Tourists often schedule trips according to dictates of family, work, events, and weather. Savvy travelers can avoid crowds, save money, and discover a greater appreciation of locations thanks to travel writers Sarah Baxter and Paul Bloomfield's handy guide Offseason.
Offseason urges visitors to "think outside the season," with 100 international destinations organized by month. Crisp, brief descriptions zero in on why each monthly range is the right time to pack your bags. For example, the cooler weather from June to August makes for optimum bushwalking and animal watching around Kangaroo Island, Australia. Each section includes "Experiences" and "Need to Know" tips, e.g., some archeological sites in Peloponnese, Greece, close early in the winter months.
The accompanying straightforward essays offer pros and cons about traveling in off-peak months. During March, Iceland's weather doesn't often go above zero degrees Celsius, many campsites are closed, and inland hiking trails are off-limits. But the tradeoff is that "popular sights are peaceful," accommodations are easier to obtain, and orca spotting is rewarding.
Offseason offers new ways of seeing the world. --Oline H. Cogdill, freelance reviewer