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Picture this: You booked your dream trip to Greece and have spent months eagerly anticipating its most iconic sites. The revered ancient Acropolis of Athens is high on that list. It’s a place that can transport you to centuries past—a time capsule where ancient Greek civilization lives on amidst a modern world. To stand on those grounds and gaze up at the majestic Parthenon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many.
Now, you’ll always find a crowd at the world’s most famous sites. But, if your crowd-level tolerance is low, you might just prefer to visit that iconic hill when it’s a little easier to get that perfect photo with the Parthenon. We’re talking about visiting during the low season.
Globetrotting during less popular times could reward you with smaller crowds, better value, and more authentic experiences, just to name a few benefits. With good planning and the right destination, off-season travel can be the best kind of travel.
What is the Low Season?
The low season refers to the part of the year that is less popular for travel to a specific destination. Also known as “off-season” or “off-peak” season, it’s a place’s least busy time for tourism. Framing the off-season on both sides is shoulder season, the transitional period between off-peak and peak tourist times that usually sees more moderate crowds.
Is Off-Season Travel Worse?
While it might seem like crowds directly correlate to travel quality—after all, there has to be a reason why so many people visit when they do, right?—that’s not necessarily true. There are pros and cons to traveling at any time of the year, and the low season offers a treasure trove of benefits.
When is the Off-Season?
The low season varies based on the destination. While it’s largely impacted by climate, other factors such as activities, festivals, and events can affect timing. Keep in mind that some places can have multiple low seasons.
6 Benefits of Off-Season Travel
1. Avoid the Crowds
If you want to avoid swarms of people, off-season travel is your best bet. Fewer tourists mean smaller crowds, which equates to a long list of advantages, many of which overlap with other items on this list. Spend less time waiting and more time doing. Minimize the chaos and noise. Have more intimate experiences in the places you visit—the list goes on!
2. Get More Value
Want a better bang for your buck? The low season usually has lower demand, so some companies reduce prices or offer promotions to stay booked. You can typically expect more affordable accommodations, cheaper airfare and transportation, and great all-around deals.
3. Experience Local Living
With fewer tourists milling about, you have the opportunity for more intimate experiences. Trade stories with your waiter, who isn’t overwhelmed by hordes of travelers. Walk on peaceful streets beside those who live there. Savor local flavors during leisurely meals, forge connections with people you meet, and immerse yourself in the destination’s real culture.
4. See and Do More
During peak season, attractions can be booked out months in advance, and long lines might deter you from seeing a place or steal time from your day. The low season is often a different story. With fewer tourists to compete with, enjoy quicker queues and experience more of what you came for.
5. Support Sustainability
Travel during the low season can be more planet-friendly. Heavy tourism comes with a sizable carbon footprint and can strain an area’s resources. By opting for off-peak travel, you have an opportunity to reduce environmental impacts by taking less congested routes, choosing greener activities and transportation, and helping to conserve resources.
6. Help the Local Economy
That’s right—off-peak travel can benefit the local economy. In places where tourism is a main driver of business, a lack of travelers during part of the year can strain communities and livelihoods. By visiting during a less popular time, you’re helping those who rely on tourism.
Best Places to Travel Off-Season
Traveling during the off-season can be extremely rewarding, but not all destinations bring the same experiences. In some places, certain activities might not be available during the low season, and poor weather conditions—like monsoons, blizzards, or hurricanes—can make for a challenging stay. The key to enjoying low or shoulder season benefits is good planning: knowing where to go, what to do, and whether off-season travel works well for a particular place.
How to Plan a Low Season Trip
When planning your off-season adventure, you’ll want to consider various factors. For example, ensure the weather is appropriate for what you want to do. Transportation options, activities, and attractions are sometimes limited or unavailable during this time. Some areas undergo construction during periods of low demand, and there could be special health or safety considerations to know. Good research can help mitigate any unpleasant surprises.
Easy Low Season Travel With Collette
At Collette, we know how memorable off-season travel can be when planned well. That’s why we offer several tours that bring you the best of each destination with some of the benefits of off-peak adventuring. Journey through Croatia during shoulder season, get a taste of “Irish Splendor” in the fall, or enjoy sunny southern Spain during lower-demand months.
Or, if Greece really is your dream trip, get that photo of the Parthenon—minus the busy season photobombs—with our Classical Greece tour. Contact us today to book your next adventure!
