London and Spain
 

Have a last minute opportunity to travel to Europe for 10 days at beginning of February. We have travelled to France and Italy already and are trying to decide on where we should go. yes, last minute but Greece and Spain seem appealing.. any other ideas? Concern is weather . Thinking maybe Madrid and Barcelona or London to spain..? Thanks for your help!

Spain is probably your best bet for weather. I would give London a miss entirely because of weather. I would consider other parts of Spain if you are interested -- like Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada -- in addition to Barcelona and Madrid (the latter will be cold).

February in London was just fine last year, weather wise. We took EasyJet from Gatwick to Seville, loved that too.

What are you; planning to do in London that makes the weather of any relevance at all?

Sunbathe? Swim in the Serpentine? Birdwatch for swallows or swifts?

Because they're just about the only activities you won't be able to do in London in the early spring (it comes earlier to London than to almost anywhere in the US outside California and the Gulf states)

London's uniquely elderly housing stock (and the lamentable level of craftsmanship in the 19th century building trade) makes February damp and chilly in many flats London residents (especially younger ones) rent. This doesn't affect most hotels any more, except a few glorified fleapits around Kings Cross and Paddington stations.

Otherwise, because when the city is crammed with people who live here, it's typically the time exhibitions, operas and theatre are at their best.

Southern Spain will have the most moderate weather - and 10 days is enough tto do a quck overview. If you start adding Barcelona you will really be rushing things - and Madrid has a real winter since it's on high plateau.

I think London is great anytime - but temps will be chillier and I would expect a lot of mist or drizzle even if not rain. (Frankly I don;t get rain being much of an issue unless you are camping or similar - but I'm from NYC where we walk everywhere in all weathers - not drive everywhere and sheltered from all but the beautiful days).

The average high in London in early February is about 8 C and the average low is about 2 C. To suggest that is representative of an early spring in comparison ot most of the US is stretching it, I think.

Those temperatures compare favourably with those of Portland, OR (and Vancouver, BC), but are a little cooler than either Memphis or Charlotte. Portland with an approximately 24% chance of some precipitation on any day is the only one close to London's 25% chance. Memphis and Charlotte are at about 12%.

Madrid averages about 12 and 1 C, with only a 6% chance of rain, Barcelona 16 and 7 C with a 7% chance, and Seville 19 and 7 C with a 6% chance as well.

Who could possibly know what you want to do and why the weather matters to you in doing it - base your decision on facts and your personal desires.

Madrid can be miserable at that time of year

Don't worry about the weather — just pick somewhere that has things you would like to do. A week or two ago it was colder in Athens than in London, and they even had snow. Now it's our turn for a cold spell in the UK. No one can predict accurately what the weather will be like next month anyway.

London has so many things to do indoors (shopping, theatre, museums, galleries, etc) that you needn't spend much time outdoors if the weather is inclement.

London is about the best place to go when weather can be so iffy (even most of Spain will be chilly) . . . There is soooooooo much to see/do in London. Weather is seldom an issue - it doesn't get wintery like in the Midwest or NE USA. Most weeks will have some wet, some cold and some decent. But w/ all the great museums, galleries, theatre, exhibitions, restaurants pubs -- hard to find a better place to visit in winter.

There is a lot to do in many big cities including Barcelona and Madrid.

Of course -- it is just I don't get the angst re the 'orrible London weather.

It rarely gets below freezing in London, and compared to where I grew up that is mild weather.

At any rate, if weather is the main concern, I would pick somewhere other than Europe for a February trip. London, Madrid, Barcelona: it won't be summer in any of those cities. I just got back from Cape Town, South Africa, and the weather was great!

In Feb the rainfall in London is about the same as that in Madrid. But London is designed for rainfall.

Seville in late Feb last year got a little too warm on the terrace, and we had light rain once in our week. There were roses in bloom in Regent's Park, London, and early spring flowers everywhere. Weather really not the issue; both places are wonderful and would be worthy of your 10 days.