Shoulder season march through midmay, except easter. What months are considered low season for travel in europe. The secrets of shoulder season, the most underrated time to. Below are the most common questions weve received about this season of travel from travellers from all around the world and the answers from our team. The secrets of shoulder season, the most underrated time. Here are some lessons weve learned to maximize travel during shoulder season. For fall trips, most people purchased travel insurance roughly three months in advance of their trip departure date, while the average trip length was 9 days. The shoulder seasons used to essentially be spring and autumn, but italys popularity has. If youre choosing the best times to travel to europe, its high time you learned about shoulder season. Mid maymid june and september are good shoulder periods in the islands. Increasingly though, peak season prices tend to stretch from may to the end of september.
Shoulder season is a general travel industry term, but not commonly used across the world. For example, youll find that italy begins its peak season a little earlier than most european destinations and many travellers are catching on that september is the perfect time to travel to greece and thus it may not be considered shoulder season for much longer. Where to go during shoulder season in europe jetsetter. Prices have fallen, but theres still great weather, most restaurants and attractions remain open and the bulk of the holidaymakers have moved. They cover any activity and are comfortable enough for extended wear. May 23, 2019 before we start, you can skip to different sections of this article for a more extensive guide on shoulder season travel. For example, youll find that italy begins its peak season a little earlier than most european destinations and many travellers are catching on that september is the perfect time to travel to. If you are looking for bargains and less tourists, this is the time to trek to europe.
Aug 11, 2017 late september through early november is considered shoulder season in many travelers favorite destinations, as it sits after the peak of the summer but before holiday tourists arrive. Be aware that shoulder season doesnt necessarily fall directly into these seasons, as countries like italy and france can often see higher visitation levels in these seasons and thus result in hardly any. Some islands, like naxos, have higher local populations, so they can be pleasant year round. I would not want to visit in any of the summer months, because then you are dealing with heat and crowds.
Easter usually falls during this month, so if you happen to visit during easter. When is the best time to visit italy the points guy. Though the temperature has cooled off significantly during these months, it is still temperate and perfect for sightseeing. Shoulder season differs by destination september and october constitutes fall. By choosing to travel six to eight weeks before or after high season shoulder season, i save money on flights, accommodations, car rentals, and most everything else by making one. The most popular destinations for the fall travel shoulder season. Shoulder months vary from one location to another, but at least in the northern hemisphere, shoulder months are mayjune and septemberoctober, as.
Its fair to say that late september, through early november, is another one of those shoulder seasons that we love. The trifecta of stylish shoes for shoulder season travel are. Its defined as the time between the high and low travel seasons of a specific destination. Read this guide and learn the best time to visit italy. There are some distinct benefits to planning your italy travel during these months.
If you love to travel, but dislike crowds, i have good news for you. Travel during those times can offer significant savings. Before we start, you can skip to different sections of this article for a more extensive guide on shoulder season travel. Shoulder season travel frequently asked questions expat. Easter aside, april is also a good time to pick up a shoulder season flight at bargain prices and enjoy a city break. Last year, i spent some time coming up with a list and map of the best shoulder season times and destinations. This title naturally brings it with vast numbers of tourists, a large portion of whom come to the continent in summer. Shoulder season is the time just before or just after the peak season. Prices have fallen, but theres still great weather, most restaurants and attractions remain open and the bulk of the holidaymakers have moved on. There are challenges though, a harder time getting around some attractions may have limited hours. In travelindustry jargon, the year is divided into three seasons. Id even suggest it begins in late november, continuing. Because fall and spring bring cooler temperatures in mediterranean europe, shoulder season in much of italy, southern france, spain, croatia, and greece can actually come with near peak season crowds and prices. November marks the start of the autumn and winter season in italy.
June in thailand is the tiny, mystical window known as shoulder season. Now to why i prefer the shoulder season over summer, starting with most obvious the crowds. Shoulder season is that sweet spot between the peak and offpeak seasons that happens twice a year, in the spring and fall. Research your proposed destination beforehand to be sure youre traveling at the right time or cheat by scrolling through our gallery on 12 ways to enjoy an endless summer. Italys low tourist season is the one that most closely resembles a calendar season its basically winter. The 5 best travel destinations to visit between seasons. Summers end also marks the beginning of fall shoulder season, a glorious time of year. The shoulder seasons used to essentially be spring and autumn, but italys popularity has meant the expansion of the high season into its neighboring shoulder seasons.
As one of italy s shoulder seasons, you can find great weather and great prices if you happen to visit during april. Nov 15, 2019 shoulder season was a term coined by the travel industry in the 1960s to promote offpeak travel. The same way that shoulder season is the time of year between the high and low season, in the travel industry, shoulder months are the months at the beginning and end of the. No, that doesnt mean its time for tank topsim talking about the inbetween travel. When to visit for festivals in croatia there is a huge range of cultural, food, music and religious festivals in croatia, taking place throughout the year. Greek islands shoulder season rick steves travel forum.
Shoulder season is arguably the best time to visit italy, particularly march and april. September and october constitutes fall shoulder season for many regions, though not all. Best time to visit croatia best time of year for travelling. With autumn becoming increasingly popular, do be aware that sometimes the high season sneaks into october as well.
Summer crowd insanity cools down with the weather in italy. For example, except for beach resorts, italy s peak season is may, june, september, and october. When does shoulder season start in rome rick steves. Well eventually add detailed posts about the actual hike, but we want to share some notes on planning the trip and logistics with our trip fresh in our minds.
