I'm looking for any advice/tips re travelling Europe in winter (Jan - Feb) - particularly (but not exclusively) by car. How are the trains that time of year (crowded, empty?). NOT interested in skiing and have travelled many times from Spring to Autumn in the past. <BR>Would you recommen it..etc.

I can't answer for all of Europe, but we've gone to France and London several times during February. Accommodations and attractions are far less crowded and hotel rooms can be noticeably less expensive. We think it is a wonderful time to travel there. The weather can be a bit dreary, but because we're coming from northern Wisconsin, it is much WARMER for us. It's my view that dealing with HOARDS of tourists for months on end simply wears people down. By contrast, we find that our business is more appreciated at many places in the off-season and they have more time to spend with you. You're likely to have the opportunity more "genuine" experiences and interactions with locals. You'll save a ton on transatlantic airfare and there are often promotional rates on various European rail services in the off-season, too. I'm not sure what it is you want to do or where you are traveling from, but off-season Europe is a bonafide steal in our experience. Word is getting around though, so the "off-season" seems to become a little shorter as time marches on.

You have to remember that in the UK it still gets dark early at that time of year and the further North you go the earlier it gets. If you just want to go to somewhere like London for museums, theatres and restaurants, it's a good time to go. I often tell people that you should only visit London when there's an R in the month.

If you don't mind the cold, the rain, the snow, then you should give it a chance. Everything is less crowded and "back to normal". <BR>I have been in London, Venice and several times in Paris in winter and I liked it very much. I would avoid places in the south because the are really made for the summer. The Côte d'Azur in Southern France can be really depressing with bad weather whereas cities in central Europe are quite attractive if you are interested in art exhibitions, concerts and all kinds of cultural events. <BR>Trains are normally filled during rush hours but can be almost empty during the day. I recommend cities like Paris, London, Vienna, Munich, Venice and why not Geneva or Zurich.

May I jump into this conversation, please? We plan to spend next winter in Europe, as part of a year-long tour. We are thinking we should stay in southern Portugal, Spain or France during the winter. The notes here make me think that may be the wrong approach. Is it?

I agree with Ursula about the beach towns in the winter. If you're going to Southern Spain, stick to the inland portions of Andalucia such as Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba (and villages in between). The weather will be nice and sunny but by no means hot. Summer in the south is extremely hot so I think you'll enjoy it there in the winter. The Sierra Nevada mountain range is a beatiful backdrop to Granada. The beach towns are really only alive when the weather is good and most of Spain is there. <BR>If you can make it to Venice, winter is the best time. Anyone I know who says they hated Venice went in the summer. The way the fog lingers in the canals is truly mystical.

My wife and I were in the French Riviera in early March. While it certainly was not beach weather (lo 60's), we had a great time. We had mostly sunny weather. From the mountains to the sea, the natural scenary and villages were gorgeous. Even strolls along the beach in Nice were great. <BR><BR>You can have dreary weather in the summer. My brother took his family to Germany several years ago and had almost three straight weeks of cloudy, rainy weather. I would think someplace like Paris would be a great choice for a winter visit to Europe, what with all the museums, etc. and you really get a break in airfares that time of year.

Winter travel to Europe is certainly different from summer travel, but nonetheless enjoyable. Yes, there will be significantly fewer tourists, which does allow you to see places in a different light - more emphasis on local people going about their daily business, etc. I like that. But also keep in mind that in some countries and regions, because tourism plays such a role, many small business establishments close down in winter. In the southwest of France, for example, many, many hotels and restaurants and shops close from mid-October to the Tuesday after Easter.

May I add that some roads, mostly in mountainous areas, can be really dangerous at that time of year because of snow/ice, so be extremely careful if you drive to remote areas. The roads leading to ski resorts are usually practicable, not so for the smaller ones, and many mountain passes will be closed. Locals are used to narrow, slippery roads and are all equipped with spiked tires. They will drive at their usual speed and this can be nerve wracking.

We usually take a week-long trip in February, and go to a big city (Paris, London, Milan). It's nippy, but warm coats, hats and gloves stave off the cold. Museums and galleries have dozens of special exhibits; theater, danse and music are in full swing; tourists are still prevalent, but not in great hordes. Downside: no sitting at outdoor cafes.

The places where you hit really bad winter weather are in the mountains. Weather is so relative. The Italians kept apologizing for the rain and brisk breeze; dressed like it was a blizzard and it was 45 degrees out. Most of Europe has flowers and foliage that don't all die back over winter. How bad can the weather be when every other tree is a palm tree? Next time I go to Europe, it's going to be in January or February. It's like a spring day compared to Chicago.

Assuming (as you state) that winter sports are not your prime reason for going to Europe, the main reason to go is, in my opinion, the greater ease in accessing cultural attractions. The cultural scene in most big cities is in full swing with opera, ballet and exhibitions. Tickets, where needed are more easily obtained and lines are smaller. Also some places I would argue are best seen in the snow. For all these reasons (and cheaper prices), I prefer the winter.

I agree with Ursula about avoiding the places that are popular for the sun and warm weather. Many hotels and restaurants are closed. While it's great not to have hoards of tourists around, it's depressing to be the only couple in the dining room listening to the clink of your knife and fork on the china. One of the joys of travel for me - the outdoor cafe - is not available then either. Flowers are not blooming and the trees are bare. The cities are another story. Their cultural season is in full swing and there are so many things to do that are not weather dependent.