January or February Europe travel
Jun 10th, 2008, 03:02 PM
#1
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January or February Europe travel
If we do not go to Panama for our two week vacation, which needs to be in February or January, we are thinking of Europe.
I've seen several countries and cities, but certainly not all.
At that time of year, where would you go if you didn't want to freeze or be windblown?
We like villages, cities, interesting architecture, ruins, street food, bakeries.
I'm thinking about south of France including Carcassonne to Nice. What I'm wondering is would the South of France be too dreary in Winter?
If anyone is interested, I'm open to all kinds of suggestions.
Or we may bag it and go snorkling, bird watching and surfing in Panama. However, Europe certainly has a strong draw for both of us.
I've seen several countries and cities, but certainly not all.
At that time of year, where would you go if you didn't want to freeze or be windblown?
We like villages, cities, interesting architecture, ruins, street food, bakeries.
I'm thinking about south of France including Carcassonne to Nice. What I'm wondering is would the South of France be too dreary in Winter?
If anyone is interested, I'm open to all kinds of suggestions.
Or we may bag it and go snorkling, bird watching and surfing in Panama. However, Europe certainly has a strong draw for both of us.
Jun 10th, 2008, 03:44 PM
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Bump. I thought this a pretty, pretty interesting query. Really, all you in-the-knows, have you no answer? Your favorite places for Winter in Europe?
Maybe one person?
C'mon Europe board, tell me about the South of France in the Winter of the weak dollar? I love France.
Palmero? Crete?
Maybe one person?
C'mon Europe board, tell me about the South of France in the Winter of the weak dollar? I love France.
Palmero? Crete?
Jun 10th, 2008, 04:24 PM
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Crete is mostly a seasonal destination and some places close for the winter. We visited the last week of October and were told that the few restaurants that were open would be closed the following week.
I'd suggest Rome. Cities are less dreary in winter.
BTW, Many Europe board fodorite's are European and it's after midnight in Europe so you might have to wait a while longer for replies.
I'd suggest Rome. Cities are less dreary in winter.
BTW, Many Europe board fodorite's are European and it's after midnight in Europe so you might have to wait a while longer for replies.
Jun 10th, 2008, 04:44 PM
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<<Sorry. I forgot your "Fodorites" in the UK and Europe rule over here.>>
I certainly don't know what that means. There are certainly plenty of Americans on this forum.
In any event, I would go to Rome. I should point out that it's my favorite place, but I was there the third week in February, and the weather was a little colder than usual at the beginning of the week, but then warmed up. It certainly has architecture, ruins, and bakeries. Not so much street food, but lots of places where you can pick up pizza to go.
I certainly don't know what that means. There are certainly plenty of Americans on this forum.
In any event, I would go to Rome. I should point out that it's my favorite place, but I was there the third week in February, and the weather was a little colder than usual at the beginning of the week, but then warmed up. It certainly has architecture, ruins, and bakeries. Not so much street food, but lots of places where you can pick up pizza to go.
Jun 10th, 2008, 04:56 PM
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SusanP,
Rome is a city I have been avoiding for a long time. I've been to Venice and The Lakes. However, Rome seems so noisy, chaotic, carbon dioxide poisoned by cars...I have enjoyed London and Paris immensely, but London has parks and Paris has pedestrian areas.
Also, the two of us are not so keen on religious art.
I always do wonder if I would love Rome or hate it. I think you are right, in the Winter, a city would be the place to go.
Do you go to a place not knowing if you will love it or hate it? We are not really keen on religious art. I will have to think about it. A smaller place in Italy may not be right in Winter. One week in Rome, one in Florence? Or will my husband even say yes to Rome, he has never liked the idea before: the traffic, the religous part.
Rome is a city I have been avoiding for a long time. I've been to Venice and The Lakes. However, Rome seems so noisy, chaotic, carbon dioxide poisoned by cars...I have enjoyed London and Paris immensely, but London has parks and Paris has pedestrian areas.
Also, the two of us are not so keen on religious art.
I always do wonder if I would love Rome or hate it. I think you are right, in the Winter, a city would be the place to go.
Do you go to a place not knowing if you will love it or hate it? We are not really keen on religious art. I will have to think about it. A smaller place in Italy may not be right in Winter. One week in Rome, one in Florence? Or will my husband even say yes to Rome, he has never liked the idea before: the traffic, the religous part.
Jun 11th, 2008, 03:59 AM
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>>>Rome seems so noisy, chaotic, carbon dioxide poisoned by cars<<<
And then you tell us you prefer London?
If you can stand London you won't have problems with Rome. However, be prepared that even in Rome it will be pretty cold in Jan/Feb.
There will be winter everywhere in Europe. For some milder climate, the Mediterranean islands (Mallorca) or the Andalucian coastal regions might be an option.
We Europeans spend this time of year either right in the snow or we fly to the Canaries or Egypt.
And then you tell us you prefer London?
If you can stand London you won't have problems with Rome. However, be prepared that even in Rome it will be pretty cold in Jan/Feb.
There will be winter everywhere in Europe. For some milder climate, the Mediterranean islands (Mallorca) or the Andalucian coastal regions might be an option.
