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  • Melissa Norris, a travel consultant for AAA Travel in Beckley, displays some brochures featuring good places to consider for an off-season vacation. Lower rates, fewer crowds and more options for accommodations are some of the perks of traveling outside of peak vacation seasons. Rick Barbero

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February 27, 2010

Off and away!

Off-season vacations offer lower rates, fewer crowds

By Bev Davis Register-Herald Senior Editor

BECKLEY — Right about now, most people in southern West Virginia would love to be transported away where there are blue skies, warm breezes and lots of sunshine.

Actually, even if you haven’t been pummeled by unrelenting snowstorms, it’s a good time to consider off-season travel, a local agent said.

“You can expect lower rates and fewer crowds during most off-season trips,” said Melissa Norris, a travel consultant for AAA Travel in Beckley. “You can save as much as 20 to 40 percent, depending on how early you book the trip.”

You have to plan carefully, avoiding holidays such as spring break that can fall into “off-season” bookings, Norris said.

“Mid-March to mid-April is not considered off-season travel because that’s when spring break falls. Mid-April to mid-May, however, is a good time because the break is over and the high season hasn’t kicked in.”

Peak vacation season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, she said.

“Fall vacations are good because you can get some of the lowest cruise rates at that time. You can save up to 50 percent in some cases in the fall.”

European travel rates are always down in the winter, but you have to consider weather conditions abroad during that time of year, Norris said. “Winter can be bad in places like London or Paris, but after spring break, there are some great reduced rates available because some places are hurting for occupancy and will offer some really good rates.”

Before booking any trip to another part of the world, it’s a good idea to check with the National Weather Service Web site and see what weather conditions are likely to be during your planned stay there.

“You don’t want to arrive some place in the middle of its hurricane season and ruin your whole stay,” Norris said.

An experienced travel agent can help you become aware of important issues to consider when you are planning a trip.

Here are a few of the basics:

- Insurance, both to cover cancellation of the trip, should you need to do so, and to cover illness or death of you and traveling companions during the trip.

- Transportation Safety Administration requirements to help you comply with homeland security procedures and policies.

- Have a thorough understanding of what’s covered in your travel package and what is not. What extra expenses can you expect as part of the trip?

- Plan ahead for what to do in case of emergencies. Travel agencies are likely to have a brochure or other information you can carry with you.

- Don’t wait until the last minute to make your travel plans. Most likely, you won’t be able to go into a travel agency one day and leave the next. “There is usually a four-to-seven-day window of time for processing documents,” Norris said.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com

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