Let’s face it – we all want to go to Europe at some point in our lives. The question is, when is the best time to go? Prices and weather are two major aspects to consider, and are the best places to start your thoughts about a trip overseas.
To find the best price, you will need to compromise with the weather. Before and after the summer season, tickets are cheaper and more readily available. There are also winter travels that are just as fulfilling due to beautiful landscapes and mild climates.
If weather is a primary concern for you, the months of December, January, and February will be a waste of time for you. These months are primarily cold and gray, with daylight hours in short supply.
Traveling to Europe is like a see saw of preference. While the winter months do not offer much in outside festivities, it does offer quite a bit of excitement with the holiday season. New Years and Christmas can be very fulfilling in terms of a winter vacation due to the decorations and winter festivals that take place during that time of year. Paris is one of the most beautiful places during the holidays and several other countries celebrate the year’s end as well.
One of the best aspects of traveling off peak season is the low amount of tourists that you will see. This makes for a more authentic European experience by eliminating the masses of people that come from all over the world to tour the history and elegance which Europe offers. Winter in Europe is not going to allow you to sip margaritas at the beach but it will enable you to take advantage of cheap airline prices, hotels, and tours.
May and June are also great months to visit without the tourist saturation. The weather is warm and while they are gearing up for the tourist season you can partake in festivals and cultural events that are happening all around the continent. Another additional bonus is that you will find cheap airfare, reasonable hotel prices, and fewer people due to the peak season being right around the corner.
Traveling during peak season is expensive and crowded. There is no way to sugar coat this. Once school is out, hotels get booked, restaurants and tourist attractions are busier, and everything is more expensive due to the high demand of tourism that exists.
If you are a summer traveler you might want to explore Northern Europe. All in all no matter what you decide, where you go, and what you do, you will find plenty of attractions and things to keep you occupied for the duration of your stay in Europe.
