Uncovering The Magic of Shoulder Season Travel

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When it comes to deciding when is best to go on holiday, the shoulder seasons offer an unignorable sweet spot. Usually spring and autumn, they can actually be the perfect time to travel to a destination – the weather is great with cooler temperatures that make getting out and about a bit more comfortable, and there are fewer other holidaymakers about, giving you the space to really savour the sights. The best thing of all about the shoulder seasons? You get better value for money. Flights cost less and accommodation is less expensive, which means you either get a more affordable holiday or you can just go on more of them!

So, if you are after inspiration for an autumn adventure, or you are looking ahead to spring 2025 (which includes October half-term and Easter holidays, for all the parents out there), here are two destinations that are usually seen as summer hotspots but are absolutely perfect in the shoulder seasons too.

This alluring island on the edge of the Mediterranean may have a complicated past but is a much-loved blend of sun-soaked beaches, epic history, rugged landscapes and glorious food – and it is extra special in the shoulder seasons. Spring and autumn here boast a good eight hours of sunshine a day, with temperatures hovering in the mid to late 20s – hot without being too hot – so days sprawled out on golden sands or hiking through the myth-steeped landscapes of the Troodos Mountains are definitely on.

Discovering ancient ruins, like the Tomb of the Kings or the superbly preserved mosaics from the third to fifth century A.D. in Paphos’ Archaeological Park, can be done without hordes of fellow explorers. And after a long day of sightseeing, you can still expect the ocean to be warm enough to swim in and cool off, with wonderful day-cruise options available (we recommend a trip to the Blue Lagoon in Latchi).

There is no need to worry about restaurants: they will all be open and serving fantastic Cypriot dishes, including moussaka Kleftiko and many more well known foods. In fact, we would highly recommend joining the locals and finding yourself a little taverna with a terrace and sea views to while away the afternoons, eating and drinking all things tasty.

Right in the heart of the Mediterranean, for such a small archipelago, Malta packs some serious punch. The islands are a guaranteed suntrap; they get a frankly greedy 300 days of sunshine a year (in October that equates to more than seven hours a day), excellent for stretching out on the glorious yellow sand beaches.

That is the thing with Malta; you can just come for the sunshine and sandy shores but there is so much. Wander the cobbled streets of capital Valletta, for example, and you will practically trip over the history; there is 8,000 years of it after all. And that is before you even begin peeling back the layers of cultural influences from numerous invaders and settlers over the millennia – let’s just say this archipelago has seen a lot!

Then there is the rugged and super explorable countryside (in May, the annual wild flower bloom on Gozo is a must, reached by a 45-minute ferry), eclectic dining, an energetic nightlife, and castles, palaces, churches and ancient temples, all of which can be explored at their best during the shoulder seasons.

Malta and Gozo are also world-class scuba diving destinations with some fantastic dive sites. The water stays warm enough for exploration well into November, when you will feel like you have the whole of the sea to yourself.

Experience the magic of shoulder season travel for yourself and book your next adventure with us today!

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