Thanks to Eddie Schmid of WhereIveBeen.com (@whereivebeen on Twitter), FareCompare Deals Guest Blogger

Fall in the Northern Hemisphere officially starts today at 4:18 central standard time. You might feel blindsided, but there’s no one to blame, really — it’s an arbitrary date, and the definition of “fall” climate-wise varies by region anyway.

For many destinations this side of the equator, though, “fall” is synonymous with “low season,” which is music to the ears of the cheapskate jetsetter.

The leaves may change colors, the wind gets a bit more brisk and the town square may get a bit lonely, but the dedicated miser does not let such trifles get in the way of their saving cash. Low season travel is a consistent talking point from travel gurus, but which areas should you set your sights on and what should you expect when you’re there?

How about – Europe. Keep reading…

Deals in Europe – Visit during low season and save

Find flights to Europe from your home airport – Flights to Europe dip below $700 from many US/Canada cities

Low season in Europe is not only true for tourists but also often so for residents — Europeans flee the cold weather as if Godzilla emerged from the Mediterranean. Discounts in airfare and hospitality typically take off in October. Here are a few places to benefit from the lack of traffic and better prices:

Venice – The open air in St. Mark’s Square during fall can make your nose a bit red, but head there late in the year and you’ll face no real competition to any of its landmarks. The hotels instead end up doing the competing, as they often stumble over one another with discounts to get business. Don’t hesitate to haggle if the joint seems desolate.

Sicily – The hilly Sicily retains some of the warmest weather (albeit in the low 60 degrees Fahrenheit) in Europe during October and November, making it one of the more appealing “low-season” stops for tourists. Hop a Ryanair flight out of Milan or Pisa to Palermo (some $25-$40 one-way) or an Easyjet flight out of Rome to Palermo (some $35 one-way) and scope out the ruins of Syracuse and the Valley of the Temples.

Vienna – Vienna might be one of the most expensive cities in Europe and its off-season weather can be none too pleasant. But off-season is also when the best symphonies and choirs put on dazzling displays for the locals, and museums like the Kunsthistorisches showcase their world-class art to few spectators.