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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Do you prefer travelling during peak season?

28 replies

essexie · 27/08/2023 14:47

Growing up I always used to go on summer hols during August peak season due to school hols. As a young adult I used to go away in June/early July or September to save money. We went to places out of season to save money too (Caribbean in summer for example). But I've come to realise that I actually prefer going in peak season, and that it is peak for reasons other than just school holidays. Destinations have a lot more of a 'buzz' to them. As long as it is isn't so busy that we can't get a restaurant table etc, I love it.

OP posts:
GrumpyPanda · 27/08/2023 14:49

No.

JanesBlond · 27/08/2023 14:50

I’m not particularly fussed about buzz but I often end up going in peak season for weather reasons - I’m not going somewhere during its rainy season. We try to look more for the beginning/end of the peak or shoulder season though.

wheresmymojo · 27/08/2023 14:51

I like to go just outside peak.

So no children, no problems with places being booked out or huge queues. No paying over the odds.

But still a lively feel and nice weather.

I have no DC so consider it a perk of child free living.

gogomoto · 27/08/2023 14:57

No,avoid it like the plague. I did peak season for 16 years, no more. We choose resorts or itineraries not aimed at families anyway these days so peak is much more spread out

MissAmbrosia · 27/08/2023 15:00

No - I always avoid August like the plague. We live in Belgium and always went away first week in July - everything open but not mega busy anywhere. Now dd is older we have reverted to going away in May and September - nice weather but fewer crowds.

Fallenangelofthenorth · 27/08/2023 15:02

I've spent 17 years now only being able to holiday during peak season so I'm craving cheaper prices, more space on the beach, easier to book restaurants etc, but maybe I won't like it either @essexie!

I do quite like there being children around, everywhere being open, and the buzz you mention. Got 3 more years left of school holidays only though...

BG2015 · 28/08/2023 14:43

I've spent nearly 30 years going on holiday in August. Only time I've not gone in peak times was in March 2022 when I'd just finished chemo & radiotherapy & we went to Egypt for 11 days. It was heaven.

I can't wait until I retire from teaching and can go in July to Spain, Barbados in January and Thailand in May.

Preferably in adults only hotels

Luckydip1 · 28/08/2023 14:47

I love peak season, much more of a buzz and busy and lots going on.

Chewbecca · 28/08/2023 14:49

'shoulder' season is my favourite. So still busy and great weather but not manic. Going to the Med twice in the next month as a result!

Caribbean I only visit Nov-April.

BG2015 · 28/08/2023 14:56

My DP is desperate for me to go to to the Caribbean to watch the cricket. He's been before so wants to share it with me.

Ascendant15 · 28/08/2023 14:59

Absolutely not. I prefer to avoid the "buzz". Out of peak season is win win for me.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/08/2023 15:02

Heck no! It's lovely now we're not tied to school holidays.

I'm also able to swap my bank holidays for a different one (team is in the US so U.K. public holidays are usually different to theirs) - bank holidays are just a mess of traffic and places being too busy.

SlippySarah · 28/08/2023 15:04

I deliberately go out of season. We don't go abroad much because DD cant cope with heat and hates every minute, I hate crowds. Love beaches and coastal walks in Cornwall or Wales at Easter or October. Occasional beach day trips in the summer to less popular places.

cocksstrideintheevening · 28/08/2023 15:11

I married a teacher. Peak season is overrated. When the kids leave home I'm
Going to take my self on holiday out of oeak!

Floofydawg · 28/08/2023 15:12

God no. Everywhere is over crowded, too hot and full of kids.

Lelophants · 28/08/2023 15:12

Seriously? I find there is always buzz. I mean Croatia was heaving enough in june!! Peak just feels awful and is full of school kids!

reluctantbrit · 28/08/2023 15:16

Depends. Peak Season in Europe is not the same as in Asia.

I am counting the years until we are free from school holidays and the European Peak one. I want to enjoy sightseeing in Italy, not sweating at the pool. I look forward to May and September.

For Asia I need the dry season, can't go in August. We went in January one year and found that perfect.

Caribeean - we went at Easter, great time, no hurricane and dry heat.

I am not concerned about "buzz", I actually prefer not having to battle through tons of tourists.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 28/08/2023 15:19

I would much prefer not to go in peak season, but I'm a teacher. I'm 51 and I've never been on holiday out of season since I was 5!

tinytemper66 · 28/08/2023 15:20

As a teacher I have no choice. Roll on retirement 😊

Usernamen · 28/08/2023 15:22

No, absolutely not.

We had to travel in August in 2021 (because travel had just opened up and we were desperate to get away) and it was a nightmare. We travelling in early August to Mallorca and you honestly couldn’t move for children. Everywhere. All the time. No thanks.

We travel just outside peak - so early September for Europe, early January or after Easter for long haul (after schools have gone back), and late Feb/early March for skiing.

The only peak travelling we do is bank holidays - we don’t like wasting a day off work, so will often do a city break on a bank holiday (e.g. we’re currently in Paris). For some reason, peak-season city breaks are not as bad, I think because there are so many options you can easily find a crowd-avoiding itinerary.

mum1527 · 04/09/2023 11:01

Absolutely not

PinkRoses1245 · 04/09/2023 11:03

Definitely not. I will be taking my kids out of school every year to go off peak.

Lelophants · 04/09/2023 11:16

PinkRoses1245 · 04/09/2023 11:03

Definitely not. I will be taking my kids out of school every year to go off peak.

Isn’t the fine £100 a day?

StillWantingADog · 04/09/2023 11:38

Eh? It costs three times as much and you have to queue for everything.
No!

garlictwist · 04/09/2023 13:38

We cycled across cyprus in early May last year. Outside of the resort type towns nothing was open, no shops or restaurants and we really struggled to get any food! So there is definitely downsides.

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