Hey Reader!
Shoulder season might be one of the best-kept secrets in travel planning.
Some of my most enjoyable trips with my mom took place in September, after the busiest summer travel period had started to wind down.
We still had plenty to see and do, but the experience felt calmer, less rushed, and far more enjoyable than many summer trips.
There were smaller crowds, fewer lines, and often lower prices. We could spend more time appreciating a destination instead of navigating packed streets or standing in long lines.
The temperatures were also more comfortable. Exploring historic neighborhoods, museums, churches, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites is much more pleasant when you are not battling the peak heat of summer.
Shoulder-season travel can also help spread tourism beyond the busiest weeks of the year. Visiting outside peak summer months can reduce some of the pressure that overtourism places on local communities, while still allowing travelers to support local hotels, restaurants, guides, and shops.
For many European destinations, September can be an excellent time to travel. You may even get to experience a harvest festival or experience!
Another favorite window is the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, particularly for European Christmas Market river cruises. You can experience the atmosphere of the holiday season while combining several destinations into 1 thoughtfully planned journey.
Nerd Alert: Timing can change the entire personality of a trip. The same historic square that feels hectic during the height of summer may feel completely different when you visit during a quieter month.
When planning a shoulder-season trip, think about:
- Whether you prefer comfortable temperatures over peak-summer heat
- How important smaller crowds and shorter lines are to you
- Whether your destination struggles with overtourism during its busiest months
- Whether September or the pre-Christmas travel period fits your schedule
- How much a slower, less crowded experience would improve your enjoyment
Travel does not always have to happen during the most popular weeks of the year. Sometimes, shifting your dates slightly can lead to a more affordable, comfortable, and meaningful experience.
Keep nerding out on the world,
Audra
The Nerd Traveler
Need help deciding when and where to travel? I offer general travel advising to help you think through destinations, timing, and the kind of experience you want from your trip.
Learn more about working with me.
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Here are my personal recommendations to help with booking trips:
1) Airline mistake fares and deals, I have Going.com Premium. I can enter my preferred airports and even favorite destinations and receive alerts via email or via the Going.com app when there is a sale on those flights.
They even track when airline points are good options.
2) When I want to learn about a new city without spending too much money, I utilize Guru Walks. These are walking tours in cities all around the world for FREE!
Please do budget some money (in local currency) for tips, though!
3) When I prefer more of a paid guided tour experience, I book those on Get Your Guide and Viator.
4) I always always protect my trip with Travel Safe travel insurance. They help cover any costs incurred with delays, cancellations, lost/stolen luggage, or getting sick or injured while traveling. Click here to see options and to get a quote.
Unless you have quite a few pre-trip expenses (deposits, tickets purchased in advance, etc.), you will likely not need Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.
5) I created an AI Assistant to help you with your trip planning. It includes lessons learned along the way, tips and tricks across my 30+ years of international and domestic travel. It also has two fillable workbooks to help you stay organized.
Click here for more details and to claim $10 off for the summer!
I use my Capital One Venture X when traveling for the miles and no foreign transaction fees (it was the least expensive way to spend 50 Euros on my recent trip!)
6) I have used Welcome Pickups for my airport transport upon arrival and departure. It is comforting to know someone will be there to give me a ride from/to the airport so that I don't have to try to navigate the taxi area and anyone who may try to scam or overcharge me. And they are locals who can give you great information about your destination.
7) Lastly, I always recommend booking hotel rooms directly with the hotel company. Be careful to not use 3rd party booking sites - Expedia, Booking, Trivago, Kayak. If something happens and you are delayed, you will get stuck in a phone tree/bot nightmare trying to get any issues or delays sorted out.
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