July or August--how much difference in crowds, prices within this high-season window?

Six times over the years I have travelled to Europe in July/August, and being peak summer holiday time, it is busier than at other times pretty much everywhere. Of course coastal areas are extremely busy as you'd expect. You will find some disparity with your locations given some are more popular than others, however I don't think you gain anything by making special consideration for any of them during this time window.

Will August vs July make much difference in Germany, Ireland and London? (

In Germany at popular sites with tourists, no it won't make a difference. But I would prefer July, simply because heat waves are rather uncommon in July. You can count on at least one short heatwave sometime in August.

Different countries have different school holidays and in Germany, the north has different summer holidays to the south!

UK schools have their holidays from mid July (Scotland is a little earlier), but the times just before these dates are popular with those not tied to school holidays. There won't be much difference in prices or how busy places are between July and August, but you would notice a slight difference with June or September.

Paris empties less than it used to in August, but some places do still shut. Provence has always been one of the busiest and most expensive regions to visit whatever the month.

With travel between places costing more peak season, I would suggest that you pick three locations in your timescale. You will lose at least half a day in transit every time you move. Peak season, I suggest that you pre book all your accommodation.

Thank you all. That's good to know. I personally would prefer July also, but if that doesn't happen it sounds like it won't make a ton of difference. Yes, we will book in advance. I loved puttering around England and Ireland in the spring and meeting our hosts before committing, but it's not going to work in this circumstance.

Keep something in mind with regards to the "Paris empties" notion. It empties of government ministers, bankers, notaries, insurance brokers, accountants, barristers, and tradesmen. If you're goal is to negotiate a business contract of some sorts, then the summer holiday is probably not the best time to visit. But if you want to visit museums and monuments, expect to find yourself surrounded by thousands of other tourists using their spare time to experience the wonders of this great city. And expect every business that caters to your and every other visitors expectations and needs to remain fully open.

Yeah - don't expect Paris to feel "empty" - it'll feel crowded. So will Provence. Prices won't change perceptibly but availability might vary a bit, with August being peek.

Personally, if I had to go in July - August, I'd go as early in July as possible, just to beat some of the heat which is usually worse in August.

We have traveled in Italy in August and were disappointed to find many restaurants and shops closed for all of August. Found this in both Florence and Bologna.

2-1/2 weeks in Ireland in August 2014, including a week in Dublin, and the only place there were crowds was in Temple Bar - which was lots of fun.

I thin Provence would probably not be great in either month, since so many Europeans will be vacationing then, many with their cars. France in mid-July will be crowded for sure - 14 Juillet (the French do not call it Bastille Day). 5 years ago I was in Southern Germany last week in June and Berlin/Dresden first week in July, no big crowds.

Thanks everyone.

So here's a follow on. If Provence is not recommended during August...is there anywhere in France or Germany we would likely see the same variety and quality of Roman ruins? While the whole Provencal "ethos" appeals, we could find something equivalent elsewhere (and probably with fewer crowds)...but the quality and variety of the Roman sites in the area were an additional draw. (And a couple of articles I did read about Roman remains said "there are a few here and there, but Provence has the best concentration.") We have seen some Roman sites in England (Bath, Chedworth, Hadrian's Wall), but thought we'd explore elsewhere this trip. My son studied Classical history this year, and I think he'd really love some of the sites.

Hi,

I'll address the prices during this high peak season. Most of my traveling in Europe has been in high peak season in the summer. In Germany and Austria the lowest prices offered by hotels, hotel chains are in these two months, if they offer discounts at all, usually from mid-July to about the end of August. For a single or double at a 3 or 4 star hotel, the price could drop to that found in a two star.

Expect train travel in Germany to be crowded, inundated with people.