Budget travelers know the benefit of finding good deals. They use audio tours instead of overpriced guided tours, they price shop for weeks waiting for a great flight deal, and they bunk with fellow travelers in budget hotels. But all too often travelers make one big mistake; they travel in “high” season. If your schedule will allow for a little rearranging, your wallet will benefit from hopping on that flight during the “off” or “shoulder” season.
It’s pretty straight forward to expect Europe to be busy in the summer. The weather is nice, college students are out of school and family vacationers are able to round up the whole gang for that trip across the pond…
and everybody knows it. For this reason, hotel prices rise, flight tickets soar and everything from tours to souvenirs seem to garner a premium price. Also, let’s not forget that on top of all those high prices, crowds of foreigners can make visiting a city like Rome or Paris downright miserable.
What is too often forgotten is that while college students head back to class, and families settle back into the work week the weather remains particularly nice in Europe (especially the south) and prices start to fall. That’s right, beginning around October and lasting through November, Europe travel enters what is referred to as the “shoulder” season. That’s essentially the month or so buffer between the “off” and “high” season of travel. Following the simple rule of demand, prices on everything from lodging to restaurant meals begin to drop as local business owners do their best to draw in the remnants of the busy season or smart travelers who waited a few months for 
better deals.
For an even better deal you might wait until the dead of travel season right there in the beginning of December and end of January through February. Sure the weather is pretty cold but with all the money you’ll be saving on rock bottom prices for accommodation you can afford to buy a coat that will keep you warm while touring Paris in the snow. Flights too will be cheaper than any other time of the year as once again there simply is not as much demand. But don’t think you’ll be missing out on all that summer travelers’ experience.
No, no no, you’ll get more! Europe in the winter is an even more beautiful place. Christmas Markets sprawl from the city centers out, selling locally made trinkets and knick-
knacks. Traditional winter foods and drinks are carried from shop to shop as locals enjoy the company of neighbors and friends without the crowds of tourists. Snow covered steeples and bell towers take on a magic the warmer months melt away and reception desks everywhere have a renewed sense of welcome to out of town guests who have chosen to be part of their “family” for a night or two.
Keep in mind though, that while you’re going to save a ton of money traveling to Europe while Americans tend to travel around the US for Thanksgiving and prepare for the holidays, Christmas and New Years are going to drive prices right back up here and abroad.
With a little planning and a bit of flexibility you’ll be able to ensure a lot more cash to offset the weak dollar, more money to spend on plain old good fun and a much more unique and memorable experience during the off season.
