Traveling off-season, whether to a ski resort, a Caribbean Island or a European capital can save you big bucks! Fewer crowds are another bonus. Shoulder seasons and off-seasons vary according to where you are in the world. In the United States, off-season for posh resorts in Arizona, for example, is during the summer when the temperatures rocket upward. Accommodations, and sometimes lift tickets, are cheaper during the early and late seasons at ski resorts. The lodges in Chile’s Patagonia charge less for rooms in early October, when it’s spring, than they do in November when it’s early summer.
Photo: Alexander Shalamov | Dreamstime
Know the pitfalls before booking an off-season trip. Research the locale you want to visit first. Check the weather websites to get a sense of what temperatures to expect. A golf vacation in Scottsdale is cheaper in the summer, but you may be playing in 100-plus heat. Book a ski vacation in November or early December and all of the slopes may not be open. If it’s a bike or hiking trip you don’t want to go during the rainy season. If it’s a city trip, you want to confirm the sites you want to explore will be open and the weather will be bearable.
Look for deals on websites (or on apps) at companies such as Expedia, Travelocity and GoLastMinute.com. A favorite is TravelZoo.com because you’ll find deals that might be available for a few months out, as well as last minute. The deals are available worldwide, and there will be an off-season somewhere on the globe.
Visit resort websites and look at the lodging packages. Check lodging prices to see when the rooms start jumping up in price. In many cases the prices will be broken out by season. Call a resort’s toll-free number and ask when is the least expensive time to visit and what deals might be offered. Visit hotel websites and check the packages. When booking airfare, visit Google Flights for price comparisons.
Photo: Kwiktor | Dreamstime
Be imaginative when it comes to finding a locale. During a winter trip to Yellowstone National Park you can go wolf watching or ride snowmobiles past the bison. Head to the Caribbean in the summertime. Although it’s hurricane season, the Dutch Antilles islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, are considered out of the hurricane belt. Visit Hawai’i in the spring or fall, when the prices tend to be lower than winter or high summer. Rates in Colorado’s resorts are less expensive when the slopes are green.
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Jan 14, 2021U.S. Bicycle Route System Adds 5 New Routes
Five new U.S. Bicycle Routes have been designated in four states — Maryland, New York, North Dakota and West Virginia — and Washington, D.C. These add 290 miles to the U.S. Bicycle Route System.
Sponsored Content
The Greatest Show on Earth
Step right up to the greatest show on Earth as FXExpress Publications, Global Traveler, trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com celebrate their 2020 award winners! Join the big top on Dec. 14 as we virtually award the winners of the 17th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards, including the Airline and Hotel of the Year; the 17th annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Survey; the eighth annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards; the sixth annual The Trazees; and the third annual Wherever Awards.
Destinations / North America
Jan 13, 2021West Virginia’s New National Park
West Virginia is home to the United States’ newest national park. Last month, Congress passed a bill upgrading West Virginia’s New River Gorge from a national river to a national park. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve marks the 63rd national park in the United States.
Kids
Jan 12, 2021Schoolcation at Four Seasons Hotel and Resort Disney World
With most school and work virtual these days, our daily routines can get a little repetitive. Switching up the daily routine as much as you can helps regain interest. Four Seasons Hotel and Resort Orlando at Disney World is offering a Schoolcation that makes virtual learning more fun for the kids, and offers a much-needed break for parents.
Destinations / North America
Jan 11, 2021Hide Away in Nantucket at The Bungalow
If the winter months have you craving a snowy retreat surrounded by off-season island fun and warm fireplaces, The Bungalow at Greydon House should be on your list. An iconic stay in Nantucket, Massachusetts, The Bungalow offers a two-bedroom, three-bathroom retreat in the heart of historic downtown.
Age Specific / Kids
Jan 8, 2021First-Ever Multicultural Channel for Youth, The Planet Classroom Network, Goes Live
The Planet Classroom Network launched its programming schedule with 28 cultural organizations committed to global programming, organized by CMRubinWorld. Season one will include six months of learning content on YouTube for youth by youth.
ShareThis