Let's forget the binary between duration and seasonality, because it is not the length of your stay that dictates the price, but rather your flexibility of dates that opens doors. In Japan, for example, Golden Week sees prices soar for everyone, whether you leave for two days or two weeks. The trick is to travel outside the peaks, even for a short duration. An extended weekend in the middle of the week, after spring high season, costs much less than a full week during the school holiday rush.