Cool moves: why off-season is the new peak

From the UK’s hotter-than-ever summers to record-breaking heatwaves across the globe, the way we holiday is changing. For many, peak season is starting to feel too… peaky. Cue the rise of the off-season escape – quieter, cooler and often better value.

Where travellers once flocked to the Med in July and August, soaring temps are now shifting plans. Add in the flexibility of remote work, rising interest in wellness and a hunger for more meaningful, less manic travel – and suddenly shoulder season looks more like the sweet spot.

So, where’s best to go when everyone else stays home? We’ve got the lowdown.

Italy: less selfie sticks, more soul

Winter casts a hush over Italy’s cities – gondolas gliding through misty canals, echoey corridors at the Uffizi and the Sistine Chapel without the conveyor-belt queues. “It was magical,” says Heather from our content team, who visited in January. “We strolled sunlit piazzas, warmed up with truffle pasta in candlelit trattorias and had whole museum wings to ourselves.”

Spring and autumn hit differently along the coast – head to the Neapolitan Riviera in April for the scent of lemon blossoms, car-and-scooter free coastal roads and the kind of serendipitous encounters that only happen when the crowds have cleared.

Spotlight trip: Sorrento and Ischia

Thailand: Calm in full colour

There’s a reason they call it the green season. Thailand’s jungles and rainforests burst into life, with flourishing flora, mossy air and nature’s soundtrack in full surround. The mood slows, the wildlife stirs and spa days take on a whole new serenity.

“I went to Khao Lak in June,” says our travel expert Emma. “We had a rare week of almost non-stop rain and you’d think I’d be disappointed, but actually, it was bliss. We spent a morning planting mangroves (muddy but surprisingly meditative) and had a massage in the jungle, the rain tapping above and birds calling in the trees. I felt more relaxed than I have in years. It made me rethink what perfect weather really means.”

Spotlight trip: Taste of Thailand

Greece on slow mode

Those dreamy Santorini sunsets are all the more special when you’re not shoulder-to-shoulder with a deck load of day-trippers. Off-season is Greece with the volume turned down – in the best way. Taverna tables free up, you get the best pick of the sunbeds and you can walk gorgeous hiking trails without wilting.

Head to island icons like Corfu or Crete in spring and you’ll find greener landscapes, easier ferry routes and more time to connect with locals, who, quite literally, are just opening their doors for summer.

Spotlight on: Crete two stop trip

Japan: Leaves, lanterns and hot springs

Cherry blossom season might get all the hype, but Japan’s shoulder seasons are just as captivating. Autumn glows with fiery foliage and festival lanterns; winter means snowy temples, steaming onsen and snow monkeys at play. Fewer tour groups, no humidity and a more serene side of Japan? We’re here for it.

Spotlight trip: Highlights of Japan

Canada: postcard peaks & laid-back streets

White out wonderlands, fairy light lit festivals and train journeys through cinematic landscapes – winter in Canada is enchanting. But off season Canada isn’t just about snow globe moments: visit in April, May or October and you’ll be treated to fresh, pine-scented air, quieter trails and a golden-hour light that makes every view pop.

Jenny, one of our travel experts, recently explored Western Canada in April. She says, “There was still snow dusting the mountains and we even walked across a frozen lake. But it was the perfect temperature for outdoor adventures – we went cycling, whale watching, hunted down the best street food in Vancouver and rode the iconic Rocky Mountaineer. The key? Pack layers, and you’ll be ready for anything.”

Read about Jenny's Rocky Mountaineer adventure here.

Spotlight trip: Rockies Trail

Maldives: Off-peak, on island time

It might be called ‘wet season’ from May-October, but don’t let that put you off. On the equator, rain is never a stranger – high humidity and scattered showers happen year-round. And the perks of off-season are crystal clear: quieter resorts, exclusive offers and guaranteed 30 °C heat.

Sea life lovers, take note. This is prime time for spotting mantas and whale sharks. Nutrient-rich plankton sweeps into the atolls (especially Baa and Ari), drawing in the ocean’s gentle giants. Fewer boats, fewer fins: more chance to tune in with the underwater world.

Spotlight island resort: Kuramathi Maldives 

Off-season perks, at a glance

• Smart travel wins: Save on flights, hotels and tours – and maybe bag that room upgrade.

• Reduced rush: Quieter sights, shorter queues.

• Cooler temps: Ideal for sightseeing, strolling and al fresco eats.

• Real life, real pace: Local moments, not tour group traffic.

Things to consider

• Some sights, tours or restaurants may close or scale back in quieter months. Check ahead if there’s something specific you’re planning.

• Weather can be unpredictable. Pack smart.

• Public transport may run less frequently, especially in rural areas.

This feature was created on 26th June 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.