If you’re like most people, you try to get away to somewhere warm in the middle of a long winter.

And sometime during the summer, perhaps you take the kids to Florida. Or maybe to Alaska, where the sun shines as many as 22 hours a day.

During those peak seasons, prices tend to rise with the higher demand, so travel consultants often advise travelers to take their trips during the slower season. But there’s another option: a little-known travel season which may be the best of both worlds.

“We call it ‘shoulder season’ because it’s the time between high and low season,” said Carol DiOrio, vice president of travel at AAA Western and Central New York. “It’s a fantastic time to travel because you can usually get a good deal. Plus, it’s usually not too crowded wherever you are.”

Instead of going to Walt Disney World during spring break or winter break, DiOrio said, go a few weeks before or after.

“Since most kids are in school, and you’re not basing your vacation around a holiday, it tends to be less crowded there,” DiOrio said. “Resorts need to fill up the rooms then, too, so it’s much easier to get a flight and a package deal. Shoulder season is a great travel secret.”

If you’re not sure when the shoulder season is for a particular area, or even for a specific resort, contact a AAA travel consultant.

Best times to save

• Alaska:May and early to mid-September
• Europe: April through mid-June and September-October
• Hawaii: April-May, September to early December
• New York City: June-August
• Walt Disney World: May and September

Find a AAA Travel Consultant