Galeries Lafayette shopping mall in Paris. The city goes all out for Christmas.Credit: Adobe Stock
If the thought of tourist crowds and soaring airfare and hotel prices put you off visiting well-known destinations, it shouldn’t. Shift your preconceptions about what season to travel in, and suddenly some places become a whole lot more attractive.
Lower prices and fewer people are among the big benefits of low or shoulder-season travel, but that’s not all.
Paris is low on crowds in the winter months.Credit: iStock
You might get better weather, interesting festivals, and a more local atmosphere. If you’re a repeat visitor, you’ll discover different seasons allow for quite different experiences, and sometimes you’ll end up seeing familiar places with entirely new eyes.
Travel in the off-season benefits the budgets of low-income tourism workers too, who might otherwise have work only during particular times of year.
Crucially, it can relieve pressure on community services such as water supply and rubbish removal, and helps diffuse the impact of seasonal overcrowding on the planet. Your overall footprint might even be lessened in off-seasons, when you don’t have to resort to endless hotel air-conditioning.
Adjust your calendar and preconceptions, and get going. Here are just a few of the places where it pays to have a change of season.
Be awed by autumn colours in Japan
Spring gets all the hype, but autumn in Japan can be just as beautiful.Credit: Getty Images
The lowdown In autumn, Japan’s landscape comes in glorious Technicolour. Gardens and temples show off stunning red maple, yellow ginko and orange zelkova trees. Locals emerge to take photographs and enjoy maple-viewing parties.
Why there, why then Japan sees off summer heat and humidity and enjoys festivals honouring harvest season. Autumn lasts far longer – and is more spectacular – than the fabled cherry-blossom season, so you needn’t worry as much about holiday timing.
See + do From the rugged Izu Peninsula south-west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji floats above bays and pine-topped hills. Tokyo folk go to soak in hot springs and walk through squirrel-haunted forests of larch, birch and katsura trees. Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu hosts a two-week autumn festival in October. Enjoy archery at full gallop, traditional drumming and theatre performances.
Make it happen Autumn arrives in Hokkaido in mid-September and has rolled to Kyushu’s southern reaches by November. Trees change colour sooner in the mountains. Hokkaido, the Japanese Alps, Kyoto, Nara and Nikko are top spots. See japan.travel
Get high in October in Switzerland
October in Switzerland brings cool weather, ideal for hiking.
The lowdown October is the perfect in-between moment between summer crowds and the winter ski season. It sees low-season prices and weather that, while cool, is perfect for mountain hiking and clear views unaffected by haze.
Why there, why then You’ll have to compensate for your long-haul flight, but Switzerland is at the forefront of sustainable travel, with “Swisstainable” accreditation of hotels and restaurants, and a commitment to climate neutrality by 2050.
See + do Mountain resorts such as St Moritz and Grindelwald have terrific hiking, but the Valais region, less well-known except for Zermatt, is warmer and sunnier. If you want to play it safe, stick to Lake Lucerne region. The scenery is gobsmacking and rack railways up Pilatus and Rigi are still running. On a rainy day, you can always hop on a train and explore museums in nearby Lucerne or Zurich.
Make it happen Switzerland’s extensive and eco-friendly train system is the best way to get around. Note that some mountain lifts and hotels can be closed, so plan ahead. See myswitzerland.com
Have yourself a merry little Christmas in Paris
Christmas markets are held at Les Halles, La Defence and Tuileries gardens.Credit: iStock
The lowdown In December, Paris is low on crowds, so you’ll avoid queues and enjoy warm museums in peace. Hotel prices plunge. Between bouts of culture, enjoy carnival rides, ice rinks and seasonal entertainment for a happy family holiday.
Why there, why then Street lighting is lovely: Champs-Elysees, Avenue Montaigne, Place Vendome and Viaduc des Arts are top spots. Shop window displays are fabulous and Christmas markets are held at Les Halles, La Defence and Tuileries gardens.
See + do Hotel de Ville has an enormous Christmas tree, creche and merry-go-round. Many historic churches such as Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Eustache and La Madeleine host concerts of Christmas and other music. Plunder patisseries such as Fauchon, Strohrer and Hediard for Christmas logs and chocolate wreaths studded with candied fruit. Seasonal fare in delis and restaurants includes pheasant, venison, foie gras, lobster and oysters.
Make it happen Expect seasonal decorations from late November into early January. Linger for New Year to enjoy fireworks over the Eiffel Tower and celebrations along the Champs-Elysees. See parisjetaime.com
Say hello to Halloween in Edinburgh in October
Performers along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh at Halloween.Credit: iStock
The lowdown October and November won’t provide lovely weather, but Edinburgh’s grim history and atmospheric old town are the perfect fit for chilly days and long evenings – and you won’t be shoving through the summer crowds.
Why there, why then Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile that connects them are, without queues, reason enough to visit. Add Edinburgh’s horrible history of body snatchers, beheadings and witches – plus the Edinburgh Horror Festival – and you have every chance to get spooked.
