Last week I came back from spending 6 beautiful days in Malta, in the island of Gozo. This was my third time in Malta and the first time completely off season (beginning of April). By far was the time I could feel the most the real Maltese life, could enjoy the amazing nature, the green landscapes and the sea, without having to make myself way through a crowd of selfie sticks and pointing tablets. Here are my top 5 reasons to travel in low season:
1. Few Tourists. No Tourists.
The definition of low season is the period in the year when the fewest people visit a place and when the prices are at their lowest level. (* source Cambridge Dictionary)
This is finally your chance to take that selfie you always wanted and all your friends could be jealous off. No more waiting 30 minutes in line to take a good shot or to have 20 other people around looking like in the Thriller video from Michael Jackson. Now is the time for your glorious moment all by yourself!
2. Better contact with locals
For me travelling means getting to know a new land or a new culture, the cuisine, their traditions or local customs, learning a bit of the language or some of the local history. How could you live all this better than somewhere in the country side, in a guest house, far away from crowded hotels, eating at some local imbiss? And to have all this almost stress free, traveling off season is one solution.
Not being overwhelmed by the hot weather in the main season and the huge amount of tourists, the locals have finally more time to interact with you, to advise you or to show you around. If you usually stay inside tourist groups I highly recommend you to try getting in contact with the locals. It is indeed a beautiful and rewarding experience that you can have in a foreign country.
3. Prices
Lower demand, lower prices – the most simple rule in economy. Not only that you will find better deals for accommodation and flights, but also most entrances at most tourist attraction have special prices for the low season. YEY for amazing adventures on budget prices! 🙂
4. Nature
This is by far my favourite reason from all 5 mentioned. In Mediterranean areas low season mean the cooler and wetter months, whereas in the snowy Alps they are the warmest months (depending on the area of course). Travelling in a different season will reveal the nature and the landscapes in a totally new perspective. The countries that have monsoon for example have an abundance of flowers and green vegetation in the rainy season. Malta offered me in April green fields with poppies and an abundance of filed flowers, colored birds that stop on their way from Africa to the central Europe, and cute violet jelly fishes at the beach. And yes maybe it rains more than usually, but we are not made out of sugar 😉
5. The silence
I know how to enjoy a good company but I also know how to enjoy a beautiful quiet place with a good view, good food, a coffee or just a drink. Time to breath and to be. Uncrowded terraces, restaurants, view points, beaches, top of hills, attraction, all and everywhere is a good place to finally take that breath of fresh air you needed.
All in all it was a beautiful and refreshing experience that warm me up in the cold spring and boosted the hope in the wait for summer.
Do you have any other reasons you travel in low season? Please leave a comment and tell me that. Let’s meet on social media too: Instagram @smileyioana Pinterest @smileyioana .
Spreading Travel Love,
ioana❤🌍
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There are 4 types of travelers, in my eyes: the ones which have to follow the children holidays- full seasons guys by needs:-). Follows then the travelers which love the crowds, the noise, the full clubs and craziness- full seasons guys by willingness :-). Lots of people stay gladly home, with friends and families. They can be considered together the travelers of choice- people of all seasons, ready to enjoy any moment of outdoors. The last section of my 4 proposals is my favorite and it’s the one described in your blog – out season travelers. All the reasons to be one of them are valid, if you your children are old enough to enjoy their holidays themselves :-). Or not children yet in the horizon:-)
I was in Gozo in spring time, 3 years ago – and I would go back again and again. At that time me and my best friend were lucky to enjoy the view of the famous Arch – now returned to the mother sea where she was born.
The time there stays as a memory of light, tranquility, beauty and good wine:-))
So, I’m into all you said, dear Ioana !!!
Warm wishes and all the best
Iuliana Piper :-)))
Hi Ioana
Love your postings ….
Would love to travel more .. visiting Malta would be cool. I too presently work in schools …and can really only holiday during school holidays ….my other think is finding company/friends to go with . I do contemplate travelling alone but haven’t found the courage yet …
I have booked a long holiday travelling alone but meeting family during the month of August .
What’s your next holiday
See you on instagram. Soon
Joy Ventour
Hello Joy,
really lovely to see you here as well. This was a nice surprise indeed! Regarding solo travelling I have some ideas to share with you.
1.Taking a longer holiday where you meet people is for sure the perfect start! You do have company from time to time and you also have the freedom to explore and do your own things when the others are “busy”. This was the same tactic I used on my first “adventure” alone (2 weeks Spain and Portugal).
2. Go to a place where people with same interest meet: E.g.: a language vacation, a retreat of any kind, Once you know what you would like to do you will see that the internet is loaded with opportunities.
3. Join a volunteering program to help any cause you stand for: health, education, environment you name it. There are programs for all. This way you can use your time and knowledge to support a cause and also to enjoy some experience abroad again with people with same interests like you. There are many programs where you can join even for a week.
4. Join a tour where for one or 2 weeks you travel with a bus/ fairy boat. This way you have a guide that “takes care” of you and fellow travel companions to share this experience with. We did a tour by bus/train first time we went to Asia, it was a 2 weeks organised tour in Sri Lanka. Amazing!
5. As a teacher you have many facilities and additional sponsored programs that you can join.
Actually you raised up an amazing point and I will write a more detailed post about solo traveling and my experiences. Thank you for sharing and I hope that my ideas will help you.
Love,
Ioana
Sounds heavenly ☺️
Thank you so much for reading! I am more than glad you loved our ideas. Safe travels from a fellow traveler! i o a n a
Love this article. Isn’t Gozo the place traditional salt is made from seawater? A friend of mine said that & it’s definitely on my list.
Thank you, Anonymous 🙂 Malta & Gozo are just amazing. In fact I liked it that much that I went 3 times there. Gozo is less touristy and very traditional. The food, the people, the beaches, the traditional fishermen boats everything is special and beautiful.
Here are some more pictures from one of the trips.
https://smileyioana.com/malta-from-above/
Take care and I do hope you get to visit those islands soon.
ioana