jinz

We are planning a trip for four weeks to Europe in January. We have to go at this time but can go wherever we like and would appreciate some advice.

We don't mind snow or how cold it is but would prefer as little rain as possible. I know this is a big ask in Europe in January but hoping for guidance on the driest areas.

We have been all over Switzerland, much of Italy and Austria and have been to Paris and the Alsace region.

Thank you.

WoinParis

Hello

Forget Belgium. Jan is rainy, cold and windy.
Forget most of France, same. Except above 1000 meters or more, which means the alps.

No idea about Austria, always went for snow in jan, and never been to croatia.
But since Croatia borders the med, I think not all of the territory is above 1000 m and therefore you'll get wind, rain below this altitude.

jamikins

I think avoiding rain is going to be very difficult in January in most of Europe. You would need to stick to areas like Iceland, Scandinavia, and the Alps. Southern Spain may be warmer, but you could still get rain.

If you have to go in January I would just accept there will be some rain, bring umbrellas and/or rain jackets and build a schedule around what you like.

In the UK for example, you may get short periods of rain where you can pop into a museum or pub on many days.

Weather is completely unpredictable so I would just prepare for all scenarios and embrace them and work with them.

StCirq

Impossible to answer. You could do a google search for historic weather patterns in all the countries you're considering, but that's about it.

Odin

There is no guarantee of snow in all of Scandinavia. Copenhagen might occasionally be cold enough for snow, if not, it might be rainy and windy. There was no snow in Stockholm when I was there in Jan, it was just cold and dry, very beautiful.
Moscow and St Petersburg should have snow, however, on mild days, it might rain on top of the snow. London is great all year round, rain or shine.

Envierges

And, in addition, the days in N. Europe are very short making a January visit a good time for indoor visits to all the crowded places one couldn't get to easily in the tourist season.

Tulips

It's impossible to predict. You can get rain in January anywhere, unless you're high enough in the Alps, where precipitation would fall in the form of snow. Anywhere else, during a 4-week period it will rain at some stage.

Nonconformist

The higher the better for snow. Anywhere in lower altitudes you're more likely to get rain. The trouble is most snow-sure destinations are great for skiing but tend to have less for the non-skiing tourist, and you don't seem to want to go back to taly, Austria or Switzerland which might have worked. What were you actually wanting to do/see?

Russia? Iceland or northern Norway?

Christina

There is no dry area in Europe that I know of in January. It's not one of the drier months (July can be in some southern places, like Andalucia), but it's not the worst in many areas (which can be Fall). So this quest is impossible unless you are so high in the mountains that it will more likely snow. And that would be a strange way to spend a 4 week European vacation (and expensive, if around ski resorts).

The driest areas I know of in January would be parts of Spain (like Madrid and Barcelona, but not Seville which gets more rain in January than they do), and south-central France (like Lyon and Avignon). Rome is also fairly dry comparatively but not some other cities in Italy.

So for a month, you could actually combine Lyon-Avignon, take train to Barcelona and end up in Madrid.

I'm not sure why one would have to take a month long vacation in January, everything has some cost. Even if you are unemployed or on entire school break that month, the cost of the trip itself will be more the longer you stay. Personally, I'd save some of the money for another trip when I might get more value and enjoyment out of the trip, not take a month in January (unless I were going to a ski resort, but you can't do that for a month anyway).

Mimar

I'd go prepared for rain and snow (depending on where you go). And stick to cities, which have lots of indoor options in bad weather: museums, theaters, shops, etc. January is not the time to enjoy the countryside.

If you don't have access to stores with winter weather gear, buy it when you arrive.

tom_mn

So much for spending January the USA, I guess.

kerouac

We had one of the driest winters ever in this part of Europe this year. Generally it doesn't happen twice in a row, so you can plan for some rain in the winter of 2017-2018.

BritishCaicos

I'd agree with opting for altitude rather than latitude.

We visited Iceland this winter, it battered down with rain, just awful. Very little snow around other than above 1000m.

Going East is an option the continental high usual fends Atlantic lows off.

St Petersberg can be a good option.

jinz

Hello, thank you for replying.

Christina the reason we have to go in January is because we had planned and paid for a trip and should have been traveling in the US right now. But I have ended up having to go through chemo.

I will be clear to travel in January but if we don't use our tickets, etc by then we lose the lot. Insurance would not cover me because I've had it before.

tom_mn I was asking about Europe because someone suggested, wrongly, I think from the above responses that we would be better off doing Europe in January and go to USA later.

So we are sticking to our plans to go to the US and will go to Europe another time.

Thank you again. As usual the comments are very helpful.

julies

jinz--

Best of luck with your health and your treatments!

I don't know where you live or how adventuresome you want to be, but for January there are other very interesting and culturally rich options than just the US and Europe. And, these are places with nicer weather than either place (unless you are planning to only visit the southernmost US area).

Mexico, Nicaragua, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar. It is just a thought should you want to expand your horizons.

OTOH, if you are willing to put up with some rain, you could find southern Italy enjoyable--Rome and south, Sicily.

jinz

Hi Julies, thank you for your kind comment. I am well able to tolerate snow and we actually love being in snowy places. Too much rain though is not as pleasant but we do understand that there will be some rain at that time of year.

We live in New Zealand and out international flights need to be to the US or into Europe because of the airlines.

After doing a lot of research, with Fodorites help, on the US in January I think we will go there and then go back to Europe in summer when we can enjoy all the sights we have missed on previous trips.

Thank you so much.

PS We have been blessed to visit many of the places you mention. Truly wonderful experiences.

BritishCaicos

Is Cape Town a possible destination ?

We had an amazing time there this winter, the weather should be perfect, so much to see.

WoinParis

Best wishes Jinz.
Chemo is a bit*h and you are so right to travel when white cells are ok for it.
Enjoy, God be with you if you are a believer and booze be with you if you are a drinker !

jinz

Yup, it sure is a b*(& but these threads take my mind off things.
This site is so awesome. Thank you for the cheery comments.

WoinParis - I am both. No good NZ wine allowed until January but then.......

BritishCaicos - so glad you had a wonderful time in my birthplace Cape Town. We have been in New Zealand for 25 years but born in South Africa and have been back a few times.