Many destinations have an off-season period when the days are shorter and the weather is poorer. Some places, especially beaches, completely shut down in off-season (Cinque Terre and the Greek Islands come to mind). These places still have steep discounts in shoulder season, the month or two before and after peak season.
Airline deals abound over the winter in an effort to increase sales to less desirable places. Mileage or point redemption rates also decline. Before using your miles, check to make sure it is a good value. We like The Points Guy Award Calculator and Nerd Wallet's Calculator. Comparing with both gives you a good idea if you are getting your money's worth. Even with moderate card hacking, our spend simply doesn't generate enough points to cover all trips. Since we are tied to the school calendar as teachers, we generally save our miles/points for peak times like summer months.
Sites typically have shorter hours or reduced days, but the lack of people and softer prices create excellent travel opportunities. Average hotel prices in European cities can decline by 30 or 40 euros per night versus high season, sometimes even more for mid-week travel. On a week long trip, those are real savings. Or you can shift up to a luxury hotel that you couldn't afford in a more desirable season. Shoulder season also provides a discount, but typically not as much.
Museums and attractions do shorten hours and days, but some have off-season pricing as an offset. The biggest benefit is the lack of crowds during low season. Even at blockbuster sites, there is space for everyone. Guided tours are smaller, giving you more attention from the leader. There are certain sites, like the Uffizi and Versailles, that uncomfortably crowded in peak seasons, but in the winter, have much lower level of attendance. While Covid restrictions temporarily addressed this issue, capacity has returned to normal levels in most places along with the crowds. For anyone with sensory issues or anxiety, less people, noise, stimulation is better all around.
While a little harder to measure, we have found that locals have more time to engage with visitors in the off-season. Their work hours are shorter and they aren't inundated with crowds so you can chat with people and learn a bit more about the culture. This is especially true for Thanksgiving travel because the Christmas festivities and traditions have kicked off. Thanksgiving is almost exclusively celebrated in America which makes it a superb time to visit Europe. November is also the tail end of hurricane season in the Carribean and prices tend to be softer during this shoulder period. By December, the Carribean is in high season.
Many states have Spring Break in March. European Spring Breaks are later in April or follow Easter. Flight deals to Europe are scarcer than Thanksgiving, but the softer prices upon arrival can still make it a budget friendly option. If you are in a state where school is out before Memorial Day, bolt across the Atlantic. Schools in Europe go well into June, even July in some places. Late May, early June is shoulder season in many places with pleasant weather and some discounts. Airline prices also take off in June for summer travel - leaving in May can save you some money or points!
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