Time to Travel
When is a good time to travel to Europe ?
Checking out the time @ Musee D’Orsay in Paris, France
The answer to this common question will be unique to your life situation and travel dreams. For everyone though, I always suggest to travel whenever you can … you may read about the “best time” to travel to various locations based on the high season vs low season, etc. However, I think that the best time is actually whenever it is possible in your life !
If you have flexibility to choose, great! If you are limited by life (ex. work or school schedule), then don’t let what others say is “best” give you pause - simply make the best of when your schedule allows for travel. You absolutely can have a great trip to Europe any time of year - you only need a bit of patience and careful planning to make choices that will create your “trip of a lifetime”!
There will always be factors you cannot control. One of them is the season or weather… It would be a shame to let these things hold you back!
Weather has been a factor in several of my trips to Europe. Heat waves are common in the summer months - I’ve sweated through my fair share of extreme heat above 100 F. The key to traveling is to expect that you will need to adapt to the weather.
Too hot outside ?
Plan to get out early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temps. Go inside to hide from the sun during the mid-day - I love to return to my apartment for an afternoon nap and possibly a second shower before heading back out in late afternoon or evening to explore more when the temperatures drop a bit.
The degree of heat is relative to the location. Highs in near 90 F in Sicily? no one even seems to notice - very normal for summertime on this sunny island. However, in Scotland I’ve heard special announcements on the public service announcement systems in train stations to warn people to drink plenty of water and keep the elderly and pets indoors when the thermometer hit 89 F !
Sweaty Day ? Head to the nearest beach like here @ Lido di Ostia, Italy to beat the heat !
A cold snap ?
Unexpected weather sometimes calls for some shopping too! One trip to France in April was so unexpectedly chilly that I now have a warm hat, a scarf and gloves - these are souvenirs that give me a smile when I wear them at home. Who expects it to be snowing when you land in Paris in April ? Well, I didn’t.
Surprise Snow @ Paris CDG Airport
If you take these surprises in stride, the weather becomes part of your travel story instead of a problem. Colder than expected? You may have a warm jacket or hoodie to take home with you. Raining? You may bring home an umbrella from Europe.
PLANNING TIPS:
If you have a choice, there are some key factors that you have the flexibility to consider as you pick your trip timeframe:
Season - weather, hours of sunshine, etc
Location - some places are more popular with increased crowds at certain times of year while other places are “off the beaten path” and less crowded. There are so many options that are waiting to be discovered!
Personal “Wish List” - don’t forget to honor your preferences even if this includes places that are “popular”. NOTE: I like to do some research into popular places. Many times these are popular for very good reason and are well-worth the effort to visit. There may be tricks to make a visit more pleasant during busy times. On the other hand, sometimes, places become popular but may let you down because they are over-hyped through social media or suffer from over-tourism. A little research can help you have an idea of what to expect and make an informed decision.
Locked into a specific timeframe ? You still will have choices, especially in your destinations. Making informed decisions can help make your trip fantastic!
Does a little (or a lot) of help in planning an amazing trip in Europe sound good ? Take advantage of my experiences with travelling in Europe. Read more about my services and contact me to get started!
