Ever since I was young I have always gone on vacation in the summer. But now that I have moved to the Pacific Northwest that ritual has changed. Here in Seattle everyone seems to flee in the winter, which has me taking a peek into off-season travels deals...
If you don't mind dealing with a little weather, then traveling on the off-season gets you better deals on airfare, hotels and activities with less crowds to block your view. Taking advantage of Group-On travel package deals and keeping an eye on sites like Airfare Watchdog to let you know of the best places and times to travel from your city is a great place to start. The other trick is to know where to travel when.
I currently have my watchdog set on Seattle to Anywhere to see what might pop up that I can't refuse. You can also check out the Off Season traveling website to keep up on the best offers. Here is a list of places that are great to travel to right now.
Hawaii. It's right after the holiday crowds make their way home leaving January and February peak free and ready for you.
California. San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Louis Obispo, and San Francisco are all great winter beach destinations. You just won't be able to jump in the Pacific Ocean without a wet suit, and you might need to bring a few layers with you throughout the day.
Sedona, Arizona. If you're looking for a relaxing spa getaway you may want to head to the desert. Sedona is filled with spas for all kinds of experiences. Their off-season is November through mid-February so you still have time!
New Orleans, Louisiana. Peak season is mid-February to April so heading over after the heat dies down from September through February is a good time to see this fabulous city with a winter coat in tow. You still have a good month to make this happen.
Europe. If you want less crowds, cheaper deals and don't mind traveling in the cold or rainy season then this is the time to go. The Eurorail is even offering 20% off till the end of February.
Yellowstone National Park. If you want to be in nature and bundle up by the fire in a cabin and take some jaw dropping hikes then check out the winter deals at the park. Only parts of the park are open during the winter, but it's still just as breathtaking.
London. This town stills buzzes with energy even in the low-season which ends in mid-March.
Florida. January to May is the time to head down to southeast U.S.A and get some vitamin D with less humidity. The weather is lovely, and the holiday and summer crowds have vanished leaving the beaches behind just for you.
South Africa. January through April is the time to head on over to this incredible part of the world.
Asia. If snow-covered mountains and cozy heated floors sound ideal to you then start packing your bags. Due to waning demand in the winter you can get fantastic rates in Japan and Korea right now.
Vegas. You are good to go till March here and then again in the height of summer when the sweltering heat leaves tourism low.
Do you have any great travel deals or tips to share?
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I went to Vegas in November for a getaway from the Vancouver BC rain & autumn cold. I arrived to toque and jacket temperatures there too! Not to mention all the pools are closed at that time of year! If you're looking for a winter getaway to somewhere warm- Vegas is not a good bet. I.M.H.O.
Alaska! No kidding. Packed with tourists in the summer, but you won't see the northern lights until it gets dark. Fairbanks has been making an effort to engage winter tourists.
It probably goes without saying, but the out-of-state tourists come in shorts anyway: San Francisco is not a really great California "beach" city for winter (or summer) unless you're a hardcore, great white shark-dodging, Mavericks surfer. But given that we've been unusually sunny without rain for months now, you're at least having a dry, temperate time in our town in January and February.
I just got back from South Africa! It was incredible, and the flight wasn't that that bad.
South Africa: isn't it summer/early fall there from January-April? And that's not peak time? o.O
I'd be interested to know if people have found off-season Panama suitable. Isn't it like 80 degrees there all the time? Flights from the US appear to be affordable. Is there an off-season?
And, BTW, Carilo, Argentina is the most exquisite little tree clustered seaside village ever. It's a beautiful and strange little paradise, nestled into an old planted plantation of pines, designed to prevent erosion. It's filled with green parrots and empty vacation homes of the rich and famous in BA. March is the time to go when rentals are cheap and available and all the shops are still stocked. The sleeper bus from BA takes about 4.5 hours and costs less than $100. It's due south, before you hit Mar del Playa, and the beaches are nearly vacant all day.
Maybe you could add Canary Islands to the list. The weather is great throughout the year, there are nice beaches, excellent tours and the nightlife is interesting.
FL is beautiful right now. UNseasonably warm with 80's this weekend. Fabulous!
LOVE that suitcase! Is it "homemade"?
I went to New Orleans for my honeymoon this past October, and I want to go every October now! It was wonderful! No big crowds anywhere, but still bustling and exciting... and the weather was fantastic! (They were having an unusual cold snap, which meant 50s and 60s, but since I live in Boston, where there was a huge snowstorm that weekend, it was practically tropical!)
Love your travel bag!!!! Let's go...anywhere.