Two girlfriends and I are planning a trip to Paris, Venice and Florence next spring and we're trying to get a handle on this off-season/high-season thing. Is there a certain date that would be good to consider the starting point of high season if we're trying to beat the crowds and maybe benefit from some of the off-season prices?

Thanks in advance!

Sara

Usually through March is low season. there used to be a shoulder season (sort of April/May) but I think that now your only choices are high or low. So for lower prices - generally November through March.

It depends somewhat on where you go, but High Season usually means late June through August, with Peak Season being July to mid-August. These dates will extend in the areas where the sun shines late into the year and the water temperatures stay "swimmable" into September.

It has changed in recent years. The " season" in Italy is now Easter thru the end of Oct. It is called supply and demand.

What prices are you referring to that you think will be lower in off season?

For air fare, I think that is now Nov-Feb for lowest fares (excluding Christmas/NY holidays). Shoulder fares are March-May. I don't know if there is a shoulder airfare in the Fall before Nov, maybe some in October.

Other than that, for Paris, hotel fares are not the same off-season as air fares or low crowds as they can depend a lot on business travel, not just tourists. Paris hotel fares are usually lowest that I've observed in mid-July through August, and then perhaps midJan through February. Some hotels may have discounts in November through early Dec., but not as many; not many do in March. I don't think there are any hotel discounts in April through October, other than July-Aug.

Crowds will be lower in Nov through March, excluding holidays, and Oct or May should be lower than peak summer tourism.

For many US airlines (American Airlines, etc.), the low season is from October 15 - May 15.

We have found that we saved substantially on airfare during this time period (except for the Christmas spike).

For <i><b>published</b></i> airfares - - a very outdated term, since if they are &quot;published&quot;, I don't know where, and they change from day to day, and sometimes even minute to minute - - I think tht they &quot;low season&quot; is quite restrictive to the period from November 1 or (November 15) until March 1.

But &quot;special deal&quot; fares pop up like weeds throughout the spring, and occasionally, all year long (with July-Sep 15 being the rarest period to get them).

Don't underestimate the (sometimes hidden) &quot;cost&quot; of being away (i.e., impact on your income or other less tangible &quot;costs&quot; of being away from your job or other obligations )... I'd day try to pick the time that that is easiest and &quot;cheapest&quot; for you to travel in April, May or June - - and then watch diligently for how/when you can buy your air travel at fares <i>almost</i> as cheaply as it might cost you in February.

Best wishes,

Rex