Europe? When to Go? (cost, hotel, Paris, hotel)

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

What is the best time of year to go to Europe, I am thinking like London, Paris, Germany, Scotland.

I have a child in School aswell. I look at several books and website I just cant see when it is the optimal time to go. We get the last two weeks of the year off, I would love to go then but I have heard everything is closed so i might no be worth it. Is summer really too crazy and crowded to go.

Please Help me make up my mind!

Thanks

M

[rational1]

Given a choice I would say late spring or early fall. England and Scotland can be rainy anytime, I don't know if spring or fall is better. Winter is a difficult time to be sightseeing.

Many things in Paris close in August (when Parisians like to vacation).

Major tourist sites in the big cities will be very crowded during the summer. Hotel prices and air will be higher too.

[CRock]

I like to travel in the spring and fall to Europe, It's before/after the crazy summer season cranks up and the weather is always good. I am leaving today for Spain and Italy!

[MyTarge13]

I have had a lot of success going to Europe in September / October. I even went to Italy in late February and had a lot of fun.

Going off season does save money and is less crowded. However, the days can be short and the weather touchy.

If you are going to London or Paris I would suggest sticking with going off season. However, Germany and Scotland should be fine in May / June.

[Jesse44]

At the end of the year is the only time you can go? Just do it then. It'll be cheaper, no crowds, and I imagine Europe + the possibility of snow sounds really beautiful.

[Newdaawn]

By the "end of the year" do you mean in late December? Friends of mine went in Sept. and said it was wonderful. Perhaps your student gets an April break as we do here in New England.

[Wilkester2010]

I wouldn't recommend summer i.e. high season. It's very expensive then. Spring or Fall would be better cost wise. If the only time you can go is the end of the year then, go then. There will still be stuff worth seeing. The Tower of London should still be open. There'll be lots of shows to see in London plus, the Christmas lights will be up. I think Germany has special Christmas markets that time of year though I've never done any sightseeing there.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I've been in every season. Each has its pros and cons. September/October might be rainy. February/March might be cold. Summer might be crowded.

Shoulder season (spring/fall) tends to be cheaper airfare, but cheaper than what? $1,200 versus $900? Getting yourself overseas can be a pricey option, so you might as well go when you like. If your kids enjoy castles and such, the weather does not matter a whole lot. If they enjoy hiking/walking, maybe you should think about late spring/early summer.

When we took our kids, we did one 3 week trip in March/April and another at the end of May. The school-work they missed did not matter much, and they wrote reports on their trips.

A couple years ago we went to France and Spain in mid-December, we found open jaw tickets (into Toulouse, out of Madrid) for a bit over $800. Loved the Christmas markets and imaginative lights and displays. We were lucky with the weather, it was crisp but dry. There were some closings for Christmas Day but everything was pretty much business as usual.

I went to Paris and Lisbon this past July. My ticket was over $1,000. Oh well. The weather was glorious, I had a wonderful time, and everything went smoothly.

Weigh your preferences and options, and go from there.

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Originally Posted by Newdaawn

By the "end of the year" do you mean in late December? Friends of mine went in Sept. and said it was wonderful. Perhaps your student gets an April break as we do here in New England.

Yes, the last two weeks of December. My job give us that time of the year off and my son is out of school. So we often travel during that time.