We’ve all been there. The sticky heat and the claustrophobic crowds inside the historic monument that you were told to visit during the summer because of the “season”. The constant odor of human perspiration, and a beach clogged with sunbathing bodies on the only vacation you’ve had for two years. Hotel and flight bills escalating as you plan your maiden trip to Hawaii in the spring break. Ski-resorts with no place to ski freely for fear of ramming into someone. People carelessly milling about when you’re about to take a photo, with more photobombs than you can count.
Every travel guide you read seems to tell you that if you want to catch the best of the culture of the destination, you must go only in season. For some, this is affordable and fun. For the travel industry, this means sky-high pricing and profits. For others who would like a glimpse of the ordinary life of the travel spot, visiting a destination in the off-season months guarantees a comfortable and crowd-free experience. Here are some month-wise destinations and travel spots you can visit in the off-seasons.
January in French Riviera or Cote d’Azur
Pretty much all of France is a-bustle in the summers, especially the south of France, like the French Riviera. Temperatures are very low, but so are hotel prices (comparatively). Exploring the coast and the surrounding towns like Nice is ideal, besides visiting Cannes, and Saint Tropez without all the crowd. You are likely to see a very different version of this famous destination, with little snow, rain and closed roads in the beginning of February. But still worth it.
February in Hawaii
To escape the Christmas and spring break holiday crowd, Maui, Hawaii, is the ideal off-peak destination in February, with temperatures neither here nor there, and most tourist services still running but not burdened. You can catch the humpbacks migrating along the shores, do some trekking and water sports at Eddie Aikau Invitational, or just catch a few local festivals at great discounts. You could also visit around September-November, another low season time.
March in Brazil
A place famous almost all year round, the new year and Carnaval crowd has gone by now. The beaches will be relatively free and temperatures will start to fall. Exploring the Amazon region, or the Iguazu Falls, and other cities like Recife, Salvador and Olinda is a good idea. You can visit the beaches of Bahia to escape the rains, or São Paulo (Ubatuba) in the north too.
April in Australia
April in Australia differs where in Australia you go. The north will be much warmer than the south but not enough to be snowed over. The Great Barrier Reef is amazing during this time of the year, as well as the Barossa Valley, Oz’s finest wine-producing region. Easter events and Anzac Day in Sydney are not to be missed, and so are Botany Bay National Park and chilly Tasmania.
May in Maldives
Despite the rain, the wet, low season in Maldives can be ideal for a holiday. The peak is from December to April, but surfers can enjoy the best waves in the low season. Divers are usually blessed all year round. Hotels anticipate lesser crowds and reduce fares, but do not completely shut down. Stormy and dark clouds usually blow over quickly. You’ll probably have the whole place to yourself for a little bit of solitude, mingling with the locals, and visiting markets.
June in Central Asia
Countries in central Asia are still unexplored as travel destinations. This area is not going to be chock-full of people all the time. Tourist infrastructure is not that experienced, but countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, etc., have a lot of nature tourism to offer in the form of natural gas craters, mountains, indigenous flora and fauna, old ruins, vast, open and unpolluted landscapes, and uber-friendly locals, especially along the Silk-Route cities.
July in Kashmir
The “troubled” North Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is known locally as ‘Paradise on Earth’. Travel to Kashmir is reduced once schools start in India around June-July. The famous shikaras of Dal Lake in Srinagar, and Leh-Ladakh are accessible since the high passes are less clogged at this time. There is no snow, but the rains begin in July, hence most tourist spots are deserted.
August in Iceland
The beginning of the shoulder season in Iceland is a great way to explore just outside the capital Reykjavík, where a lot of local activities like sheep round ups, all-night long festivities, horseback riding, skiing and snowmobiling in the north, especially in the northern capital of Akureyri. The capital has amazing nightlife as well, and is comparatively warmer and cheaper when approaching September.
September in the Swiss Alps
The Alps are just relieved of their August crowds going back home, and the snow is a month or so away. However the weather is mostly fair for a short hike across short stretches. Grindelwald and Gimmelwald are good starting points, although villages along the Swiss Alps may be slightly more expensive than the Austrian stretch, it’s all a safe and beautiful endeavor to undertake without any of the crowds.
October in Greece
The weather in Greece and the Mediterranean countries is generally pleasantly cooler in October, and avoids the slightly more extreme climate of the summer and winter months. Hotel rooms are not so expensive at this time of the year, because it is between seasons. Bargains at shops (some will inevitably be closed off-season) come easy, and you can stroll leisurely around Crete, Mykonos, or Athens, or even opt for a slightly bumpy cruise around town.
November in Venice
The water of Venice rises higher and is the cause of freezing, misty, and damp winters in Venice. Don’t let that deter you from seeing Rialto Bridge along the Grand Canal, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Bridge of Sighs. Take advantage of the isolation to investigate local art and culture by visiting the Gallerie dell’ Accademia, and snap photobomb-free pictures of St. Mark’s Basilica and Square. Europe has cheaper lodging during the winters, although the weather and daylight are not as good.
December in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a favorite among Americans and tourists, in the spring, summer, and sometimes, fall. Roads close and temperatures plummet after December, and some amenities are not available after the summer. Despite the shortcomings, the wildlife is easily traceable and is a haven for genuine wildlife lovers.
It is a much better idea to take some time off during the off-season months. People at work will not grumble as much when you take a week off, because most of the workforce is available. The children will be happy to skip a week at school, though we don’t recommend this. You will have the best rooms available at hotels, and take the best people-free photos on all your trips. There will be a chance to see how things are in popular tourist spots when tourists are not gallivanting all over the place.
However, there are some precautions that you must take before trying to set out in the off season. Most often, what the industry calls “shoulder” seasons are the best times to visit, since they are the “Goldilocks zone” of travel. Neither too good nor too bad. You need to know if at least some attractions are open. Making sure that you can get to the destination is another thing you must confirm. Places that primarily run on tourism are not accessible in off season months because transport is cut off. Many hotels shut down during non-peak times to minimize running costs and losses. Thus, it is essential to know what you’re going in for if you go in the off-season, to prevent disappointments.
So go ahead, do a li’l research of your own, and have a blast!
