What’s the secret to visiting popular destinations without the crowds, intense summer heat or high prices? Pick the right time to go.

Data from Flight Centre Canada shows that prices for the same trip are often between 30-50% less than when taken during a destination’s “shoulder season” compared to popular/peak travel times. With the fall shoulder season of October/November approaching in the next 2-3 months—the notable sweet spot prior to departure for when to find the best travel rates and airfares—Canadians should act now to get the best deals.

To help Canadians decide where to go, Flight Centre has rounded up a few top destinations where travellers can get the best bang for their buck:

1. Europe: while tourists flock to the culture and history of European cities in the summertime, fall is an even more fabulous time to visit southern European countries like France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Take a trip in October when there are fewer tourists, lower prices and the weather is still mild compared to Canada’s cold, rainy autumns.
2. Asia: Peak tourism season in Thailand and Vietnam begins mid-December. Skip the lines and head over in November as these destinations are coming out of typhoon season. You’ll get much more relaxation with fewer tourists around, and temperatures will be cooler and dry.
3. ABC islands: Head to the south Caribbean islands to avoid the crowds and storms this October. The Dutch-Caribbean ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are all outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt, offering extremely friendly vacation destinations with some of the most beautiful beaches, without the ferocious winds and rain. 

We thought you might be interested in a story about top destinations for shoulder travel vacations, or about how Canadians can get the most value out of their vacations by booking now through a trusted travel expert.