TRAVELLER LOW S E A SON
Issue 7 March 2024
WINTER EXPERIENCES IN TROMSØ, NORWAY Exploring the Arctic Circle in the world’s northernmost university city.
NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED Culinary delights in low season Goa.
BALI’S DAY OF SILENCE A serene journey of self-discovery in the low season.
M AGA Z INE
FEATURED DESTINATIONS:
QUÉBEC MOROCCO SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE SCOTLAND HUA HIN MEXICO AND MUCH MORE...
? n e p p a h t i e d a m o h W Meet the team Featured and Destinations contributors
Publishing
Publisher and CEO at Low Season Traveller Ged is the founder and CEO of Low Season Traveller; the world’s first organisation completely dedicated to the promotion of travel during the off-peak seasons in each destination as a way to alleviate the growing problem of over-tourism. A passionate advocate of the advantages of tourism, Ged has spent his entire career working with leading travel and tourism organisations.
Contributors Claire French Claire has crossed the globe, living and working on 6 continents. She’s now working on Low Season Traveller feature pieces and dreaming of her next adventure from her narrow boat home on a quiet stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, where it seems to be permanently low season.
Katha Nauriyal Katha is based in Mumbai with her roots in the Himalayas. She has pursued her master’s degree in Leeds, and has since been writing about travel and hospitality — including unique homes in Lombok and day excursions from Vienna. Her portfolio includes Travel + Leisure, Trip.com (of Skyscanner) and National Geographic Traveller.
Ryan Maley
Content Development, Community Manager & Editor, Low Season Traveller Ryan is our Content Development and Community Manager, as well as Editor of the Low Season Traveller Magazine. Ryan has worked in the travel industry for almost a decade, developing content and campaigns in his home city of Manchester, UK. He is passionate about sustainable travel, and believes that travel should be accessible to all as it truly makes for a more well-rounded and culturally intelligent society.
Chris Flynn Chris is a member of the LST Advisory Board and is also the Founder & Executive Chairman of The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage. With more than 30 years’ experience in international tourism, Chris is a regular speaker at high profile international events and provides insights to leading news media channels such as BBC World News Asia Business Report.
Jay Swanson Jay Swanson arrived in Paris in 2017 for a job that didn’t exist on a visa no one had ever seen before. Somehow he made it work. He’s an American author and YouTuber who shared his entire experience starting over in Paris through daily vlogs - including finding all of the most delicious niche and international spots to eat across the city. Today his videos, guide, and the recommendations in both have led thousands of happy visitors on the trip of a lifetime in the City of Light.
Lisa TE Sonne Editor-at-Large
An award-winning writer who explored seven continents, dove many seas, and wrote for airline, Time-Life, and National Geographic media. Her books include “My Adventures” and “The Great Outdoors” for Quarto Publishers. Wrote for Oscar-winning and Emmy-winning projects. Co-founder- CharityChecks.org; member of Space.com’s launch team and The Explorers Club.
Tony Hallwood Business Development Director Tony’s career has covered senior director roles for major travel companies including SAGA, Cosmos, Airtours and My Travel. Tony’s strengths are building strong partnerships with airlines, tour operators and national tourism partners alongside maximising his extensive PR and media experience to promote a wide range of new destinations, routes and services.
Chris McNicholl Chris is a designer with over 20 years experience in the design industry. Working with some of the biggest brands on the planet in top studios and publications in London. Chris has travelled extensively and worked with Low Season Travellor from the start. Now based in New Zealand he runs Overflowcreative.co.nz.
Advertising: Get in touch with Tony Hallwood at: Tony@lowseasontraveller.com
Low Season Traveller
Ged Brown
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Low Season Traveller
Editor’s note
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Editor’s note
Welcome to the seventh edition of the Low Season Traveller magazine, and the first edition of 2024. December seems a long time ago, but I hope you had a well-rested festive break and that we can help to inspire some of your low season travels for the year ahead. In this edition we’re featuring some fabulous destinations, including abundant nature in Québec; the mountain ranges, sandy beaches, and bustling cities of Morocco; and São Tomé and Príncipe’s unique fusion of Europe and Africa. We’ll explore castles, coastlines, and whisky in Scotland; sports and wellness in Hua Hin, Thailand; and the colours and culture of Mexico.
