The off season is heaven and why I tend to travel during these times. The Algarve was like this in February with restaurants not requiring any pre bookings and plenty of specials to lure you in. The temperature was an idyllic sunny 18 degrees and I was walking around in flip flops and summer clothes whilst locals wore jerseys and jackets. Why anyone would intentionally go out of their way to book a trip when the pace is jam packed and 40 degrees sounds like hell to me. I have changed my ideas of what is hot these days after the 56 degree days in Dubai and the locals mentioned we missed the hot months.