Making a Decision on When to Travel
If you are in the process of making travel plans, you’ll need to make a decision on when is the best time to go. Therefore, your determination will be based on the amount you want to spend, if you can handle crowds, and the weather or the climate.
Seasonal Travel – Defining the Tourist Seasons
In the travel industry, seasonal travel is defined by a peak season, which runs through the summer months of June, July, and August; a shoulder season, which falls between April and June and September to October; and the off-season, running from November to the early part of spring or March.
How to Avoid the Crowds During the Peak Travel Season
Typically, most people like to travel during the summertime. Therefore, if you choose to plan a vacation during this time of year and want to avoid crowds, seek those warmer destinations that are not so well traveled. For example, take the back routes and roads while traveling or step into a small café in the middle of the day. Or, plan your sightseeing activities either in the early morning or later in the evening when day trippers are more likely to be sleeping or relaxing elsewhere.
Check the Climate for Spring or Fall Travel
If you plan your trip during shoulder season, or from April through June or in September or October, then expect to pay lower hotel charges, run into fewer crowds and enjoy more agreeable temperatures in most of the places you visit.
Whether you choose to go in the spring or fall though depends on the activity and the climate of a place. For example, if you are making arrangements to travel to the Alps, then it’s best to book travel in the fall rather than the spring as the mountains can still be snow-covered in early April. Or, if you want to spend some time along the Mediterranean coast, then spring is the best time to go as temperatures are generally milder than they are in the fall.
Off-season Travel: Ideal for Budget-conscious Travelers
That being said, many travelers find off-season travel to offer a number of benefits, especially when it comes to cost. Not only will your plane fare be cheaper, you’ll also spend a lot less money on your hotel accommodations as well. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the crowds or those strenuous queues, then you’ll appreciate the convenience of being an off-season traveler.
The Weather, However, May Not Be All That Appealing
However, you still have to weigh the advantages against the drawbacks as you will usually be subjected to colder temperatures and have to deal with fewer hours of sunlight too. Plus, some sights and attractions are not open during the off-season. Therefore, you may have to be inventive with respect to the activities you plan.
Know What to Expect before You Start Planning an Itinerary
Notably, every season has its merits with respect to travel. To make the most of your trip then, you’ll just need to know what to expect and plan accordingly.
