When to go?
 

Hello! My husband and I are planning our first trip to Europe. We will be spending two weeks there, visiting Paris, Munich and Prague. We can either travel around Memorial Day (late May/early June), 4th of July, or Labor Day (late August/early September). Taking into account weather (very important factor to us) as well as crowds, when would you say is the best time of year to visit these places? Many thanks! <BR>

I can speak only to Paris on that list, but my vote would be for around Memorial Day - before the tourists arrive in droves, and the weather is just warming up and usually sunny. <BR> <BR>Don't do 4th of July (heat, tourists), and many Europeans have the month of August off, so they are traveling to the same places you would be. <BR> <BR>That would be my vote. Enjoy your trip!

Steph <BR>I vote for Labor Day, if weather is an important concern. There are no guarantees of course, but late May in Paris can still be quite iffy for warm-ish weather. I went Memorial Day weekend myself a few years ago and we <BR>had steady rain and temps only in the <BR>50sF for 4 days. Rain and Paris go together in almost any season, but the cold was unfortunate. <BR>You will still encounter considerable crowds in late Aug or early Sept, but you will have a better shot for good weather imo, and the crowds would not be at their worst. Around July 4 can also be quite nice, and the heat in the cities you want to visit would not be as likely to be oppressive as it would be in cities further south. <BR>July, Aug or Sept are also nice times to visit gardens; Giverny outside of Paris should definitely go on your list. <BR>I have a long file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me

Hello Steph, Late May is perfect. But why pick 3 cities so far apart? My advice is to not perceive Europe as " cities" but as regions, and, assume you will be returning. If Paris and Bavaria are givens, then try to include the Swiss Alps in this trip. Prague fits better with an Austrian itinerary.

Hello! I would never go to Europe in the summer...heat,tourists,so many buildings have no air conditioning,a lot of people wear no deoderant:) The spring and fall are the best to me~and in Paris it can rain any time, so that should not deter you.Having been in Europe at most times of th year-late March/early April were good, and Oct/Nov are great..

Steph. <BR>Count me with the late May early June group. It's tooooo hot in August and early September, plus there will be crowds as this is prime vacation time for most Europeans and a lot of <BR>school trips are still in progress. <BR> <BR>M. <BR>Ps Agree with Bob the N.'s travel advice,also. <BR> <BR>

Order of preference: lateMay/earlyJune; lateAugust/earlySeptember. Only if I got a free ticket, free accommodations and somebody paid me would I go in July. <BR> <BR>Unless you're stuck with the itinerary (visiting family? business meetings?), I'd rethink like Bob the Nav suggests.

Antoher vote for Late May!!! Forget August, too crowded, too expensive, too hot and not enough Europeans.. (they are all on their vacations) Bon Voyage whatever you decide.

Thank you all for your replies! It sounds like late May/early June wins. That's just fine with me... it's sooner! I will rethink my itinerary; thanks for the suggestion. In fact, I would like some help with it. I'll make a new post listing the details titled "Itinerary-Help!". Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

Since it is your first trip, I would not be concerned about the distance. If you did Paris, Munich and Prague, you will get a taste of 3 different areas. You can decide what you would like to see again when you return. Besides you will see places on the way either by train or car as you travel through the regions.

As I said on your "other thread" (Itinerary), I have not been to Prague, so I cannot comment on crowds or weather there in any season. <BR> <BR>But if 4th of July could mean 20 June to 4 July, I don't think that it is so clearly inferior to late May/early June. <BR> <BR>I traveled June 16 to July 2 in 2000 (Munich/Salzburg to Strasbourg, then Nice to Venice) and did NOT think the weather nor crowds were a negative factor. Likewise, a trip that was mostly Alps-based in the peak of "August heat" was very pleasant in 1996. And June 9-25, 1998 met with great weather, and no unbearable crowds (London, northern/central Italy, then Nice-to-Paris - - used flights for the longer hops on this one). <BR> <BR>So, the time that WORKS best for you might be just as important as when Europe will "accommodate" you best. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR>

Steph - Sounds like you've already made your decision, and I would have made the same one. An additional factor - in late May/early June, the days are almost at their longest, whereas in early September, the daylight hours are a bit shorter.

I have to place my vote with Memorial day. Get in before the locals are fed up with tourists! haha! And seriously spring time is so beautiful!!

Hello Steph, So glad to read your post. My husband and I are traveling with friends and we had decided to go the end of May and first week of June. I hear kids probably won't be out of school by then and it isn't to hot yet. As for rain, it can happen almost anytime I would think. You get so much good info reading this forum. Thanks to everyone.

We went to Paris and Provence/Riviera 2 years ago in late April to early May and the weather was beautiful. There were crowds even then so I cannot imagine traveling in Summer. Lines were long also in Versailles. Early purchase of museum passes is a good idea.

My vote is for early September after all the college students have returned to school. The crowds will be less, and in some cases, the prices will be less too.

Be aware of the French Open (tennis) dates when planning your visit to Paris. I have run into problems getting a room while the tournament is in progress; it is a lovely time of year to visit.

Hi Steph,<BR>I live in germany and have been living in munich too. Also I have to Paris and Prague severla times a year.<BR>But - the best weather to travel on the continent is september usually - it<BR>is dry an not to humid temperatures are<BR> normally at day around 22 degress at night about 12-14 degreess.<BR>Dont choose the last week of september in munich due to "Oktoberfest".<BR>June is a wet season normally for all countries north of the alps due to atlantic lows rushing in. With the begin of july until end of september a<BR>continetal high with its center over russia spreads warm dry air (generally) over our region. More questioning - send email.<BR>Shain/Germany/D&uuml;sseldorf