Europe in January?

I would do Paris/Italy/Spain to take advantage of longer daylight hours and I would do Paris last as you may gain a few minutes of daylight as the days progress. I live pretty far north in the US but Scotland is even more limited on daylight!

Edinburgh sunrise/sunset times Jan 1 2023 ( from www.sunrisesunset.com )

Twi: 7:57am
Sunrise: 8:44am
Sunset: 3:48pm
Twi: 4:35pm

Congrats on your graduation! And yes, I would go.

It may be quite rainy here during January time, and the days quite short...it would help to have things you'd like to see. And while you can't rule anything out I'd say the possibility of winter blackouts is slim at the moment.

Many congratulations on your graduation

Whenever I took a new job, I always said I had non refundable airline tickets for a date in the future. If they want you, they will agree. So, make it for next spring, summer or fall!

We once went in January to Munich, Innsbruck (skiing) and did a day trip down to Venice.

They had wooden walkways over St. Marks Square in Venice, and we about froze our tails off there.

I'd probably suggest the Algarve and the Mediterranean cost of Spain for that time of the year.

Anywhere is better than home in January!

(and recession... not panning out as feared- including power shortages. File that worry away.)

Thank you, Samuel. @Diane unfortunately when I go on vacation to Europe it's a month-long, otherwise, I would do that. I will definitely think of Spain and Portugal. I need to decide where to fly into. Paris has non-stop but Google states that a train ride to Spain is 13 hours. OUCH!

Or, embrace the winter and go north. Watch the northern lights, go skiing and see if you can visit a winter market.

https://auroraskystation.se/en/welcome-to-aurora-sky-station/

“ Also, with Europe looking at a rescission and power outages would it be worth it?”
Power outages? Who or what makes you believe there will be power outages in January?

Congratulations on your graduation, and I hope being changed to a desk will be fulfilling. But first, definitely take that trip. The relative strength of the Dollar is a bonus reason for going now.

As an alternative to a 13 hour train ride, look into a cheap flight. Several airlines serve destinations within Europe. If you went to Spain, would Granada be on the itinerary? Treat yourself to a soak (and maybe also massage) there at an Arab hammam baths.

But if Scotland - and actually, the Shetland Islands at the northern reaches of Scotland would be appealing, there’s a festival I’d love to experience: Up Helly Aa. My husband and I had a delightful but too-short Shetland visit in June a few years back, out of season for Northern Lights, or for the annual winter fire festival - https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/up-helly-aa/ and https://www.uphellyaa.org/ Late January could be your opportunity!

Cyn's ideas as always are spot on.

I would suggest that if you consider Shetland in the short run that you check if they have their electricity back before you go.

After this week's blizzards and record low temperatures, the whole of the islands, pretty much, lost its power and while some areas are starting to come back the losses included the 33kV high voltage lines and it is taking quite some time for the restoration.....

The strong dollar is waning.

In September it was about $1.10 to the GBP pound. It's now $1.24. And prices are rising.

Three months ago it was 96 cents to the Euro. It's now $1.06 to the Euro.

Regardless of the above, January is a great time to visit. Less crowds.

January in Europe, NOPE, I lived in Germany for four years and those long cold winters were a bit much. It gets dark about 4PM.

Go if you must, but bundle up with a good overcoat, gloves and hat.

Is it the optimal time to go? No. But so what. You should always go if you have the time and money for it. You may never have a chance for a three week trip for a long time, after you are no longer young. Recession and power outages? Now you're just looking for excuses. .

You could visit South America. It is cheaper than Europe and amazing.

My favorite countries are Peru, Argentina and Chile.

Last January (2022) I spent 4 days each in Florence, Milan, Lyon, and Paris. Loved it all. Have a great time wherever you decide to go!

Speaking of alternative destinations, in January 2019, we spent 3 weeks in Morocco, and it was a fantastic, cooler, less busy time to visit, compared to a summer vacation. It was really cold overnight in the desert, though. Even in the cities, we needed to wear an extra layer. The original plan had been to go in June 2002, and that got changed to Spain, after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 affected travel. I’m glad we got to eventually go, almost 2 decades later. Go while you can, when you can!

Highly recommend traveling off season. January isn't guaranteed perfect weather anywhere, and you're not battling as many hordes of tourists- a slower pace is delightful.

I highly recommend Andalucia, Sicily, maybe Malta? during that time for more daylight and milder Temps. But I also enjoy cozying up for a long lunch in a brown cafe in Amsterdam after a morning in the van gogh museum while it sheets down outside :)

Congratulations, and definitely go for it! North if you want a chance to see the Northern Lights, but don't build the trip around the assumption that you will. I'd go south and/or spend time in big cities where there's more to see and do indoors. Three countries in three weeks is biting off a lot, but you have more energy than many of us.

I'd go for a week in Paris, then fly to either Italy or Spain for two weeks, still focusing on cities but moving around some in whichever country you choose.

And hopefully you won't be permanently chained to a desk. Keep on traveling as much as you can, whether domestically or overseas. If you really like it, maybe you can aim for a career that takes you to different places. Good luck!

I like be Europe in the winter yet! We spent 3 weeks in February going to London, Scotland and France. We have also been to Dresden, Leipzig and Prague in January as well as a week in Iceland the first of February (different trips). Every one of these were excellent and we had no threats FWIW, but cold weather does not bother us.

