The picturesque scene at one of the hundreds of beaches in the Algarve, Portugal. (Darren Mcgee/QMI Agency)

When the leaves fall and the temperature drops, savvy travellers think about Europe.

They know that day-to-day life in the major destinations is more normal then. Sure, there are still lots of tourists, but nothing like the hordes that descend in warmer months.

My wife and I are sold on off-season travel. Holiday memories include self-drive trips long ago in Portugal and Spain, and escorted coach tours in Morocco and Italy, all in February. Recent ones include renting an apartment in the south of France for two weeks in late March 2009, and one in southeast England, a year later, after a working visit to Wales.

Saving money is another off-season plus. Airlines offer deals and tour operators put together packages that are gentler on the budget.

A good example is Burlington-based DHTour's "Off-Season London," which they've been doing for years. For $1,458 you get return air from Toronto on British Airways or Air Canada, pickup at Heathrow airport and transfers to your hotel and back, six nights hotel accommodation with continental breakfasts, a full-day tour with a Blue Badge guide, a seven-day London Visitor's Travel Card for zones 1 and 2, a West end show and dinner, and all airline and hotel taxes and service charges.

A bargain? You betcha. In August, 2009, it cost me more than $1,458 each just to fly to Heathrow and back.

Not surprisingly, some of DHTour's November departures are sold out. But act quickly and you might snag one of the December or February dates. Phone 1-888-597-3519 or visit dhgrouptours.com.

Another incentive to visit Britain and/or the continent now is that both the euro and the British pound are still relatively weak. One major tour operator, Globus, says 2011 prices for its European tours are, on average, 18% less than last year.

Globus is offering savings of $500 per person on all air-inclusive holidays booked before Nov. 30 for travel any time next year. Visit globusjourneys.ca for details; contact a travel agent for reservations.

More money-savers

-- Grey hair and wrinkles equal substantial savings in a new promotion called "Your Age is Your Discount." Until Nov. 20, the age of the vacationer (or the oldest member in a group) equals the percentage off the total resort or hotel cost at any of six Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality resorts in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Visit cayugaonline.com.

-- Book a qualifying Rocky Mountaineer vacation of seven nights or more in GoldLeaf Service between now and Nov. 30 and you'll receive a credit worth up to $1,400 per couple in added value; $600 for vacations of four nights or more. The credits can be used towards any add-on experience with Rocky Mountaineer. Contact a travel agent, phone 1-800-665-7245 or visit rockymountaineer.com.

-- Marriott and Renaissance resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico are offering up to 40% off winter rates. The "Baby It's Cold Outside" promotion can be booked any time in November for travel between Jan. 1 and April 30. Visit ParadiseByMarriott.com or contact your travel agent.

-- Manoir Hovey, a five-star Relais et Chateaux inn in Quebec's Eastern Townships, is offering a free third night to guests who book a two-night stay between now and Feb. 27. The package includes four-course dinners, full breakfasts and gratuities each day except on the third night. Rates start at $290 per person per stay, double. Some conditions apply. Phone 1-800-661-2421 or visit manoirhovey.com.

-- From today until Dec. 17, guests reserving five nights at CuisinArt Resort & Spa in Anguilla will receive two additional nights free, plus an extra $100 US per day to be used toward food and beverages. Phone 1-800-943-3210 or visit cuisinartresort.com.

Up in the air

WestJet begins regularly scheduled service from Toronto to Grand Cayman Island on Nov. 4.

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