The Seven Wonders of the World have earned the title of being among the most magnificent creations. They can take your breath away because of their majesty and they can be absolutely miserable despite the large number of crowds. Much of the problem is their fame; Too many people want to see the most famous places on the planet, resulting in crowds, congestion and eye-popping costs.
The same goes for the world’s major travel destinations. The more famous and popular it is, the worse the visiting experience; At least if you go in high season.
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To avoid expensive disappointments, you can give up on such places altogether, going off the beaten track or to “second cities”. Or visit when most of the crowds have dispersed. Laura Lindsay, trends and destinations expert at flight booking site Skyscanner, says lower demand means lower prices, especially when it comes to airfare.
This also doesn’t mean low season low. February may be cheaper and quieter in Manhattan, but that also means gray skies, icy sidewalks, and freezing temperatures; It’s not ideal for exploring the city’s parks or waiting for a Broadway matinee.
We spoke to experts about the perfect combination of good weather, fewer people and affordable prices in some of the world’s busiest destinations.
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Rome: February to March
It’s hard to enjoy a perfect scoop of ice cream when you’re standing elbow to elbow to eat, so skip Rome in the summer. “The summer has been really hot and crowded,” says Simone Amorico, CEO of private tour operator Access Italy.
Instead, he recommends visiting the Eternal City either in winter – outside of the crazy “festive season” from Christmas to New Year – or in spring. “Then it gets pretty busy after Easter,” Amorico said. According to Skyscanner, you’ll find the lowest airfares in the heart of spring between March and April.
Another solid option: Thanksgiving. “It’s not crowded at all,” Amorico said.
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Istanbul: September
According to the annual index of global research company Euromonitor International, Istanbul was named the most visited city in the world with 20 million international visitors last year. Most travelers go to Turkey between June and August; That’s why local journalist Jennifer Hattam, who wrote our Istanbul guide, recommends waiting until September.
“It’s actually pretty perfect,” he said. “You can still enjoy the beautiful weather while on the ferry or sitting outside for dinner and drinks.”
Hattam says the city is still full of events, from arts events to open-air concerts. It is a warmer and more active period than spring, which is his second choice. According to Skyscanner, March is the cheapest month to fly from the United States to Istanbul, but averages for September are not that high.
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Mexico City: June to September
Mexico City’s high season starts around the end of October (which coincides with the Day of the Dead) through March, according to Anais Martinez, a food blogger and culinary tour guide from the city. But by June, the city begins to empty out as visitors become wary of Mexico City’s rainy season, which lasts until September. “There are almost no people here, so you won’t find a bunch of tourists everywhere,” Martinez said.
Given the scorching temperatures of recent summer months in North America, “they think it’s too hot or it’s going to rain all day long,” Martinez said. Use this misconception to your advantage and visit during the summer months. Some rain can be expected, but “it’s pouring for forty-five minutes and then it’s back to normal,” he said.
Olivia Villanti, founder of Chava Studio fashion brand in Mexico City, also recommends March as a month when the days are warm and the evenings are cool. A bonus for art lovers: “Most of the exhibitions running during Art Week are open until late March or early April,” says Villanti. “You get to see some of the great things that are happening, but you also don’t have to deal with the crowds, the inflated prices, having to make reservations at all the restaurants.”
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Paris: February to April
You’ve mapped out the perfect Paris sidewalk café. You grab a table with a view of the River Seine. Your server brings you a Café au lait and pain au chocolate. It’s about to be the best morning of your life, until you realize that everyone around you is American. Holy blue.
To avoid the lion’s share of tourists flocking to Paris, avoid June through August and the end of December. Instead, pack a few layers and put them on your radar from February through April and into November. This is the time when hotel and flight prices are at their lowest.
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Tokyo: April to May
When the trees in Japan are at their most dazzling, so is the price of a trip. Cherry blossom season, fall foliage peaks, and summer vacations are the hardest times to get hotel rooms, train tickets, and essential restaurant reservations. Yukari Sakamoto, author of Food Sake Tokyo, says February is a better time to visit.
Just before the sakuras arrived, he said, it was warm enough to walk around, but not as crowded, and the ume plum trees were starting to bloom. Average flight prices in February are about $100 more than in April-May, when they are cheapest.
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New York: September
Once the summer rush is over but before “When Harry Met Sally” season arrives, you’ll find a quiet period on New York City’s calendar in September (as long as you avoid fall Fashion Week), says New Yorker and Dan Rubinstein of The Grand Tourist podcast server.
“Museum exhibits are picking up again, and you can still walk in Central Park all day long and not have any weather-related problems,” Rubinstein said. “You can wear fall clothes, you can wear spring-like clothes, you can get away with it all; it’s a good time to be in New York.”
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Marrakesh: September or March
To find a happy medium between the lowest hotel and flight prices in Marrakech, consider September for your trip. As the intense heat of summer subsides, you can expect average temperatures to range from the 60s to the 90s.
But just for the cheapest flights, look at a March trip just before the start of the spring high season. The weather remains mild with daily highs in the 70s; Ideal for strolling through the market and tea breaks.
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Las Vegas: January to April
There are a handful of land mines to watch out for when planning a trip to Las Vegas: large gatherings, larger sporting events, some vacations, and summer heat. No surprise here: The city saw record rates for hotel rooms during Super Bowl 58.
January is the cheapest month for hotels in Las Vegas if there are no major events in the city during the week you plan your trip. But keep an eye out for the Consumer Electronics Show at the beginning of the month, which drew nearly 130,000 attendees this year. Other than March Madness, you’ll see the best airfares between February and April.
However, Vegas writer Tony Abou-Ganim adds that if you want to relax by the pool, late April to mid-May may be the best time for you.
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Barcelona: June
Husband and wife photographers Majo Aguirre and Xavi Cano say summer may be the most popular time to visit Barcelona, but you don’t have to avoid it completely. Skip July and August, when everyone is on vacation and there’s an influx of visitors from cruise ships, but June can still be enjoyable as long as you avoid staying close to certain areas and landmarks (La Rambla, Sagrada Familia).
Also, use the city’s rhythm to your advantage: “Barcelona is not a city for waking up early,” Aguirre said. “So if you get up when the sun comes out, you can pretty much walk anywhere on your own by nine.”
For a day at the beach, try Marbella or Botarell instead of heading to the most famous Barceloneta. Even better: Take a train to nearby Girona or Sitges midweek, at a time when most locals are at work, Aguirre said.
Flight prices in June are cheaper than in July or August, but you’ll find better deals if you travel in April, May or October when rain is expected.
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