the region’s low season, whilst I share some of my favourite experiences from a recent trip to Tromsø, Norway. In the latest of our Meet the Low Season Travellers series, Jay Swanson, the creator of Paris in my Pocket, talks us through his early fascination with the French capital, and some of his top low season picks in the city. If you’ve got an idea for a wonderful low season destination, or a story to tell from a recent trip, I’d love to hear from you on the email below. Until next time,
We’ll also dive into the rituals and significance of Nyepi, Bali’s day of silence, which signifies the commencement of the Balinese New Year. Contributor Katha Nauriyal explores some of Goa’s hottest culinary experiences in the peace of
Contribute to Low Season Traveller Magazine We’re looking to grow our team of amazing contributors that are sharing their top tips and best bits of low season travel in LST Magazine. If you’re an avid writer, traveller and are passionate about sustainable travel and combating the issue of over tourism, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch at editor@lowseasontraveller.com
Low Season Traveller
Ryan Maley Editor ryan@lowseasontraveller.com
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Contents
Trom
Québec
San Diego
Scotland
Paris, Franc France
Morocco
Mexico
São Tomé an
Bolivia Featured destination
Low Season Traveller
Low season journey
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Podcast Cultural heritage Featured Photograph
Contributors..............................................................................02
Meet the Low Season Travellers.............................................39
Note From the Editor..................................................................03
Featured Destination: Scotland...............................................43
Contents......................................................................................05
Featured Photograph................................................................51
Ged’s Update...............................................................................07
Featured Destination: Hua Hin, Thailand...............................53
Featured Destination: Québec.................................................09
Bali’s Day of Silence..................................................................59
Culinary Delights of Low Season Goa...................................15
Featured Destination: Mexico.................................................65
Featured Destination: Morocco...............................................21
Cultural Heritage........................................................................71
Winter in Tromsø, Norway.......................................................27
Climate Friendly Accommodation.........................................77
Featured Destination: São Tomé and Príncipe.....................33
Top 5 Travel Podcasts................................................................81
msø, Norway
ce
Japan
Nepal Goa Hua Hin, Thailand
nd Príncipe Bali
Low Season Traveller
Madagascar
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Meet The Low Season Travellers
Low Season Traveller
Meet the
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Featured Meet TheDestination: Low SeasonZimbabwe Travellers
Low Season
Travellers
Originally hailing from the States, Jay Swanson dreamed of living in France. An initial visit to Nice failed to ignite a love affair with the country, though travelling back through Paris was the beginning of a journey that would result in a move to the French capital. Giving advice and creating content on his favourite places he discovered in the city, Jay launched the popular platform Paris in my Pocket to showcase the Paris he loves. In this interview, Jay shares how Paris in my Pocket came about, the cultural differences he faced between the US and Paris, and some of his recommendations and tips for first time or long time visitors.
Photo credits: My Paris Portraits
Jay: I never got to travel when I was a kid - unless you consider camping out of the back of the family station wagon in the nearest state park ‘travel.’ Despite being bound to the Inland Northwest of the US, I had an inexplicable desire to go to France. It led me to study French. Eventually it led me to live here. I first moved to Nice and while I don’t know what I expected, Nice wasn’t it. At the time I thought ‘Well, at least I solidified my French.’ But then I passed through Paris on my way back to the States and realised THIS was what I’d always wanted. Paris was what my heart had been yearning for. I made it my mission to move back. Ryan: What are some of the cultural and lifestyle differences you faced in Paris? Jay: Nothing happens on a reasonable time scale in Paris, by my American ‘can-do-attitude’ standards and expectations. (Left) Jay and Cooper at a coffeeshop
You’re more likely to be told something is ‘impossible’ by any French service staff as you are to see them jump to attention at the opportunity to help you. But the slower pace of life has major benefits. It gives meals space to breathe, friends time to connect, and your stress from city life the chance to properly dissipate before it gets too far under the skin. Ryan: What is Paris in my Pocket and how did you come to start it? Jay: When daily vlogging my life in Paris I got asked for recommendations every day. Everything from where to eat to where to stay and how to avoid the scams that were certainly lurking around every corner. Eventually I wised up and put my regular responses, and eventually so much more, into a PDF that grew into a 140 page book. That book has evolved from “Jay Swanson’s Guide to Paris” into the online, dynamic guide that exists at parisinmypocket.com today. It means I can add and remove places at will, and we have so much planned for its future.
Low Season Traveller
Ryan: Tell me about your early travels and fascination with Paris.
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Meet The Low Season Travellers
Jay and Fox from Good News Coffee Ryan: What are some of your favourite off-the-beatentrack things to do in the city?
Low Season Traveller
Jay: Get to Canal Saint Martin while you’re in Paris. It’s become a highway to delicious food and makes for a fantastic stroll in any season. With the little bridges crossing every hundred metres, boats passing through locks, and locals drinking along its banks, you can’t go wrong. And as you’ll be coming in colder weather (if you’re seeking the true low season) then sneak into some warmth at the Atelier des Lumieres for an hour long immersive art experience. Just get your tickets online (and at least a few hours in advance).
