top 5 reasons to visit europe in the late fall and winter

Yes, I've heard it many times before that the European continent could be cold to freezing in winter (although the Southern parts and the Adriatic coast may be relatively warmer). But, I hope the following reasons will convince you to at least consider a European trip when the mercury dips.

Rovinj, Croatia - no crowds!

1. It's cheaper. Other than around Christmas, airfares to and lodging costs in Europe tend to be cheaper in the late fall and winter because most people shy away from the continent during that time. So, because the law of supply and demand means less demand = lower price, winter is the perfect time to take advantage of an affordable European trip.

York, England - no crowds!

2. It's less crowded.  I hate crowds. I really do. That's why very late fall/winter is my favorite time to travel (and particularly, late November -- see reason #3 -- where the photos on this post were taken during many different trips during that time of the year). Europe in winter could provide you with winter wonderland photo opportunities with a smaller chance of a random person photo bombing your shot. 


3. Use fewer paid time off days.  Unlike a lot of countries, Americans are not automatically entitled to paid leave -- that all depends on your employer's generosity to give you paid time off (PTO) or vacations days.  Luckily, in addition to any employer-given PTO days, Americans generally get paid for holidays, such as, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, etc.  So, I have come up with a travel strategy that has allowed me to take more vacations while using as little PTO days as possible: take vacations around the winter holidays.

For example, assuming Thanksgiving and Day After Thanksgiving are paid holidays, if you take time off the Friday before 

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic -
no crowds!

Thanksgiving and return to work the Monday after Thanksgiving, you would still get paid for the entire work week even though you would use only four PTO days and traveled for ten days. Of course, you could use the same strategy around Christmas and other paid holidays your employer may recognize around winter, such as (for Americans), New Year's Day, Veterans Day in November, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day in January, and Presidents' Day in February (and, if you're super lucky, separate Washington's Day and Lincoln's Day in February).

I have been known to take three week trips leaving right before Veteran's Day and returning to work the Monday after Thanksgiving.  In doing so, instead of using up 15 PTO days on a three week trip, I've only used 12 PTO days.  I've "saved" three PTO days for use on another trip! In contrast, during the summer, it's harder to maximize PTO days because there are no paid holidays in June and August, and only one day in July.

Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
no crowds!

4. Christmas markets and Seasonal Markets. I love the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets in Europe.  There are lots of lights, shopping, food and mulled wine. Mmmmm.... wine.  Although a lot of places put up their markets in December, some places put up Christmas markets as early as November (like Budapest in Hungary).  So, try and check it out.  But, if you miss the Christmas markets, have no fear. Europe's seasonal winter markets will allow you to check out food only available during that time of year.


5. Winter Festivals.  There are lots of them and you can read about them here and here.


If this post has convinced you to visit Europe in late wall and winter, you still have a little bit of time to plan and get cheap fares.  So, go for it!

Let us know if you love Europe in winter and, if so, what you love about it.