When not to visit these 12 top destinations -- and when to go instead

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

The best time of the year to visit a destination can often be a subjective decision. It depends on what you're really after as a visitor. Are you seeking a bargain on accommodations and other expenses? Or long days of sunshine? Fewer tourists to jostle with at attractions?

These are just some of the questions to keep in mind when planning a getaway to some of the world's most popular destinations. Still, there are definitely better times and bad times to be a tourist in iconic places such as Paris, Tuscany, and Barcelona. Here's what travel industry insiders had to say about the best and worst times to visit some of the world's greatest travel spots.

RELATED: Popular winter travel hotspots