From lower prices and fewer crowds to unique experiences, traveling off-season offers a host of benefits. And thanks to factors like retirement and empty nesthood, many of us have the flexibility to travel off-season in this stage of life. This allows us to enjoy new experiences that we might not have had the time or the money to enjoy earlier in our lives. Travelers are not the only ones who may not be crazy about crowds; locals don’t like the abundance of tourists crowding their cities.
“One mayor told me it (overtourism) is like preparing a dinner party for 12 and having 12,000 show up.”
Elizabeth Becker, Journalist and author of Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism
Some three thousand protesters took to the streets this past summer and confronted tourists on Las Ramblas, the iconic main street of Barcelona. Scores of them came armed with signs, yelled epithets, and, in some cases, wielded water pistols. Barcelona, with 1.6 million inhabitants and some 31 million tourists a year, is just one destination that has been feeling the burden of an overabundance of bodies, especially in the summer vacation months. Other overloaded cities include Paris, Venice, Florence, Dubrovnik, Amsterdam, and the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
Why There is a Growing Anti-Tourist Movement
With tourism bouncing back after the relatively empty years of Covid, the residents of popular destinations like Barcelona are feeling the burden of millions pouring into their cities. A growing number of locals say that they simply cannot afford the rising rents and housing costs that owners charge because they can cash in with short-term rentals.
More holiday partygoers may result in rowdy bars, petty crime, drugs, and revelers who sometimes ignore local customs and alienate the people who live there. Giant cruise ships add to the pollution and traffic of local harbors. Merchants report that the day trippers don’t really buy enough to justify their numbers.
Of course, residents are not the only ones who don’t like crowds. Travelers must compete to see the magic of the city. I’m sure that travelers would prefer to see the glories of Antoni Gaudí’s architecture, the bursting La Boquería market, and the Bodega Biarritz for tapas rather than impassable streets. It would benefit both the residents and travelers if people could spread their visits throughout the year rather than converge in the summer.
Aging Changes the Way We Travel
Older travelers have an advantage because we do not have to travel during the crowded summer months. Our vacations are no longer restricted to eight weeks in July and August; we are free to explore any time of the year. In fact, generally destinations welcome us when we show up in places during the off season. Hotels, restaurants, drivers, and everyone else depending on the tourist trade value and need us.
And those of us who are retired or do not work full time may have the luxury of staying longer at places that are more peaceful after the boats and buses depart. I have friends who love going to often crowded Mykonos because they can book a place to stay far from the most congested areas, where the cruise ships and ferries dock.
Four Reasons to Travel Off-Season
Based on my travel experiences, here are my top four reasons to travel off-season.
No Lines at the Sistine Chapel
Who enjoys lining up to enter the Louvre or the Uffizi Galleries or the Sistine Chapel? Who of us wants to compete with thousands of others to see art, sit in restaurants, or just find a bench to watch the world go by?
Some (But Not Me) Like it Hot
Although my snowbird parents breathed a sigh of relief when they watched televised snowstorms up north, both the higher temperatures of the last few years and my body’s thermostat now prevent me from enjoying long treks in hot weather. It hit me recently after some high-temperature trips to Puerto Rico, Florida, and Costa Rica (which were all hot) and Delaware in the summer (which was horribly hot) that I need to plan more trips to locations with more comfortable climates.
Room to Move (and Help the World, Too)
Besides reduced transportation costs, places to stay and eat, and lower costs for activities, travel off season helps those countries that struggle to provide employment and living costs to workers after the crowds disperse.
One organization that works to establish a balance between the needs of travelers and those of their hosts is UN Tourism, with current membership of 160 countries. This organization aims to maximize economic growth, social contributions, and sustainable living for the largest number of people while reducing the sometime negative impact of travel.
UN Tourism cites the huge challenges to the industry, including overcrowding, high prices, and fraying infrastructure during the peak travel seasons. Of course, communities also must face the lack of services and job opportunities during the low seasons.
Great Deals on Off Season Group Travel
A few years ago, a trip opened my eyes to winter travel in Europe. I signed up for a winter Road Scholar trip to Portugal, and realized there were numerous benefits to traveling there in February. It was sunny and cool every day in Cascais, Sintra, and Lisbon. Of course, good weather is never guaranteed anywhere, but folks can check weather sites for normal temperatures by the month.
I chose a Road Scholar trip with my husband to Taormina in Sicily this January. The costs were significantly lower, and Sicily has the warmest temperatures in Italy during the winter months. The highs most days were in the 50s. After the trip to Sicily, my husband and I plan to set out to explore Puglia on our own.
Other great winter destinations include the French Riviera; Madeira in Portugal; the Amalfi Coast; Andalusia in southern Spain; and the island of Crete in Greece. All these places are memorable any time of year but certainly less crowded during the winter months.
