We all love going away for vacation. What we don’t love about it is packed beaches, large crowds, expensive lodging and pricey airfare. Traveling during the off season allows you to skip over these things and get right to the best parts of vacation: relaxation and fun.
The off season is the best time to see the world. Do your research to find the times with lower tourist rates in your dream destinations. Plan appropriately and pack accordingly. You can have the trip of your dreams with a little planning and sense of adventure.
Travel Tips for the Best Off-Season Adventures
If your trip is to an international destination, make sure your passport is up-to-date.- Notify your bank that you’re going on a trip. This will ensure you don’t get locked out of your own funds and indicate suspicious activity if your debit card is being used elsewhere.
- Make sure that the Off-Season at your destination is not during the monsoon or typhoon season!
- Buy a money belt for use in pick-pocketing territory.
- Invest in a good pair of hiking boots or tennis shoes.
- Travel can leave you susceptible to identity theft. Look into a subscription like Lifelock, which monitors and protects your sensitive information.
- When investigating in off -season travel, be careful not to choose destinations and travel times that coincide with school vacations, popular conventions or events.
- Compare airfare on travel search engines to find the lowest rates.
- Off-season travel sometimes means cooler weather. Pack accordingly. REI carries many cold weather clothing options.
Destinations
Winter Wolf-Tracking in Yellowstone National Park: During the winter months, only 140,000 visitors go to Yellowstone National Park. Compared to summer rates of nearly three million visitors, the park is practically empty. This means more space for you to explore and wide open views. This is an ideal trip for nature lovers. View elk, bison and big horn sheep on the barren, snowy landscape. The snow creates the perfect backdrop to find gray wolf tracks left behind. You can get adventurous and cross country ski through the park.
San Juan Islands, Washington: If you want peace and quiet with a view of water, check out the San Juan Islands in Washington. This is the perfect destination for a wintery getaway. Take photos of the beautiful rocky bluffs, Douglas firs and wildlife. Take the ferry from Friday Harbor to Orcas Island for horseback rides, kayaking or whale watching. Venture to Lime Kiln State Park for hiking and visit the lighthouse.
Australian Outback: In mid-April, the Australian Outback is a mild temperature, an exotic wonderland to be explored. You should visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park which features Ayers Rock, a popular landmark. This trip will expose you to aboriginal culture and the sheer expanse of the land. Take camel rides or go on lead hikes through Kings Canyon. This is an ideal trip for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies who are looking for skydiving or couples looking for solitude and romance.
South African Safari: Early September is the time you want to visit South Africa. This time of year means Safari Lodges have lower prices. Check out Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve or Singita. Forbes features several top-notch lodges and safari destinations. If you want a Safari planned out for you, look into Micato Safaris to help you create the perfect itinerary. See leopards and lions out in the wild. Visit the Kalahari Desert to see incredible, red, rippled sand. South Africa is a beautiful country with a rich, and volatile, history. Poverty is a problem in major cities like Johannesburg and and Cape Town. Traveling in major cities can be dangerous for pick pocketing and crime, so be cautious.