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