Discovering the Joys off the Beaten Path: The Larger World
Of course, the best way to avoid crowds is to go to places off the beaten path; places not yet discovered by tourists. A growing number of travel articles online identify those places that have beauty, history, and cultural significance but are not overrun by cruise ships or tour groups in any season.
- Lonely Planet: Known for its detailed travel guides, Lonely Planet also offers “Undiscovered” sections for off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- OneTravel: This website provides information on cities not yet overrun by tourists.
- Untold Wanderlust: Untold Wanderlost shares details about incredible destinations around the world that do not experience overtourism.
Years ago, my husband and I hopped on a ferry to travel from the Greek island of Rhodes to Symi island, which I later learned some call the “jewel of the Dodecanese”. We did not expect to see beautiful pink and yellow 18th century Venetian houses lining the hills at the small port or uncrowded beaches and walks around the island. I had a particularly memorable moment when I heard the music of Gershwin emanating from a cottage in the hills while hiking. Other islands worth visiting in Greece are Kythira, Milos, Sifnos, Ikaria, and Folegandros. And, since there are 227 inhabited Greek islands, there are many more.
I once went ferry hopping through the western isles of Scotland (Arran, Mull, Iona, Skye, Tiree, Lewis, and Harris) during the spring. It felt gloriously uncrowded. Now I dream of going to islands north of Scotland; hopefully puffin spotting in the Orkney Islands and following the stories of Ann Cleeves’s eight Shetland Island books.
Many of us know about the crowds in India, but I traveled to places like Munnar in the southern state of Kerala, where tea plantations vie with uncrowded parks for beauty. The Eravikulam National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are examples of wonderful parks to visit where you won’t experience the massive crowds.
Instead of the crowded Croatian city of Dubrovnik, many are discovering the vibrant culture and history of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Southeast Europe. In these destinations, you can see architectural discoveries from the Roman to the Ottomans to the Austro-Hungarian to modern.
Finally, places becoming more popular with tourist groups but still attracting fewer crowds include the Stans (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan), Namibia and Mozambique, and the Nusa Islands (instead of Bali).
The Bottom Line
So, if you’d like to avoid the crowds and bask in the beauty and culture of the larger world with greater ease, you can take the road less traveled or the road less steamy. You can head for the Eiffel Tower when its residents are actually living and working there; not in August. After all, Cole Porter loved Paris “every moment,” but perhaps a little less “when it sizzles” in the summer.
Barbara Winard
She began her solo travels in college, and during her 20s and 30s, solo traveled to Europe, Asia, and North and South America. After returning from a 6-month trip to Asia, she wandered off the street and was hired by the Asia Society in New York City to produce films and print materials for adults and children about Asian culture. She also worked as a film programmer and traveled to film festivals around the world. Barbara got her start in film with New York City’s public television station, WNET/13, and was a freelance documentary writer and producer for ten years. A Jersey girl, Barbara, and her husband moved from Jersey City to New Castle, Delaware, last year. She has been writing for Road Scholar, TravelAwaits.com, and several other online magazines; her blog is the Babyboomer. blog.
FAQs
Below are some commonly asked questions about seniors and off-season travel.
Why do many seniors prefer to travel off-season?
Seniors often travel off-season for several reasons:
- Fewer Crowds: Traveling during less busy times means fewer tourists and less crowded attractions, which can make your travel experience more relaxed and enjoyable.
- Lower Costs: For budget conscious travelers, off-season travel often comes with lower prices for flights, accommodation, and attractions.
- Milder Weather: Off-season travel can offer milder weather conditions, depending on the destination. You can avoid extreme temperatures or weather-related issues that can make travel uncomfortable.
- Personal Preferences: Many seniors simply prefer the tranquility and slower pace of off-season travel.
What are some other resources for off-season travel?
- TripstoDiscover: This site offers suggestions to avoid crowds while traveling in both the U.S. and Europe.
- TourRadar: This website provides a guide for locations to travel off-season.
What are the benefits of traveling off the beaten path?
Traveling off the beaten path often offer unique and authentic experiences aren’t available in more touristy destinations. Additionally, off-the-beaten-path destinations often offer more opportunities to interact with local residents, leading to richer cultural exchanges and insights.
Are there any safety concerns when traveling off-season or to less popular destinations?
While generally safe, there are a few considerations to keep in mind while traveling off-season or to less popular destinations.
- Health and Safety Services: Before you go, we recommend you confirm that medical facilities and emergency services are available in the area you’re visiting. Research the local health infrastructure in advance.
- Local Conditions: Research regional issues or potential travel advisories. Sometimes off-the-beaten-path destinations have infrastructure or conditions requiring special attention.
- Travel Resources: Less-traveled locations may offer limited support services, so make sure you have adequate information and resources for navigation and communication.
- Accessibility: It’s a good idea as you age to ensure before you go that the destination is accessible for you so can comfortably get around. This is especially important if the location involves uneven terrain or limited transportation options.
Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.
