Welcome to The Off Season Traveller , a new offering from Desire To Travel, created for those who want something quieter, deeper, and more meaningful.
See the world when no one else is looking.
The Off Season Traveller is a new offering from Desire To Travel, born from a question we hear often: "Do you run tours in the quieter months?" Now, we do, and they're some of our favourites.
We still visit our signature destinations, Malta, Sicily, Sardinia, but at a different time of year, when the pace slows, the light softens, and the soul of a place reveals itself. We’re also adding new gems, like a 6-day food and history tour in Bologna, and an East Coast Sicilian escape based in Syracuse, focused on Baroque towns and slow-cooked traditions.
Off-season travel is not second-best, it’s the best-kept secret. Fewer crowds, deeper connections, richer experiences.
The Off Season Traveller, created for those who want something a little more thoughtful, a little less rushed, and a lot more real.
Bologna / turino tour:
5 - 13 November 2026
Savour the best of Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont on our 9-day Bologna, Turin & Langhe Food & Wine Journey, part of The Off Season Traveller series. With fewer tourists and deeper local connections, you’ll wander historic porticoes, sip royal-era vermouths in Turin’s grand cafés, and taste world-class wines straight from the cellars of Barolo and Barbaresco producers. From pasta-making in Bologna to truffle hunting in the rolling hills of the Langhe, this is more than a culinary tour, it’s an immersion into centuries-old rituals of hospitality. Come curious, leave enriched, in flavour, friendship and memory.
SICILY tour:
17 - 25 November 2026
Experience Sicily's beauty and rich history on a nine-day adventure! Discover hidden gems like Trapani and the west side of Sicily away from crowds. Explore charming towns, pristine beaches, and historical sites from Erice to the temple of Segesta. Immerse yourself in Sicilian culture and traditions on this intimate tour, creating lasting memories. Join us for a journey through Sicily's authentic treasures!
Malta tour:
28 November - 6 December 2026
If you’re passionate about immersing yourself in the culture and history of Malta join us on our extraordinary, nine day journey. From Gozo to the walled city of Valletta and everywhere in between. You’ll experience traditional foods, witness stunning scenery and marvel at some of Europe’s finest churches and palaces. All while staying in beautiful, boutique accommodation.
Istanbul tour:
10 - 18 December 2026
Experience Istanbul beyond the postcards on our upcoming Food, Culture & History Journey, currently in development as part of The Off Season Traveller series. From wandering the ancient bazaars and royal mosques to joining hands-on cooking classes and local street-food tastings, this tour peels back the layers of the city to reveal the Istanbul that locals love, not just the one tourists queue for. You’ll explore iconic landmarks, of course, but you’ll also share tea with neighbourhood shopkeepers, dine where families have cooked for generations, and discover the flavours that shaped an empire. We’ll be pairing Istanbul with a regional escape — the question is, do we head deep into the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, or unwind by the azure coast of Antalya?