Once considered an off-the-beaten-path destination, Dubrovnik has easily become one of Europe’s hottest vacation spots -- especially during the summer, when crowds reach their peak. For more elbow room, consider a trip there later in the season and into the fall, when prices soften considerably. Case in point: Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel's Discover Dubrovnik package, covering five nights plus extra perks from $146 per night.

The package is valid for travel from September 1 to October 31, and you must book by September 15. The rate covers standard room accommodations, daily breakfast, and complimentary access to the wellness center at the hotel -- plus a guided walking tour of Old Town Dubrovnik, a 150-page guidebook, and a card that gets you free access to five museums, two galleries, the city walls, plus 24-hour bus rides. And did we mention the return airport transfer? That’s at least $100-$150 in extras, nearly the equivalent of a one-night stay.

We tested out the offer and found that the package is available September 11-18 and 26-30, as well as all of October outside of October 6-11. Best of all, you'll be able to snag the lowest rate of $146 on all of these dates.

For comparison, the standard rates throughout September start from $175. They do slip back down to $146 for October stays, but that price doesn't include any of the package extras. If you wanted to visit in August, rates are from $204 -- a difference of nearly $60 per night.

More about the hotel: Guests who check into one of the 385 guestrooms will enjoy views of either the ocean, park, or atrium. Four onsite bars and lounges are ideal for grabbing a cocktail to watch the sunset, while an indoor and a few outdoor pools are perfect for swimming no matter the weather. For meals, tuck into the breakfast and dinner buffets at Lacroma Restaurant, or order from the a la carte menu at Langusto Fine Dining.