Europe July/August

For the last 10 yrs I have traveled to Europe in July & Aug it is not bad at all. It is just peak travel season for Europeans and their families and it is generally hot and of course fares are at their highest then. Go for sure, make your lodging reservations way in adv. I usually start about March for July. Paris is actually a gd time eventho xtra hot (Get air cond lodging for sure)the city is alot less hectic, also. Enjoy Europe I have for 10 yrs in a row it is a fabulous place to visit IMO any time of yr.

MIke,, I usually travel in July or August to Europe. This past summer I went earlier then usual,, last week in May first two weeks in June. Saw no difference in crowds or prices,, in fact, hotels in Paris were MORE expensive in June then late July or August ( many hotels have "L"ete Promotions" , summer sales then ). I will return again this next summer, and I pointedly wll be going in July or August .. I prefer it. I like long days of summer light, I prefer heat and sun( I DO always get a hotel with A. C ) . My one exception to the lovefest I have for Europe in summer is in fact Rome. I have only been twice, both times in July/August and oh my,, that city is meltingly hot and stuffy then. If you really have no choice but then for Rome, make sure you get A. C, plan short easy touring days, and prepare to be really really hot and do not count on anywhere having a.c.. like sites etc.)

We were in Paris in August. Did not find it crowded. Our hotel rate increased almost 50% on Sept 1 - the day we left. It was warm, but not unbearable. Probably not as hot as Utah.

Mike, This year was an exception in going over...I left on 15 May. Almost always I leave for Europe in mid-June or July. So, I spend my trips during the core months of July and August. As regards to the heat: it just varies. I've been there during a heat wave in the months of July and Aug. I would say it depends on you luck with the weather. Some hotels do indeed lower the price provided that you book early enough and that lowest price (67 Euro) only starts to be available by mid-July. I am referring to one in Vienna, a 4-star where I stay and which has no A/C in that Vienna heat. Expect to see loads of tourists in Paris in July and August, which doesn't bother me. At that time of the summer, expect the Metro to be jammed, but then it depends on the lines you ride, take the bus instead.

Mike, we have been to Paris in July-August twice now, both times we had good weather, it was not to crowded and we obtained very good hotel rates, i would definitely go at that time again. Rome will be very hot, i am not sure i would go at that time of year, but i don't tolerate hot temperature well.

Go when you can go; screw the weather. I've been hot and cold all over the world and it sure beats sitting at home.

I like Ed's response ALOT. Because my husband is a teacher and I have children in school, we only travel to Europe in the summer. Last summer I went to Sizzling Southern Spain. It was 104 degrees and sunny. We had a fabulous time! We did NOT have ac, so we had to live live a local and close the shutters during the day and only open them at night. We did have a deliciously cold pool though. We also toured France, including Paris in July and the weather was GREAT! It was not terribly hot while we were there. I am going to Italy and England next summer. I do plan to go to Rome. Best thing to do is go out in the morning, rest in the middle of the day, and then go out again in the evening when it's coolest; and yes, A/C will be a must!

The only negative I've experienced has been driving on the autobahn in August. The traffic was HORRENDOUS. If you're traveling by train, you should be fine. But, I swear, all of Holland goes camping in August, and completely clogs the autobahn.

Yes, it's crowded and can be hot, but it's Paris! It's Rome! When I was on a Rick Steves tour to Berlin, Prague and Vienna a few years ago in July we had cold and rainy in Berlin and then hot in Prague and then really, really hot in Vienna. ; ) Ask for a fan when you check in if you think you'll be hot. Many smaller hotels do have some fans, but not enough for every room, so get your request in early. And, go with the flow - when it's crowded, people watch from a cafe with a beer or some wine. It will all seem wonderful. Pam

If the opportunity and time are available in July-August, go!! Totally agree with forgetting about the weather as a factor.

The peak trave season in Europe is slightly later than that in US. The first two weeks in August are the busiest ones, so plan accordingly (e.g., reserving places you usually would just show up). Planes can get full and cost more, but that you can plan accordingly. The 3 weekends surrounding the first two weeks of August (e.g., the one immediately before, the one immediately after and the one between 1st and 2nd week) are known as the worst possible time for driving in Europe. Weekdays during that period might be crowded, weekends are hell for traffic and some train lines too. My suggestion: plan accordingly. IF using a rental car, avoid long drives on those weekends, choosing instead less traveled areas for those specific weekends. Reserve in advance hotels you'd usually just show up to.

we have the same issue-we are both teachers. we were in paris end of july and beginning of august this year-the weather was perfect, and we did not have AC in our apartment. we were never hot. of course, this is luck of the draw-but then, you could go in may or october and encounter a heat wave. now, was it crowded? um...yes. but i won't get into the details of that because, well, if you really want to go-like we did-you're going to go anyway. have a great trip!

If that's the only time you can go, it's better than not going at all. The reason most people suggest picking a different time is both the weather and the crowds. Much of Europe and America vacations in August so everywhere you go there are likely to be lines. Flight and hotel prices will be at their peak........................... I vacationed in July/August for the first time this year. I normally love May and September for travel and look for good deals in those months. This year, however, I went to the Baltics and was told July/August is by far the best time to visit................................. Next vacation? I'll go in May/September unless I'm planning to visit the Baltics.

I think it depends on how much heat you can handle and what's your idea of That Bad. My fair skinned Canadian body can't handle anything above 24C. so I laugh when I see people say 30C is perfect, because I turn into a cranky monster at that temp. Crowds I can handle... If my only option though was July for Paris, I'd take it anyway.