Bright ideas for off-season travel

We’ll never say no to a summer vacation, but it’s long been an open secret that the best way to discover a destination—at a much better bang for your buck—is to sidestep its high season. Leave the crowds behind and get in (a significantly shorter) line to discover the delights of a slow-paced Santorini, a prettier-than-ever Paris, and more.

Find sunsets and celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico

The state of Oaxaca and its eponymous capital city fizz with energy all year round, but it’s only when its summer rains subside that this region gears up for a joyous celebration. From late October to early November, Día de los Muertos honors those who have departed with exuberant parades and colorful festivities. Towns and villages are decorated in heady, sunburst blooms of marigolds (pictured top) by families in their loved ones’ memory—for respectful visitors, witnessing these special moments is uplifting, invigorating and frequently moving. What’s more, away from the melee, those who venture to the region’s coast will find a dramatic, near-empty shoreline with long golden beaches, cinematic sunsets and lagoons full of wildlife.

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Take a step back in time in Tokyo, Japan

There are times in the fall when Japan’s massive, mercurial capital can feel curiously calm. Perhaps it’s turning a corner to see a street draped in a carpet of golden ginkgo leaves, or sinking into a hot-spring bath to offset the season’s approaching chill. Or perhaps it’s enjoying a meditative moment removed from summer’s tour groups at Meiji Jingu shrine (pictured above), a sacred site encased by forestry somehow just a few minutes’ walk from the hubbub of Harajuku Station.

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Make the most of a post glow-up Paris, France

The eyes of the world were on Paris as the city celebrated its spectacular summer of sport, but now’s the time to see the City of Light at its absolute best. The crowds have dispersed, and the results of a once-in-a-generation citywide makeover—perfectly manicured parks, immaculate public squares, a cleaner Seine, spruced-up public transport—are still firmly in evidence. And then there’s all the grandeur and glamour that’s so integral to this incomparably chic city at any time of the year—take it all in from the riverside and you’ll see Paris is looking better than ever.

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Soak up culture and color in London, England

Londoners might lament their fall and winter (and spring and summer) weather, but the truth is that there’s no bad time to visit what is one of the world’s greatest cities. London’s cultural calendar is unrivaled—whenever you come, there are invariably new blockbuster exhibitions opening in the capital’s many museums and galleries, complementing exceptional permanent collections that always offer free entry. Meanwhile fresh West End shows debut frequently: Stellar new productions this fall cater for every taste, from Macbeth and Oedipus to a musical take on The Devil Wears Prada. But still, given this metropolis is populated by 3,000 or so parks, locals will readily concede that autumnal visits—when dazzles of ruby reds (echoing those iconic buses) and warming golds have spread over the city’s plentiful treetop canopies—hold an undeniable majesty.

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Feast on food and (spooky) fashion in New York City, NY

It’s telling that so many New Yorkers leave the city at the height of summer—New York humidity definitely isn’t for everybody. But fall, almost everyone agrees, is fabulous. There’s the fabled, cinematic beauty of Central Park, obviously, but this is also prime time to immerse yourself in the city’s incredible culinary offerings (don’t miss October’s New York City Wine & Food Festival). And you’ll have front row—and free!—seats for the world’s most eclectic fashion show if you take to the streets on Halloween. Costumes are as good as compulsory.

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Set your own pace in Santorini, Greece

For all its deserved popularity, Santorini’s age-old charm shines most brightly when appreciated quietly, and at a slower pace. At this idyllic Greek island, the last of the season’s cruise ships set sail and room rates lower just as the summer sun loses its intensity. All of a sudden, the languid rhythm of this long-isolated caldera becomes almost tangible on walks through centuries-old whitewashed villages, or during lazy morning swims in still-warm Mediterranean waters, or simply from the terrace of your uncrowded hotel. Plus, locals say that when the summer’s haze has dissipated, Santorini’s famed sunsets look even better…

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