Shoulder Seasons Provide Ideal Travel Experiences
With fewer tourists present, shoulder seasons provide the ideal conditions for travelers looking for unique destination experiences such as cultural excursions and outdoor adventure vacations – not to mention benefiting local communities that depend on tourism for year-round income.
Many tourist spots seek year-round crowds, so they host fun festivals that won’t coincide with peak tourist visits – such as Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival or Hawaii Food & Wine Festival (October).
Spring
Spring and fall shoulder seasons might seem less alluring than their respective summer and winter counterparts, but they’re becoming more desirable among travelers as overcrowded beaches and costly hotels become less appealing. Depending on your destination, spring/fall shoulder seasons offer ideal combinations of weather, festivals/attractions (such as Oktoberfest), savings opportunities – as well as great experiences!
“Traveling shoulder season refers to the period between peak and off seasons in any destination,” according to Katy Nastro, travel expert for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). Typically it occurs right before or after major holidays such as Christmas in Europe or Easter in America.
As people traveling during the shoulder season can benefit from shorter lines at airports, hotels and restaurants; smaller crowds at popular landmarks and tours; easier last-minute excursions (such as Alaska’s Inside Passage or Yellowstone National Park for mating season when male elk bugle high-pitched vocalizations in order to attract mates); as well as easier last-minute trip booking.
Travel experts estimate that booking your travel during shoulder season could save up to 23% over traveling at peak times – giving you extra funds for meals, souvenirs and extra experiences during your journey.
As well as offering lower prices, shoulder season travel offers other perks that make it worthwhile, like more comfortable temperatures. Summer heat may make touring museums like Athens‘ Acropolis or Pompeii difficult; winter temperatures may make hiking or camping in national parks less than enjoyable.
Taylor says she has noticed fewer families taking time off during the school year, yet an increase in clients pulling their children out for short trips during fall and spring breaks without worrying about homework catching up with them. Thanks to pandemic disease response efforts, however, many schools now make it easier for parents to pull their child from class in an emergency situation according to her observations.
Summer
Summertime is an ideal time to explore tropical destinations, but the heat and crowds can make it hard to truly relax and unwind. Traveling during shoulder season offers you an ideal opportunity to avoid higher prices and crowds while still experiencing many of its highlights.
Expedia’s Fall Travel Forecast shows that travelers will find better hotel deals and lower airfare costs during spring and fall travel seasons, which could save up to 17% from peak-season rates. That means more money saved can go toward experiences like local food, cultural activities, or souvenir shopping!
While traveling during the off-season can have its advantages, be mindful of some attractions and events closing up shop. For instance, Yellowstone National Park might not allow you to witness its famous bugling elk during mating season or sail along Alaska’s Inside Passage and see towering glaciers during ice season – two must-do experiences!
Most travel destinations feature a shoulder season–the time just before or after their peak travel seasons–that can vary depending on weather conditions and activities, for instance hiking is best experienced during spring and fall when temperatures aren’t too hot or too cold to allow outdoor exploration.
Shoulder season offers the ideal combination of reasonable prices (albeit not necessarily the lowest), pleasant weather conditions, and smaller crowds – making it the ideal time for travel. Make sure to research your specific destination carefully to select an optimal time and season to visit it.
Fall
Fall is an ideal time for travelers looking to save on flights and stay at reasonably-priced hotels and vacation rentals without crowds – particularly popular destinations in Europe, the Caribbean and North America.
Travelers should keep in mind that while crowds may still be lower than peak season, you won’t find many spots completely devoid of tourists – particularly destinations reliant on tourism such as national parks and European cities. Still, most visitors who visit in autumn tend to enjoy themselves even though the experience might not be quite as idyllic as during peak summer season.
One reason travelers favor shoulder season travel is due to lower air fares; according to NerdWallet’s 2021 analysis, average airfares were 23% less expensive in shoulder season versus peak season; booking your trip several months in advance may even yield significant savings!
As well as saving money, planning ahead gives you time to properly prepare for your trip and plan any unique activities you want to include on it. Some travelers even experience sights or events only available during off-season travel!
Spring fairs and harvest festivals held in picturesque European and South American towns and villages give travelers an authentic glimpse of local culture. Travelers can also witness Alaska from another perspective during its spring and fall shoulder seasons when gray whales migrate between Baja California and Denali National Park, producing stunning displays of red, orange and yellow hues in Denali National Park.
Shoulder season vacations are becoming increasingly popular as they offer families more realistic vacation options for taking their children on trips. Parents typically struggle with getting time off work during peak season and often encounter long lines at theme parks and other attractions; with children back at school during shoulder season there will be less children at resorts or family-oriented activities; thus helping to reduce stress levels and make for a more peaceful vacation experience for all involved.
Winter
Travel is all about creating memorable experiences, and shoulder season makes this even more so when there are fewer crowds.
Crowds can quickly ruin a trip, thwarting sightseeing activities or hindering you from fully appreciating nature’s beauties. Therefore, many travelers opt to travel during shoulder season – from June through August in Europe and January-February elsewhere in Northern Hemisphere countries-when travelers can benefit from sunny weather with less crowds and lower flight and hotel prices among other services available to them.
How do you define a destination’s shoulder season? Depending on its location, but as a general guideline it could be seen as the time between its peak season and offseason – for instance if your ideal vacation involves exploring the Galapagos Islands this would start in spring (in the Southern Hemisphere) and end in fall.
Travelers’ primary concern should be finding affordable accommodations and travel services during shoulder season, when demand for them may be reduced and airlines and hoteliers offer discounts or deals in order to attract visitors – this can lead to significant savings when planning their vacation costs.
Keep an eye out for seasonal restrictions or closures that could impede certain attractions or activities during shoulder season, depending on your destination and desired experience. This could restrict or even preclude participation in high-profile offerings like hiking up a glacier or participating in an exciting scavenger hunt.
Shoulder season is an incredible value for budget travelers. In addition to saving money on airfare and accommodations, shoulder season offers wider and more reasonably priced lodging choices than during peak seasons. Furthermore, this period offers great opportunities for booking excursions through Trafalgar; perhaps taking an Alaska cruise during this period could allow you to witness towering glaciers such as Glacier Bay while stopping off at charming port towns such as Skagway and Ketchikan while experiencing less crowds!
