Places You Should Visit Now That The Crowds Have Left

As the end of summer draws nearer, now is the best time to book one last amazing vacation - right after the biggest crowds have left but good weather hasn't. Unlock the secrets of shoulder season at a vacation spot you've been meaning to check off your bucket list or discover a romantic, off-the-beaten path getaway. Before the cold and possibly rainy season hits, consider taking a trip to these amazing places now that the crowds have left.

Visit Colombia and you'll be a happy traveler, especially if you take a trip to Bogotá. The food scene here is incredible, but the city also has something for everyone. After the first week of August. when the city has its annual carnival, crowds take a big dip, and flights and hotels are much cheaper. Go hiking in the Sabana ("savannah" in Spanish) de Bogotá or mountain biking in the nearby hills. If you're looking for something a little less active, you can also take on the clubs or salsa tours for a taste of the city's wonderful nightlife. The capital of the country, Bogotá is also home to amazing museums and art galleries, as well as all kinds of art venues and amusement parks, and with the summer crowds having died down, you won't even have to wait in line.

July is high season in Argentina, which sees low season in August and then a shoulder season-level crowd in September. Last year, its capital was dubbed the first-ever Art Basel City, and so a week of public arts events are being held in September in celebration. A city known for its dance, design, and galleries, Buenos Aires is a destination that's always full of amazing South American arts and culture that make it one of the best destinations for saying goodbye to summer.

As families head back home for the start of school, Egypt starts to empty out and world-famous sites such as the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza aren't quite as crowded. Egypt is a particularly interesting destination this year thanks to a partial opening of Cairo's Grand Egyptian . It's  ready to welcome visitors, who can see more than 100,000 artifacts from the time of the pharaohs, including the mummy and funeral mask of King Tutankhamen. Egypt's magic doesn't stop in Cairo, however. Visit the enchanting Siwa Oasis, historical Alexandria, cosmopolitan Port Said, and Luxor, said to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

Known as the "East End," the Hamptons are a group of hamlets and villages that make up the South Fork of Long Island and have been frequented by the rich and famous for decades. Three of the Hamptons' ZIP codes are among the 10 most expensive in the nation, which means its beach houses and country clubs are not only exclusive but also very pricey. If you can afford it, however, the Hamptons provide some of nature's most beautiful seaside, and there are plenty of art galleries where you can check out the local talent. The Hamptons draw huge crowds from nearby New York City, so the area is often best enjoyed after the summer crowd is gone. Golfing is also par for the course, as the area has some of the best private golf clubs in the country, and its bars and restaurants are unparalleled.

A top destination for the past few years now, Iceland's beauty truly shines in the summer, when it's particularly popular for adventurers. Much of the world seems to have figured that out, however, so the high season is in full swing here until the crowds taper off toward the end of the season and into early fall. Visit Skogafoss Waterfall, a 60-foot fall with a pool at the bottom, and Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where you'll find picturesque landscapes full of glaciers, volcanoes, and wild horses.

Most Italians take their own vacation in August, so the end of summer sees the country become super-quiet as a destination. Airfare and hotel rates may not be all that much cheaper, but the streets are noticeably less crowded, and going into September, the weather is far more pleasant. Visit top cities such as Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence, but also consider a trip to Matera or the island of Capri – both top summer spots this year.

Key West is an amazing tropical getaway that doesn't require a passport for Americans, and as school starts up across the country, the island is far more relaxing and easier to navigate. The southernmost point in the U.S., it doesn't have the best beaches, but it does have a great party atmosphere and plenty of great bars in addition to gorgeous weather and fantastic scenery.

Made up of six towns and known as "Hollywood East," Martha's Vineyard has long been a favorite of the rich and famous. As summer winds down and fall comes closer, however, Martha's Vineyard empties out a bit and visitors don't have to deal with as many crowds when they go to visit the area's multiple lighthouses, hit its serene beaches, or visit one of the many fine dining establishments. Popular endeavors here include golfing, horseback riding, art gallery hopping, charter fishing, hiking, and more.

Morocco is a hot destination this summer — figuratively in addition to literally. Offering the best of Middle Eastern beauty in terms of architecture and natural scenery, Morocco has plenty of must-visit stops, all at an affordable price, especially if you wait for the end of summer, when the majority of the tourist crowds have gone home. The city of Marrakesh is full of palaces and street markets to explore, and less than a mile from there lie the Atlas Mountains, perfect for hiking and taking on Kasbah Toubkal, the country's highest peak. Visit Tétouan, known for its carpets and World Heritage Site medina (old town) and the site of a burgeoning modern Moroccan art movement. The resort town of Essaouira, with its great beaches for windsurfing and kitesurfing and its colorful and busy medina, is one of this year's top 10 best value destinations.

Believe it or not, New York City is one of the best last-minute summer vacations that you can afford. Jam-packed with tourists for much of the summer, as August comes to a close and September begins Manhattan is far less crowded, as are the rest of the boroughs. Check out its famous restaurant scene, as well as the shows on Broadway, fantastic shopping on Fifth Avenue, and the marvel that is Times Square among the city's countless other famous landmarks.

France is also another country where much of the local population goes on their own holiday in August. As a result, the end of summer sees far fewer crowds, and as the French come back home for September, the travel shoulder season has begun and has more mild weather. One of the world's best cities for millennials, Paris itself is lovely during this time, as popular attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and nearby Versailles are not as much of a pain to navigate. The city also has plenty of other museums, galleries, parks, and, of course, restaurants worth experiencing for an unforgettable trip.

There are multiple reasons why Portugal should be your next adventure destination, but even cheaper flights and hotel stays are the main reasons why you should visit after the summer high season. Portugal's beaches have the same Mediterranean sun as destinations like Spain or Italy, without the oversaturation of tourists. If you're not a beach person, there are always the fantastic views of Lisbon and the romantic charm of iconic landmarks such as the Pena Palace in Sintra.

One of the most visited cities in the world, San Francisco is the crown jewel of the Bay Area and a bastion of cultural diversity, gorgeous scenery, and fantastic food. See one of the world's most beautiful skylines, featuring the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and visit Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 along with other famed bars and restaurants. One of the best cities in the country for Mexican food, San Francisco brings a mix of West Coast, Mexican, East Asian, and African cultures to its cuisine, arts, and lifestyle in a location that's known for its liberal attitudes and sunny weather.

Not one, but two, Vietnamese cities were among the top 20 fastest-growing tourist spots in the world last year, and the end of summer sees a huge drop-off in tourists, with the country going from high season straight into low season from August into September. Check out the  budget-friendly and food-loving Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll also find plenty of history and culture in the form of museums, monuments, and shows. The country's capital, Hanoi, is also full of great street food as well as gorgeous parks and temples – all of which make it easy to see why Vietnam is one of the best countries to live a long, happy life.