Shoulder Season Travel

If you like to travel to exotic and wonderful places around the world, I hope you don’t like to be shoulder to shoulder with your fellow travelers, standing in lines waiting to get on or off the tour bus, or finding it impossible to get into the church/museum/castle/etc. without a time and ticket that you didn’t get before you left for home…and I could go on. If you agree with the above propositions, then you need to plan your travels during what is commonly known as “the shoulder season.”  Typically, that refers to a month or two during the year when the weather is decent, the crowds aren’t present, and the local population is home and actually enjoys seeing a tourist in the location you intend to travel! On the other hand, fair warning: if you are a denizen of winter scenes and sports, this article may not be for you because you will stand in lift lines, etc., because there is snow!  No snow, no go. For the rest of you, this article is focused on the why’s and when’s of travel during the shoulder season. Imagine tranquil hide-a-ways in France in October, or charming Italian villages in April without crowds of sightseers. Gliding down the Rhine on a river boat in May is sublime, and the attention paid to you by the staff is simply greater with fewer travelers on board. Get the idea?

The dictionary definition of “shoulder season” perfectly explains the term:  “A travel season between peak and off-peak seasons, especially spring and fall, when fares tend to be relatively low” (Dictionary.com). With this definition in mind, understand that “shoulder season” is not the same everywhere. So, let’s begin with a checklist of “shoulder seasons” around the world:

Europe          

• Central and Northern Europe- Generally, April and October
• Southern Europe- mid-March to April and October

Asia               

• Central Asia- July and August
• China- Mid-March and April and September through October
• Japan- March, late May and June, and September to mid-December
• Korea- April through May and September through October
• Thailand- March through May and September through October
• India- October, November and April

Africa             

• Very generally, November and early December as well as January and February

South America           

• Very generally, March and April

Central America         

• Generally, March and October

North America           

• Generally, April and October

What are some of the advantages of traveling in the Shoulder Season?

1. Prices tend to be lower than in high season. Businesses that cater to the tourist trade know that they need to earn as much as possible while the tourists are in town and the prices go up accordingly.
2. Weather tends to be more temperate than in high and low season. While the weather is always a bit unpredictable, minor accommodations in dress and accessories takes care of those challenges.
3. Crowds and primarily tourists are noticeably decreased from high season. We all understand that it is a function of school vacation time for families with school-age children, but it is also when the weather is less challenging.
4. Businesses oriented to the traveler tend to make better deals to keep their businesses in operation during this season. Fewer people with more options leads to better pricing for the buyer. Simple economics.
5. With fewer tourists around, the local population is more accommodating. Big crowds lead to more tension in the dealings between merchants and buyers. With the luxury of fewer people competing for attention, better deals are to be had!
6. The long lines of high season are gone. The stories of travelers who spent half a day waiting to get into the Sistine Chapel or the Eiffel Tower, etc., are depressing! 
7. Often, there are local events, festivals, and celebrations that occur during the shoulder season, which create the opportunity for a more immersive local experience.
8. Hotels and vacation home rentals are at off-peak season rates, perfect if you plan to have a base of operations from which you can travel to nearby cities or sites.

What are some of the disadvantages of traveling in Shoulder Season?

1. Weather may be a bit more unpredictable requiring more clothing options and, thus, more packing. Obviously, if you are a seasoned traveler you want to have the most compact suitcase possible but of necessity when you know the weather may be too cold for a sweater, a coat takes up a lot of room in the packing!
2. During off-peak seasons, some businesses, attractions, and services may close or operate on reduced schedules. They also schedule needed maintenance during the off or shoulder season, which may make the visit less enjoyable or impossible.
3. There may be fewer travel options owing to reduced schedules for airlines and tourist businesses. No demand, no flights, no shows, etc.
4. Just as in the US, many construction and renovation projects are scheduled during the off-season and/or shoulder season.
5. Daylight hours are shorter with early darkness in many locations particularly in northern Europe and Scandinavia.

All in all, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, but careful planning is extremely important to zero in on the impact of shoulder season travel in the location you intend to visit.  Good guidebooks will usually offer specific advice on seasonal travel to help you navigate these questions.

Exceptions make the rule so don’t be afraid to step out of the ordinary rules regarding seasonal travel.  One of the best trips our family ever took was visiting friends in the New Year holiday in the south of France.  The weather was cold but the gathering of friends made the trip extraordinary.  Special holiday events and meals were something that would never have been experienced during the normal travel seasons.  A trip through the Panama Canal in February was ideal!  The weather in Central America at that time was warm, and we were fortunate not to have rain! Our ship was the right size…not too big or too small…and the ability to move inside if things got nasty outside while still being able to watch the canal slide by was just right.  An early winter trip to Germany exposes you to the chance to visit the Christmas markets which are prevalent throughout the country during the holiday season.

Numerous trips to Europe in October and April proved exactly why the shoulder season is The Best if you want to avoid the crowds and lines.  October and April may be sweater weather for the most part but occasionally a jacket might be required, and a small umbrella is always a good accessory. Simply not having to deal with hordes of pushy, and pushing tourists at every noteworthy stop is worth a bit of rain or coolness.  France, in particular, is not the same place during the high tourist season.  For one reason, the natives get out of town!  Secondly, all of the merchants know that if they don’t make money during the high season, it will be a bad year, so prices go to the max. But get the tourists out of town and the natives return and they will not stand for “tourist high prices!”  The lines, if any, shorten, the conversation is more subdued and localized, and “normal life” is in view rather than the hyper-touristy scene. Octoberfest in Munich is a highlight as is Holy Week in Rome. The opening of Parliament in early November is a treat! And more and more.

 Traveling during any season is a mind-expanding exercise, but traveling during the shoulder seasons is likely to give you the best chance to see, do, and experience all that your destination has to offer! So, GO!