Travel in peak season and you'll have to battle the crowds and sky-high prices, while go out of season and you might find you've nothing to do, as many destinations almost entirely shut down when the tourists go home. But between these highs and lows lies the Goldilocks 'shoulder season' – the time when a destination isn't quite at its busiest, but might well be at its best. It's often cheaper, quieter and more rewarding than peak or low season travel, so here's a breakdown of the best destinations to visit during this sweet spot.

Think Arizona and you probably see blue skies and sweltering deserts, but visit in winter for an alternative view of this state. Come December, the end of the shoulder season that runs from September, and you'll see a totally different state: one in which the Grand Canyon is covered with snow and there's skiing in resorts like Flagstaff.

With cooler temperatures, September through to December is a perfect time to seek out some of Arizona's star attractions without the crowds. You're far more likely to see empty highways like these in Monument Valley, or be able to enjoy roaming among the cacti in Saguaro National Park without melting.

Shoulder season is when residents of the Balearic Islands are happiest. The summer crowds have gone home, the weather is still balmy and the beaches are serene. It's not all quiet and closed down, though – between September and May a whole host of events keep those in the know busy.

Annually in September, Mallorca's beautiful capital – a gastronomic and artistic centre – runs Ni de l'Art, in which the whole of Palma becomes an open air gallery. Come spring, the fittest residents on Formentera take part in the All Round Trail: a 45-mile race around the island. Ibiza sheds its party-hard skin after the summer and becomes a far more sedate but equally spectacular version of itself. Don't miss the open water swimming event on the second Sunday in May. 

Avoid Norway's peak season (from mid-June through August) and see its spectacular sights in spring instead. April and May bring warmer weather, which melts the winter snow and creates temporary waterfalls across the country. Couple this with the wildflowers that carpet the mountains and this makes shoulder season a spectacular time to visit. Don't miss the fruit trees that blossom to life in Hardangerfjord (pictured).

Explore in autumn and you'll have a similarly rewarding experience: as the temperature begins to cool, it's a perfect excuse to enjoy the Norwegian version of hygge, kos. Cosy up inside a café in the brilliant capital Oslo, or find yourself a cabin in the woods and sip hot chocolate as the forest around you creates a warm glow with its autumnal colours. Read our guide to Oslo here.

Let's face it: no one goes to Wales for good weather. You should go, though, for the spectacular scenery along the coast and inland. Summer sees crowds queuing at the top of Mount Snowdon, and beaches in Pembrokeshire become packed with families from all over the UK. Visit in spring, between March and May (avoiding the UK's Easter break) or autumn and you'll discover far quieter coastal paths and castles.

Head to the Gower for sweeping yellow sands, don't miss a stroll along the trail that wends its way along the entire Welsh coast uninterrupted, and spot puffins on Skomer Island from April onwards. Inland, you'll still see a sprinkling of snow atop the Brecon Beacons and, in autumn, the Wye Valley on the England-Wales border is alive with oranges, reds and yellows. Want more inspiration? Here are 11 reasons to love this small but mighty country.

A true bucket list worthy destination, at the tip of South America lies Patagonia. Spanning across both Argentina and Chile it's a breathtaking land of mountains and glaciers home to waddling penguins, inquisitive llamas and the majestic Andean puma. Springtime falls between September and November here, and autumn from March to May, and not only is it quieter during these seasons, but it's also far more affordable.

Visit in early spring and you'll still be able to catch some skiing on the slopes in Portillo (Chile), or come later to see new life – of the animal and plant varieties – being born around the majestic Torres del Paine. Autumn is Patagonia's quietest season, so if you're after empty hiking trails and secluded stays, go between March and May – plus, the forests will be gorgeous hues of yellow and orange by this time of year.

If food and drink is what gets you on a plane, head to British Columbia's Okanagan valley in September or October. This region is best known for its wine, and harvest begins in late August through to the first week in October. It's an exciting time to see the vineyards – of which there are hundreds to explore – as well as sample some of the brilliant wines (pinot noir is particularly good here).

This agricultural area also brings fantastic fresh produce. Go to Davison Orchards near Vernon for the best pumpkin pie and apple juice in the region – they have harvest festivals and Thanksgiving celebrations too – and don't miss a taste of the gin and whiskey from Okanagan Spirits. You can either take a road trip from Vancouver or fly up to Kelowna, in the north of the region, to hire a car there. Read our guide to the Okanagan here.

America's most-visited city in 2017, New York is fantastic at anytime of year. Winter brings romantic, snowy scenes and summer is all picnics in Central Park and fun on the Highline. But September, when most of the kids are back at school and summer holiday visitors have gone home, is as good a time as any. 

The weather is still warm and museums remain open, but the best thing is the city's affordability. September sees two-for-one on Broadway shows for a whole fortnight, and hotel room rates plummet compared to the summer's peak pricing. A visit to New York in September or October should also involve an escape to the countryside, as the Finger Lakes region is glorious in autumn and there's a healthy scattering of wineries ripe for harvest around this time.

