A traveler's cheat guide to escaping the crowds.
January 10, 2025
Besides the perk of fewer crowds and lower prices, traveling outside the high season allows for a more authentic connection with a place and its local community. As the low season varies from place to place, here is some inspiration for where to travel each month.
Winter is the low season in most of southern and Mediterranean Europe. Seasonal resorts and smaller cities tend to close down but Portugal’s main cities remain in operation, making winter an ideal time for cultural sightseeing in Lisbon and Porto. The milder weather is ideal for exploring historical attractions, indulging in gastronomy, and visiting port cellars whereas the Algarve and Madeira are pleasant for hiking, sailing, and golfing.
Although technically still in the high season, the luxurious resorts of the Maldives see a drop in numbers after the holidays. January is optimal for finding a deal while the weather is at its sunniest and driest.
While spring chases away the last in the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere ease as fall arrives. This brings softer light for photography and high-end experiences such as helicopter rides. Fall also sees a wealth of harvest activities throughout New Zealand and Australia’s premium wine regions.
May and June are transitional months in Kenya, just ahead of the Great Migration and the high season. This shoulder season reintroduces a variety of wildlife-watching experiences and the humid atmosphere provides excellent conditions for photography.
South Africa is dryer than East Africa during these months and is a more reliable option for safari experiences. These winter months are quieter as hotspots such as Cape Town fill up at the end of the year.
Europe and North America face their highest numbers over the summer season but July and August means winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the worst time to travel to Patagonia but the best time to travel to the Atacama Desert in Chile. This arid desert region experiences comfortable daytime temperatures during winter and the best stargazing potential. Winter is also the quietest time to plan a cultural excursion to Easter Island. Wine tours operate throughout winter in Chile’s wine regions.
If your heart is set on Europe for summer, consider getting off the beaten path in the Baltics or Montenegro.
The United Kingdom is extremely busy over summer and the London weather is often muggy. September brings out a beautiful array of fall foliage in cities whereas rural areas are agreeable for walking and touring castles. Fall in the United Kingdom is also prime for literature and harvest festivals as well as grandiose theater productions.
While Italy’s shoulder season is less defined, there is a dip in visitor numbers in fall. This is the best time to experience the art galleries and museums of Italian cities and catch the final summer rays in coastal areas.
As November marks the start of the tourist season in Antarctica, this is the best time to secure a deal on the bucket list destination. Visiting the southern polar region in November and December is best for catching the last of the winter’s snowfall, previewing wildflowers, and watching the courtship of penguins.
Back on dry land, these months are suitable for touring Argentina’s wine regions before the summer heat peaks in January.
Contact Darby at Darby’s Destinations to design your perfect off-season trip.
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