Travel’s best-kept secret: What is off-peak travel, and why is it trending?

One of the biggest benefits of traveling off-peak is how far it allows you to stretch your budget. That’s why travel during the offseason is one of our top budgeting tips for your dream trip. For those who want to travel between November and March, we design affordable guided tours with competitive price points that make bucket list destinations more accessible than ever. Our Off-Peak Tours aren’t just stripped-down versions of high-season trips—they’re intentionally planned tours designed to highlight the unique pace and authentic charm of the season without the peak-season premiums. “One of the things I loved about winter travel is that I didn’t break the bank, financially or with vacation time,” said staffer Jim.

One of the great joys of off-peak travel is the space it creates—not just physically but mentally as well. Not only do less-crowded travel destinations mean less competition for clear views in iconic locations like the Vatican, the Acropolis, Edinburgh Castle, and the Alhambra, but they also mean more space to savor moments and cultivate authentic interactions with the locals. It becomes easier to fall into the rhythm of everyday life. Of course, the clearer views and open spaces don’t hurt either. “A perk of smaller, off-season crowds is better photos!” said staffer Rozlyn when listing her reasons to travel in the offseason. “In the early spring, I was able to get photos of the sites themselves without hordes of pedestrians blocking my view.”

Not everyone’s idea of a perfect trip to Europe includes sunbathing on a Mediterranean beach or sightseeing under the summer sun. Some travelers prefer to explore ancient ruins and temples in the crisp air and quiet calm of the off-peak season. “In February, the weather in Italy is mild, and all I needed was a light winter jacket,” said staffer Emily. “That type of weather made exploring the sites so much more enjoyable. For example, my family and I climbed to the top of the Duomo in Florence. The stairway is narrow, and I couldn’t have imagined trekking up the steps in the middle of summer when the temperature is in the 90s F, and you’re surrounded by other travelers. Instead, we had the walkway mostly to ourselves and didn’t have to tussle for the best vantage point once we got to the top!” And don’t worry—you can still enjoy gelato year-round.

The United Kingdom has a charm all its own in the off-peak season—moody skies, misty mornings, and the scent of peat smoke drifting through cobbled streets. It’s the perfect time to cozy up in a historic pub beside a roaring fire, sip a smoky whisky, and swap stories with locals. Join us on our Off-Peak United Kingdom: Edinburgh & London tour to experience the rugged beauty, warmth, and wit of the U.K. when it’s at its most authentic. You’ll catch the wild rhythm of a ceilidh (the Scottish celebration of dance and music) in Edinburgh, see Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace free from the peak-season crowds, and linger over afternoon tea or a round of pints with the locals. Join the Oxford extension to explore the storied university during a time of year when students outnumber visitors and experience the everyday enchantment of the famous grounds and architecture that inspired authors like J.R.R. Tolkien.

An off-peak trip to Spain offers a different kind of magic. Rather than cozy pubs and crackling hearths, you’ll be met with that famous Mediterranean sunshine and pleasant temperatures made for wandering the Alhambra and its gardens or strolling through Madrid’s many plazas. Spain experiences four distinct seasons, but its winter temperatures are much milder than those in the United States or Canada. “Who says winter has to be cold?” said staffer Jim. “I’ve lived in the Northeast [United States] for most of my life, so winter in Madrid felt nearly tropical! I was able to relax on some outdoor patios, explore parks and gardens, and walk through the city without the summer crowds and without freezing.”

The off-peak season is also the working season for Spain’s olive oil farms, and when you join us on our Off-Peak Spain: Madrid, Granada & Seville tour, you’ll visit an Andalusian olive farm to see it in action. From the late fall and early winter harvest to winter and spring’s milling and bottling, you’ll get an authentic look at the flurry of activity that goes into producing the rich liquid gold. And if eight days isn’t enough for you, linger for a few more on our Seville extension to sip sherry in a tavern in Cadiz and wander the ancient city’s oceanfront plazas.

An off-peak trip allows you to experience Greece at a gentler pace—one that’s intimate, atmospheric, and deeply rooted in the country’s traditions. It’s a more personal side of Greece that can only be discovered when the season and pace of life slows. “November in Greece turned out to be the perfect temperature, and the crowds were at the most wonderful, uncrowded level I have ever experienced,” said traveler Carol, who visited Greece on our A Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia tour.

When you join our Off-Peak Greece: Athens, Delphi & Nafplio tour, you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures while exploring the Acropolis in Athens and have room to wander at your own pace at Delphi’s Temple of Apollo. For a taste of island life in the offseason, add the Crete & Athens extension to the tour to spend a few days basking in the citrus-scented hillsides of Greece’s largest island. Crete doesn’t hibernate like Santorini or Mykonos, it just becomes more locals-only, offering yet another chance to experience the culture at its most authentic.