danielli_21

I am planning my euro trip August 2012 and i read in this forum that August will have loooong queues in the tourist attractions. Your replies will be greatly appreciated Thanks in advance.

Pegontheroad

I prefer to go to northern Europe in the fall--in September usually. I go to southern Europe in October, since it's cooler then.

I've traveled in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in August, but I prefer the fall or the spring because the weather is better.

As to long queues, I've found them at various times of year, not just in August. I think it depends on where you're going--which countries/cities.

fmpden

Our preference is mid-Sept through October. Absolutely avoid July and August because of heat and crowds. The exception would be the Scandinavia area when July is probably best but it will be crowded.

grandmere

I had great trips to France in April of '09 and '11--unseasonably warm and no rain. No guarantees as to weather being that good every year, of course. I like Sept. and Oct., also.

mjs

It depends on where you want to go but in general I too like late September to October.

KayF

You don't say where you are going but August is the main holiday period for many Europeans so it can get very busy in some places and also be terribly hot, depending how far south you are. Personally I'd avoid August and travel in May/June or September. You should still have reasonable weather with fewer crowds and cheaper prices.

Kay

FoFoBT

For Paris, our favourite time in early November when tourism is down (a little) and the city is in full autumn swing. We also like Burgundy in the fall; the Loire Valley in late May/early June (we prefer Angers in the western end and Sancerre/Bourges in the far eastern end to the tourist-trap town of Amboise)

For Switzerland, well, we live here, but our favourite times are May/June (late spring is lovely) and Jan/Feb (snow-covered Alps). We dislike August - too hot, too many wasps at the outside cafes, when August comes we hunker down and wait for the cool weather to come in October.

Germany/Austria/Belgium/Netherlands - Same as Switzerland.

Italy: late April/early May

Overall, we're cool/cold weather people and the only place in the northern hemisphere we like in August is the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

spaarne

A ditto for April/May. Generally drier weather than summer, everything is in bloom, and way too early for tourists (except Germans who get way too many holidays and long weekends in May).

avalon

As we live in Fl we plan trips to get cooler weather. We mostly travel to UK France and Italy. Almost always in late March and April and again in October November. That is when there are some antique shows we like to attend. Queques can be avoided by purchasing tickets to special exhibitions in advance online or at various outlets in the cities. This year the unticketed line for the Da Vinci exhibit was blocks long outsside the NAtional Gallery and then doubled back on itself!

CYESQ

May for me as well. Generally good weather, no flocks of tourists as kids are still in school, everything is starting to come alive for Spring!

annhig

in august, southern Ireland or Scotland might be good.

or even Cornwall!

zeppole

There is no doubt that in August you will face loooooooong queues at the popular tourist attractions throughout Europe. The same will be true in June and July and increasingly the first few weeks of September in many locations, and around Eastertime too.

if you are looking at changing your travel dates to a period with fewer crowds, make sure the typical weather at that time of year for where you are going doesn't risk curtailing most of your personal reasons for being in Europe . Some of the most spectacular sights in Europe have impassable roads or lousy weather in September and October, likewise in Spring. In other parts of Europe, the summer lingers into early October and the heat is intense. Some extremely popular tourist destinations on coastlines are fairly 'dead" until the start of the summer season, and while some people like the cooler weather of spring for being a sightseer, those looking to swim and enjoy dining outdoors will be out of luck. In cities like Paris or Amsterdam, best to plan for rain in spring. November is a rainy season for most of Italy. If you don't like bugs, they have their season too.

So, where are you going? "Europe" spreads across Spain, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the Pyrenees, Poland, Sicily and Scotland, and so on and so forth, along with the popular tourist attractions of Paris, Italy and London.

qwovadis

In August northern cities empty out and head for the beach.
Scandinavia for example is good in August but major cities
and beaches are hot and chock a block.Price breaks on air up to early May so late April usually for me. Good luck!

zeppole

PS:

If August is the only time that you can go, Europe is filled with beautiful destinations that are untouched by mass tourism. If you say what kind of experience you would like, people can help you find locations where you can enjoy great cultural and scenic experiences without the mobs.

bilboburgler

if i go on holiday in august I avoid the UK, and anywhere south of Paris. Basically because the whole of Europe goes south of Paris and the UK is en-fete and/or full of foreign tourists. So Germany is wonderful in August as the country has emptied out.

annhig

f i go on holiday in august I avoid the UK, and anywhere south of Paris. Basically because the whole of Europe goes south of Paris and the UK is en-fete and/or full of foreign tourists.>>

sadly, Cornwall whilst not quite "en fete" in August, has not been full of foreign tourists or indeed, any other tourists for the last few years. yes, it is busier than other times of year, but there is still plenty of room on the beaches and in the hotels and holiday cottages.

and being on the coast, should not be as hot as it can be in Germany, [which mostly enjoys a continental climate] at that time of year.

agent226

August will be very busy in Western & southern europe. July & august are just busy times. Sept & June would be my pick for travel. Even october for some places

Mimar

I prefer to travel in spring (rather than autumn) for the longer days. And for spring flowers and newly-leafed out trees.

JBX

If given a choice, I'd go with another timeframe besides August ..... of course, vacations are often dictated by school or work schedules. IF you do have flexibility to get away during latter portion of spring (May), or autumn (late Sept--early Oct), those are my preferred travel times.

tinabina

My experience:

July and August:
*London/and N.W. UK = pretty warm and somewhat crowded but beautiful, thinned out in the evenings and enjoyed the long days.

*Paris= hot/warm daytime. Evenings spectacular on the Seine, again fantastic long days warm nights.

*Germany/Austria: Beautiful warm/hot but mixed with showers.
(Parts on the Rhine were down right cool. Cologne it was "sweater" weather.)

*Belgium: Gorgeous: again warm with occasional rain.

*Italy/Rome:Florence:Tuscany Region:Venice.:HOT! Crowded. However, again evening were wonderful (mid day great time for a gelato and a rest)

Honestly, we go when we can go!

This year we are going in April and I am worried about being COLD. Keep in mind I am a San Diego girl! I always prefer hot over cold.

Plus, weather is unpredictable. It was in the 80's here in San Diego last week and it's January. Our summer was in the 60's and 70's, which is wrong!
Best laid plans of mice and men.

Tina