A travel expert who has been to 55 countries says these pricey destinations are better during the fall shoulder season

• Travel experts recommend visiting popular destinations during shoulder season for fewer crowds.
• Shoulder season, between the peak and offseason, offers less congestion and lower travel costs.
• Fall can be ideal for visiting US and European destinations with better weather and fewer tourists.

What can ruin a dream trip to a hot destination you’ve seen all over Instagram? Crowds.

From the Colosseum in Rome to national parks around the US, sought-after travel destinations are packed with tourists through peak seasons, leading to long lines, traffic congestion, and obstructed views.

Brandon Shaw, the cofounder and COO of The Tour Guy, recommends traveling during the shoulder season, or the time between a destination’s peak season and the offseason, when travel is less popular and typically less expensive.

“We’ve seen more and more people leaving earlier and traveling later into the season because the weather is still great in September and October, there will be fewer people, and it’s just a better experience,” Shaw told Business Insider.

Tourism seasons vary depending on the location, but in many US and European destinations, shoulder season tends to land in the fall.

After traveling to roughly 55 countries, Shaw shared with BI some hot spots around the US and Europe that he finds more enjoyable to visit once the summer heat and crowds are gone.