When is shoulder season?  You've heard of "high" and "low", well shoulder season is right between.   

Just about the time that vacation crowds are scurrying home, THAT'S THE TIME for best values and wide open spaces.  Availability is better, locals can appreciate travelers more, air and hotel rates drop and just before everything shuts down for the season, and sometimes receive a few more amenities.  

Snapshot:  What's the best time of year to visit _______?  If you're looking for value, slower pace, light crowds and good weather, that time is ______. 

There is a different answer for each destination.  Here's the scoop . . .

I don't know about you, but I like to create my own crowd, group vacations with our friends, or our family, etc.   I digress (more on that next week)

I T A L Y
Because all discussions begin with . . . Italy.  The best time to sip cappuccino or vino with the backdrops of Pantheon or Forum or Arno River . . . would be Autumn  (late October to November) or Spring (March/April) but this is constantly changing with the popularity of this beautiful country.   Personally, I love Italy so much, it doesn't matter to me which month if the opportunity arises, I'm there.  There are caveats to this rule, so be sure to discuss more in depth with your travel consultant.  

C A N A D A

National Parks (Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper) has a short shoulder season first two weeks of June and last two weeks of August.   Weather can vary from one coast to the other in Canada, but fall attracts travelers seeking the beautiful auburn hues and may be the perfect time to experience the viewing of a spot bull moose or wolf howl.   Thanksgiving is a great time for a short visit because it isn't a holiday for Canada.

Europe can be divided by food as much as by national boundaries, so it's no surprise that many people select their world travel destinations based solely on the kinds of things they can eat. If you want to tantalize your taste buds on your next European vacation, consider some of the following destinations.

 
Have you dreamed of cruising aboard the luxurious Crystal?  Follow your wanderlust this November or December and prepare to enjoy the award-winning Crystal Experience aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity with these EXCLUSIVE limited-time departures.

Click here for a peak at Southern Sailing

Don't miss this chance, no New Orleans departures are available in 2017.   This is a great opportunity if you live in the New Orleans area, OR if you've been looking for an excuse to visit New Orleans. 

We  would love to give you a world of memorable experiences while enjoying exceptional value aboard the World's Best cruise line. 

When money is no object, travelers seek out luxury. First class travelers want amenities that offer opulence and privacy, and they will travel the world to find it.

We've picked out what we believe to be the most luxurious resorts. While some of these are world-renowned hotels, we hope you will discover a few new hidden jewels among the mix.

So what exactly defines a ‘top luxurious resort’? Read our list below to see what we believe makes the cut.

Summer is upon us. Better weather, reconnecting with friends, and time in the sun. Tiring work routines, with all their monotonous concerns, are defied as the days get longer and brighter. Of course there are great options for partygoers who want to stay in the U.S., but why stay at home when the world is your oyster? From Ibiza to Thailand, there are exciting events happening around the world all summer long. Have a generous amount of vacation time? Why not use it? This is your guide to the best summer globe-trotting events of the season.

When money is no object, travelers seek out luxury. First class travelers want amenities that offer opulence and privacy, and they will travel the world to find it.

We've picked out what we believe to be the most luxurious resorts. While some of these are world-renowned hotels, we hope you will discover a few new hidden jewels among the mix.

So what exactly defines a ‘top luxurious resort’? Read our list below to see what we believe makes the cut.

 
More awesome, luxurious hotels exist in the world than you can imagine! These places are in all corners of the world, and they are just waiting for you to come see them. If you did, you would see how truly unbelievable they really are, but they are plenty of great hotels in the world. What makes these a step above the rest? All have three things which set them apart from the rest: their location, the amenities, and the décor.

Europe can be divided by food as much as by national boundaries, so it's no surprise that many people select their world travel destinations based solely on the kinds of things they can eat. If you want to tantalize your taste buds on your next European vacation, consider some of the following destinations.

Few events in the world bring people together quite as much as a major sporting event, and your next luxury vacation could bring you closer than ever before to some of the most famous and influential people in the world... at a lower price than you might expect!