Peak vs. Shoulder vs. Secret Seasons
How to Read Our Guides
Travel timing is often reduced to peak-season and off-peak season. But in practice, “off-peak” travel covers a wide range of experiences — some excellent, some disappointing.
At Secret Season Travel, we break travel timing into three clear categories — Peak, Shoulder, and Secret Season — so you can understand how a destination actually functions at different points in the year. We don’t label destinations simply as “cheap,” “quiet,” or “best avoided.” Instead, we evaluate when a place actually works better than expected — and when it doesn’t.
This guide explains what each travel timing category means, how we use them, how “off-season” fits into the definitions, and how to read our destination guides with the right expectations.
First: What Does “Off-Season” Mean?
Off-season (sometimes called low season) is a broad umbrella term used to describe periods outside peak travel demand.
Off-season often comes with:
Fewer visitors
Lower prices
Reduced demand
But it can also include:
Less favorable weather
Shorter daylight hours
Limited schedules or closures
Fewer events or outdoor activities
In other words, not all off-seasons are good times to visit.
That’s why we don’t treat off-season as a single category. Instead, we break it into shoulder season and secret season, based on how well the destination still works.
Peak Season
What it is
Peak season is when a destination is most popular — usually because of weather, events, school schedules, or long-standing travel habits.
What this typically means
Highest crowds at major attractions
Higher hotel and flight prices
Tighter restaurant and tour availability
A lively, event-driven atmosphere
When peak season works best
You’re visiting for a specific event or festival
You prioritize warm weather or long outdoor days
You’re comfortable planning well in advance
Peak season isn’t “bad” — it’s just not optimized for travelers who value flexibility, space, or value.
Shoulder Season
What it is
Shoulder season sits between peak and off-peak periods. It often offers a balance of decent weather, manageable crowds, and slightly lower costs.
What this typically means
Moderate crowds
Some cost savings, but not dramatic
Mixed weather reliability
A blend of tourist and local activity
When shoulder season works best
You want fewer crowds without fully giving up warm weather
You’re flexible on exact dates
You’re comfortable with variability
Shoulder season is often recommended broadly — but it’s not always the most distinctive or interesting time to visit.
Secret Season
What it is
Secret Season is a specific off-peak window where a destination meaningfully improves — not just in price, but in access, pace, and experience.
This is not the same as “low season” or “cheap travel.”
A true Secret Season meets three criteria:
Crowds drop noticeably
Core experiences remain fully available
The destination’s character stays intact
What this typically means
Easier reservations and fewer lines
Calmer streets and neighborhoods
Lower hotel (and often flight) costs
A more local, less performative feel
What it does not mean
Perfect weather
No tradeoffs
Universal appeal
That’s why some destinations earn a YES, and others earn a MAYBE. If a destination doesn’t have a possible Secret Season based on this criteria (in other words, a NO), then it’s likely you won’t see us writing about that destination.
Why We Use YES and MAYBE (Instead of “Best”)
Every destination we evaluate answers the same underlying question:
Will visiting during this off-peak window provide a positive experience — without undermining what makes the destination worth visiting in the first place?
YES means the destination reliably benefits from its Secret Season
MAYBE means the experience depends heavily on expectations, priorities, or tolerance for seasonal tradeoffs
We intentionally do not label every destination a YES.
That distinction is what makes Secret Season Travel useful — not promotional.
How to Read Our Destination Guides
Each destination guide is designed to help you decide whether the Secret Season works for you, not to sell you on a trip.
You’ll always find:
A clear verdict (YES or MAYBE)
The exact Secret Season months
What improves during this window
What changes or becomes limited
Who this timing is best (and not best) for
How to plan your days around seasonal realities
If you decide the timing works, we link to season-specific Planning Guides within each Secret Season Guide — including where to stay, what to do, what to pack, and family-focused editions.
The Bottom Line
Secret Season travel isn’t about finding the cheapest time to go.
It’s about finding the right time — when crowds thin, access improves, and the destination feels more navigable, not diminished.
This framework is how we evaluate every city we cover — so you can plan smarter, with clearer expectations.
