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Season Getaway

Shoulder Season destinations to enjoy budget holidays without hassles

09 Sep 2024

You would have heard of the peak season or the off-season for holiday destinations, but there are other seasons the shoulder seasons which come twice a year between these seasons. If you have missed your summer holidays due to any reason, you can consider the end of the summer for your holidays. There are destinations worldwide that will have the right temperatures at the beaches. The plus point is that there will be fewer crowds, so you will have greater privacy and the rates of everything will be comparatively lower with fewer people requiring them. For instance, you will be among the few people looking for cabs, making sure you get a ride easily.

There is still time

If you enjoy winter breaks but are not able to get free time from work or study during winter, you can look to destinations that are cold enough for winter activities just before winter starts or ends. There are parts of the world with enough snow cover to make your winter vacation dreams possible, even though it may not be winter in your part of the world. You can consider the spring and autumn months as part of the shoulder seasons, as the weather will be transitioning from one extreme to another. Here we list some destinations around the world that will allow you to holiday as you wish to, even if it is not the peak season.

The Greek islands

The Greek islands

Greece as a country has numerous islands, some parts of archipelagos in the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Ionian Sea. These have enough sunshine from April to May and September to October, for you to enjoy your vacations here. Most of you will be heading to the beaches and you will find warm waters but minus the crowds of tourists who come here from all over Europe in summer. You can hire boat rides to explore the waters around the island of your choice or catch ferries to travel between major islands. You will find suitable accommodations, and for less, as there will not be many others looking for these. You will be able to explore the interiors of these islands, with hills and historic buildings and there will be no need to queue for anything including seats in high-end restaurants.

The Spanish cities

The Spanish cities

Spain is a very popular summer holiday destination attracting millions of international tourists every year. If you are not going to be one of them this year, don’t worry—there are the shoulder season months of April, May, September, and October when you can enjoy the same activities as in the peak season. If you prefer the beaches, consider booking cheap flights to Barcelona or cheap flights to Valencia. For those interested in exploring cities renowned for their architecture and culture, cheap flights to Madrid offer an excellent option. You can also enjoy scenic countryside rides when traveling between cities, taking in the cool air and stunning views. Dining out will be a pleasure as you savor tapas and fine wine with attentive service.

Catch up in Iceland

Iceland dog sledding

Iceland is very popular with winter holidaymakers, in fact, it will be on the bucket list of most serious travelers who prefer some snow fun in the cold. May and September are the shoulder season months when you will find enough ice in some regions to go skiing or try dog sledding. If you wish to see the northern lights, you may be able to in the northern parts of this island nation. You will be able to enjoy good views of mountains, rivers and lakes. You can go bathing in the manmade lagoons with warm water all year round or try out the snowmobiles.

American Southwest

American Southwest river rafting

If you prefer domestic holidays, there are numerous destinations in the American Southwest to welcome you. The shoulder seasons are long, from March to May in spring and September to November in the fall. You can book cheap flights to Las Vegas for family fun, with fewer crowds to distract you. Explore the national parks in Moab or enjoy the cool winds in the Grand Canyon. If you’ve always wanted to explore deserts, consider visiting the Arizona deserts during the shoulder seasons for enjoyable heat. You can also visit remote smaller towns in the interior with horse ranches. For river rafting enthusiasts, there are several rivers flowing through this region to choose from.

The Thai beaches

The Thai beaches

Thailand is known around the world for its large Buddhist temples and relaxed atmosphere for tourists. The beaches and islands are bustling with visitors from East and West during the winter, which is the peak season. The shoulder season months here are April and October when the weather is more manageable and rain is minimal. This is a great time to book cheap flights to Phuket or cheap flights to Krabi and head to the beaches next to the Andaman Sea. You can enjoy delicious Thai cuisine, visit a massage parlor to relax, take boat rides, or find quiet beaches to meditate.

Conclusion

We all need break every year, to not just get away from the hectic routine that most of us are used to but to get a fresh perspective on our lives. You will always have some destinations in mind, but if you are not free for holidays at the time of the year you prefer, there are other destinations out there that will be more than adequate alternatives. This is where the shoulder seasons gain our attention as these will allow you to enjoy the same warmth or chill that you are interested in.

By FlightsChannel Team
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