Ahh, winter. The Holidays. The weather-related airport delays. The seasonal affective disorder. But, winter isn’t all bad. It can be downright magical. Especially if you take advantage of the “shoulder season” or “low season” prices that many popular travel destinations are offering. Consider using the extra cash that came in this season (gift from grandma, income tax return, annual bonus) to fund a relaxing trip to one of these top off-peak season destinations:
New York City
The New York City Tourism Board’s Winter Outing Program begins in January and runs into mid-February. Between discounted rates on Restaurant-Week, Broadway Week, and hotel pricing, experiencing NYC in the winter is a must.
Japan
Japan welcomes ~40% fewer visitors during the winter months. Because of this, winter fares can be up to 50% cheaper than the summer months.
Bermuda
The beautiful island’s mild winter temperatures (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) is almost as attractive as their “Pink Sale” promotion, offering rates up to 50% off at participating hotels and resorts between January-April. And did I mention whale watching?
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is a popular bucket-list item for Americans and internationals alike for good reason. With over 4 million visits per year, only about 2 percent of those take place in the Winter months. Wildlife sightings are fairly common in the colder months, and you can even take advantage of a slue of outdoor sports like skiing, snowmobiling, and ice-skating.
Greece
As prices on airfare and lodging drop, the Grecian climate also dips down to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Experiencing Carnival, or Apokreas in Greek, instead of heading to New Orleans or the Caribbean is a great way to experience the dancing, floats, and parades of Fat-Tuesday while on holiday in Europe.