I’m in the “go” camp. If you’re looking primarily at cities, the weather and short daylight hours will have less of an impact. Museums and other sights will still be open perhaps with shorter hours. Coffee shops and bars are cozier. Lines are shorter or non-existent. It’s easier to make spontaneous choices. The people you see are more likely to be locals enjoying their city. I grew up in Maine, so I’m not as bothered by cold as some. I love off season travel. Four years ago today, I was wrapped in IKEA blankets on a boat tour of the Stockholm archipelago. Congratulations on your graduation and enjoy your trip.

How you feel about the cold probably depends on where you live. Like geovagriffith, I have no desire to travel anywhere in winter that's colder than here ( it's currently 43 here and worse next week). But at least the sun is shining brightly.

Have you considered Hawaii?

Take it from a 69 year old. Go for it!

I like Diane's idea. To each their own, but having lived in Germany for 8 years, January would not be my first pick. To avoid crowds look at the shoulder seasons when the weather is not cold, gray, and raining/snowing/windy. But if it's January or nothing, then the positives have been well mentioned in this thread. One peripheral matter to consider is it's cold and flu season.

Not sure if I'm shooting myself in the foot here. But I found a nonstop round trip to Heathrow for $600 at the beginning of January. I just went to the England forum and they're talking about train strikes. I don't think this will affect me seeing how I just want to visit Oxford otherwise I will stay in London when I'm there.

Here is what I am thinking, leave California on Thursday the 4th and arrive in London Friday afternoon. Stay there for 3 days and take off to Spain. 5 days in Barcelona, 5 days in Madrid, and 5 in Lisbon fly to London until Feb 2nd.

All of this with a carry-on and a backpack. 5 Target black tees, 2 jeans, 1 raincoat underwear, and socks. Computer and tablet in my backpack. If I need a big checkin luggage I will look for a cheap one in London in the last week. This will prevent $50 to $75 for baggage fees on the planes to/from Spain. The laundromat will be my friend. I got till 6pmish to cancel the flight. Thoughts?

Go for it!!! Sort out some alternative plans around the strikes, take it easy and that will all sort itself.

Just a heads up that you’d have to fly from Madrid to Lisbon. There are other options to stay in Spain and stick with trains.

Amazon has laundry detergent in the form of a thick paper (kind of…). I carry those for laundromats.

Have a blast! (I’ll actually be in Madrid then. Or just before you. Flying the 4th, arriving the 5th and going to Gran Canaria on the 10th.)

Go for it. Make sure to have a warm coat or puffer jacket with gloves, hat and a buff for your neck. Good shoes or hiking boots for the wet streets. You will not regret the trip.

I know this is a Europe forum but, in January, I would go to Mexico or South America instead of Europe. Hands down. I just did a trip in the Yucatan and it was wonderful and totally easy on the wallet.

Absolutely go for it!! Wow, cheap flights. So, I'm just wondering about how many days you have in each place -

• You land at LHR Friday PM, 3 full days in London but probably less with transit time, maybe only 2.5 days? Seems a bit short, maybe makes more sense to stay however long you want in London at beginning of trip, then end in Lisbon & catch a connecting flight via LHR AS LONG AS ITS on the same alliance, (OR book the connecting flights with hours to spare). Remember, no compensation for missed flights if you're not on same alliance, or all on one ticket.)
• Or reverse it, catch connecting flight to Barcelona or Madrid leaving USA, spending end of trip in England. (BTW there's a bus from Heathrow to Oxford, takes about 1.15 hours).
• Otherwise you'd schlepp back to LHR for a flight to Spain after just a few days, 9 full days there if I'm reading this right, that sounds fine. But maybe only 8 days, then fly to Lisbon, 5 full days or is that really only 4 with travel times added? And then you'd have to travel via LHR back into London. That's the part that seems like wasted time.
• I thought about mentioning Portugal when you first posted, but you had so many opinions, now that you're thinking Lisbon, IMO, Portugal is the best kept secret of Western Europe, cheaper than Spain, good food, less super famous landmarks sure, but SUCH nice people. Or stay in Spain, especially with lots to see in Andalusia too. But the trip itself sounds amazing! Happy travels.

Also, with Europe looking at a rescission and power outages would it
be worth it?

The energy scares have not materialized in any meaningful way impacting tourism in any of the parts of Europe that I am familiar with and the "recession" being based on the newest definition for the non-recession recession in the U.S. is also not a recession.

Go have fun.

Too bad this article is behind a paywall and I can’t read it. But perhaps the OP has a subscription. I did Google for another source but so far have only come up with a really pretty video of the lights at the Gyor markets. Maybe it’s like the cuts for the Eiffel Tower (which by the way was really pretty every hour, although it stopped past my bedtime, I hear, in order to save electricity - so I didn’t miss anything).

Periscope, good thing you and I aren't gullible enough to react to clickbait reporting.

12 days ago I returned from a month in Hungary and I promise you not one tourist was aware of an energy issue or recession issue and I suspect most travelers in most of Europe will have a similar experience.

https://www.hungarybudapestguide.com/the-christmas-markets-in-gyor-hungary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mKGI92geIw