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Ryan: Where are some of your favourite non-touristy places to eat and drink? Jay: If you’re craving French classics, then I’d head to Brasserie Dubillot on Rue Saint Denis. The street itself is
famous as the former backbone of prostitution in the city and still has some signs of that history, which makes it a fun if ridiculous stroll, but it’s also loaded with great restaurants I’d recommend in a heartbeat. Including Petit Bao - a Chinese delight at the southern end of the same street. Ryan: Do you have any tips or tricks for first-time visitors to the city? Jay: It sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how often this is overlooked: Always say “Bonjour” when entering an establishment. It announces your presence but, more importantly, fulfills a French ritual that outsiders are mostly unaware exists. You’re stepping into the extension of someone’s home, and it’s considered polite to start with a “Bonjour.” Keep that alongside a few phrases to try in French and you’ll quickly see an improvement in your interactions across the board.
Download Paris in my Pocket at: www.parisinmypocket.com. Eiffel Tower, 15e arrondissement (right)
Low Season Traveller
Meet The Low Season Travellers
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Low Season Traveller
Cultural Heritage
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Cultural Heritage
cultural heritage icons When it comes to cultural heritage wonders, some iconic sites like the Great Wall of China or the Taj Mahal often steal the spotlight. However, our world is filled with hidden gems that showcase the rich tapestry of human history and cultural diversity. In a regular feature in collaboration with our partners at The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage, we embark on a journey to discover five lesser-known cultural heritage wonders which you may not be aware of. These extraordinary sites offer unique insights into ancient civilizations, artistry, and remarkable human achievements.
SWAYAMBHUNATH, NEPAL TSINGY DE BEMARAHA, MADAGASCAR Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a striking and unique landscape. Known for its limestone karst formations, the ‘tsingy’ are needle-like limestone formations that create a spectacular and otherworldly terrain. This park is also home to diverse wildlife, including several lemur species. Visiting during the quieter months allows adventurers to traverse its dramatic landscapes and suspension bridges with fewer distractions, fully immersing in its natural beauty and the distinct ecological system. This experience is not just a visual feast but a journey into one of the world’s most unique geological wonders.
Low Season Traveller
Swayambhunath, affectionately known as the ‘Monkey Temple’, is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. It offers a panoramic view of the city and is a significant site for Buddhists and Hindus alike. The stupa, with its iconic Buddha eyes, is surrounded by temples and shrines. During the low season, visitors can experience a more peaceful atmosphere, allowing for a reflective exploration of its intricate carvings, prayer wheels, and the harmonious coexistence of different religious practices. This time also provides a unique opportunity to engage more deeply with the local monks and devotees, understanding the site’s spiritual significance.
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Climate Friendly Accomodation
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Climate Friendly Accommodation IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR FRIENDS AT THE CLIMATE FRIENDLY TRAVEL CLUB, WE HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE MOST SUSTAINABLE AND CLIMATE FRIENDLY TRAVEL OPTIONS FOR A VARIETY OF DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THIS MONTH WE FOCUS ON BALI, COSTA RICA, GRENADA AND ZIMBABWE.
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Climate Friendly Accomodation
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Featured Podcasts
of the best podcasts Low Season Traveller Insider Guides provide low season travel insights into what tourism destinations offer during their low seasons and also identify when is the best time to experience their destination. Here, we’ve picked out five of our favourite most recent podcasts.
Low Season Traveller
LOW SEASON PARIS
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In this episode of the Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, host Ged Brown is joined by Jay Swanson, the creator of Paris In My Pocket, to discuss the overlooked allure of low season tourism in Paris. Jay provides unique insight into Paris, revealing the charm of local experiences, under-the-radar spots, and the inviting café culture of the city. He discusses the importance of integrating oneself into
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the rhythm of life in Paris, recommending the simple pleasure of people-watching. Jay also touches on the significance of French food and wine as he points out the city’s international food scene. He offers tips for first-time travellers, focusing on the balance between tourist attractions and hidden gems, and encourages exploration as the key to a fulfilling Parisian trip.
Featured Podcasts
Host Honor Morrison is joined by Vikki, the Managing Director for MacLean and Bruce, a small luxury travel business in Scotland. MacLean and Bruce focus on providing authentic Scottish experiences, making Vikki the ideal guest as she guides you through Scotland in the low season, the advantages and disadvantages to low season travel, the best places to visit, and top tips from someone on the inside. Vikki advises that you mix with the locals, dress appropriately and appreciate the great outdoors.
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Low Season Traveller
SCOTLAND: AIR LIKE COLD CHAMPAGNE
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LOW SEASON TRAVEL MAKES YOU FEEL FREE