As a travel expert, I’m always looking for ways to help my clients get the most out of their trips. And one of the best ways to do that is to travel during shoulder season.
If you’re not familiar with the term, shoulder season is the period of time between a destination’s peak season and off-season. It’s typically the spring and fall months, but it can vary depending on the destination.
There are many benefits to traveling during shoulder season. For one, it’s often the cheapest time to go. You can save money on flights, accommodation, and activities.
Another great benefit of shoulder season travel is that you’ll avoid the crowds. This is especially important if you’re visiting a popular tourist destination. During peak season, these places can be overrun with people, making it difficult to enjoy yourself.
But shoulder season is also a great time to experience a destination’s culture without the tourist traps. You’ll be able to interact with locals and get a more authentic feel for the place.
Of course, there are a few drawbacks to traveling during shoulder season. For one, some attractions may be closed. This is especially true for outdoor attractions that are dependent on good weather.
Another drawback is that some festivals and events may be cancelled. This is also more likely to happen during shoulder season.
Finally, some businesses may have limited hours during shoulder season. This is especially true for businesses that are dependent on tourist traffic.
Overall, though, the benefits of shoulder season travel far outweigh the drawbacks. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can save money, avoid crowds, and enjoy a more authentic travel experience.
Here are my tips for planning a shoulder season trip
Be flexible with your travel dates. If you can, avoid traveling during school breaks and major holidays. These times are typically the busiest and most expensive times to travel.
Do your research. Before you book your trip, research the destination to see what attractions and activities are open during shoulder season. You should also check the weather forecast to make sure you’re packing appropriate clothing.
Be prepared for some closures. It’s possible that some attractions and businesses may be closed during shoulder season. Be prepared to adjust your itinerary accordingly.
With a little planning, you can have a wonderful shoulder season vacation that’s both affordable and enjoyable.
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Lassi Pensikkala — With three decades in the travel industry, Lassi has worked as a professional travel guide, destination management entrepreneur, and international travel consultant, serving 700+ B2B clients from 55 countries. His experience spans global mega-events (Formula 1, football world championships, international trade fairs, and congresses) as well as incentives, themed group tours, and tailor-made cultural journeys. This expertise was built over 20+ years as the founder and operator of a destination management company in Germany. He is the author of 37 Europe travel guides, 60 USA destination guides, and a growing collection of world guides on AmerExperience.com. Learn more
By Economist Lassi Pensikkala | International Business Developer | Multilingual communicator | Connecting ideas, people & opportunities across borders | Founder of AmerExperience & Seguros Amer® |
Lassi Pensikkala is the creator of AmerExperience.com, founder of SegurosAmer.com, and an international business developer with over four decades of global experience. Hailing from Finland, Lassi has lived and worked across Europe and Latin America, driven by a deep curiosity for cultures, languages, and meaningful human connection.
He writes regularly, offering thought leadership on topics such as travel, golf, and international cross-cultural business. You can follow his work on Telegram, connect with him on LinkedIn, or read his articles and updates via Google News, Flipboard, and other social media platforms.
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Expertise
• International Business Development
• Creator of AmerExperience.com and SegurosAmer.com
• Strategic consulting for cross-border ventures
• Avid golfer and advocate for golf psychology
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Education
Lassi studied Foreign Trade at the Business College of Turku, Finland, and later graduated as economist MSc (Econ) from the University of Hamburg, Germany, where he also pursued studies in Psychology and Sociology.
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Language skills
Multilingual in English, German, Spanish, Swedish, and Finnish
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Life philosophy
“Live freely, seek knowledge, and be open to the richness of life’s experiences.”
Lassi’s passion for exploration started early. Growing up during the golden era of Rock’n Roll, student movements, and the first moon landing, he experienced the unique Nordic freedom of crossing borders without passports — a freedom that still inspires his global lifestyle today.
For him, true freedom means exploring new lands, embracing diverse cultures, and forming real connections with people around the world.