Edinburgh's peak season is throughout August, when the world-famous Fringe festival draws millions to the Scottish capital (see our survival guide here if you're braving it). It's not the only festival in town, though, and Edinburgh's shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) have some of the city's finest. 

Try the International Science Festival in March (perfect for kids), when you're likely to experience a spot of rain but will find plenty to do in the many indoor venues around the city. Or go for the Storytelling Festival in October. At this time of year, the trees in Princes Gardens are all reds, browns and oranges, and many cosy, historic pubs throughout the city become ever more inviting. Read our full guide to Edinburgh here.

This north Indian state is famous for its epic fortifications, regal palaces and the dusty desert that surrounds its hot, hectic cities. Centres like Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur make for romantic stays, but the summer heat can be oppressive from April to June and the crowds in winter (October through March) often overwhelming. Rajasthan during monsoon season, though, is actually a fantastic time to visit.

Rid any thoughts of all-day downpours from your mind: rains are heavy but come in short bursts of just an hour or two at most. There are worse places to seek shelter than the gorgeous interiors of the Amer Fort in Jaipur or Udaipur's City Palace. Monsoon season also means the state's national parks grow wild with lush greenery and there's a better chance of spotting wildlife. Don't miss a visit to Keoladeo National Park for spectacular bird life.

The island that sits just at the tip of Italy's boot is one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations, with 48.3 million people visiting in 2017 alone. Avoid the peak season crowds, and prices, by visiting in October, when the weather is pleasant and the Mediterranean still warm.

October is the perfect time to explore Sicily's brilliant cities, as in summer the heat is often too much to bear in the busy squares of the capital Palermo. Come in autumn and you can sip Aperol all afternoon long or shop for fresh Italian produce at the Ballarò street market. Don't miss hilltop Taormina, which has an ancient Greco-­Roman theatre that's still used today for live music concerts and performances. October also brings brilliant food festivals to the island, such as the sausage festival in Caccamo or the mushroom festival in Palermo.

Japan's most famous season is sakura, or cherry blossom season. Throughout March and April trees across the country turn a glorious pastel pink, but this also means the streets clog up, hotels are pricey and queues for all the main attractions can be long. Visit in May, though, once the sakura is over, and you'll discover a far more sedate Japan, with plenty of room for everyone. 

Hakone, just a couple of hours from Tokyo by train (see more weekend trips here), is a stunning lake and mountain area. It's beautiful in May, with agreeable temperatures in the early to mid 20s (about 68°F) and low humidity, though a springtime haze sometimes obscures views of the majestic Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi. But still, the forests are lush and the multi-modal transport circuit, which takes in cable cars, railways boats and funiculars, is far quieter at this time of year. Don't miss the open air art museum or the chance to soak in an onsen (a hot spring).

While you won't necessarily get a tan if you visit New Zealand in March or April, you won't miss out on much else. This time of year is slightly cooler than the country's popular summer months, and has the added bonus of the grape harvest (a great excuse to try a few local wines in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island).

Tackle some of the country's finest walking trails, such as the Tongariro Crossing, with fewer crowds in April, and seafood lovers should visit in May when the Bluff oyster has its very own festival on the South Island. Learn about Maori culture or see some of the famous geothermal sights in Rotorua. Still need convincing? Here are 50 photos of New Zealand that'll help seal the deal.

Avoid the sweltering heat and the excessive crowds in Marrakesh's main square and visit Morocco in early spring or late autumn. You'll be able to explore the souks without shoulder barging other visitors, and eat al fresco without burning under the baking sun.

Essaouira on the Atlantic coast is a superb place for watersports in spring too, thanks to the northeasterly trade winds that encourage great waves and ideal wind- and kite-surfing conditions. Explore the strikingly blue city of Chefchaouen, or the Roman ruins of Volubilis too.

Founded in 1690, Charleston's cobbled streets, new crop of boutique hotels and Southern hospitality mean the Holy City is on many peoples' must-visit lists. But it means the historic French Quarter's alleyways are packed during the summer months with tourists from across the globe, keen to combine a city break with the nearby beaches in the 33°C (91°F) temperatures from June-August.

Plan a trip later during September to October or April to May and you'll experience a quieter version of the city, which will still be notching up temperatures around 29°C (84.5°F). Perfect weather to enjoy an amble along The Battery with its pretty antebellum homes on one side and harbour on the other, or for catching some rays on sandy stretches along the coast such as Folly Beach (pictured) and Seabrook Island.

Peak season in South Africa's most popular city is summer, from January to April. Crowds come to bask on the beaches, explore the winelands just outside the city and drive the spectacular coastal road. Visit in September, though, and you'll still enjoy warm weather (around 21°C/70°F most days) and all the same opportunities for wine tasting and road tripping.

The reasonable temperatures mean hiking Cape Town's famous Table Mountain is far more palatable and wildlife spotting opportunities are brilliant. See Southern Right whales off the coast of Hermanus, south of the city, and in September the penguins on Boulders Beach are as playful as ever. Read our guide to Cape Town here for more inspiration.