| The two key things that can have a huge | | | | A wonderful destination for the winter |
| impact on the cost of your vacation are | | | | months is Asia. Flights are losing |
| the destination and the time of year. In | | | | popularity, however, availability is |
| fact, the single biggest saver is likely | | | | still good, meaning that there are |
| to be when you travel, not how | | | | plenty of discounts on offer. Weather is |
| successfully you manage to haggle for | | | | variable in Asia during the winter which |
| that last minute hotel bargain! | | | | could mean that you are surrounded by |
| Don't overlook the importance of | | | | snow one minute and then basking in |
| considering these two factors together. | | | | glorious sunshine. This lack of |
| Some destinations will be extremely | | | | dependability is something that puts a |
| cheap at one time of year yet finding a | | | | lot of visitors off and can mean that |
| bargain four months later may be | | | | there are some excellent bargains for |
| impossible. Traveling to a popular | | | | those prepared to take the risk! |
| destination at a peak time will never be | | | | Spring |
| cheap. For example staying at a luxury | | | | If you are looking to travel to Europe, |
| hotel in a party city on New Year's Eve | | | | this is the time to do it! Flights are a |
| is not likely to be a budget holiday; | | | | lot cheaper during the spring months |
| however, traveling to a traditional | | | | when temperatures are still relatively |
| summer resort over New Year's may be a | | | | low. |
| very different story. | | | | Mexican beaches and the Caribbean |
| One thing that is very important to | | | | islands start to see their prices drop |
| realize is that low seasons are low for | | | | from mid April as the weather becomes |
| a reason. A classic example of this is | | | | hotter. However, during the spring |
| hurricane season in the Caribbean and | | | | months, the water and air temperatures |
| Florida. Other low seasons to be wary of | | | | are still pleasant and the resorts less |
| are the extremely hot areas such as | | | | crowded. |
| Egypt during the summer months, when the | | | | During later spring, for example May, |
| heat can be so oppressive that it makes | | | | the traditionally hot and dry countries |
| the holiday less enjoyable. Summer | | | | are not in their peak seasons but have |
| resorts are often so quiet during low | | | | not yet become intolerably hot. So if |
| season that there is quite literally | | | | you want to visit Morocco, Jordan or |
| nowhere open. This can be great for a | | | | Egypt, plan a spring vacation. |
| retreat, but when it comes to a raging | | | | Summer |
| nightlife you may be sadly disappointed! | | | | Finding a bargain in summer is tricky. |
| Shoulder Season | | | | Americans, Japanese and Europeans are |
| Shoulder season is the perfect time to | | | | all on the move and this is also the |
| be trying to travel for those who want | | | | time of year that most weddings take |
| to find a happy medium between low and | | | | place, so honeymoon destinations are in |
| peak seasons. Identifying where is in | | | | a great deal of demand. |
| shoulder season when you want to travel | | | | During the early part of summer, through |
| or when your favorite destination is in | | | | June and July, Caribbean destinations |
| shoulder season can save you literally | | | | are still good to get a deal, provided |
| hundreds of dollars. | | | | you try to book before the Europeans |
| Take a look at the guide books. Whilst | | | | start to flood in during their school |
| they will not tell you when the shoulder | | | | holidays at the end of July. |
| season is, they will tell you when peak | | | | Safari holidays are a good option |
| and low seasons are. The time in | | | | between June and September. High season |
| between, is, by definition, the shoulder | | | | ends in May, but the weather is still |
| season. | | | | relatively dry. |
| With almost every resort there is a | | | | Flights and hotels are still quite |
| period where the prices become low, not | | | | reasonable in Southeast Asia during the |
| because the location is now poor but | | | | summer months, but temperatures can be |
| because all of the hotels and flights | | | | quite hot, so if you can't stand the |
| are still servicing the area but the | | | | heat, avoid this destination during the |
| demand is simply not there. Examples of | | | | summer months. |
| shoulder seasons are Europe in the fall | | | | Fall |
| and the Caribbean during late spring. | | | | This is the time to head to Europe. |
| Winter | | | | Flights to most major European |
| Winter is an interesting time of year to | | | | destinations will be cheaper from |
| travel. Before Christmas, most | | | | October onwards, mainly because the |
| individuals are trying to make last | | | | schools are no longer on holiday and |
| minute shopping trips. After Christmas, | | | | families are not traveling as much. |
| people are dealing with their credit | | | | Temperatures are normally perfectly |
| card bills. As such, holidays on far off | | | | pleasant until mid November, so grab |
| beaches are often incredibly cheap | | | | yourself a fall bargain in Europe. |
| during the winter period. | | | | |