.

So click on the images below to find out which places are most loved in November, January, and February—and get ready to be surprised!