I'm trying to decide if it makes any difference whether we go to Austria and Germany during the month of June vs July/Aug. I really don't like hot weather, and I prefer to avoid the most crowded times, but late July would be most convenient for me to be away from the office. Does anyone know if there is much difference between those months of the year with regard to temps and crowds? We will be going to Salzburg, Munich and surrounding Bavaria. Thank you!
Nancy

You can check average highs and lows here: www.weatherbase.com

Of course, you could get a year that isn't average at all.

On our June trip to Germany 3 summers ago (or is it 4 now?), we checked all the weather websites we could find just before we left, and it looked as though the first 10 days of our trip would be typical Bavarian temps--days in the low 70s.

Well, by our 4th day there it hit 90 in Munich. A few days later it hit 100 on the day we were driving to the Mosel.

But the averages will at least give you a starting point.

I belielve 2003 was when they had that record heat wave---many people in France even died. So that's not a good comparison. We were there in 2002 and had very cold weather (in the 40's) in mid-August in Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. But that was the beginning of weeks of heavy rains and flooding. They had flooding again last summer (2005) in Austria and Switzerland.

So the weather can be unpredictable. But it is very likely that it will be somewhat cooler and less crowded, and possibly less expensive, in June than in late July, which is peak vacation time for Europeans as well. However, we always seem to go in late July-mid August, and (apart from that one cold spell) it's been fine.

I would say go when it's best for you.

Salzburg may be much more crowded in July and Aug than in June because that's when the Saltsbug Festival is.
I'm planning a trip for late June and am disappointed we won't be able to see any of the concerts etc because the Festival doesn't start till the last few days of June. I'd like to hear what your plans are though, because it may help me plan my trip. I'm trying to plan 5 days in Bavaria/Salzburg and then a week in Italy.

Looks like we will be going the beginning of June! We will be taking our 13 year old son to Europe for the first time (hubby and I have been several times). We are planning on taking him on a boat ride on the Rhine, Rothenburg and the Tour of the Night Watchman, down to Munich and the castles, then to Salzburg (SOM fans), doing a luge ride and the salt mines, and some alpine hiking. Of course we will do our fair share of churches, museums, etc, but we really want to make it fun for him too. Any other ideas for a 13 year old? Any particularly teen friendly hotels/restaurants? We are hoping he falls in love with Europe! (So he will want to take family vacations there instead of the beach!)

Keep in mind that you might hit Germany during the peak of the Soccer World Cup frenzy. This might make things crowded, but - while in Munich - if you can get last minutes tickets to one of the games, your boy might enjoy this. In any event, be sure to take him to the Deutsche Museum in Munich and allow at least half a day for that visit.