Among folks in the travel industry, the period between early September and October is known as ” shoulder season.”
This travel period is sandwiched between summer vacation and the winter holidays, and travel is typically slow during these two months.
As tourism wanes, flight, cruise and hotel prices plummet. The combination of lower prices and lighter crowds makes shoulder season one of the best times to travel. If you’re able to sneak away, you can score deals on flights and hotels to dream destinations. To help you plan your autumn getaway for less, we’ve included 10 of the more affordable shoulder season destinations below.
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1. Hawaii. During the fall, Hawaiian hotel rates fall to their lowest prices of the year. After Labor Day, tourists pack up their beach gear, check out of their hotels and hop on flights home. Book a Hawaiian vacation in September or October, and you can score deep discounts on airfare and accommodations. Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy quieter resorts and sunny 85-degree weather.
2. Southern Caribbean. Though Caribbean hurricane season runs from July through August, storms are rare in southern islands, such as Aruba, Barbados, Grenada and Tobago. Because travelers tend to shy away from the Caribbean during shoulder season, you can often book luxury resort rooms for half price. Catch a flight or cruise to the Caribbean during shoulder season, and you’ll not only save on airfare — you’ll get stretches of calm Caribbean waters almost all to yourself.
3. Greece. The beginning of September marks the end of hot weather, huge crowds and overbooked hotels. Visit Greece during the fall when tourists take off and students return to college. During shoulder season, the sea is still warm, the light is softer and hotel rates are trimmed down.
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4. Peru. Home to one of the most legendary heritage sites in the world, Peru sees a fair share of sightseers. Though popular year-round, Peru’s Machu Picchu sees the least tourist traffic from September through November, and the Andes highlands seldom see rain. Sunny, clear blue skies and mild weather across most of Peru make the fall a perfect time to check out Cusco, plan a trek or visit the coast.
5. Australia. In Australia, springtime begins in September. Though the continent sees a wide range of climates, average daytime temperatures range from 50 to 75 degrees. During Australia’s shoulder season, you can get cheaper flights and hotel deals, and enjoy a more laidback atmosphere. Visit during September and October to catch festivals, such as the Sydney Fringe Festival and Night Noodle Markets.
6. Ireland. During the fall, Ireland’s frequent rainfall is soon followed by sunny weather. The local temperature drops, but so do hotel prices. In cities like Dublin, you can find rooms for less and catch festivals, such as the Fringe Festival and Oktoberfest.
7. Eastern, Western, Southern and Central Africa. September is an ideal time to visit eastern, western, southern and central Africa. September falls right after Africa’s dry season and before the continent’s wet season. During the early fall, the weather is sunny and clear, and the mosquito population dies down. You’ll find quieter parks and be able to see wildlife clearer due to sparser vegetation.
8. England. England quiets down during shoulder season, when kids return to school and weather grows drearier. However, you can score some of the best deals on London hotels, theater, operas, ballet and concerts during this period. You can land cheaper flights during October, when airlines often run sales.
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9. France. When weather cools down in the fall in France, crowds begin to thin. It’s during shoulder season when you can sometimes catch a rare deal on a Parisian hotel. During this time period, you can also often take advantage of flight promotions. Keep in mind that hotel rooms may be more difficult to find when Paris hosts fashion shows and trade fairs during September and October.
10. Florida. After the influx of summer tourists, Florida travel dies down during September and November. Theme parks and other attractions are less frequented when school is in session, and average temperatures and humidity levels drop. During shoulder season, you can discover some of the cheapest hotel rates of the year.
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10 Travel Destinations on Sale During Shoulder Season originally appeared on usnews.com
