The Best Places to Visit Off-Season

By Food & Wine
September 30, 2015
Courtesy of PureWow

Nobody wants to travel off-season if it means trekking in a torrential downpour or partying in what might as well be a ghost town. The key to off-peak adventures is picking the right time and place. Here, we’ve rounded up a roster of spots you’ll actually want to go and where you’ll definitely save a dollar or two.

This piece originally appeared on PureWow.

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Barbados: Late June to November

Courtesy of PureWow

While most of the Caribbean is in a flurry during hurricane season, this island is positioned so far east that it hasn’t had a hit since 1955. Even better: Jet Blue is launching new direct flights, and in November there’s a rum and food festival.

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Loire Valley, France: September to October

Courtesy of PureWow

Just a tad north of the perennially touristy Paris, this region of rolling vineyards and châteaus never feels like a day at the Louvre — especially during the off-season, when the farm-to-table movement is arguably at its finest. (Hello, fresh pumpkin and wild mushrooms.) Some vineyards are appointment-only this time of year, which makes it feel like you're at your own private estate.

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Tofino, British Columbia, Canada: November to February

Courtesy of PureWow

Winter may be tinged with gray skies and drizzle, but temps never drop below zero, making it prime for coldwater surfing (swells are larger) and storm-watching (ditto). The culinary scene’s also on the move, showcasing fresh catches from Clayoquot Sound: Dungeness crab, oysters, halibut.

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Upper Engadin, Switzerland: September to November

Courtesy of PureWow

Not a skier? Hit up this Swiss slopes town in the autumn to take advantage of crisp mountain air and rust-colored vistas — without all the tourists. Also: fondue, raclette and accessibly-priced lodges.

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Venice: November to March (Excluding The Holidays)

Courtesy of PureWow

Waterways and palazzos make Venezia one of the world’s most romantic cities — even more so when you’re not riding bumper to bumper with the next gondola full of selfie-snappers. Hotels slash rates up to 50 percent this time of year, so you can reserve more cash for all those big pasta dinners.

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Jackson Hole, Wyoming: April to May

Courtesy of PureWow

Come spring, this winter wonderland is nearly people-free but still offers fishing, white-water rafting and frequent specials on restaurants and hotels.

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Algarve, Portugal: November to April

Courtesy of PureWow

Portugal might seem like a summer destination, but in truth, the weather rarely dips below 60 degrees in Algarve in the winter months. Even better? You won’t have to scramble to stake out a spot of sand or snag a plane ticket, which are as much as half off during the off-season.

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Hawaii: November to Mid-December

Courtesy of PureWow

OK, fine: Fall is technically Hawaii’s “rainy season.” But all those warm showers (which rarely last more than a few hours anyway) have an upside: rainbows, which you just might spot in one of the islands’ volcanic craters, mountain ridges or valleys.

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