Europe in January-February - Where to go?
 

Are countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, etc. worth visiting in the winter months? I've always pictured these as warm weather destinations.

How about what countries reveal the best they have to offer in the winter months?

Italy is perfect without the tourists, just sometime a little cold with no central heating in the south. Greece equals rain, Spain has the best weather, but I would go to some greek island if I were you!

I too have almost the same question. Except that the time frame I can go in is Christmas to mid-January. Don't suggest Paris as we have spent a total of 2 weeks there in late Feb., early March and told ourselves next time we go to Paris it will be when the flowers are blooming & it's really nice enought to actually enjoy the sidewalk cafes.

If possible I'd try to stay out of Europe at that season. Turn the heat to minimum to prevent the pipes from freezing and go to someplace nice and southern :-) Southern Egypt is nice and not too far... I love Germany in winter, just that winter could be a little shorter...

You have been misinformed. There is no plae in Europe that is warm in winter.
Try Barbados or Brazil.

In the middle of winter southern Spain and souther Italy are not as cold as more northern places. You can do golf or tennis or tour around - but there really isn;t anyplae in europe with swimming.

So - I would either do cities - with mostly indoor stuff - or a winter resort in switzerland or austria.

I spent the month of January in Spain (mostly Madrid, but with weekend trips to Granada and Sevilla) in 2000. The temps were about what I'd expect in March in my hometown of Spokane, Washington. It really wasn't bad at all, even in the first part of the month. Actually I didn't even button my coat, though the locals were all huddled, shivering in their coats.

Toward the end of the month it was positively balmy. But as the above poster said, you may want to plan for indoor activities.