Save Money with Off Season Travel

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If you’re like me then you dream of traveling the world. Visiting the little known and remote places. As well as well-traversed and iconic destinations you’ve read about or watched on TV. It may be hard to do unless you have a good plan and exercise flexibility. And one of the best ways to do this is to save money with off-season travel.

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Save Money with Off-Season Travel

The Rewards of off-peak travel

Traveling in the offseason, or low season can be quite beneficial. First, there are the cost savings; from flights to hotels, car rentals, and attractions-– everything costs less when the peak season expires. The second reason is that the crowds are a lot smaller, too. Imagine not waiting with your children hour after hour, shoulder to should with other exhausted families, for the chance to see that tiny faded picture of the Mona Lisa or claim a tiny space in the Sistine Chapel barely able to look up.

With that being said, there are a few things you should take into consideration when planning an offseason vacation. Having traveled to Greece during the summer with my kids, I expected to have a very similar, if not less chaotic, experience a few months later with the entire family.

And while I thoroughly recommend off-peak travel to Greece or most any other warm destination, a few things are worth noting. Some of the following travel tips are common sense and can be applied to any destination; others may help you avoid an extra expense, a missed opportunity, or added stress. With budgeting, these tips are great ways to travel more, better, and further.

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Tip #1– Know What You’re Getting

You need to know what’s included because you may have to deal with travel inconveniences. If you can put up with the street construction, lack of hotel amenities, lobby remodel, or an obstructed view to the beach; ask for a reduced rate or even a complimentary upgrade.

I once stayed at an absolutely gorgeous hotel I couldn’t normally afford in the hills around Lake Garda while they built a new swimming pool. I wasn’t inconvenienced a bit… the lake was just steps away.

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Tip #2– Get Clarification

Don’t take anything for granted. Just because the hotel advertises a pool on their website, make sure it will be available during your trip.

Non-peak months are the perfect time for renovation and routine maintenance. However, on another trip, I knew the water would not be warm enough to swim, so I booked a hotel with an indoor pool, Jacuzzi and sauna.

Unfortunately, I didn’t call in advance to find out that the pool and all the aforementioned amenities would not be in service when we arrived. With a lack of public indoor pools, my kids were sad to hear they wouldn’t be swimming on this trip.

The result: a drastic reduction in my own reading time and the added stress of finding replacement activities.

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Tip #3– Research

Don’t assume all travel excursions will be available. Take a moment to surf the Internet or call the hotel. Most large attractions have websites with seasonal hours of operation. Call to verify important information gathered from the Internet with a travel professional or the hotel staff.

I researched activities and found this wonderful boat tour to the Underground River, so I booked flights and a hotel to the beautiful island of Palawan in the Philippines only to find out the river was closed for four days this year and of course, those four days were in the middle of our planned trip.

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Tip #4– Always Ask

They can only say no.

So go ahead and ask. With fewer guests you may find the staff much more obliging especially during the low season to give you what you want, offer you reduced pricing, or extra amenities.

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Tip #5 — Weather

Off-peak season is usually defined by the weather, so be cautious when planning a vacation to areas subject to extreme weather;

Most attractions are closed on Monday, or close early during off-peak seasons, so plan accordingly;

Weather can change dramatically, so come prepared with enough layers to put on or take off, like a sweater or light jacket.

Keep in Mind…

While low-season travel has its risks, you might find the benefits heavily outweigh them. It gives you an opportunity to delve deeper into the local color and enjoy an exceptionally unique travel experience. In the end, a pool would have been nice, but the kids didn’t seem to miss it.

 

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