4 Reasons to See Europe in Winter
The following is a sponsored destination post brought to you by Escape Travel.
When you think about vacations, you usually imagine warm weather; sunshine and beaches, yet taking a holiday during the winter season can be quite a beautiful experience. Just imagine the snowy moors of England or the vast darkness of Sweden. These are places where activities continue to delight residents and some brave travelers. The pubs are frequented, and the fireplaces in various accommodations roar with delightfully bright flames to warm your insides. Really yummy baked goods and steaming hot chocolate top off the end of days in many European countries.
Choosing to Travel in the Off-Season:
For every reason that you choose to stay at home in the winter, there is at least one reason to go on a winter holiday to Europe. Keep reading and you will come up with many more important reasons to travel in the winter months.
You will definitely save money.
Air fares and hotel accommodations are much cheaper in the off-season. In today’s world, we are all looking to save money and not give up everything in order to do so. See Paris, London or Stockholm in the rain and snow and save bundles when you are willing to capture these moments. Wherever you are traveling, off-season rates will always be available and serve to save! You may choose to book at the very end of winter, when you can still save and see signs of spring, too. You’ll save money back home when you set your own thermostat low and just go!
Many European Holiday Spots are Still Quite Warm.
Places like southern France and southern Spain. Greece offers plenty of reasons not to “light” there in the summer. Winter is comfortable for sightseeing while still allowing for an afternoon swim. Many airlines offer a great deal on ski packages for those who really embrace the snow and the cold. Love the adventure of it all.
European Christmas Markets.
The markets are hustling and bustling and alive with the season of festivities and there are so many uniquely unusual gifts can be purchased in these markets. Making your family especially happy, bright and cheery via special gift giving may be your prime motivation for a winter trip to Europe. Give that special person in your life the Christmas gift of plane tickets to a desired European spot and leave immediately after the holidays.
Crowds are Sparse.
Less crowds means more “elbow room.” All of the usual tourist attractions will be free of the crowds and make it possible to enjoy a much more pleasant experience. There are also festivities available during the winter months that you will never see in the summertime.
Whichever season you choose to travel to your most cherished European destination, planning and dreaming are the key elements that will open you to the pleasure of a wonderful experience. There are a number of Europe tour packages at great prices available at the moment.
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.