From California to Canada, here’s where to head for the best of 'shoulder season'

Somewhere between torrential downpours, heatwaves, and an influx of tourists lies the Goldilocks travel period known as the 'shoulder season'. Neither too hot, nor too cold, it’s the ambivalence of it all that strikes a chord with those who know where (read: when) to look.

Of course, the reduced prices don’t hurt either. Sure, European summers are good, but it does come with queues at the Trevi Fountain. And while Goa is a party h(e)aven in December, prices are quick to humble visitors. That’s where shoulder season comes in. Bookings open, random bystanders do not inadvertently photobomb your images, and local experiences are aplenty. If privacy and cooperative weather sound like your idea of a good holiday, here’s where to head. 

Lake Garda, Italy

Lake Garda, Italy’s largest, with crystal clear waters, has a bit of everything, and they’re all the good parts. You could soak in the alpine scenery in the Dolomites-laden north, or head to the south for that rustic, small-town Mediterranean charm. While peak summer months typically spotlight Italy’s Lake Como, the less crowded fall season (September-November) comes with idyllic foliage and the whiff of chestnuts in the autumnal air. Don’t miss sampling the floral-toned wines on the Custoza Wine Route, or hiking across Peschiera del Garda, a small town UNESCO World Heritage Site in the region’s southern sector. Adventure aficionados will love the famous rock walls of Arco, which are considerably quieter this time of year. And for the occasional rainy day, head to a luxurious spa at one of the nearby properties like the family-owned Grand Hotel Fasano, conveniently positioned directly on the lake.

Hoi An, Vietnam

April in Hoi An comes with plenty of sun and fewer crowds, just before the monsoon hits in May. A cultural extravaganza, this is the best time to experience the Lantern Festival or cycle through the streets of Ancient Town, dotted with bougainvillaea under that post-summer golden glow. Turn Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai into your base for a mere 15-minute drive to Ancient Town and some beachfront leisure during downtime. There’s also the traditional Whale Worship Festival, which includes boat processionals, vibrant folk performances, and celebratory vistas. A few kilometres from the old town lies the Tra Que Vegetable Village, which turns especially verdant in April. Visitors can indulge in experiential, hands-on farming activities, quite literally, with tilling soil, scooping sand, planting seeds, harvesting vegetables, and culinary workshops that end in delicious helpings of vegetarian Quang noodles and crispy pancakes! 

Goa, India

The crowd pours in during December, while the rain pours in from June to September. However, from March to May, after the New Year festivities and before the summer summit, Goa is at its quiet best, like the calm before the tourism storm. Think: beaches without endless bobbing heads in the Arabian Sea, peaceful heritage walks, and the possibility of upgrades with fewer tourists. If you’re visiting for the buzzing nightlife, head to North Goa, where Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa is a cult favourite boasting direct beach access. If Susegad is more your style, head to South Goa’s St. Regis property that comes with a 12-hole golf course, opulent pool villas and seasonal menus featuring mangoes and berries for the freshest take on local cuisine. Touring the Portuguese-era lanes in Fontainhas turns into a treat with warm weather and that occasional gust of wind for organic respite. Spend the morning dolphin watching off the coast of Palolem, and spend your evenings in Old Goa touring UNESCO World Heritage churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus. April also means the onset of cashew harvesting season, which is the perfect excuse for some homegrown feni.

Muskoka and British Columbia, Canada

Halloween meets hygge in these foggy, small-town corners, which don amber treetops straight out of a Gilmore Girls montage, during the limbo period from September to October. For panoramic glimpses of the autumnal canvas, embark on Muskoka’s rocky Huckleberry Rock Lookout trail, where you’re surrounded by pink granite dating back billions of years. Be sure to tour a local winery for a true taste of Ontario’s cranberry capital, especially since it’s harvest season. Next, head to Algonquin Provincial Park for some outdoorsy recreation, where kayaking, camping and hiking await you. If you’re lucky and visiting early in the morning, keep an eye out for moose sightings. Equally enticing during sweater weather is British Columbia’s cosy fall demeanour, starting with the classic Okanagan wine tour during grape season. But we've saved the best for last: Bugaboos in the Kootenay Rockies, in all its "larch madness", is the region’s best-kept fall secret. During this short seasonal span, alpine larch trees turn the valleys gold, nature’s Midas touch. Elsewhere, gourmands will love the local farmers’ markets in Kelowna and Vancouver, whilst horror junkies must not risk missing Victoria’s Ghostly Walks tours during Halloween season. Pro tip: Visit before October-end-November for lesser rain and active ferry rides.

Newport Beach, California

The epitome of coastal weather without that nagging summer heat, Newport Beach is home to one of the world's largest recreational harbours, which offers an array of watersports for visitors. In May, fresh blooms adorn the region, al fresco dining beckons, and hotels offer their best packages. A quieter avatar of its bustling counterparts, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Newport Beach is the gift that keeps on giving with near-empty coastlines, aperitivo hour on waterfront terraces, discovering the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages minus the crowds, or leisurely browsing the artisan boutiques of Lido Marina Village. Life turns slow at the Cliff Walk with that cool Atlantic breeze, and al fresco cafés turn into recreational epicentres with fresh lobster rolls, chowder, and seasonal New England seafood still on the menu, before humidity crashes the party. Renowned for its nearly 300 days of California sunshine annually, time itself slows down here for a fair share of the fun, which does not cease to exist, come rain or shine.

Lead image: The tourism

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