Reasons to Travel During Shoulder Seasons

It is no secret planning travel around holidays can cost well beyond the average travel budget, leaving travelers with few options in terms of exotic destinations. For those who are not forced to adhere to school or work holidays; however, the benefits of travel during the low seasons are worth the few extra days of vacation time.

Shoulder-season travel involves taking off during the not-so-obvious months of the year, such as September through November, or the spring months that do not revolve around Easter or Memorial Day. Beyond price, here are a few added motivators to save travel for the fall and spring.

Fewer travelers during these seasons means a greater availability of flight tickets, and tickets with fares that fall into your flight budget. It also means a wider selection of hotel rooms, Airbnb rentals and all other tourism activities. Say adios to long lines at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and say bonjour to empty seats at popular Parisian restaurants.

Fall is the perfect season to visit the regions that stay warm all year-round. As snow begins to fall up north, head to the beaches of Southeast Asia or the Mediterranean coast where hordes of vacationers have disappeared. For those aching to view some old-fashioned fall foliage, though, take to the European countryside of France, Germany and other nearby nations for hiking trails and gorgeous scenery.

If you are having difficulty deciding where to go, fall and spring are the perfect seasons for last-minute bookings. Rates can fall as your departure date approaches, and the likelihood plane tickets and hotel rooms will still be available is extremely high.