Spain, Greece, Italy. Instead of following everyone’s same seasonal vacation favorites this summer, consider traveling to an off-season gem further afield.
You may have to deal with less-than-perfect weather conditions or adjusted flight schedules, but you may still not do so, and in return you’ll get relatively quiet environments and prices that are often well below those charged in high season.
If you needed an excuse to book that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Indian Ocean, then this is it…
Maldives
This idyllic Indian Ocean resort technically has rainy season from May to November; But don’t let this put you off. Showers are usually short and sharp, temperatures are still blissfully warm, and weeks cannot be expected to pass without a single raindrop falling on the sands of paradise during this period. Unlike other tropical destinations, you don’t have to worry about pesky mosquitoes (most private island resorts use sprays for them) and although some hotels occasionally close for seasonal maintenance, the service is still offered to an impeccable standard. On the contrary, you may experience even more pampering as there are fewer guests vying for the staff’s attention.
Off-season wins: Visit now and your bank balance will thank you, because savings on a couples’ holiday often run into thousands of pounds per person. For example, from May to July, a seven-night half-board stay at the Jumeirah Maldives Water Pool Villa on Olhahali Island starts from £4,555 per person, including flights and transfers; This means a discount of up to £7,455 per couple during peak months. elegantresorts.co.uk
Bangkok, Thailand
Travelers may be hesitant to visit Thailand’s capital during the rainy season, from May to October. But in reality, apart from the particularly wet month of September, most of the time the showers pass quickly, leaving you with plenty of sun-warmed opportunity to soak up the city’s views. Check out the gilded exterior of the Grand Palace or browse the thousands of stalls at Chatuchak Weekend Market. You’ll have to deal with intense heat, but since hotel rates are heavily discounted – sometimes around 50% off – you can afford to check in somewhere with plenty of space and good air conditioning.
Off-season wins: Equipped with white-suited bellboys, a three-tiered outdoor swimming pool and skyscrapers overlooking the city, Bangkok’s plush five-star Peninsula has rooms starting from a relatively economical £296 per night in summer. That’s around £100 less than you’ll pay between November and January. peninsula.com
Western Cape, South Africa
Many visitors focus on safari reserves as the dry, cool temperatures during South Africa’s winter (May to August) provide ideal conditions for spotting game. But in much of the rest of the country, the season is lower. In Cape Town, the vibrant cultural capital known for its beaches, hotel prices are falling while temperatures are in the mid-teens; but the weather is still nice for hiking Table Mountain, taking advantage of the thriving food scene, and visiting Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
It’s also a quieter time to take a road trip along the epic Garden Route, a scenic 125-mile coastal route that takes in small towns, nature reserves and whale-watching spots. As for the Western Cape’s famous wine regions, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek? The cellar doors are open for business purposes and provide a much calmer environment for tastings than the busy southern hemisphere summer months.
Off-season wins: With its white-painted buildings, farm-to-fork cuisine, luxury spa and on-site winery, the lush Babylonstoren hotel in the Cape Winelands typically has a two- or three-night minimum stay policy during high season months; You’ll likely pay up to £2,000 for your visit. But you can book a single blissful night online in July for a much more wallet-friendly £500. babylonstoren.com
Tokyo, Japan
Compared to the over-demand cherry blossom season in spring and the buzzing leaf-peeping period in autumn, Tokyo experiences a relative decline in visitor numbers during June and July. The climates may be hot, humid and a little wet, but what does being in the city mean in terms of culture? Top-notch Shibuya department stores and major museums like the trendy Parco and classic Isetan (try the avant-garde Yayoi Kusama and Kengo Kuma-designed Nezu) are refreshingly air-conditioned. Meanwhile, with fewer tourists to compete with, it may be easier to book optional experiences like immersive digital gallery teamLab Borderless or a traditional tea ceremony.
Off-season wins: During the peak cherry blossom season of March and April, a 13-night Maskless small-group tour of Japan with InsideJapan Tours costs £3,650 per person. But take the same tour in June and July and save almost 10% for just £3,310 per person. insidejapan.com
Barbados
From June 1 to November 30, it’s officially hurricane season in the Caribbean, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should expect a damp break. Several islands, including Barbados, lie outside the usual path of storms; So, although you may get short, sharp showers, you’re less likely to suffer from prolonged or extremely extreme bad weather. Sit back and enjoy the soft yellow sands of the west coast, tour the famous Mount Gay rum distillery and make reservations at legendary restaurants like The Cliff; and without the crowds that descend during the winter months when there is extreme demand.
Off-season wins: Travel with British Airways Holidays in early July and you’ll pay around £1,350 per person for an all-inclusive week including flights at Barbados Beach Club on the South Coast. But if you want to visit in mid-December you’ll have to drop a bit more, around £1,640 per person. britishairways.com
Marrakesh, Morocco
Spring and autumn are often touted as the best time to visit this north African country, but in reality it comes down to where and what exactly is on your travel agenda. It is true that temperatures in sun-scorched Marrakech can reach an average of 36 degrees in the hot months of July and August; However, if what you really want to do is check into a luxury resort and relax by the pool, this can still be extremely enjoyable. . Meanwhile, July and August temperatures in the rugged Atlas Mountains generally hover around 30 degrees, so you can make the most of the excellent hiking trails in the cool early morning hours. Coastal Essaouira also has fairly hot temperatures in the summer, but note that this bucks the national trend: August is considered high season, thanks to the local beach. If you want the beach, try the cheaper Casablanca instead; 25C is standard here.
Off-season wins: Marrakech’s swankiest hotel, The Royal Mansour, costs around £1,030 per night for magnificent riad-style villa rooms in July and August. But in October the entry rate is usually twice that. royalmansour.com
New Zeland
Dreaming of a trip downhill? If you don’t mind bringing a jacket, the quieter southern hemisphere winter months are the best time to visit New Zealand. Be willing to embrace temperatures around 15°C in Auckland and 8°C in Queenstown; In return, you’ll experience lower prices, fewer tourists, and epic snow-covered views in some areas. The South Island can feel full winter with its dramatic white-covered mountain ranges and is a skiing and snowboarding wonderland if that’s your thing. Meanwhile, the North Island’s milder climates provide the perfect backdrop for hiking, winery tours and steaming spa visits.
Off-season wins: Haka Tours offers a low-season New Zealand Winter tour covering the highlights of both the North and South Islands over 20 days, starting from £3,772 per person in July, including accommodation, some meals and numerous sightseeing experiences but excluding international flights. Wonders organizes group tours. . Meanwhile, the same tour itinerary in the busier month of September starts from £4,438 per person. hakatours.com