Europe in the Summer...

Welcome back for a second post on hereuroexperience, now that we enter into a new season I'd like to reflect with you guys on tips for next year's summer travel plans.

Whether it be France, Austria, or Spain that you are planning a trip for next year let me be the first to warn you away from these places in the summer. Although it is an optimal time for travel with kids out of school and for some teachers, it is not worth it! Not only are the flights and amenities more expensive... Europe is overcrowded in the summer with tourists.

Why Does It Matter What Time of Year I Go?

It does. Especially when you are traveling to tourist destinations it matter a great amount. Things that you never would have thought about before booking those tickets:

If it is anything like Seville, Spain where it gets up to 45 degrees Celsius in the summer, most Spanish people will not be there, it will mostly be people working in souvenir shops and at local landmarks. In Seville from about mid June to end of August everyone leaves the city and heads to the beach, one because its way too hot, and second because tourists flood the streets.

Why is this important? Because if you want a more authentic experience in a city you're dying to go to, you should go when they are there! 80% of the city in Paris, Barcelona, Venice, etc is tourists... Point being, if you want an authentic experience in any of these more touristy places it is better to go in the off season

Another important factor to consider is safety, if you are a woman or anyone for that matter, traveling alone in touristy a destination and you are not from that country or city, you are a target for pick pocketing and other petty crimes. Places may charge you more if they know you are a tourist, this happens a lot with exchange rates at restaurants especially. Best just to avoid peak tourist times. To many people's surprise Europe in July and August gets HOT and refillable water bottle stations are not that common in European cities, especially Spain and France. Not only is dehydration a concern but also the water will be expensive in certain touristy areas. Nor is water free at the restaurants in Europe. Small detail, but these are the things that will be a pain.

So When Do I Go?

It really depends on the Country, but not summer. Spain for example is beautiful in the Spring but has many festivals that attract people from all over the world, so we run into the same problem there. A lot of Scandinavia is miserable in the winter. Fall is the safest by far and across the board. But consult the weather and festivities schedules for each country you intend to visit. ( not super helpful I know but it is true!) At least now you know a little more about why to avoid Europe in the summer!

Helpful websites for these tasks:

• Weather Spark-- helps you compare the weather between multiple different cities with lots of adjustable settings and features that help you get a good idea of what you're getting into.

• Rick Stevens' Europe-- VERY detailed European festival calendar