Avoid the coach-trips and the crowds and venture someone lesser known in low season for the ultimate holiday experience.

Peak season comes but once a year and if you haven’t sorted something out for during these prime holiday months, it won’t wait for you. Never mind your best intentions, time will always still slip its moorings and disappear over the horizon. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s simply a matter of perspective.

Put simply, off-season is by far the most civilised time to travel. Not for you the 4.00am airport queues, sky-high prices and warm rosé, evening cicadas drowned out by the gentle thud of Balearic house beats and the sea shining beneath a slick of Ambre Solaire. No, you might have left it late, but that simply means you can relax and recalibrate while everyone else struggles with back-to-school panic.

Make the most of Britain in August. Clear your inbox, pay your bills and get tons done while everyone is away, then saunter off for warm seas, end-of-season deals, empty roads, fascinating destinations and a chance to genuinely recharge. Here is how, with a little help from Black Tomato co-founder Mr Tom Marchant:

What do you want from your holiday: an off-peak retreat or a last-minute bargain? Hedonism, adventure or retreat? “Travelling within the shoulder season – which comes either side of peak season – or even low season allows you to take advantage of amazing prices and offers on luxury holidays,” says Mr Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato. When it comes to advice, the web is a great start for inspiration, but nothing quite beats speaking to someone who has been there. First step is to combine your ideas with your budget, a weather report and an idea of how far you’re willing to travel.

**· **It’s not just flights and packages that come down in price – Airbnb and other accommodation options will be cheaper in the quieter months.

**· **Some costs – such as food and drink – won’t change between seasons, so do remember to factor them in.

**· **It might seem obvious, but experts will be able to help you make the most of lower prices and offers outside of the high season.

You don’t have to move outside your comfort zone, but sometimes it helps. There’s no point going to Australia if you’ve only got a week, nor splitting for Thailand in rainy season… but you can still hit Mexico, Miami and Mauritius direct from the UK. Beware of places being too hot as well. The Emirates in summer might seem like a great idea from the office, but you will be quite literally in the desert – so do check what sort of climate you’ll be landing into. Some places are far more interesting and enjoyable when the weather’s a little cooler.

· South Africa is a great option for an off-season safari adventure with zero jetlag, no crowds and delightful food.

· Sri Lanka is an “intrepid destination that’s still fairly accessible during low season”, says Mr Marchant.

· Summer is Jamaica’s low season. Hole up in a chic resort and enjoy the island without being beset by tourists.

“Our clients increasingly seek ways to disconnect and to become immersed in a new destination,” says Mr Marchant. “Learning a new skill together or reaching a goal while travelling is a great way to do this.” Exploring some sort of unique geographical phenomenon or getting involved in a cultural happening is the best way to get off the beaten track and do something different – and you can still bookend your adventure with plenty of relaxation. In many ways it makes the experience not just more authentic but more enjoyable, too – and it’s so much better to have earned your tan by doing something different.

· Explore the Altai mountains on horseback and go hunting with golden eagles in Mongolia in October.

· See the great Caribou migration, swim with beluga whales and watch the Northern Lights in the wilderness of Manitoba, Canada.

· Immerse yourself in the art of the ninja, sumo wrestling and the very best of traditional Japanese culture.