isabel

I am fortunate to get about 14 weeks each year off from work but I don't get to choose which 14 weeks they are. Currently most of them are in the summer - I work Sept to end of June with a week off in March and a couple at Christmas. So for the past several years I've traveled to Europe during March (less good weather, but less crowded and less expensive) and in July. Now they are thinking about changing our schedule so we would work till late July but get three weeks off in January. At first I thought this was a terrible idea but people (at work) are trying to convince me I'd have 3 weeks to travel to Europe when it's uncrowded and cheap. But I know it get dark very early and can be cold.

So please give me your opinions on the virtures of traveling to Europe during the month of January. I'd still have August (but not July) for summer travel. What do you think?

DeirdreStraughan

Uncrowded, cheaper, you can see more of life as the natives live it. If you're into winter sports, plenty of those everywhere. If, like me, you prefer quieter pleasures, you can try non-touristy things such as the natural hot-water baths in Bormio, see http://www.straughan.com/italy/slowfood.html


best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

http://www.straughan.com

rex

It's not going to be for the rest of your life like this, right? Sounds like a good time to get to know some of South America, New Zealand, Thailand, who knows where else!

Best wishes,

Rex

Cicerone

I live in Switzerland, and think travelling in January is fine, as long as you are prepared for cool to cold temps and rain/snow (which you seem to be). Places like Rome and southern Spain are generally mild in the winter (they get snow and cold but generally not that much). With bare trees and wet cobblestone streets, I think cites like Paris and Rome are actually beautiful and romantic in the winter. You won't have lines at places like the Uffizi and other museums and tourist areas. Of course places like Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy and the French Alps are great in January for winter sports and for just seeing the beautiful scenery. Except for ski areas, you should find pretty good rates on hotels as well.

Also, January is a great month to travel in Asia. Little rainfall in most areas, and places like north India (Delhi, Agra) are in the mid 70s and sunny, which is a great time to travel as opposed to the summer months when it is in the 90s and humid. Thailand is really perfect in January, as is most of that part of Asia. Most of China would be fairly cold (esp Beijing, Shanghai), but Hong Kong is great in January. Chinese New Year is generally in late January or early February, a fun time to visit Hong Kong, China or Singapore. Also, consider places like Australia and New Zealand, where January is the peak of their summer. (Same with places like South American and southern Africa.) Your US Dollar will go much further in Asia and Australia than in Europe, which is more expensive generally and the Euro is generally stronger than Asian currencies.

Take a look at weatherbase.com and worldclimate.com for historical average temperatures and rainfall worldwide in January. Weatherbase.com even has a vacation planner where you can put in the max or min acceptable temp for a month and they will tell you where in the world you can go.

kaudrey

I have traveled to Paris and England in January, and I went to Spain this past February (last month). I LOVE traveling off season.

Yes, it can be cold or rainy, but I think the advantages overcome that. There are no crowds - I have been to the Louvre and the Tower of London without waiting in line. I have pictures of the gardens at Hampton Court Palace with no people in them (granted it's just greenery, no flowers). You don't have to wait for extra tourist buses in Barcelona, no line at the Prado even on a Saturday. You get the idea.

I don't go to Europe for beach weather (at least, not yet), and I have no problem wearing a warm jacket. You can get great deals on all kinds of things - hotels, airfare, entrance fees (London runs 2 for 1s in the winter, for example).

I'd embrace it! And, as Rex pointed out, 1/2 the world has summer during our winter, so you can easily expand your list of places to go!

Karen

elaine

I won't say that I think that traveling to Europe in the winter is better (in January I was in London, br-r-r-r and earlier this month in Vienna and Prague, br-r-r-r), it's just different.

No outdoor cafes, not as much aimless strolling, no gardens, thicker clothes to pack, fewer hours of daylight.
On the other hand, in addition to smaller crowds, shorter lines, and some deals on hotels and air, there's the ability/necessity to concentrate even more on indoor beauties in museums and palaces.
And more excuse to stop for hot chocolate!

janis

January is a great time to travel -- maybe not for a first or only visit, but you can see/do a LOT. The airfares are almost too cheap to believe, hotels often reduce their rates, the post-Christmaas sales are terrific, the arts scene is in full swing, etc.

crazymina

I loved it. I would go back January/February in a heart beat.

And speaking of the weather, my plan was to travel from Jan 14-March 14. I ended up staying until May 9. I traveled mostly in western Europe in the Jan-March time frame, and guess what....not a SINGLE day of rain or snow where I was, and only 3 or 4 overcast days. Always was sunny (albeit crisply winter). So you just never know with weather.

You can certainly take the other's suggestions for an alternate destination, but Europe in the winter is magical to me!

isabel

Thanks for your replys. They are helping me feel a little better about the situation, but I have to admit I'm still not totally convinced. I do love outdoor cafes, flowers and aimless strolling. But at least I can see that it wouldn't be totally hopeless. Europe in January would certainly be better than not at all, and I do now see some advantages. I won't encourage the change at work, but maybe I won't fight it either. Thanks again.