Recently updated on January 17th, 2020 at 10:15 pm
Summer’s a great time to visit Europe – glorious sunshine, lush countryside, cafes spilling out onto the streets. But it’s also a fabulous continent to visit during autumn, winter and spring, for many reasons.
As a Brit, I’ve experienced the magic of Europe through the seasons for many years – everything from shopping the festive markets to watching the daffodils springing up from the ground.
Seasonal charms aside, there are a heap of other reasons why visiting Europe ‘out of season’ makes sense. For starters, it costs less compared to travelling in summer, there are fewer people in and around the sights, and the atmosphere is generally more laidback.
Here are some of my favourite experiences through the seasons.
Europe in autumn
In autumn, it’s taking in the riot of colour as you stroll or cycle through the leafy parks of London.
Pick up a Barclays bike (Boris bike) and cycle from Alexandra Gate to Hyde Park. Or if you’re feeling energetic, head to Richmond Park, pick up a bike and take in the beautiful autumnal scenes as you pedal your way along the 25-mile route towards Windsor Castle, a royal residence.
Or in Italy and Spain, it’s catching the tail-end of summer and exploring sights like the Colosseum or mingling with locals at Barcelona’s La Boqueria Market at a time when Europe’s more calm and crowd-free.
Europe in winter
Europe’s a magical place to be in winter: snowy scenes, twinkling lights and oodles of festive cheer.
I don’t think you can beat Europe’s Christmas markets for true festive spirit. Germany’s markets – like Dresden – have retained their unique and traditional charm. Stallholders chat to you about their home-made goods – everything from wooden toys and decorations, to poffertjes and speculatius. And as you make your way from cabin to cabin, the sweet aroma of Gluhwein and Stollen cake fills the air.
Europe in spring
In springtime, Europe comes alive with colours and scents. As gardens begin to blossom, evenings get lighter and warm sunshine makes a regular appearance.
For me, in England, springtime doesn’t start until there’s a carpet of bluebells in the woods. A great place to take in a sea of these vibrant blue-purple flowers is Kew Gardens, famous for its historic glasshouses, royal buildings and magnificent landscapes.
Holland is renowned for its vibrant tulip fields and during spring, blues, pinks, oranges and reds stretch as far as the eye can see. Tulip-growing season runs from March until August, but springtime is undoubtedly the most spectacular time to see its landscapes in full bloom.
Want to discover your piece of Europe during autumn, winter or spring? Download our latest Autumn, Winter and Spring brochure to see how we uncover its seasonal treasures.