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 / Europe
Mar 16, 2023Kids’ Guide to Ancient Sites in England
Kids are fascinated by mysteries, so spotting the enigmatic stone structures dotting the English countryside can be a great treasure hunt to keep kids engaged during your family’s travels in England. These stones and the museums that explain the larger ones are a tantalizing glimpse into the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
News
Mar 16, 2023Airlines Introducing, Altering Family Seating Policies
Anyone who has traveled with family knows the difficulty in not only booking seats together but also avoiding an extra charge to group a family together. Now, however, several airlines announce upgrades and changes to family seating policies in the wake of the Biden administration cracking down on airlines charging families to sit together.
Destinations / North America
Mar 16, 20236 Wisconsin Cities for Family Travel in 2023
Finding the right destination to cater to all age groups can sometimes be difficult for family travelers, but Wisconsin offers a wide variety of great family-friendly cities for those looking for a Midwest vacation this year. Here are six Wisconsin cities to consider adding to your family’s travels in 2023:
Destinations / North America
Mar 16, 20235 Family-Friendly Museum Restaurants in Florida
Combine culture with culinary during family travel to Florida at these five family-friendly museum restaurants.
Slideshow
Mar 16, 20237 Tbilisi, Georgia, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Tbilisi, Georgia, with us.
ShareThis