See + do The old town has literary museums, traditional pubs, and ghost tours. Visit eerie underground laneway Mary King’s Close, sealed up during the plague in 1645. Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat provide terrific views. Galloway Forest Park 160 kilometres east of Edinburgh has very dark skies for viewing stars and Northern Lights. Its woodland is ablaze with colour in autumn.
Make it happen Bring your woollies: October is the windiest month. Samhuinn Fire Festival on October 31 is a fiery, open-air Celtic celebration not to be missed. See edinburgh.org
Enter a winter wonderland in the Canadian Rockies
Lake Louise freezes over in Canada’s winter, allowing you to walk across it or do some ice skating.Credit: iStock
The lowdown Who wouldn’t want to jingle their bells in these landscapes? Calendar scenes always depict summer, but lower-season winter in the Rockies is amazing too, and you don’t have to be a skier to enjoy it.
Why there, why then Mountains and forest are ice-encrusted and interiors are warm, so if you’re here in December you’ll enjoy the best of over-the-top Canadian Christmas, which erupts in decorations, Christmas trees and crackling fires.
See + do Get out on the highway between Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper for the classic drive into high mountains, glaciers and iced-over lakes. Be sure to detour along the Bow Valley Parkway to see frozen waterfalls.
Feeling chilly? Take a spin in the ice on Lake Louise. Banff’s Hot Chocolate Trail will warm you up, and so will the gingerbread and mulled wine at Banff Christmas Market.
Make it happen Expect snow to last from late November into early April. Avoid the last two weeks of December and the last week of March, which are school holidays. See banfflakelouise.com
Spring forth into the beauty of the Eternal City
Rome fizzes back to life in springtime.Credit: Bloomberg
The lowdown Springtime is warm in Rome, cafe terraces are back in business, the parks are blooming, hotels are offering shoulder-season rates, and the summer crowds have yet to descend. Enjoy the dolce vita without heat and queues.
Why there, why then Museums, monuments, public transport and hotels have all upped their game in Rome in recent times. Springtime is pretty, mellow and unhurried. The three-day Natale di Roma festival in April sees historical enactments and parades.
See + do Big sights such as the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica apart, spring showers are a good excuse to head to museums, which are quieter. The Vatican Museums are outstanding, but don’t overlook others such as Galleria Borghese, contemporary art museum MAXXI, and the extraordinary Centrale Montemartini, which displays classical statues in an industrial setting.
Make it happen March and April are the sweet spots with only Easter getting busy, although Easter is a good opportunity to take in ceremonies such as the pope’s blessing in St Peter’s Square. See italia.it
Cool off during Songkran in Chiang Mai
Songkran water festival, Thailand.
The lowdown Mid-April is Thai New Year. This ancient festival is rich in omens and religious observances, merrymaking and hedonistic fun, encapsulating both the traditional and modern in Thai society.
Why there, why then It’s hot and humid but also low season, and water-throwing keeps you cool. Locals enjoy water (and sometimes pink powder) fights. Streets have a party atmosphere, and evening beauty pageants provide neon-lit, sequined frivolity.
See + do All the temples host religious ceremonies. A procession on April 12 sees bands and Buddha images paraded between Nawarat Bridge and Phra Singh temple. Next day, Phra Singh is piled with sand and “planted” with flowers and flags. Water throwing is everywhere, but reaches a particular crescendo at Tha Phae Gate, along the Mae Ping River, and near the old town moats.
Make it happen Once a lunar festival, Songkran now officially runs from April 13-15 and is a national holiday. Many Thais return home, so avoid relocating on these days. Songkran is celebrated all across Thailand. See tourismthailand.org
Dodge the crowds during Turkey’s spring
Cappadocia, one of the world’s scenic wonders for its odd rock formations.Credit: iStock
The lowdown Northern European tourist hordes descend on Turkey for summer, but what Australian needs more heat – or Mediterranean beaches? Springtime can range from chilly to balmy, but the weather is pleasant and perfect for hiking and sightseeing, if not swimming.
Why there, why then Turkey is one of the world’s most-visited countries for good reason, so you might as well slip into the low season and take advantage of the incredibly low Turkish lira, which currently makes Turkey significantly cheaper than Greece or Italy.
See + do Istanbul deserves several days: dress warmly because tiled mosques and palaces can feel like iceboxes. You’ll warm up as you head down the coast to ancient ruin Ephesus, hip coastal town Bodrum and around the beautifully rugged, history-studded coast to Antalya. Its Ottoman old town gazes at the Taurus Mountains. Then transfer to inland Cappadocia, one of the world’s scenic wonders for its odd rock formations.
Make it happen Aim for March, April or into early May, when wildflowers erupt. See goturkiye.com
Chill out in the sweltering season in Abu Dhabi
Walkway to the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.Credit: iStock
The lowdown Think you ought to avoid summer in a desert city? Consider this: how much time will you spend outdoors anyway? Abu Dhabi isn’t designed for walking, and everywhere is air-conditioned, so take advantage of low-season prices.
