Best Time to Visit Europe: A Month-by-Month Travel Guide
If you don't mind the cold, winter can be magical. January and February are ideal for ski lovers heading to the Alps in Switzerland, France, or Austria. The cities are quieter, and prices drop post-holidays—perfect for budget travelers. Best for: Skiing, snowboarding, fewer tourists
Skiing, snowboarding, fewer tourists Top places: Salzburg, Prague, Chamonix, Interlaken
Salzburg, Prague, Chamonix, Interlaken Events: Carnival in Venice (February), Snow festivals in Scandinavia
Spring is one of the most underrated times to travel. The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming, and the crowds are still thin. April and May are great for walking tours, outdoor cafes, and scenic drives. Best for: Mild weather, blooming landscapes, city trips
Mild weather, blooming landscapes, city trips Top places: Amsterdam (tulips!), Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon
Amsterdam (tulips!), Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon Events: King's Day in the Netherlands, Primavera Sound Festival in Spain
Summer is when Europe buzzes with life. Beaches are packed, museums are busy, and festivals pop up everywhere. However, it's also the most expensive and crowded time. Best for: Beaches, nightlife, open-air events
Beaches, nightlife, open-air events Top places: Santorini, Amalfi Coast, Ibiza, French Riviera
Santorini, Amalfi Coast, Ibiza, French Riviera Events: Tomorrowland (Belgium), La Tomatina (Spain), Edinburgh Fringe (Scotland)
Tip: Book accommodations early, and prepare for heatwaves in southern countries.
This is a sweet spot for travelers. The crowds start thinning, the weather remains pleasant, and the landscapes take on a golden glow. It's also the season for grape harvest and food festivals. Best for: Wine tours, photography, nature lovers
Wine tours, photography, nature lovers Top places: Tuscany, Bavaria, Bordeaux, Slovenia
Tuscany, Bavaria, Bordeaux, Slovenia Events: Oktoberfest (Germany), grape harvest festivals in Italy and France
Europe transforms into a festive dream in late November and December. Cities light up with holiday decorations, and Christmas markets are everywhere. Although days are short and chilly, the atmosphere is pure magic. Best for: Holiday shopping, cozy cafés, festive lights
Holiday shopping, cozy cafés, festive lights Top places: Vienna, Munich, Strasbourg, Prague
Vienna, Munich, Strasbourg, Prague Events: Christmas Markets (Germany, Austria), New Year's Eve celebrations
It really depends on your travel style: Budget travelers: January to March, November
January to March, November Sun seekers: June to August
June to August Cultural explorers: April to June, September
April to June, September Holiday lovers: December
If you want a balance of good weather, manageable crowds, and decent prices, late April to early June or mid-September to early October are your golden windows.
The best time to visit Europe isn't one-size-fits-all. Each season offers a different charm. Whether you want the buzz of summer festivals or the calm of winter walks through snowy alleys, Europe always delivers.
So, pack your bags smartly—because whenever you go, Europe is always a good idea.
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USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
How I cruised the Caribbean with my autistic son, and what I learned
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Plan activities during which you can easily pivot or take breaks if necessary, and be strategic about factoring in downtime. This will allow you to more easily follow your child's lead and embrace changes in plans. The 10 things I always do on cruises to help my son with autism thrive originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
NBC News
3 days ago
- NBC News
'Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday.' Except maybe viral fame.
The sound of the summer is actually not a song — it's an ad. 'Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday,' a catchphrase from the British airline's 2024 ad, mixed with English singer Jess Glynne's 2015 hit 'Hold My Hand,' has been used by more than 1.2 million users on TikTok, where it's become a viral hit in recent months. Searches for Jet2 holiday have also spiked in the last month, according to Google trends. The original Jet2 ad, which first appeared on the company's YouTube page last year, shows a family of four as they catch a Jet2 plane to their beachside summer vacation. Now, audio from the ad is being used more ironically in videos from users who juxtapose the soundbite with footage of chaotic holiday experiences. From catastrophic weather at picture-perfect resorts to passengers misbehaving on flights, the videos often document travel-related setbacks. No one was more surprised by the popularity of the ad than British actor Zoë Lister, the voice behind the viral audio. She recorded the ad about 18 months ago. 'Somebody sent me a video yesterday of Joe Jonas using the sound,' she told NBC News in a recent video interview. 'I was like, 'Oh, that's massive!'' Lister, who introduced herself as the actor behind the audio in a recent TikTok video, said it's been especially interesting to see the soundbite pick up in the United States, where Americans use the word 'vacation' rather than 'holiday.' 'They don't even know what Jet2 holiday is,' she joked. 'They don't have holidays, they have vacations. Holidays are like Christmas, right? But they have got so on board with the joyful silliness of it.' 'Going viral for something just that is really funny and joyful … that's quite a wonderful experience,' Lister added. One of the first videos to use the audio and garner millions of views was from a user who uploaded footage of what appears to be a camel attacking the person, according to meme database KnowYourMeme. Since being posted on TikTok in November 2024, the video has amassed 3.8 million views. Jet2 picked up on the popularity of the audio in the spring, posting a video on TikTok offering a giveaway for people who uploaded videos partaking in the trend. The travel company is known in the United Kingdom for offering low-cost vacations for British travelers, and providing charter flights to popular holiday destinations around the world, mostly in Europe. As for Glynne, Lister said the pop star also 'did not ask for any of this' fame. The singer's 'Darling, hold my hand' line from her song is now associated with the Jet2 phrase. The two met during a Capital FM radio appearance in London on Tuesday, which Lister described as a 'wild' moment in her life. She's 'a super cool mega pop star and I'm this like cheeseball,' Lister said. Lister, a mother of two, said she's trying to figure out how to navigate the newfound fame. She was a familiar face to many in the U.K.: From 2006-2017, she played Zoe Carpenter in the popular teen soap opera 'Hollyoaks,' which aired on Channel 4. But the virality has boosted her profile more, especially after she posted the TikTok video. 'What started happening this last week, which has been really bizarre, is when I've been on a train or in a cafe and I can hear people watching [the meme],' she said. 'And, last Friday I was out with my husband, because we were celebrating our anniversary. And the girls on the next table were literally recording their own 'nothing beat the Jet2 holiday' into their phone.' Her husband then asked the group recording the video if they would want to meet the 'the woman that does the voice.' 'It was actually such a brilliant, fun, joyful moment,' Lister said. 'And everyone was like excited. And we have photos. It was really fun.' She's hoping the virality will help her expand her horizons professionally. 'I've been planning a podcast for a while and I'm happy that now I've got more of a platform in which to launch something like that,' she said. 'I've got lots of things that I'd like to do creatively and I hope that this sort of infamy will help launch things.'
