The Beauty of the Off-Season: Rediscovering Destinations Beyond Their Peak
For many travelers, the idea of an “off-season” once implied empty resorts, shuttered restaurants, or less-than-ideal weather. But that perception is changing. As climate patterns shift and conscious travel becomes a guiding principle, more destinations — and the hotels that define them — are embracing the beauty, culture, and slower rhythms of the months beyond the traditional tourist calendar.
Across the world, forward-thinking properties are reframing what it means to travel seasonally — inviting guests to discover local traditions, sustainable experiences, and the quieter pleasures that only the off-season can offer.
A Year-Round Alentejo
In the sun-baked Alentejo region of Portugal, São Lourenço do Barrocal — a whitewashed estate nestled among olive groves — has long been synonymous with summer. Yet, as Mediterranean heat waves grow more frequent, more travelers are finding that the estate’s true charm lies in its year-round appeal.
When the air turns cool, the farm-style rooms feel all the more inviting with their rustic throws and shuttered windows. Spring brings a riot of wildflowers, and autumn heralds the olive harvest, when the scent of fresh oil fills the air.
To celebrate its sense of place, the hotel has expanded its seasonal offerings with hands-on workshops that explore Alentejo’s enduring traditions — from olive oil tasting and wine blending to pottery and floral arranging. Each activity connects guests with the region’s landscape and people, reminding us that sustainability is as much about cultural preservation as it is about the environment.
Lake Como Beyond the Summer Sun
Italy’s Lake Como has long been defined by its summer glitter — gleaming boats, glamorous guests, and sunlit villas. But Passalacqua, a lovingly restored 18th-century villa opened in 2022 by Valentina De Santis, is changing that story.
Determined to show travelers that Como’s magic endures year-round, De Santis keeps her 24-room retreat open through the cooler months, offering guests new ways to experience the lake’s natural rhythm. In autumn, guests can join chestnut and porcini foraging excursions, while winter brings festive markets, wreath-making workshops, and views of the lake framed in golden foliage.
“The colors of the lake change completely,” says De Santis — a reminder that slowing down and embracing the quieter seasons often reveals a destination’s truest beauty.
The Caribbean’s Quiet Season
Over in the Caribbean, Eden Rock – St Barths, the iconic red-and-white jewel of St. Barts, has also embraced the shift toward year-round travel. Once known for its vibrant winter scene, the resort began welcoming more visitors in the summer months following the travel disruptions of 2020.
What started as a practical adjustment soon evolved into a new rhythm — one that offered guests a more relaxed, breezy experience and a chance to connect with the island outside its high-season glamour. “Low season is even better temperature-wise,” says general manager Fabrice Moizan. The property now sees steady bookings all year, proving that mindful travelers are finding joy in the island’s quieter months.
Winter Warmth in the Winelands
The shift extends to the southern hemisphere, where South Africa’s Winelands are finding their own allure in the winter months. At Spier Hotel in Stellenbosch, the newly reimagined estate — with its Cape Dutch architecture and focus on local sustainability — invites guests to stay longer, slow down, and reconnect with nature.
Their winter wellness package offers sauna and steam rituals, crisp morning walks through the vineyards, and the space to linger over regional food and wine. “The atmosphere is gentler,” says brand manager Aimee Raymond. It’s a time to savor clear skies, birdsong, and the beauty of less — all while supporting a destination outside its typical peak.
Rethinking “The Best Time to Go”
As more travelers embrace slow and sustainable travel, the lines between high and low seasons are beginning to blur. Traveling outside peak times not only reduces pressure on popular destinations but also helps support local communities year-round.
And perhaps most importantly, it gives travelers the gift of connection — to place, to people, and to the natural world as it shifts and changes through the seasons.
A Gentler Way to Wander
At its heart, off-season travel reminds us that meaningful journeys don’t depend on perfect weather or postcard moments. They unfold in the quiet, in the subtle — in the chance to experience a place as it truly is.
By embracing the off-season, we travel more lightly, give back more evenly, and invite a richer, more authentic kind of discovery. And often, that’s when the magic of travel feels most alive.