Shoulder season was a term coined by the travel industry in the 1960s to promote offpeak travel. Easter usually falls during this month, so if you happen to visit during easter, know that the holiday is observed more faithfully than it is in the united states, which means you may encounter more closed shops, restaurants, and tourist spots during this time than you would. Aug 24, 2018 now to why i prefer the shoulder season over summer, starting with most obvious the crowds. April and october are almost outside shoulder season, it would be hit or miss. Oct 20, 2018 the time has come to officially bid farewell to summer, but dont shed a tear just yet, wanderlusters. We recently returned from a fantastic tenday hike of the tour du mont blanc through france, switzerland, and italy. It specifically targets europes light heating season or spring and fall. Mar 31, 2020 the same way that shoulder season is the time of year between the high and low season, in the travel industry, shoulder months are the months at the beginning and end of the high, or peak season. To take advantage of the benefits of shoulder season travel you must first identify the shoulder season for your destination. In the calendar, it sits between the peak and offpeak months. Jun 08, 2015 it lists 175 vacation rental homes, cabins, and condos, making it your best bet for finding shoulder season deals.
The time has come to officially bid farewell to summer, but dont shed a tear just yet, wanderlusters. Fall is an ideal time to travel for those who enjoy fewer crowds and cheaper fares. Jun 19, 2017 travel during the high season, and youre fighting the crowds for a spot on the beach. Planning your trip means understanding italys three tourist seasons low, shoulder and high. What is shoulder season and when to travel to europe. Shoulder season adventure awaits beyond the edge of the. The best time to visit italy updated for 2020 santorini dave. As one of italys shoulder seasons, you can find great weather and great prices if you happen to visit during april. And, by the end of october, its significantly quieter in italy s major tourist destinations. Mar 17, 2018 shoulder season is a general travel industry term, but not commonly used across the world. While tempted to return to some of the excellent hikes from our previous trip to scotland, we instead decided to explore new parts of the highlands before returning to prior hikes. Jul 31, 2009 shoulder season is the mama bear of travel times. In shoulder season, youll enjoy decent weather, longenough daylight, fewer crowds, and a local tourist industry still ready to please and entertain. We have visited paris in the fall and in the summer and so know how crowded the attractions are during peak tourist season and how much less they are in off season.
Shoulder season differs by destination september and october constitutes fall shoulder season for many regions. If youre looking for a skiing destination, warmer months of winter are the shoulder season, but if youre interested in scuba diving, colder months like october and november are the shoulder season. Wed like to go back to italy in 2003 and this time see more of northern italy. Feb 01, 2019 generally in spring and fall, shoulder season comes between a destinations primeweather high season and its lousyconditions low season. Many people consider august to be part of the low season, as the. My second favourite time to travel throughout europe is in the shoulder seasons of spring marchmay and autumn septembernovember. The 5 best travel destinations to visit between seasons gq. Traveling during this time has some distinct advantages. The travel year in italy is generally divided into three seasons. Shoulder season also depends on spring break and other special events and holidays, which are exceptions to shoulder season discounts. Summers end also marks the beginning of fall shoulder season, a. Travel in europe is typically divided into three seasons. Aug 20, 2019 if you love to travel, but dislike crowds, i have good news for you. When it comes to choosing what time of year to visit a resort, it pays to check out the value pricing offered during the shoulder season.
The peak or high season, popular with tourists taking the train from rome to pisa to get a picture with the leaning tower is typically july to august. The seasons that bridge the high and low seasons are known as the shoulder seasons. Read on for our favorite european destinations to check out during shoulder season. Sep 20, 2018 the 5 best travel destinations to visit between seasons. Keep reading to learn more about how to pack efficiently when dealing with different weather in a single trip. The most popular destinations for the fall travel shoulder. I visited in october and while the weather was very pleasant sunny, but not too hot, there were crowds everywhere. Here are five ways to find the shoulder season for any specific destination. If you have flexibility in your schedule, we highly recommend booking your trip to italy during the less crowded and more affordable shoulder.
In the travel industry this time is known as shoulder season, a time when youre more likely to find a trip to many popular destinations for less money than the peak travel seasons. Oct 24, 2019 shoulder season march through midmay, except easter. It lists 175 vacation rental homes, cabins, and condos, making it your best bet for finding shoulderseason deals. Shoulder seasons are usually my favorite seasons in which to travel, and thats true in italy, too. In june 2016, we spent a week hiking in the dolomites in italy. I agree with jc that rome doesnt appear to have a shoulder season. No, that doesnt mean its time for tank topsim talking about the inbetween travel season. Late september through early november is considered shoulder season in many travelers favorite destinations, as it sits after the peak of the summer but before holiday. Sep 05, 2016 here are some lessons weve learned to maximize travel during shoulder season. This post describes our hikes in and around selva di val gardena, including on the sella massif to piz boe and on the puezodle. Top 6 reasons to start planning an offseason trip to italy. The shoulder seasons used to essentially be spring and autumn, but italy s popularity has meant the expansion of the high season into its neighboring shoulder seasons.
For more information check out our blog on why you should travel to italy in the fall. Generally in spring and fall, shoulder season comes between a destinations primeweather high season and its lousyconditions low season. Sep 17, 2018 shoulder season is that sweet spot between the peak and offpeak seasons that happens twice a year, in the spring and fall. Why its better to travel in shoulder season travelalerts. Shoulder season shoulder season generally april through midjune, and september through october combines the advantages of both peak and offseason travel. For our hiking days, we split our time between cortina dampezzo and selva di val gardena. Europe is by far and away the worlds most popular tourist region. Here we explain why shoulder season is the best time to visit italy. Charlyn keating is a resort and hotel expert with over 12 years of experience travel writing for the washington post, travel channel online, and other publications. Mar 03, 2020 the travel year in italy is generally divided into three seasons. By choosing to travel six to eight weeks before or after high season shoulder season, i save money on flights, accommodations, car rentals, and most everything else by making one decision and. Apr 03, 2019 how to save on shoulder season travel.