New Delhi

With school out and traditional destinations prone to crowds, finding value and quiet in your summer vacation can be an onerous task. But there’s an alternative. Affording an opportunity to hit iconic destinations at a fraction of the cost, the off-season summer getaway is moving into the mainstream. The Swiss Alps, for example, teem with activity and high prices in winter, but right now rates are lower and the jagged mountain peaks are prime for hiking and mountain biking. Herein, eight destinations to explore off-season.

As the annual Fourth of July celebrations recede in a haze of firework smoke and backyard BBQs, it left us feeling a little patriotic. The revelry may have become something of an art form in America, but nations around the globe celebrate their independence in a variety of fascinating and often quirky ways. Read on as we take a closer look at some of the larger celebrations, providing a little hotel inspiration along the way.