From November 2024 through January 2025, my husband and I were on a pan-European adventure, a trip you’ve heard me refer to as our 65-30-65 project
For most of the places we went, this is considered low season. Here one thing I can tell you for sure – I don’t think I’ll ever travel in the high season again.
Summer travel often is what you can do if you are in school, or the kids are in school, but sometimes it just becomes the default when it doesn’t need to be anymore.
Everything you have read about high season travel in Europe is true – crowds beyond imagination, hot weather, higher prices.
Low season has a lot to recommend it, but everything you had heard about it may or may not be true.
Here’s a few things that are true –
- The weather won’t be perfect, but it’s not perfect in Paris or Florence in the middle of summer either, and Ireland in November still beats Chicago weather. In fact, we decided that 50-65 degrees is just about right for really enjoying most activities
- The crowds will be smaller, but they won’t be small everywhere. The Louvre on a Monday morning in January still feels like the busiest train station you’ve ever seen, and that’s after you stand outside for about 20-30 minutes waiting to get in with your timed ticket.
- Prices will be lower, except for the two weeks around Christmas, and especially for vacation rentals outside hotels
- VRBO and AirBnB hosts don’t always update their rates for the low season, so send an inquiry before you book or decide someplace is too expensive
- Holiday season concerts, shows, parades, and light displays are everywhere. They are magical, and often free.
By the way, the photo is from the Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow, Ireland in November.