Europe Towns that are Open

Towns or cities in Europe don't "close" anymore than Camarillo does... ... that being said, some resort towns may see seasonal closings of some businesses. In many small Alpine resort towns ,particularly those in the Berner Oberland of Switzerland, hotels and restaurants often close in April because there's not enough snow to ski but the weather is too cold and wet for good hiking. But the towns themselves aren't "closed".

The big cities are always "open" and even the small towns aren't closed, because the inhabitants obviously live there and use the amenities, even if they're not overrun with tourists. The first week of April is Easter week this year and a lot of Europeans will also be traveling to major tourist destinations. Why not write the names of all the cities you're considering on strips of paper, mix them up and pick three and then research them on the internet and in guide books. Also check on the weather of your selections. The Swiss and German alps may still have snow, Sicily and Greece will be lots warmer and the big cities will be more fun than small towns if the weather is miserable, chilly and rainy.

If you are starting in Florence and only have one week, you should limit your choices to 2 or 3 at the most, and not widely-flung. Consider the travel time between distinations---you lose half a day or more each time you change towns.

Thank you Tom, Anna and Lola - the input helps a lot. Keeping our visit to just three town (bigger ones at that) sounds like good suggestions. Our daughter is studying abroad there (since August) and has been having a wonderful time traveling in off times to a lot of great destinations. We. Would love to see a fraction of the cities/countries she has. Speaking of spring breaks that is why we will be there in early April.

Linda, It would help if you could provide some examples of places you're considering. That would make it easier to offer more specific suggestions.

"Sorry folks, Europe's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya." Seriously, though, one week for three cities doesn't give you much time in any of them. Pick two, and split the week. Consider Berlin-Prague, Vienna-Prague, Prague-Munich, or whatever is closer together. Or you could spend the whole week in Paris with a daytrip or two...same thing for Berlin.

Linda says
In doing research we have found a lot of really interesting cities we would like to visit but have heard some towns are closed/people aren't even there because it is considered the in-between time for tourist visits. Just curious Linda, where in the world did you hear this?

Just fyi, Good Friday in Germany is treated like a major holiday, i.e, many things are closed. We had arranged to pick up our rental car off-site (i.e., not at the airport) in order to save $$ and were told they would only be open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Good Friday. Fortunately, our flight landed at 7:30 a.m. and we were able to get our car. All the grocery stores and drug stores were closed, but we were able to find an open restaurant that evening. Be sure to plan carefully so you don't get stuck... :) Gute Reise

The only places I've found "closed" in April are in small villages around Innsbruck, Austria. Ski season is over and not yet time for summer tourists, so some hotels
and restaurants use this for vacation time.

The Monday after Easter (in Germany) is considered a holiday too, many places closed.

Linda, Ditto with what the other posters have said. Some resort areas may be quieter in 'shoulder' seasons than in the busy season, but April should be fine about anywhere in the south. That being said, since you're starting in Florence, why not stay in Italy? Siena and the beautiful villages of Tuscany are right there, and, I can think of no more memorable place to be than Rome on Easter Sunday. (Just don't try and travel that day) I spent Christmas in Rome two years ago, and it was a truly magical and moving experience.