Top reasons to travel during the off-peak season
Looking for authentic travel experiences with fewer crowds and picture-perfect weather? Off-Peak Tours are the best way to see more, sweat less, and save money while traveling.
Certain destinations sing during specific times of the year, like Munich during Oktoberfest, when the city roars to life with revelers, or Iceland in June, when stunning landscapes are lit by 24-hour sunlight. The same harmonious feeling can be felt in some of the even more popular travel locales during their quieter seasons. Bustling Parisian cafes turn into serene spots to watch the world go by. Sweater weather inspires the perfect outfit for that coin-tossing selfie in front of Rome’s Trevi Fountain. Instead of long lines, you’re greeted by locals eager to share their time—and favorite tucked-away spots—with you.
These magical moments are nestled between November and March in what’s known as the offseason or off-peak travel season, which sits outside the high-traffic summer months. On our new Off-Peak Tours, you’ll get to see another side of your destination. You’ll experience an authentic glimpse into daily life, enjoy a more laid-back pace, and have greater opportunities to embrace local culture. Read on to see the top reasons to travel offseason.
1. Milder weather makes off-season trips more pleasant
Tour to take: Off-Peak Spain: Madrid, Granada & Seville →
When it comes to June, July, and August in the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures easily reach the 80s and 90s F. Scorching summer heat makes spending time outdoors generally less enjoyable, especially in places without much shade (like Spain’s open-air plazas). But the beauty of shoulder season trips lies in sightseeing with more favorable temperatures, like enjoying a crisp autumn breeze as you explore Cordoba’s historic Jewish Quarter.
On our Off-Peak Spain: Madrid, Granada & Seville tour, you’ll have plenty of moments to relish leisurely strolls sans the sweat of summer travel. Temperatures in Seville sit pretty in the 60s F during the fall. Thanks to the Iberian Peninsula’s coastal surroundings and latitudinal location, winters are mild, especially in the southern region of Andalusia, which rarely sees temperatures below 34 F. Spring is arguably the best time of the year to travel to Spain—temperatures hover around the 50s and 60s F and the sweet fragrance of orange blossoms fill the air. Spain in springtime is unmatched—seeing sites like the Alhambra in Granda or the Alcazar in Seville covered in vibrant flowers a magical sight.
2. Fewer crowds make off-season travel easier
Tour to take: Off-Peak Greece: Athens, Delphi & Nafplio →
One of the best things about travel in the offseason is enjoying the sites with extra elbow room. Popular spots like the Acropolis in Athens experience few to no lines in the early spring, unlike the larger crowds of summer. On our Off-Peak Greece: Athens, Delphi & Nafplio tour, you’ll get visit the historic sites with more space to truly take it all in with fewer crowds and smaller tour group sizes. Check out our seasonal guide to Greece to see why it’s one of the best destinations for off-season travel.
One of the less-expected benefits of off-peak travel is better photos. It’s a lot easier to snap the perfect shot when you don’t have to share the space with as many visitors. “In the early spring, I was able to get photos of the sites themselves without hordes of pedestrians blocking my view,” said Go Ahead staffer Rozlyn. “You also have the luxury of spending a little more time trying to get the best shot before you have to make way for the next person.”
3. Off-season travel often means lower prices
Tour to take: Off-Peak Italy: Rome, Naples & Florence →
From pricey accommodations to inflated airfare, summer surge pricing can put a damper on even the best-laid travel plans. That’s why taking a guided tour in the offseason is an affordable travel idea. We created our Off-Peak Tours to combine off-peak travel advantages with a lower price point, plus all the perks of going guided. When you take our Off-Peak Italy: Rome, Naples & Florence tour, you’ll secure hard-to-get tickets to Rome’s Colosseum. You’ll also have a better chance of snagging last-minute tickets for free time activities, like day-of tickets to Florence’s Uffizi Gallery to admire Michelangelo’s “David.”
Looking for more travel deals offseason? Make the most of your moolah by taking advantage of restaurant specials (which will likely be as easy on your palate as your wallet thanks to seasonal freshness). One treat to look out for in Italy’s offseason is roasted chestnuts, sold by street vendors across the country during wintertime. If you’re lucky, you might even encounter a castagnata, or a small-scale food festival selling chestnuts and related goods. Curious about Italy’s other off-peak culinary delights? Check out these top Italian foods that taste better in the offseason →
4. Enjoy more authentic experiences in the offseason
Tour to take: Off-Peak France: Paris & the French Riviera →
Curious about where to travel in the offseason? Look no further than France to experience hospitality as warm as freshly baked baguettes. Some of the most memorable moments while traveling come from the experiences you have while interacting with the people who live there year-round. When there is less hustle and bustle, there is more time to spend making those real connections. See some of the other reasons France is a perfect winter Europe travel destination →
On our Off-Peak France: Paris & the French Riviera tour, you’ll split your time between the metropolitan capital of Paris, medieval Avignon and the surrounding Provincial countryside, and the glamorous French Riviera. The offseason is the perfect time of year for wine lovers to visit because France’s renowned wine regions come to life. Linger longer during a vineyard tour and talk terroir with expert winemakers as you sip from the source.
5. Seasonal events make off-season travel extra special
Tour to take: Off-Peak United Kingdom: Edinburgh & London →
Visiting the U.K. for an off-peak trip—or more specifically, visiting London in the wintertime—will feel as cozy as stepping into everyone’s favorite Christmas rom-com, “The Holiday.” Colorful lights line city streets and holiday markets fill the air with music and the smell of sweet treats. On our Off-Peak United Kingdom: Edinburgh & London tour, you’ll see the festive side of two capital cities.
Embarking on winter Europe travel means seeing other nations celebrate their holidays, which gives you a glimpse into the local culture and adds extra meaning to your off-season travel experience. On our new Off-Peak Tours, you can see how people around the world mark important events while getting to observe and participate in the festivities. Take Hogmanay, Scotland’s New Year, for example. While we share some New Year traditions, like fireworks, many customs are unique, such as first footing. This tradition involves being the first to cross the threshold into a house once the clock strikes midnight while carrying a lump of coal, all to bring good luck.
