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Best of the Seasons
So often travel prices are pegged to the optimal time to visit a country. For example, prices for tropical destinations will generally increase during winter months, while locations good for skiing will see higher airfare prices during their peak seasons as well.
So, how do you get the best of the seasons without having to deal with overinflated prices? You travel on the “shoulders”. This is the time of each year when a location is just entering into its most glorious and favorable weather conditions, but just before the flood of traditional tourists arrives.
Springtime –
The “forty shades of green” that distinguishes the countryside of Ireland is the perfect scenery to enjoy in the spring. Additionally, spring lambs will friskily bounce across hundreds of fields and temperatures will allow for only light jackets and spring clothes.
The tulip fields of Holland are something everyone should witness at least once, but they come and go in the springtime when very few tourists are visiting. Hotels will be abundant and airfare far less expensive than only a month later.
Springtime in Europe and North America means the fall in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This is a great time to enjoy reduced rates and hotel fees as well as some of the country’s most comfortable temperatures. Additionally, the later spring months are also the ideal time to head to northern Africa as well, with locations such as Morocco and Egypt at their most favorable conditions.
Summertime –
Kenya is best from June to September, so instead of planning a crowded week at the shore why not book a safari in Africa.
Summer in Europe and North America means winter in Brazil and this is the perfect season to tour Rio de Janeiro without having to endure its traditional humidity. This is also a time of less frequent travel for native Brazilians and this all adds up to great bargains.
Canadian national parks have “shoulders” in the early part of the summer; usually the first two weeks of June are dramatically less crowded than the remainder of the summer. This is also the last time to enjoy discounted hotel and airfare as well.
Fall and Winter –
Many travelers know to head to Europe in October because of the drop in lodging and airfare prices, but some do not know that cruises in the Mediterranean are wonderfully peaceful and uncrowded as well.
Winter is the perfect time for Asia and those who head to Japan and Korea can expect to find anything from snow capped mountains to tropical beaches all at discounted prices.