The Heck With High Season
As all right-thinking people know, the day after Labor Day -- not Jan. 1 -- is the real beginning of the New Year. That first-day-of-school energy makes it seem as if anything is possible. But September is significant for another reason, too: It marks the start of the best time of year to travel.
Sorry, all you guys with school-age kids who are restricted to traveling during summer and school breaks. The rest of us know that the fall months, with their cooler weather, smaller crowds and lower prices, are prime vacation time. True, some of the tourism infrastructure shuts down around now -- fewer ferries plying Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, not as many B&Bs open in the Irish countryside, etc. -- but a little advance planning will take care of that. And while cool weather can be a factor, any inconveniences there are more than offset by the lower airfares and hotel rates. True, if you're heading to the Caribbean early fall is still hurricane season, but statistically, your chances of getting hit are pretty small. To me, the bargains are worth it.
Unfortunately I'm not following my own advice this season, having used up all my travel chits this summer. But how about the rest of you? Got any good tips on bargain destinations for fall? Examples of deals you just couldn't resist? Or any cautionary tales of off-season vacations gone wrong?
By K.C. Summers |
August 31, 2007; 1:47 PM ET
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Posted by: mike | August 31, 2007 4:29 PM
I love off season travel and it is what I dislike the most about the school calendar. I really do feel forced to travel in the summer and miss so much of the joys of a less crowded place. But before the oldest started Kindergarten and in the life before kids we had some terrific expereinces in the off season.
Europe in late November, we waltzed right into the Louvre and Uffizi, no lines at all.
Chicoteague, Virginia the last week of September. The water was still warm, the beach beautiful and quiet and we we practically alone biking around the parks.
New England, late November there were no leaves on the trees, no lines at Ben and Jerry's, we were alone at Waldon Pond and there was not traffic to speak of.
Treasured memories in all of the trips. I do not like crowds and will often skip the most popular sites becuase of this. And while it is good to be off the beaten path sometimes the path is beaten for a good reason.
I am curious and perhaps this is a separted discussion but how do parents, teachers etc feel about kids missing school to travel.
Posted by: Chesapeake Beach | August 31, 2007 7:50 PM
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We went to Jamaica at the end of July, their low season, and it was cheaper (air & all inclusive hotel) than OC or Virginia beach. Same thing a few yers ago when we hit Clearwater Beach in August and earlier this year when we did Paris in January.