Collection — 4 stories

The Case for Shoulder Season

“When can I go without the crowds?”

White buildings and blue domes above a caldera at sunset

Peak season is peak for a reason and it is rarely the best time to actually be somewhere. These are the weeks either side — cheaper, quieter, and frequently better lit — with an honest account of what you give up in exchange.

In this collection

Read in this order

The Santorini caldera cliff path lined with spring wildflowers and no other walkers

Beaches

Greece · Europe

Santorini in the Shoulder Season

In August the caldera path is a queue. In late April and October it is a coastal walk with wildflowers. The case for going when everyone else doesn't.

March 12, 20266 min read

Cherry trees in full bloom arching over a canal-side walking path with petals on the water

Travel Tips

Japan · Asia

The Best Time to Visit Japan, Month by Month

Cherry blossom is not the answer to every question. A month-by-month guide to Japan's weather, crowds, costs and regional variation — including the underrated seasons nobody books.

January 28, 20269 min read

An empty two-lane highway crossing black lava fields beneath heavy cloud

Road Trips

Iceland · Europe

Driving Iceland's Ring Road: The Complete Guide

Route 1 circles the country and touches almost everything visitors come for. Here is how long it really takes, what it costs, and how the seasons change the trip entirely.

February 26, 202610 min read