Discover the many delights of shoulder season travel

Picture journeying past orchards brimming with ripe green apples. Strolling along the silent cobblestones of an ancient medieval city. Or admiring grand estates awash with vibrant spring blooms. 

This is what your next small group escape could look like if you travel to the UK or Europe with Back-Roads Touring in shoulder season... 

There are two shoulder seasons, named so because they sit on either side of the busy summer season. The first is in spring – typically March to April – and the second is during the autumn months of October and November. 

If you’re flexible with when you can travel, you’ll find there are many benefits to embarking on a small group tour during shoulder season: 

1. Quieter streets 

Prepare to encounter fewer crowds – especially in larger cities like Florence, Lisbon and Paris which tend to attract more visitors in the summer months. The same rings true for well-known landmarks, whether that’s a royal palace or a world-famous art gallery. 

2. Cooler weather 

European summers are known for their scorching temperatures. While perfect for a sun-soaked beach getaway, you might prefer slightly cooler conditions for strolling around Europe’s intriguing cities or exploring vast ancient ruins like those found in Greece and Italy. 

3. Lower prices 

As shoulder season falls outside of the busy summer months, most things – from flights to accommodation – tend to be less expensive. In fact, you’ll find our tours in March, April, October and November are lower in price than our peak months. 

4. Seasonal sights 

Off-peak travel also allows you to experience a bounty of unique experiences – from seasonal weather changes that transform Europe’s landscapes to cultural events like local harvest festivals.  

Now the benefits of a shoulder season escape have been revealed, allow us to share our favourite locations for a little inspiration: 

While there’s never a bad time to visit Italy, it can be worth planning a shoulder season trip if you’d prefer to avoid the intense summer heat and peak season crowds.  

Why not experience the Splendours of Sicily in April when the weather is pleasantly warm and the island’s terrain is a riot of colour? Journey through lush countryside dotted with wildflowers and almond trees blanketed in pink blossoms.  

October and November are also prime months for an Italy tour. Immerse yourself in countless seasonal joys on our Italian Indulgence escape – from the grape and olive harvests in rural Tuscany to colourful autumn foliage around glistening Lake Como. Bellissimo!  

An autumn adventure around Portugal has an abundance of benefits – from quieter streets in cities like Lisbon and Porto to wonderful seasonal events in the scenic countryside.  

One region that really comes into its own in October and November is the Douro Valley. As well as being calmer and cooler than the summer months, autumn is also when the vineyards harvest their grapes.  Witness this age-old tradition firsthand cruising along the Douro River when you embark on our Discover Portugal tour during shoulder season. 

Village squares teeming with daffodils. Blossom-covered parks. The happy bleating of newborn lambs. These are just some of the things you can expect to enjoy on a spring shoulder season break around the Heart of England. 

Spring is one of the most beautiful times to venture into the English countryside – especially destinations like the charming Cotswolds. By late March, its chocolate-box villages are radiant with seasonal blooms, while the surrounding farmland is awash with the most vivid shades of green.  

Let's not forget about England’s cities, either. Their streets tend to be far less busy in the early spring months. What’s more, places like beautiful Bath have ample parks and gardens where you can enjoy sunnier days among the daffodils.  

Summer might reveal brighter weather but there’s something to be said about visiting La Belle France in the spring or autumn.  

A tour of Giverny in late March or April gives you the perfect chance to see the gardens spring back to life after the long winter. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a Claude Monet painting as you feast your eyes on brightly-hued tulips and tumbling wisteria! 

Venturing to France in autumn can be equally as fruitful. October is apple harvesting season in Normandy – and you’ll enjoy a front-row view as you set off on a guided tour of the region’s Route du Cidre. Breathe in the scent of sweet apples and sample various local ciders as you go. 

Are you ready to embark on your next shoulder season adventure? Browse our full range of 2024-25 tours and get ready to discover new delights across the UK and Europe.