Travel Europe-Best Times to Travel to Europe

Choosing the Best Times to Travel to Europe A journey to Europe is the holiday of a lifetime. Limitless sites and attractions are waiting throughout the continent. The prices and the weather are the major elements in deciding the prime travel periods. A good compromise is to choose the period before and after the busy summer season, because the weather is mostly good and prices are lower. Southern Europe also offers a nice experience in the winter, with reasonably mild weather. For sun lovers, winter is the worst time to visit northern Europe. The weather in December, January and February is cold, wet, and gray. There are too few hours of daylight. Many of the shops close in some countries and the weather isn't nice enough for outdoor tours. You will be limited to indoor activities for most of your trip. If cost is the major travel factor, though, the cheapest prices are found in winter. Greece and Italy would be fine choices if a winter vacation is scheduled. Other benefits are attached to winter travel. Exciting winter festivals are commonplace, and big cities like Paris have wonderful Christmas deocrations. Another benefit is there aren't many tourists in these months. You will get to see more of authentic European life than you would in the summer season. Most of Europe is still chilly and wet in early spring, particularly in the north, meaning the streets are still uncrowded. Weather is, however, warm enough for outdoor tours and sightseeing, though usually not great for swimming. During this season, prices for hotels and airfare are reasonable, so budget-minded travelers take advantage. Among the best months to visit Europe are May and June, when it's still relatively uncrowded and the weather is mostly nice. Cultural events and festivals are plentiful, and good deals are available on airfare and lodging. You will find adequate space in restaurants and on tours, and tourist attractions have few line ups. Once schools let out, Europe quickly becomes crowded. The summer months are very busy and hotels get booked quickly. Because of the demand, everything is more expensive in the summer. Tourist destinations are very crowded and you will wait in lines at many attractions. If you must travel in the summer, visit the northern countries. These areas are less crowded and the weather is beautiful. The Edinburgh festival in Scotland goes on for most of the month of August.