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  1. Home
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  3. 25 Destinations Where You Can Save Big by Traveling After the Summer Crowds Leave

25 Destinations Where You Can Save Big by Traveling After the Summer Crowds Leave

By Jess McHugh August 11, 2017
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Sunset on beach, Maui, Hawaii
Credit: Getty Images
Summer may be winding down, but that doesn't mean it's too late to plan your dream vacation.

Late September through early November is considered “shoulder season” in many travelers' favorite destinations, as it sits after the peak of the summer but before holiday tourists arrive.

Travelers can look forward to shorter lines at the Louvre in Paris, and less crowded beaches in Fiji or Tahiti. Fewer visitors also means it's often find easier to find great deals on flights, hotels, and more.

And U.S. residents don’t need to travel far to score an awesome vacation at a tempting price. Whether you prefer beaches or museums, city or country, here are several ideas for taking advantage of shoulder season.
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Paris, France

Paris France
Credit: Richard Boll/Getty Images

October and early November tend to be slow for the City of Light, making it the perfect time to visit the Louvre or snag a spot at your favorite restaurant.

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Vancouver Island, Canada

Vancouver Island
Credit: Getty Images/Cultura RF

Quaint fishing villages and vast opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking make this island the perfect getaway from daily life.

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Bali, Indonesia

Water Palace of Tirtagangga. Bali, Indonesia
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bali is known as the “island of the Gods,” and it’s not hard to see why.

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Montreal, Canada

A View Of Montreal Cityscape During The Fall
Credit: Getty Images/Aurora Open

Sampling poutine and enjoying this French Canadian city are great in late September and early October — after the summer rush but before the cold sets in.

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Botswana

Aerial of a herd of migrating blue wildebeests kicking up a cloud of dust as they run across the Magadigadi Pan, Botswana.
Credit: Peter Johnson/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

National parks and safaris are two of the top reasons that tourists travel to Botswana.

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Fiji

Aerial view of the Yasawa Islands in Fiji.
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

With the nation made up of some 332 islands, visitors should make sure to visit more than just one.

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates

View of Burj Al Arab from Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East
Credit: Frank Fell/Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

This cosmopolitan city has everything from glitzy skyscrapers to sprawling shopping malls and man-made islands.

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San Juan, Puerto Rico

Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud, known as the Cristo Chapel stands on the old city wall at Calle del Cristo, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Credit: Dennis K. Johnson/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Visit the old city of San Juan to see gems such as the Cristo chapel.

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Rome, Italy

View of sunset in Rome
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

With the high season in Europe spiking over the summer, early fall is a great moment to visit the Italian capital.

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Barcelona, Spain

Skyline of Barcelona, Spain at night.
Credit: Getty Images/Aurora Creative

Enjoy Park Güell without the crowds.

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Crete

Chania, Crete, Greece
Credit: Getty Images

This Mediterranean island is famous for more than just its beautiful beaches. Amateur historians can enjoy archeological museums and ruins from the Roman, Greek, and Minoan civilizations.

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Montana, U.S.

Bear Tooth mountains, Montana, USA
Credit: Russell Young/Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Enjoy a cowboy-style adventure in the Western U.S.

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Hawaii, U.S.

Sunset on beach, Maui, Hawaii
Credit: Getty Images

Head to the islands in the fall when the weather is still warm but the crowds have mostly dispersed.

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Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza
Credit: Getty Images

While the high season might peak over the summer, Ibiza parties well into the fall.

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Greece

Looking down onto the little Zagorian village of Kipi on a misty morning in Autumn, just after sunrise, Epirus, Greece, Europe
Credit: Lizzie Shepherd/Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

From fishing villages, to ancient ruins, to beaches, Greece has just about everything a traveler could want.

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Cape Cod, U.S.

Eastward view of the Cape Cod canal from the Sagamore Bridge
Credit: Kenneth Wiedemann/Getty Images

This New England peninsula (the arm of Massachusetts) is a favorite summer getaway for Bostonians. Come check it out in late September or early October to enjoy the seafood shacks and beaches without the crowds.

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Vermont, U.S.

Cambridge, VT
Credit: Getty Images

By visiting Vermont before the leaves turn, travelers can avoid the throng of foliage fans while still enjoying the rugged nature and craft breweries that the state has to offer.

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Tahiti, French Polynesia

Tahiti
Credit: Neil Rabinowitz/Getty Images

Escape to your own island paradise where famed artist Paul Gauguin once found inspiration.

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Caribbean Islands

Saint Lucia
Credit: Gerardo Borbolla/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Planning a Caribbean getaway during hurricane season (June through November) can often lead to great deals on flights and hotels. If you plan the right way — as one Travel + Leisure contributor did — you can still stay safe.

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New Zealand

View over lake Wakatipu at Queenstown, Otago, South Island, New Zealand
Credit: Peter Walton/Getty Images

Explore the country's diverse landscape or follow in the footsteps of characters from "Lord of the Rings" trilogy movies.

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Arizona, U.S.

Meander Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

See one of the most recognizable natural U.S. landmarks when you visit the Grand Canyon.

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Morocco

View of crowded market stalls at night, Jamaa el Fna Square, Marrakech, Morocco
Credit: Getty Images/Cultura Exclusive

This North African country has a variety of activities for all kinds of travelers: surfing, shopping at local markets, or visiting a traditional hammam.

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Kenya

African safari, flamingos in the lake Nakuru, Kenya
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kenya is one of the best places to see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitats.

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South Africa

Populus Alba Pyramidalis - South Africa
Credit: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Check out Johannesburg, or head to South Africa’s rich wine country.

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Alaska, U.S.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska
Credit: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Explore some of this state's rich natural landscape and quaint fishing towns.

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By Jess McHugh

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    1 of 25 Paris, France
    2 of 25 Vancouver Island, Canada
    3 of 25 Bali, Indonesia
    4 of 25 Montreal, Canada
    5 of 25 Botswana
    6 of 25 Fiji
    7 of 25 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    8 of 25 San Juan, Puerto Rico
    9 of 25 Rome, Italy
    10 of 25 Barcelona, Spain
    11 of 25 Crete
    12 of 25 Montana, U.S.
    13 of 25 Hawaii, U.S.
    14 of 25 Ibiza, Spain
    15 of 25 Greece
    16 of 25 Cape Cod, U.S.
    17 of 25 Vermont, U.S.
    18 of 25 Tahiti, French Polynesia
    19 of 25 Caribbean Islands
    20 of 25 New Zealand
    21 of 25 Arizona, U.S.
    22 of 25 Morocco
    23 of 25 Kenya
    24 of 25 South Africa
    25 of 25 Alaska, U.S.

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