We Europeans spend this time of year either right in the snow or we fly to the Canaries or Egypt.
Jun 11th, 2008, 05:42 AM
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I'm not sure I can really recommend a trip that time of year to Europe. Sure, there may be some "least worst" options, such as Rome, but January and February are the low-low season for a reason.
Pretty much everywhere is relatively cold. Most of the northern cities (Paris, Berlin, London, Scandinavia, Amsterdam) will have relatively little daylight.
If you did go, I would suggest embracing the cold and dark whole-heartedly. Head to Scandinvia and go north to catch the northern lights (January). Or head to Switzerland or France and go skiing.
Pretty much everywhere is relatively cold. Most of the northern cities (Paris, Berlin, London, Scandinavia, Amsterdam) will have relatively little daylight.
If you did go, I would suggest embracing the cold and dark whole-heartedly. Head to Scandinvia and go north to catch the northern lights (January). Or head to Switzerland or France and go skiing.
Jun 11th, 2008, 06:42 AM
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We regularly travel to Europe in the second week in January. That allows us to take advantage of low air fares and academic schedules.
We found Paris to be too cold to comfortably walk around the city, a favorite occupation there. We have confined ourselves to Southern Europe since that trip.
We generally find the places cool, with frequent rain, but not uncomfortable. Rome alternated between cool and damp, and clear and in the 60's.
Southern Spain, Majorca, and Southern France all had similar periods of rain and sun.
The arc of the French Mediterranean coast from Montpelier to Perpingan has the reputation for the best winter weather. Beziers and, on a much smaller scale, Collure, are charming and have many pleasant hotels. You would have the ability to go into the Pyrenees as well, but you can expect snow from 1000 meters up.
If you go to Carcassone, consider staying about 7 kilometers East of the Cite at the Chateau du Floure. The rooms are very nice and the food is exceptional.
We found Paris to be too cold to comfortably walk around the city, a favorite occupation there. We have confined ourselves to Southern Europe since that trip.
We generally find the places cool, with frequent rain, but not uncomfortable. Rome alternated between cool and damp, and clear and in the 60's.
Southern Spain, Majorca, and Southern France all had similar periods of rain and sun.
The arc of the French Mediterranean coast from Montpelier to Perpingan has the reputation for the best winter weather. Beziers and, on a much smaller scale, Collure, are charming and have many pleasant hotels. You would have the ability to go into the Pyrenees as well, but you can expect snow from 1000 meters up.
If you go to Carcassone, consider staying about 7 kilometers East of the Cite at the Chateau du Floure. The rooms are very nice and the food is exceptional.
Jun 11th, 2008, 07:43 AM
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How about Sicily or Croatia? Sicily is a remarkable place with fascinating history, superb food, lovely villages, stunning scenery, intriguing culture.
Europe in January or February is great - so much nicer and warmer than home. I do not find them cold at all. In fact, my husband and I always just wear a light spring jacket and are astonished at people who are wearing actual winter gear! All relative, though. Regardless I would rather be in Europe in the winter than where we live, that is for sure...
Europe in January or February is great - so much nicer and warmer than home. I do not find them cold at all. In fact, my husband and I always just wear a light spring jacket and are astonished at people who are wearing actual winter gear! All relative, though. Regardless I would rather be in Europe in the winter than where we live, that is for sure...
Jun 11th, 2008, 09:21 AM
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Thanks for the ideas and facts, I certainly appreciate it. Sorry I was impatient last night.
I am going to read about The South of France and Sicily here in the Fodors old posts and in guidebooks. Also will be looking up temp info for Croatia, but I'm thinking it is too cold.
I am going to read about The South of France and Sicily here in the Fodors old posts and in guidebooks. Also will be looking up temp info for Croatia, but I'm thinking it is too cold.
Jun 11th, 2008, 04:20 PM
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Hi we went to eurpoe last feb 07 for 2 weeks we went to Rome ,spain andalucia area , and amsterdam. I thought it was a great time to go I live in Ohio so it was warmer than here. Rome was around low 60 and spain was higher 60's low 70 ,amsterdam was chilly . I wore a sweater must days touring and was not cold. We did not have the crowds and the prices were cheaper.Go for it.
Jun 11th, 2008, 05:22 PM
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I spent New Year's Eve in Greece and while the weather is nice, there were far too many closures in the islands. Despite that we managed some good sightseeing in Rhodes, but Kos was a ghost town. The good news is most everything was open in Athens. About a year later in went on a Med cruise in November which made stops on some Greek islands. November was even better in terms of closures and weather, but next time I'll go in another season.
<i>disclaimer</i> I was not a Fodorite when I took the New Year's Eve trip, that's why I was so ill-informed about Greek winter closures.
I have also been to Lisbon on New Year's Eve and that I do recommend. It was a little chilly but quite bearable, and Portugal is a lovely country at any time of year.
<i>disclaimer</i> I was not a Fodorite when I took the New Year's Eve trip, that's why I was so ill-informed about Greek winter closures.
I have also been to Lisbon on New Year's Eve and that I do recommend. It was a little chilly but quite bearable, and Portugal is a lovely country at any time of year.
