Last Minute Vacations

Shoulder season really can be one of the best times to travel—but it depends a lot on where you're going and what you're hoping to do.

"Shoulder season" is the period between a destination's peak tourist season and its low season. Think late spring or early fall in many places.

The main advantages are real:

• Lower prices. Flights and hotels are often significantly cheaper than during peak season.
• Fewer crowds. You spend less time waiting in lines and more time enjoying attractions.
• More comfortable weather. In many destinations, shoulder season avoids the hottest, coldest, or rainiest extremes.
• Better availability. Popular restaurants, tours, and accommodations are easier to book.

The downsides are also real:

• Some attractions may have reduced hours. Seasonal museums, beaches, ferries, and guided tours may operate on shorter schedules or close entirely.
• Weather is less predictable. You might get beautiful sunny days—or several rainy ones.
• Limited transportation. Flights, ferries, and buses may run less frequently.
• Seasonal businesses can close. This is especially common in beach towns, ski resorts, and small islands.

Whether shoulder season is "worth it" depends on the destination:

Destination type	Shoulder season is usually...
Major cities	Excellent—most attractions stay open, with fewer crowds.
National parks	Great, though some roads or facilities may close depending on the season.
Beach destinations	Good if you don't mind cooler water or an occasional rainy day.
Ski resorts	Riskier during the weeks between winter and summer operations, when lifts and hotels may close.
Islands with seasonal tourism	Can be amazing—or very quiet if businesses shut down.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid the very beginning or very end of shoulder season if you're worried about closures. Traveling just a few weeks closer to peak season often gives you nearly all the savings while keeping most attractions open.

For example:

• Visiting Italy in May or late September often means pleasant temperatures, long opening hours, and manageable crowds.
• Visiting a Mediterranean beach resort in early November might bring lower prices—but also closed beach clubs, fewer ferries, and cooler swimming conditions.

Overall, shoulder season tends to offer the best value for travelers who prioritize sightseeing, food, and culture over guaranteed beach weather or peak-season activities. If your trip depends on something seasonal—like skiing, whale watching, or island hopping—it's worth checking operating dates before booking.

Some destinations become dramatically more enjoyable—and much cheaper—once you move just outside the busiest weeks. The biggest swings usually happen where tourism is highly seasonal.

Here are some of the standouts:

Destination	Peak season	Shoulder season	Typical difference
Italy	June–August	April–May, late Sept–Oct	Hotels can be 20–50% cheaper, and major sights are noticeably less crowded.
Greece	July–August	May–June, Sept	Island accommodations often drop significantly in price, and beaches feel much less packed.
Japan	Cherry blossom season & autumn foliage	May (after Golden Week), November (after foliage peak)	Hotel prices and crowds can fall sharply just a week or two after peak events.
Croatia	July–August	May–June, Sept	Coastal towns become much calmer while the weather often remains warm enough for swimming.
Iceland	June–August	May, Sept	Rental cars and hotels are often much cheaper, with many attractions still fully accessible.
Thailand	Dec–Feb	Nov, Mar	Prices ease while weather can still be excellent in many regions.

Some destinations show especially dramatic differences:

Italy

Cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice can feel overwhelmed in July. In October or late April, you'll often find:

• Much shorter lines at major attractions.
• Better hotel availability.
• Pleasant temperatures for walking.
• Outdoor dining without needing reservations weeks in advance.

Greece

The difference on islands can be remarkable. In August, ferries, beaches, and restaurants may be full. By late September:

• Sea temperatures are still warm.
• Accommodation prices often fall substantially.
• Popular viewpoints and tavernas become much more relaxed.

Japan

Travel timing matters enormously because of domestic holidays. Avoiding periods like Golden Week can make hotels much cheaper and trains less crowded while offering very similar sightseeing conditions.

Iceland

Summer is the busiest time, but September often offers:

• Fewer visitors at waterfalls and hiking areas.
• Lower lodging and car rental costs.
• A chance to see the Northern Lights as nights grow darker.

The destinations with the largest savings tend to be:

• Mediterranean beach destinations (20–50% lower hotel prices is common).
• European capitals outside school holidays.
• Safari destinations just before or after the dry season.
• Tropical islands outside major holiday periods (though you'll trade some weather certainty).

By contrast, destinations with smaller shoulder-season advantages include major business cities like Singapore or Dubai, where tourism is spread more evenly throughout the year.

A useful strategy is to travel 2–4 weeks before or after the absolute peak. You often get around 80–90% of the ideal weather, while avoiding a large share of the crowds and paying noticeably lower prices. That's why many experienced travelers deliberately aim for shoulder season rather than peak season.

Late October is widely considered one of the best times to visit Italy. Early November can also be excellent, though there are a few trade-offs depending on where you're going.

Here's what you can generally expect:

Late October (the "sweet spot" for many travelers)

• Crowds are much lighter than in September and summer.
• Temperatures are often comfortable for walking (roughly 55–70°F / 13–21°C, depending on the region).
• Hotels are usually cheaper than during peak season.
• Most museums, restaurants, and attractions are still operating on regular schedules.
• Fall colors and harvest season make it a particularly enjoyable time for food and wine.

Early November

• Crowds thin out even more.
• Prices can drop another notch.
• Days are shorter, with sunset around 5 p.m. in much of Italy after the clocks change.
• Rain becomes more likely, especially in northern and central Italy.
• Some seasonal hotels and restaurants in coastal resort towns begin closing.

The experience also depends on where you're headed:

• Cities: Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, and Naples are all great choices in late October and early November. Most attractions remain open year-round, and sightseeing is more relaxed.
• Countryside: Tuscany and Umbria are especially beautiful, with autumn colors, olive harvests, and seasonal foods like truffles and chestnuts.
• Coastal destinations: Places like Positano or Monterosso al Mare become much quieter. You'll still enjoy the scenery, but swimming may be chilly and some hotels or restaurants may have closed for the season.

One thing to keep in mind is All Saints' Day on November 1. It's a public holiday in Italy, so some shops and businesses may close or have reduced hours, although many major tourist attractions remain open.

If your priorities are:

• Sightseeing and museums: Late October is close to ideal.
• Food and wine: It's one of the year's highlights, with seasonal dishes and harvest celebrations.
• Beach time: It's probably too late unless you're heading to the far south and don't mind cool water.
• Photography: Softer light, fewer crowds, and autumn colors can make this an especially rewarding time.

If I were choosing between the two, I'd lean toward the last two weeks of October. You get most of the cost savings and lighter crowds of November while keeping milder weather, longer daylight, and a better chance that seasonal businesses are still open. If your schedule pushes into the first week of November, it's still a strong time to visit—especially if your itinerary focuses on cities rather than beach destinations.