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-   -   is feb a good time to visit europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/is-feb-a-good-time-to-visit-europe-461333/)

payal Jul 21st, 2004 02:56 AM

is feb a good time to visit europe
 
i am getting married end jan , we want to travel europe in feb. wanted to know if its a fun time to travel places like italy spain switzerland ( weather wise). please help

swandav2000 Jul 21st, 2004 03:18 AM

Hi payal,

Sorry to be a bit picky, but you need to define "good." If you mean that you want to see snow, then, yes, Feb is a good time to see Switzerland; the mountain villages should be picturesque with snow-covered chalets, and the alpine trails will be lovely.

But if you want warm weather and no snow, better head south to Spain or Italy. Though I don't know exactly how warm they'll be in Feb. I'm sure you'll hear more about them from others here.

Good luck!

s

jlm_mi Jul 21st, 2004 04:25 AM

www.weather.com and www.wunderground.com will give you historical weather data for any place, any month of the year. It's the best way to determine if the weather will be "good" by your standards at that time.

kaudrey Jul 21st, 2004 04:27 AM

payal,

Congrats on the marriage! I am a big fan of off-season travel, but it's because I like to avoid crowds, not because of weather.

Switzerland is great in February if you want a winter vacation.

I went to Spain in February, and it was wintery in Madrid and Barcelona, but 60s and 70s in Sevilla, so it depends on where in Spain you go.

In general, the farther south you go, the warmer it will be. For off-season travel, you should think about what your priorities are (is it really weather? Or seeing the countries?).

It is a fun time, just not sure what "fun weather" is... :)

Karen

rj007 Jul 21st, 2004 05:45 AM

Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. I was in London and Rome this past Feb and the weather was good. Jacket weather in London, got to Rome and could almost leave the jacket. Very comfortable walking weather. Like Karen, I prefer to go to Europe in the off-season. Enjoy your trip!

tmh Jul 21st, 2004 05:47 AM

Depending on the timing, you might also be able to participate in Carnival celebrations. A trip to Binche in Feb a few years ago was a highlight as I watched and participated in their events.

JeanneB Jul 21st, 2004 05:52 AM

Carnival will be Feb. 8th next year (Ash Wednesday is the 9th). I checked this because we're planning to go on 2/20...all we'll see is "lent".

Nidwaldner_Chris Jul 21st, 2004 06:01 AM

March is actually the best winter month to visit Switzerland. Typically a lot more sun than February, longer and warmer days and actually usually more snow than in early February.

Curt Jul 21st, 2004 11:41 AM

We enjoy visiting Europe any time, but we actually prefer to go in the winter months. It can be cold but that makes the nice warm pubs and bistros even more inviting! Go, enjoy!

bolt Jul 21st, 2004 01:31 PM

I too enjoy off-season in Europe, as I don't like the crowds and tourists either. However, I did think that Belgium and London were pretty darn grim between November and March. Paris is cold and gray in the winter, but it's impossible not to love Paris at any time of year.

mayall Jul 21st, 2004 01:56 PM

february is such a great time to visit europe. cheaper airfare, cheaper hotel rooms, less crowds, and the opportunity to really mingle with all the "locals" who usually leave during the summer months. i was in norway and sweden this past january and paris in february.they were among the best trips i have ever had and a lot had to do with the ease of no crowds

Arikson Jul 22nd, 2004 10:44 AM

We went to Spain this February. The weather was mostly terrible. It was raining non-stop in Barcelona and Seville. While we were in Madrid on March 1, we got snow with gusty wind.


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