Off season travel ideas

1. AUTUMN GREEK

If the spring weather is random in Greece, the months of September and October reserve beautiful surprises for sports enthusiasts, especially in the islands. There is no better time to enjoy windsurfing spots: Hrysi Akti Paros (Cyclades) and Vassiliki on Lefkada (Ionian Islands) are among the best beaches for windsurfing. Mykonos, Naxos, Ios, Samos ... reputable sites abound and the water is still showing there nice temperatures. The off-season is also ideal for hiking in the hills of Andros (Cyclades) or olive groves in Skopelos (Sporades), when the sun is still warm but less threatening.

The autumn months also enable to benefit from better rates on a flight from Paris to Athens.

2. Hurricane Season for ABC islands (Netherlands Antilles)

Hurricanes are a serious problem in the Caribbean paradise where between June and November, warm waters as popular tourist attract storms. Each island suffers generally at least a weather alert per year and is directly affected every 5 to 10 years. However, those of the southern Caribbean, located outside the Hurricane Alley ("hurricane alley"), know almost never storms: With their colorful colonial architecture, their beautiful beaches and stunning dive sites, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao is great summer destinations.

The three islands have international airports and official languages are Dutch, English and Papiamento.

3. Rainy season, falling iguazú (Brazil / Argentina)

The word comes from the Guarani Iguazú i ("water") and kuasu ("great"): the great waters, yes, but they are larger at some times than others. Straddling between Brazil and Argentina, the 275 waterfalls 80 m high and 3 km wide gush jungle, spilling 6,500 m3 of water / second at their annual peak. But during the peak tourist season (dry season from April to June), this flow is sometimes reduced to a trickle. You will see the falls in all their fiery splendor during the wet season between December and February: just remember to bring your raincoat.

If the Argentine side offers views close more varied, the Brazilian side has the advantage of the panorama.

4. Lake Baikal in the Ice (Russia)

Lake Baikal is in Siberia: a name to shiver more muffled. It is therefore not surprising that this immeasurable blue expanse is mostly visited in summer. But winter when the temperature drops, is much more fun: you can crack his footsteps on the huge frozen puddle and see kelp forests swing across his thick (2 m) but transparent layer of ice. You can browse this crystal universe dogsledding, ski or snowmobile, or on a hovercraft to jump on frozen waves like a skateboard ramp before warm up in a banya (Russian sauna).

Flights connect the major cities in Russia in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude (65 km and 250 km from Baikal), which are also on the Trans-Siberian route.

5. TREK DURING THE MONSOON, Western Ghats (India)

Mumbai (Bombay) in the monsoon? It would be crazy! Certainly the Indian metropolis is not very funny between June and September, when heavy rain flooded the streets and spread disease. However, 100 km inland, the Sahyadri Mountains (part of the Western Ghats string) come alive: a dream playground. Seasonal rivers and waterfalls reach their maximum speed (ideal for rappelling and rafting), while the campaign shines bright green. In addition, with the rain, temperatures remain cool for hikes on old trails between ruined fortresses and private accommodation.

Malshej Ghat (154 km from Mumbai) is a popular attraction for hikers. Flamingos migrate there during the monsoon.

6. Winter in Venice (Italy)

A low fog along the canals, deserted streets paved with brilliant, a San Marco without tourists: in Venice in winter, it's cold and damp, and the city is sometimes literally wet (during aqua alta, "high water"), but the chance to lose without the crowds worth putting on your boots and bundle up. Headlight landmarks such as the Rialto Bridge or the splendid Gallerie dell'Accademia sometimes help you find your way, but the interest lies in the picturesque small streets and cozy cafes where, of course, there will always be a place.

Alilaguna provides boat connections between Marco Polo Airport and St. Mark's Square; count just over 1 hour away.

In winter you can get lost in Venice without the crowds.

7. On the trail of wolves in winter, Yellowstone National Park (United States)

Over 3 million people are crammed into Yellowstone National Park in the summer, against 140,000 only in winter. Admittedly, some roads closed between December and March and temperatures drop to -20 ° C, but the benefits are many: not only the flagship sites are deserted by tourists, but the fauna and flora are beautiful. Endemic species such as elk, bison or Canadian mouflon winter at lower altitudes and are visible over 1.5 km of distance on the shimmering ground ice. As a bonus, it is possible to hire a naturalist guide to follow the gray wolf, to identifiable footprints in the pristine snow.

8. Winter Surf (Portugal)

Chic, quiet, extravagant and eye-l'oeil: each taste its seaside resort: Continental Portugal has around 950 km of coastline, and for most, they are ideal for summer holidays. But winter is the season of surfers: Atlantic waves are larger and constants, deserted beaches, and it is not so cold (although a good combination to be significant, the water being 17 ° C on average). In the south, the Algarve is full of quiet spots between Lagos and Sagres, with a milder climate. But the most sensational waves pounding over north: do you dare brave the breaks in the vicinity of Porto and the Costa Verde?

9. Hawaii (United States)

Hawaii has two high seasons see prices soaring: the winter, when travelers come to escape the cold and the summer, when families arrive for the holidays. In truth, no period is to banish this volcanic archipelago, which enjoys great weather all year round, with average temperatures of 25-30 ° C. That said, the months from April to June will not only mark the beginning of the dry season they are outside of the July-November period, more prone to hurricanes, and humpback whales (who flocked off Maui from December) it linger into May.

Temperatures falling with altitude, better wear appropriate clothing to visit volcanoes as Haleakala (Maui) and Kilauea (the Big Island).

10. Safari during the "green season" (Botswana)

Botswana is not a cheap safari destination, but when the crowds go home, the travelers ready to endure a barrage make a deal. The months from November to April are euphemistically dubbed the "green season" (the rains are frequent and dense vegetation that results makes the fauna and flora more difficult to observe), and it is at this time that accommodation displayed significant promotions and the landscapes are the most lush, attracting myriads of birds. Many animals give birth in this season: a good guide will show you a small crowd of lively and predators lurking nearby, looking for an easy meal.