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13 Perfect Off-Season Getawaysfrom Reader's Digest, February 2011
THE EXPERTSLoren Bendele, CEO, savings.comSeth Kugel, Frugal Traveler blogger, New York TimesNina Willdorf, editor in chief, BudgetTravel
WHERE LOREN BENDELE GOES
Nicaragua during the rainy season (May through November). “You get the same beaches as in Costa Rica—same water, same climate, and for a lot less money. When youstart researching Nicaragua, you’ll find ‘Don’t go during the rainy season, because it might rain the whole time you’re there.’ But the locals all say it’s their favorite time of year becauseeverything is green and lush, fresh and clear. During the dry season, it’s hot, it’s dry; there’s dust and dirt everywhere. Do the research—don’t stop at the first hurdle.”
Tuscany in winter. “It was alittle colder, but we owned it. No crowds, no traffic, a lot less expensive.”
Canyonlands National Park in winter. “A good friend said they were going in December, the coldest time of the year,because they would be the only people there. And that’s what we did. We were the only ones there for five days. You’ve never experienced such silence in your life. It’s ominous and weird not to hearwind or traffic. How would that have felt if I were hearing footsteps behind me, if I were seeing people off in the distance?”
Vail, Colorado, in summer. “Everyone says that people move there forthe ski seasons and never leave because of the summers. In the winter it’s all about skiing and snowboarding. In the summer it’s all about hiking, rafting, rock climbing, great live music concerts,just hanging out, camping, swimming, fishing, fly-fishing. As far as value, ski towns in the summertime are phenomenal.”
South/Southwest in winter. “I love the South during February and March:Austin, New Orleans, Phoenix, Las Vegas. You just have to make sure there’s nothing so big going on that will make it either too expensive or too crowded.”
WHERE SETH KUGEL GOES
Barbados. “Bigger...