Shoulder Season Travel: Insider Tips for Budget-Friendly and Less Crowded Vacations

04/02/25 • 20 min

In this episode of All Things Travel, hosts Ryan and Julie dive deep into the world of shoulder season travel, sharing expert insights on how to plan the perfect vacation during off-peak times.

What is Shoulder Season?

Shoulder season is the travel period just before or after peak tourist season. Typically, this includes:

Europe: April-May and September-October
Caribbean: April-June and October-November
Australia/New Zealand: March-May and September-November

Advantages of Shoulder Season Travel

Cost Savings: Lower prices on flights, accommodations, and activities
Fewer Crowds: Less competition for attractions and restaurants
Mild Weather: Pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities
Sustainability: Reduces strain on local infrastructure
Flexibility: More spontaneous travel opportunities

Considerations and Potential Drawbacks

School schedules can limit shoulder season travel
Unpredictable weather conditions
Potential closures of attractions and businesses
Shorter daylight hours
Not always guaranteed significant discounts

Top Shoulder Season Destinations

Europe
- Spring (April-May): Blooming landscapes, tulip season
- Fall (September-October): Harvest festivals, cooler temperatures
Japan
- May-August: Lush greenery after cherry blossom season
- November-December: Autumn foliage without peak crowds
American Southwest
- March-April and October-November: Mild weather for national park exploration
Caribbean
- April-June: Warm weather, avoid hurricane season
Iceland
- March-May and Mid-September-November: Northern Lights viewing opportunities

Expert Travel Tips

Research specific shoulder season timing for your destination
Plan around local events and festivals
Pack layers and prepare for transitional weather
Check specific destination considerations (e.g., Easter and spring break)

Listener Takeaway

Shoulder season travel offers a unique opportunity to experience destinations with fewer crowds, potentially lower costs, and more authentic local experiences. By being flexible and strategic, travelers can enjoy memorable vacations during these off-peak periods.

About the Podcast

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In this episode of All Things Travel, hosts Ryan and Julie dive deep into the world of shoulder season travel, sharing expert insights on how to plan the perfect vacation during off-peak times.

What is Shoulder Season?

Shoulder season is the travel period just before or after peak tourist season. Typically, this includes:

Europe: April-May and September-October
Caribbean: April-June and October-November
Australia/New Zealand: March-May and September-November

Advantages of Shoulder Season Travel

Cost Savings: Lower prices on flights, accommodations, and activities
Fewer Crowds: Less competition for attractions and restaurants
Mild Weather: Pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities
Sustainability: Reduces strain on local infrastructure
Flexibility: More spontaneous travel opportunities

Considerations and Potential Drawbacks

School schedules can limit shoulder season travel
Unpredictable weather conditions
Potential closures of attractions and businesses
Shorter daylight hours
Not always guaranteed significant discounts

Top Shoulder Season Destinations

Europe
- Spring (April-May): Blooming landscapes, tulip season
- Fall (September-October): Harvest festivals, cooler temperatures
Japan
- May-August: Lush greenery after cherry blossom season
- November-December: Autumn foliage without peak crowds
American Southwest
- March-April and October-November: Mild weather for national park exploration
Caribbean
- April-June: Warm weather, avoid hurricane season
Iceland
- March-May and Mid-September-November: Northern Lights viewing opportunities

Expert Travel Tips

Research specific shoulder season timing for your destination
Plan around local events and festivals
Pack layers and prepare for transitional weather
Check specific destination considerations (e.g., Easter and spring break)

Listener Takeaway

About the Podcast

All Things Travel is a podcast hosted by Ryan and Julie, offering expert travel advic

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

Previous Episode

Disney Secrets Revealed: Hidden Gems and Unexpected Magic for Your Next Trip

Planning your family's Walt Disney World vacation? Most families focus on the big attractions, dining, and shows, but there's so much more to discover! In this episode, Ryan and Julie dive into the secret attractions and interactive experiences at Disney parks that will keep your kids entertained and make your trip even more magical. From scavenger hunts to themed challenges, we’ve got you covered!

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

A Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas at Magic Kingdom
Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure at EPCOT
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Batuu Bounty Hunters Adventure at Galaxy’s Edge
Finding Dory’s Friends at The Seas Pavilion
Interactive Mirror in the Mexico Pavilion (Coco-themed)
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🎧 Whether you're a Disney regular or planning your first trip, these hidden activities will bring extra magic to your vacation. Don’t miss out!

💌 Connect with Us:

Visit All Things Travel Podcast to reach out and share your Disney experiences or ask us any travel questions.

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
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Around the World Vacations: 3 Incredible Global Travel Experiences

In this exciting episode of All Things Travel, hosts Ryan and Julie explore three extraordinary around-the-world vacation options that promise unforgettable global adventures. They dive deep into unique travel experiences that allow travelers to explore multiple countries and continents in a single epic journey.

Featured World Travel Experiences

1. Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise

Duration: 274 nights (broken into 4 segments of approximately 60 nights each)
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3. Adventures by Disney Private Jet Adventure

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Accommodations: 5-star hotels, exclusive experiences

Key Takeaways

World travel is becoming more accessible
Multi-segment trips offer flexibility
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Travel Tip

Consider breaking these epic journeys into segments if a full trip seems overwhelming. Many packages allow you to choose specific portions of the global adventure.

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
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All Things Travel Podcast - Shoulder Season Travel: Insider Tips for Budget-Friendly and Less Crowded Vacations

Transcript

ryan_1_03-24-2025_19360900:01:30.990

Hello and welcome to all Things Travel. Are you tired of dealing with crowds and bad tourist behaviors on your vacation? maybe focusing on shoulder season travel would be more your style. Today we'll discuss the considerations and top destinations for maximizing shoulder season.

j_1_03-24-2025_19360900:01:49.600

Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts, Ryan and Julie. He is your travel