Friday, April 26, 2024
As a Certified Travel Advisor, an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor and a CLIA Master Cruise Counselor, Zac Wilson is the owner of Daydream Vacations Travel Agency in Granbury, www.DaydreamVacations.com.
Traveling during the off-season can provide better pricing, availability and a less crowded experience. But as the world changes with trends like home-school or year-round school calendars, workcations, extended weekends, and more holidays than a Google calendar can keep up with, when is the offseason? And more importantly, where are the best destinations and travel experiences to enjoy during these times?
Peak travel seasons can be generally thought of as when kids are out of school, allowing families to travel together: Summer vacation, spring break and the winter holidays.
With increasing pressure from school districts to achieve perfect attendance, fewer families are missing school for a vacation. When considering pricing and availability, travel during Christmas and Thanksgiving are typically the highest priced and most crowded times to travel, followed by summer vacation and then spring break. Also be careful to avoid three-day weekends as savvy travelers will extend these opportunities by missing a day or two of work and school to sneak in a short trip.
Where are the best destinations and what are the best experiences during the off-season? This appears to be a tough question to answer as the peak travel season seems like the best time of year to travel anywhere. Here is my short list of favorite off-season travel experiences that are sure to please every travel lover.
Hawaii boasts a consistent experience year-round. This is a must-do destination for U.S. travelers, and the weather is wonderful no matter when you go. However, I encourage a visit to Maui during January and February for whale watching season!
All Inclusive Resorts in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and other Caribbean island nations are another perfect winter escape during January and February. And while popular adult-only resorts may be full, you can find great pricing and availability at the family-friendly resorts while most parents won’t be letting their kids skip school during this time.
April is a great month to travel as it falls in between spring break and summer vacation.
The weather is wonderful in Europe in April, and I highly recommend a European River Cruise beginning in Amsterdam to experience tulip season.
Another fabulous European River Cruise is the Christmas Markets itinerary during the first two weeks of December (before schools release for the holiday break). Every small village and city you visit has the most incredible Christmas markets; the magic of Christmas will overwhelm you.
But what about families willing to miss a week of school, or home-school families who have a more flexible schedule? I refer to this as the Naughty Parent Discount! Destinations like Walt Disney World Resort in Florida have incredible pricing and availability during late September and early October for the International Food & Wine Festival.
My favorite time at Disney Parks is early November because the crowds are smaller and the Christmas decorations are already up for the holidays!
zac@daydreamvacations.corn | 817-559-7150
