- Danielle Belyeu
THE CASE FOR OFFSEASON TRAVEL TO EUROPE
If you’ve ever considered the percentage of people who swear by the latest diet, who wear LeBron James jerseys or who listen to the next chart-topping song before you’ve even heard of it, then you’re aware of the bandwagon effect. Known as a psychological phenomenon where people do things mainly because other people are doing them, the bandwagon effect is prevalent in all facets of life — including travel. But take this as your sign to stray from the bandwagon and think for yourself: Consider offseason travel. Here are a couple of reasons:
Fewer Crowds = (Almost) All to Yourself
They call it the “offseason” for a reason; it’s the time of year less traveled for most. For the intrepid few who do make the trek, the results are unsurpassed. Imagine the famous landmarks, museums and other prominent hot spots of your dream destination, sans crowds. The atmosphere is wholly different — intimate even — as you have the place (almost) all to yourself. There’s no rush to move along, you can stay put and meditate on what the space means to you — and all those who came before you.
Savoring Shoulder Season & Sweater Weather
While summer might conjure images of sunny skies and the sparkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, depending on the locale, fall and winter usher in a charm quite unmatched during the rest of the year. Whether you’re looking to watch cascades of color as the trees change hue in autumn or to stroll through a winter wonderland coated in freshly fallen snow, chances are the scene overseas is downright amazing.
Northern Lights, Markets & Other Seasonal Delights
Perhaps the best part of traveling in the offseason is what becomes uniquely (sometimes solely) available based on the time of year. In Northern Europe, your chance glimpsing the miracle that is the northern lights increases exponentially. In European cities and towns, markets appear as they have for hundreds of years, offering mulled wine and festive cheer that no Hallmark® channel original film could ever hope to capture or replicate. And, on the chance that your travels take you to any of the many stunning mountain ranges, quaint villages transform into hubs of winter sports. Après ski, anyone?
Getaways
Keeping with the theme of offseason, travel opportunities abound from travel and lodging to food and souvenirs blossom in a proverbial springtime manner — and I am ready to help you make the most of it. With hard-earned travel expertise and professional relationships with the biggest names in travel, I am perfectly poised to help you discover the joys of offseason travel.
--By Justin Gibson