Why there, why then Abu Dhabi is the slower, more cultural counterpart to flamboyant Dubai. Shopping, dining, cocktail lounges and theme parks are just as good in summer. Beaches are bearable early in the morning and sunsets are glorious.
See + do Visit the sensational marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (yes, air-conditioned) and the fascinating Falcon Hospital. Yas Island is for fun: splash at Yas Waterworld, ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster at Ferrari World indoor amusement park, and explore colossal Yas Mall. Saadiyat Island, the city’s cultural district, has an outpost of the Louvre and (opening in 2025) the Guggenheim.
Make it happen The hot season lasts across June, July and August, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees, so be sensible if you do stray outside. See visitabudhabi.ae
Frolic through wildflowers in South Africa’s spring
Wildflowers in the West Coast National Park, near Langebaan in the Western Cape, South Africa.Credit: iStock
The lowdown Conventional wisdom says winter is the best time for South Africa, but you’ll want to linger into spring to see the incredible display of wildflowers in Northern Cape and Western Cape regions.
Why there, why then The nation’s west has hundreds of endemic species of plants, but in spring it’s all about the stunning carpets of white, orange, yellow and copper-coloured daisies that cover the landscape.
See + do West Coast National Park near Cape Town provides an opening salvo, plus wildebeest and zebra. You’ll find other terrific displays around Cederberg and Nieuwoudtville, where Hantam National Botanic Garden also provides a handy condensation of diverse flowers. Further north at Springbok, Goegap Nature Reserve is another stunner. You’ll find abundant hiking, biking and 4WD trails everywhere that showcase the blooms.
Make it happen August and September is wildflower season. The splendour does however depend on previous winter rains. Zip north quickly and take your time driving south, since the sun-loving flowers will be turning their faces your way. See southafrica.net
Five ways to save by choosing the right season
Cruising If you sail in December-January in Australia and the South Pacific, July-August in Europe, or over any other school holidays, you’ll pay top dollar. Shoulder season prices are lower, and the weather can still be good, for example in the Mediterranean in October, or Alaska in May.
Hotels The average cost of overnight accommodation in Paris in 2023 peaked at €355 in June but was only €221 in January. If you’re a traveller into culture and spending most of your time indoors, take advantage of winter travel across Europe and North America for big savings.
Airfares The cheapest times to fly from Australia? Late February and March, May, and mid-October to mid-November. No surprise that early December to early January is the most expensive. A mid-week Qantas flight from Sydney to Denpasar is currently 25 per cent cheaper in May compared to December.
Entrance fees An increasing number of tourist attractions, especially theme parks, are using dynamic pricing during busy times. Walt Disney World in Florida can cost 50 per cent more at peak times, or about $US50 ($77) extra a ticket, for example. Dynamic pricing can change fees from day to day, too.
Car hire The cost of rental cars has been dynamic for a long time. Domestically, expect surges in the daily rate over Christmas and Easter holidays. In the busy Mediterranean summer, costs can soar up to 70 per cent. Incidentally, car-hire firms charge more for bookings made well in advance.
Five occasions when you really should hit the high season
Hit the streets or Rio de Janeiro for “blocos de rua” street parties.Credit: Getty
Party time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Festivals always pack in the crowds – for a reason. Rio’s pre-Easter Carnival is surely the brashest, biggest, most bootylicious and bling-draped festival of all. Streets erupt in merrymaking, drums beat and sequins glitter; the Passarela do Samba parade is the culminating event. See visitbrasil.com
Tulip time in Keukenhof, Netherlands
Between late March and early May, the blooming of bulbs in Dutch fields is a sight to behold, creating an unusual northern-European high season outside summer. Nowhere is the colourful clash more dazzling than at Keukenhof gardens, where seven million bulbs create mass displays. See holland.com
Wildlife time in Okavango Delta, Botswana
Kalahari dunes undergo a dramatic change each October-March wet season, transforming into floodplains and papyrus-lined lagoons. Elephants, hippos, zebras and rare honey badgers and sable antelope are among creatures that take advantage of the watery abundance, providing a great wildlife spectacle. See botswanatourism.co.bw
Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico
The Day of the Dead (November 1) in Mexico, but especially in southern state Oaxaca, is cause for celebration. Picnics and sing-alongs are held in cemeteries, and mariachi bands play. The week prior sees carnival entertainment, street parades and party-goers in skeleton costumes. See oaxaca.travel
Christmas time in Nuremberg, Germany
Dozens of German towns draw in millions of visitors in December with Christmas markets, but Nuremberg’s is one of the oldest and most atmospheric. Some 180 old-town stalls sell scrumptious food and traditional handicrafts as visitors are serenaded by carollers and bands. See tourismus.nuernberg.de