Why We Don’t Wait for Summer Break to Travel

Most families circle the calendar for summer vacation before planning big trips. For us? We’d rather head out during the so-called “off-season.” After years of traveling with kids, we’ve learned that avoiding summer isn’t just easier, it makes travel more affordable, less stressful, and way more rewarding. Here’s why we don’t wait for summer break to travel.

---

1. Cutting Travel Costs

Travel is expensive, and when you’re traveling with children, the costs multiply quickly. Tickets, lodging, food, activities… it adds up fast. That’s one of the biggest reasons we don’t wait until summer.

Summer is peak season, which means everything is priced higher: flights, cruises, hotels, even car rentals. By traveling during off-peak times, we can stretch our budget further and take more trips throughout the year.

For us, this often means planning trips around flight deals or cruise sales. If a good fare pops up, we grab it, even if it’s not during summer. We’ve found that being flexible on timing saves us thousands over the course of a year.

And it’s not just flights, lodging is also cheaper. Hotels and vacation rentals often drop prices once the summer crowds clear out. That means we can stay in better locations, or extend our trips longer, without blowing the budget.

---

2. Cities Are Less Crowded

One of the biggest benefits of traveling outside the summer rush is how much calmer and more enjoyable cities feel.

We learned this firsthand in Rome. We visited on our honeymoon in December 2011, and the city was easier to navigate, more affordable, and felt incredibly authentic. Our tour groups were smaller, which meant we actually got to talk with our guides and learn more. We didn’t have to wait to be seated at restaurants, and the weather was cool and comfortable, perfect for exploring.

When we returned in June 2013, it was a completely different experience. The city was overrun with tourists, many of whom weren’t exactly friendly. We were constantly waiting in long lines, it was extremely hot, and the charm we’d loved just a year and a half earlier felt harder to find.

And it’s not just overseas travel where the difference shows. We also visited Washington, D.C. in June 2010, and it was one of the most overwhelming trips we’ve taken. The weather was unbearably hot, the city was packed with tourists, and every museum felt wall-to-wall crowded. We even made the mistake of driving in, which left us stuck in traffic for hours. The next day we tried the train instead—but even that was jammed.

When we went back in September 2023, this time with kids, the experience couldn’t have been more different. The weather was beautiful, cool enough to walk everywhere, and while the city was still bustling, it wasn’t overwhelming. We could move at a relaxed pace, let the kids enjoy the museums and playgrounds, and take in the monuments without constantly ducking inside to escape the heat.

That contrast—both abroad and here in the U.S.—has taught us an important lesson: the time of year you travel can completely change the way you experience a destination.

---

3. A More Authentic Experience

When the tourist season slows down, cities feel more like themselves. Locals are friendlier, businesses aren’t rushed, and seasonal traditions take center stage.

During our trip to Sweden in December 2014, the highlight wasn’t just the sights, it was the atmosphere. Christmas markets glowed in town squares, we warmed up in cafés with mugs of hot chocolate, and the snowy streets made everything feel magical. These were experiences we never could have had in the heat of July.

We had a similar experience in India in December 2015. The weather was cooler, which made exploring temples, bustling markets, and city streets so much more comfortable. Since it wasn’t peak tourist season, we were able to soak in the culture at a slower pace. We ate incredible food, visited landmarks without being rushed, and felt more connected to the rhythm of everyday life.

These trips reminded us that some of the best travel moments happen when you visit during the “quiet” months, when locals are living their lives, traditions shine, and the experiences feel more authentic than they ever could during the peak of summer.

---

4. The Bonus of Year-Round School

Of course, part of the reason this works for us is Skyler’s school schedule. She attends a year-round school, which means instead of one long summer break, she has shorter breaks throughout the year.

Before kids, we could plan longer trips, sometimes months at a time. Now, even though our trips aren’t always as long, we find that the quality of the time together matters so much more. Year-round breaks give us multiple opportunities each year to step away from routines and really focus on family time.

Instead of cramming one big trip into a packed summer, we’re able to spread adventures throughout the year. This gives us the chance to make memories in different seasons, experience a wider variety of traditions, and avoid the stress of peak travel.

For us, it’s not about how long we’re gone, it’s about being present, making memories, and showing our kids the world in a way that feels meaningful.

---

Final Thought:

Traveling outside of summer has completely changed the way we see the world as a family. It’s not just about saving money or skipping the lines—it’s about creating moments that stick with us long after we’re home. Whether it’s sipping hot chocolate in a snowy Swedish café, watching our kids run freely through a quiet museum in D.C., or exploring colorful markets in India, these experiences have given us memories we’ll carry forever.

We may not take months-long trips like we did before kids, but the adventures we do take feel richer, calmer, and more meaningful. By leaning into Skyler’s year-round school schedule, we’ve learned that the best time to travel isn’t summer—it’s whenever we can go together.