Europe in winter
 

Was thinking of taking my first trip to Europe in the November-March months, but don't want to suffer through cold and snow. Is it worth it to go on a tour or river cruise to Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, etc. or should I wait for warmer weather and higher prices?

I have learned over the years that the European countryside is not at it's best in the colder months. I would put off your river cruise until warmer, greener months. If you're going to go to Europe in the winter you need to do a city where you can duck into warm cafes and where you're not primarily there for the natural beauty. Skiing would be the other reason for a winter trip. My humble opinion.

I agree with Cimbrone. We have taken trips to Europe in February and March (as well as other warmer times of the year). There are significant benefits to traveling in the winter in that plane fares are considerably less expensive as is commonly also true of lodgings. Restaurants are less crowded. Museums and galleries are much more appealing because you can actually stand close enough to a piece to really study it. In addition, we have found that the non-tourists with whom we come in contact are more interested in visiting, more patient, and probably less tired of tourists. The down-side is clearly the geography and the ability to spend more time out-doors. The only other disadvantage we have found is that restaurants don't always have the same opportunities for fresh ingredients. (The only time we've been served canned asparagus in Europe was in March in Positano.) I definitely would not do a European cruise during winter months. But a city-focused, art/architecture trip would probably be wonderful.

I think Cimbrone gets it exactly right. I've been twice in winter and the countryside was a snoozer...lots of closures. Cities, on the other hand, are buzzing with theater, opera, and other events. Restaurants provide wonderful stews, soups and other delights not seen in warm weather. Not to mention the comparatively short lines everywhere!

Places like London, Paris, Rome will be cold - but not nearly as cold as say, NYC or Chicago.

I would not do a cruise for sure. And I personally wouldn't do a multi-city guided tour.

But a two city 10-14 day trip would be great. Paris/Amsterdam, Rome/Florence, Paris/Brussels/Brugge, London/Paris -- something like that

just type in the title of this thread in the search field and you will see dozens different threads asking the same question.

Cities in europe are fine in winter - since most of what you want to do is intdoors. And while much of europe doesn;t have REALLY cold winters - like you find in NE US - it's not warm - and the countryside is dull, brown and crunchy.

I would definitely wait at least until April - when the grass is green, you have some spring flowers and don;t need to drag somany heavy clothes around.