Our first trip to Europe (Germany and a bit of Italy and Austria) was four years ago on our 25th anniversary. I am excited to begin planning trip number two for the 30th anniversary Summer 2014.
One of my first decisions is to try to decide what would be the best month to travel in. Our last trip was late June which was rainy and cloudy. I have no idea if that was typcial? We would certainly like to have sunshine this time around.
Airfare has also DOUBLED since our last trip. Are there certain times of year that I may be able to find a better deal? We are not interested in winter travel but don't need summer swimming weather. We have some flexibilty.
We want to go everywhere, which is of course impossible, but are exploring the idea of Italy, Solvenia, Croatia area.
Thank you very much for any help you can give me in how to start planning!
Please help a Europe newbie
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We've been quite a few places over the years. You might enjoy my trip reports. I often include where we stayed as well as what we did and how we got there. www.rimerson.com
Rob
Weatherwise, spring or fall would be better. It's very hot in Croatia, Slovenia, and lots of Italy in the summer.
I've found prices to be better if I fly before Memorial Day (assuming you're looking at US airlines); sometimes I've seen a dramatic jump before and after the holiday. The same might be true for after Labor Day, but I haven't checked. If you can go in April/May or September/October, you'll have fewer crowds than in the summer, and likely at least somewhat cheaper prices (though not as cheap as February, but there's a reason for that!).
August would be a bad time in general as it's when a lot of Europeans vacation. Rome would be fine, but anywhere more "vacation-y" could be packed.
Normally I'd expect June to be pretty good weather in most places, so you probably just had bad luck. I was in Italy in May 2011 and had gorgeous weather except for one day, but you really can't tell. Check temperature and rainfall averages on a site like wunderground.com and cross your fingers.
I feel your pain on ticket prices. I went to London in 2009 for under $600, but I don't think that's ever going to happen again!
For many parts of Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, late May or perhaps early June are lovely -- wildflowers in bloom, pleasant temperatures, and in many places it would be "shoulder season," so not quite as crowded or as expensive as mid-June or later. But it depends on where, exactly, you end up going.
A sit for sunrise/sunset times, some weather info, and other stuff:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=736