Why Travelling in the Off-Season Might Be the Best Decision You Make

... I’ve just returned from travelling to Cyprus in December. Not something many people would immediately consider, but it came with so many unexpected benefits. Glorious sunshine, temperatures still comfortably above 20°C, far fewer crowds and a much more relaxed pace of travel made it genuinely one of the best trips I’ve taken this year. It was a perfect reminder that travelling during traditionally quieter periods can be just as rewarding, if not more so.

Over the years, some of the best advice I’ve given to clients has been to look beyond peak season and consider shoulder or off-season travel instead. Not as a compromise, but as a conscious choice that can often deliver a better overall experience for a whole range of reasons.

With traditional weather patterns changing year on year and becoming increasingly unpredictable, even peak season no longer guarantees perfect conditions. Now more than ever, it’s worth being open minded about when you travel, not just where you go.

Here are five reasons why travelling in the shoulder or off-season has become one of my favourite ways to travel, and why it’s something I encourage clients to consider more and more.

1) BETTER VALUE AND BETTER ROOM RATES

One of the biggest advantages of travelling in the shoulder or off-season is value. Outside of traditional peak periods, hotels simply don’t charge at the same premium. Your money goes further, often allowing you to stay in a higher category room, extend your trip, or choose a better quality property for the same budget.

Of course, when it comes to school holidays, there are natural restrictions on when you can travel. In those cases, it becomes less about when you go and more about where. Thinking a little outside the box can make a huge difference. For example, Egypt during February half term is still around 25°C, but hasn’t yet seen the mass influx of tourists for the season, meaning stronger value, better availability and a more relaxed experience.

It’s also worth being realistic. In some destinations during quieter periods, there may be limited facilities or fewer restaurants open within a hotel. However, this is something that can be advised clearly at the time of booking, and more often than not, the cost savings and calmer atmosphere far outweigh the trade-offs.

Avoiding traditional peak season pricing, when hotels charge the most, is one of the simplest ways to maximise value without compromising the overall experience.

2) COOLER TEMPERATURES MEAN BETTER EXPLORING

Another major benefit of travelling outside of peak season is the climate itself.

In many destinations, peak season coincides with the hottest and most intense temperatures, which can make sightseeing and exploring far more tiring than people expect. Shoulder and off-season travel often brings milder, more comfortable conditions, making it much easier to get out and really experience a place.

Whether it’s wandering through historic towns, visiting cultural sites or spending full days exploring without retreating indoors to escape the heat, the difference that more comfortable temperatures make shouldn’t be underestimated.

This is particularly noticeable across Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, where travelling just outside of peak summer months can completely transform how a destination feels.

3) FEWER CROWDS, MORE BREATHING SPACE

For many travellers, this is one of the most noticeable advantages of travelling outside of peak season.

Let’s start with the small but very real wins. No early morning sunbed wars. No towels being strategically placed at dawn. With fewer travellers staying in hotels, there’s usually ample choice well into the day, making the whole experience far more relaxed from the outset.

Outside of the resort, the benefits continue. Tourist attractions are calmer, queues are shorter and wait times are significantly reduced. Whether it’s historic landmarks, museums or simply wandering through towns and cities, everything feels more manageable and far more enjoyable without the constant crowds.

That sense of space extends to the overall atmosphere too. Hotels feel quieter, restaurants are easier to book and service often feels more personal simply because staff have more time. For many people, this slower pace is what turns a nice holiday into a genuinely memorable one.

4) MORE FLEXIBILITY, UPGRADES AND LITTLE EXTRAS

While nothing is ever guaranteed, travelling during quieter periods often brings more flexibility.

Lower occupancy can mean higher chances of room upgrades, easier restaurant reservations, better availability for spa treatments or excursions, and a generally more personalised level of service. Staff simply have more time to engage, remember preferences and go the extra mile.

It’s often during these quieter periods that the little extras appear. A better room, a later checkout, more choice at breakfast, or staff taking extra time to offer local recommendations. These aren’t things you can plan for, but they can make a noticeable difference to how a stay feels.

With fewer guests to manage, hotels are often able to deliver a more relaxed, thoughtful and personalised experience.

5) A MORE RESPONSIBLE WAY TO TRAVEL

This is a reason I feel increasingly strongly about.

Travelling during shoulder and off-season periods helps spread tourism more evenly throughout the year, rather than concentrating visitor numbers into short, intense peaks. That reduction in pressure can make a real difference to destinations, easing overcrowding and reducing strain on local infrastructure.

Just as importantly, it supports local communities. Travelling beyond traditional peak months can help hotels and tourism businesses stay open for longer seasons, supporting more stable, year-round employment rather than short-term seasonal work.

Choosing to travel at quieter times isn’t just beneficial for you as a traveller, it’s a more considered way to experience and support the places you visit.

Final Thoughts...

Travelling in the shoulder or off-season isn’t about settling for less. In many cases, it’s about getting more out of the experience, and it’s something I’m encouraging clients to consider more and more.

Better value, more comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, greater flexibility and a more responsible way to travel can all have a real impact on how a holiday feels. When the timing is right, travelling outside of traditional peak periods often allows clients to elevate their trip rather than compromise on it.

Of course, it isn’t right for every destination or every traveller. School holidays, specific events and personal preferences will always play a role. But with a bit of flexibility and thoughtful planning, travelling during quieter periods can unlock options that many people simply wouldn’t otherwise consider.

With peak season no longer guaranteeing perfect conditions, now more than ever it’s worth being open minded about when you travel, not just where you go.

Time and time again, it’s those off-season or shoulder-season trips that come back as favourites.