The Top Destinations to Book During Shoulder Season
Here’s what you’ll learn after reading this article:
- Shoulder season is the "sweet spot" for travel between peak and low seasons, offering a balance of pleasant weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds.
- The timing of this season varies by location; for example, Europe’s shoulder seasons are typically in late spring and early fall, while the Caribbean’s fall between late April to June and September to November.
- Peak travel times are heavily influenced by school calendars—such as summer and spring breaks—and specific activities like skiing or beach vacations.
Step aside summer – shoulder season is the new best time of year to travel. This is the smart traveler’s secret weapon, allowing you to escape the large crowds and high price tags that can arise from vacationing during peak season. When the kids head back to school, the temperatures settle down ever so slightly while the prices drop exponentially. If you book early and know what to look for, that is!
What is Shoulder Season?
Shoulder season is one of the best travel hacks to help you score fewer crowds and a more affordable vacation. It’s that sweet spot between the peak season, when the destination is the most in demand, and the low season, when the weather isn’t as preferable.
Each destination will have various times of the year when they’re in their peak and off-season, meaning the shoulder season will also be different for each destination. It also depends on the type of activities you want to do. If you’re looking to explore cathedrals and museums, a few days of bad weather might not matter as much compared to a beach vacation.
During this time of year, fewer people travel. You’ll be able to nab a sun lounger on the beach, easily secure a last-minute dinner reservation, take photos without having to edit out throngs of people and look at famous artwork uninterrupted.
Timing can also heavily depend on families and school schedules. Summer, Christmas and spring breaks will all affect when the busy period is. Work with a travel agent to determine the ideal timing for your vacation, while securing the price drops of the shoulder season.
Top Destinations for Shoulder Season
Europe
The best time to visit Europe for the shoulder season is during the spring from mid-April to mid-June, and then again in the fall from September to mid-October. This includes popular Mediterranean destinations such as France, Spain, Italy and Greece. In the Mediterranean, it can get very hot in the summer. In this case, the “shoulder” season can occur during July and August since other travelers are trying to avoid the heat. Local tourism, however, may still be in full swing. The Mediterranean includes many cruise ship destinations, which can allow you to relax and easily see the sights without having to flight and hotel hop.
Caribbean
Most people choose to visit the Caribbean during the dry season, which occurs from late November to the end of March. The shoulder season begins in late April to June and picks up again from September to November.
The Caribbean is one of the top spring break destinations for families as well as the Christmas holidays, so avoiding late December to early January and mid-late March can also help you secure savings.
Mexico, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba and the U.S. Virgin Islands are just a few of the best places to stay in the Caribbean. You can hit up all the top destinations by booking a Caribbean cruise!
Canada and the United States
Canada and the United States are large countries, and each province or state will have different peak times. It can also depend on whether you’re looking for a mountain skiing adventure or a relaxing oceanside vacation.
The peak season typically follows the school calendar. This means that early fall and late spring are the best times of year to get both fewer crowds and good weather. We highly suggest booking a tour, where local guides can lead you through ideal itineraries with a personal touch.
Book Your Dream Vacation!
While you can get an estimate on a destination’s shoulder season, these dates are not set in stone. It shifts every year depending on school breaks, local events, and current weather patterns. This is where a travel advisor can help you navigate timing based on years of historical data and firsthand traveling experience. To get the best deal and the best experience, find your local travel advisor to begin your vacation planning.
