Vacation planning is important if you want to make the most of school holidays, public holidays, and peak times at popular locations. In this article, we look at some of the best times to head to popular destinations and some alternative ideas for vacations at busy times of the year.
The Off Season
When it comes to tourism, most places have an off-season and an on-season. The on-season tends to be during the warmer months and certain public holidays; this is the time when tourist spots are open and at their busiest, which means it’s not always the best time to visit them.
Conversely, during the off-season, the tourist spots are less busy, if they’re open at all. Tourism in the southern hemisphere tends to be more available throughout the year thanks to better weather and more interest. If possible, choose a nice location in the off-season for a vacation.
Shoulder Season
Adventurous travelers might prefer the off-season for a vacation because it’s quieter and you have resorts to yourself. But if you still want some of the perks of the high season to go with it, there’s a third option – this is called the Shoulder season – it sits between high and off-season.
The shoulder season is usually less busy than the high season and sometimes has better prices, but it still retains the warm weather and summer feel. The shoulder season is an excellent time for budget travelers to save money and remain organized using a mailbox with online access while they are on the road.
Work Holidays
While you’re an adult and you can technically have a holiday whenever you want, it makes sense to time these vacations with your work commitments to ensure you have job security going forward. In short, employers and colleagues don’t take kindly to flakey staff members.
The last thing you want to do is leave your colleagues with a pile of work while you head off for the sunshine, so make sure your holidays are booked far in advance, and your colleagues are aware that you’re heading off. Additionally, try to avoid holidays during annual review processes.
School Holidays
School holidays can leave eager travelers in a bind, especially if you have school-age children and school holidays are the only real time you can travel. During school holidays, beaches and resorts are jam-packed, and traveling is more expensive, so what are your options at this time?
Firstly, school holidays can be a nightmare for traveling, but that doesn’t mean you can’t organize things to beat the crowds and the prices. If you want a beach holiday with the kids but know resorts are busy, research quiet or secluded beaches and strategic accommodation.
Public Holidays
As with school holidays, public holidays aren’t the best time to go traveling due to the demand for resorts and accommodation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of these key dates. Plan ahead and choose quieter locations to make the most of public holidays; even a location that is less popular gives you a better experience than one that’s crowded and pricey.