Travel often means us all rushing to the same hot spots at the same time, causing prices to spin and not doing much to help the environment.
Booking off season is the solution. This is why UK-based company Responsible Travel (responsibletravel.com) has started offering some trips only outside peak months.
Special events can push up prices, too, and some destinations, such as Japan, are expensive all year round. So shop around, be patient, study the calendar, keep an eye on the weather charts, and follow our indispensable guide . . .
Wild Antarctica
Antarctica is an extreme climate, but its icebergs, wildlife and empty landscapes make it a spectacle
Antarctica is an extreme climate, but its icebergs, wildlife and empty landscapes make it a spectacle. Peak season, before it gets too cold, is December to early February, with the chance to see hatching penguins. Go in March and you might miss the penguins, but it’s the best time for whale watching.
The Trip: Classic Antarctica, an 11-day, all-inclusive cruise with Explore (explore.co.uk) visiting Ushuaia in Argentina, the Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Peak: November to January. £5,499pp (£6,730pp in January with Alitalia flights, alitalia.com).
Off peak: March. £3,999pp (£4,814pp in March with Lufthansa flights, lufthansa.com).
Saving: £1,916pp, 29 per cent.
Cape classic
This Victoria Falls to Cape Town route, via Namibia and Botswana, is popular for a good reason. Hike along Fish River, the largest canyon in Africa, and visit the world’s oldest desert, the Namib. Safari in the reliable Etosha National Park and the Okavango Delta.
The Trip: Dunes, Deltas & Falls Discoverer, an 18-day tour from Victoria Falls to Cape Town (gadventures.com).
Peak: June to September. £3,099pp (£3,997 in August with Ethiopian Airlines flights out, ethiopianairlines.com, and Emirates flights back, emirates.com).
Off peak: December to March. £2,212pp. (£2,890 in February with Ethiopian Airlines flights out and Emirates back).
Saving: £1,107, 28 per cent.
Winter wonders
Enthusiasts will argue Canada is a year-round destination. The warm summers are popular, and prices rocket in September for Toronto’s film festival. In February, although it’s not bear season and will be cold, the Northern Lights can be seen and the Niagara Falls are a semi-frozen wonder.
The Trip: Winter Escape, with three nights in Toronto and two nights at Niagara Falls. Includes a winery tour and return flights from Gatwick (prestigecanada.co.uk).
Peak: May to September. £2,398pp (September).
Off peak: October to February. £940pp (February).
Saving: £1,458, 60 per cent.
Natural drama
Waterfalls, extra-terrestrial landscapes, Northern Lights, volcanoes and hot springs are all part of Iceland’s appeal
We’ve all seen Iceland, even if it’s only in Bond films, Star Wars and Game Of Thrones. Waterfalls, extra-terrestrial landscapes, Northern Lights, volcanoes and hot springs are all part of its appeal.
The Trip: Iceland Full Circle, offering seven nights’ B&B, with visits to nature baths, volcanos, churches and the chance to see reindeer (discover-the-world.com).
Peak: June to September. £1,924pp (£2,048pp with flights).
Off peak: January to April. £1,456pp (£1,512pp with flights).
Saving: £536pp, 28 per cent.
Discover Vietnam
Vietnam has a stoic view of its tragic history, which can be explored at the Cu Chi tunnels, the bullet holes in Hue’s Imperial City or Ho Chi Minh’s War Remnants museum
This country has a stoic view of its tragic history, which can be explored at the Cu Chi tunnels, the bullet holes in Hue’s Imperial City or Ho Chi Minh’s War Remnants museum. The weather varies from north to south.
The Trip: Vietnam Small Group Holiday, a 15-day trip including flights. Go to Hanoi via Ha Long Bay (top), Hue, Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta (responsibletravel.com).
Peak: August, and December to February. £1,790pp (August).
Off peak: April to May. £1,199pp (April).
Saving: £591pp, 33 per cent.
Golden ticket
Rajasthan, above, is a good place to start, followed by Udaipur, Jodhpur, the Golden Triangle of Jaipur
India is vast, so a guided tour can be a blessing. Rajasthan is a good place to start, followed by Udaipur, Jodhpur, the Golden Triangle of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi, as well as a visit to the tigers of Ranthambore.
The Trip: Classic Rajasthan offers 12 days with a driver and guide, including return flights, accommodation and 14 meals (trailfinders.com).
Peak: October to February. £7,779pp (November).
Off peak: April to June. £5,449pp (June).
Saving: £2,330pp, 30 per cent.
Green means go
If you want to grab a bargain, green season is the time to visit Costa Rica. Hike the hills and visit waterfalls, volcanoes, hot springs, and great beaches.
The Trip: Costa Rica Adventure, a 15-night tour from San Jose via Tortuguero, La Fortuna and Monteverde. Flights and some meals included (tropicalsky.co.uk).
Peak: December to April. £2,499 (December).
Off peak: July to November. £1,579pp (November).
Saving: £920, 37 per cent.
Motor down under
AT 11,427 miles away, New Zealand is the farthest country from the UK. But brave a 24-hour flight in spring when days are warm, nights cooler, trees in blossom and mountains snow-capped.
The Trip: New Zealand By Motorhome, a 20-day holiday from Auckland to Queenstown including return flights. Take in wineries, stunning beaches, glaciers, caves and cathedrals (wexas.com).
Peak: December to February. £3,820pp (January/February).
Off peak: June to September. £2,925pp (September/ October).
Saving: £895pp, 24 per cent.
- All prices for travel in 2020. Costs may vary.