Travel

This year, I visited two popular tourist spots during the off-season: the Montenegrin coast in April and Lake Garda in Italy in October

The weather was warm, but the water was still a bit too chilly for swimming - that was probably the only downside. On the bright side, there were almost no tourists, and it felt like stepping into a magical, quiet world

Walking along quiet promenades and staying in almost empty hotels, either waking up for the season or settling into winter, brought an incredible sense of calm.. It felt like time slowed down, and I could just be in the moment and enjoy it

That sounds like a really nice experience. And your photos are magical. 

Do hotels stay open after things slow down?

Some hotels close early for the winter, while others stay open. However, it's best to visit before the season fully winds down, when it's not too cold and bike and windsurf rentals are still available - then there are still lots of things to do

Got it. It's been a rule of thumb to travel during off-season. Sometimes off season means bad weather or fewer attractions, but seems like you found the perfect timing to have an enjoyable trip.