Late autumn travel

Pick the places and go! You will likely be visiting museums, churches and other indoor places for much of the trip and so you can plan your days around possible bad weather.

She will be so excited about being there that she will never notice how cold it is.

Weather in much of Europe seems to be less of an issue than here. Even in winter, people sit at outdoor cafes and enjoy the sights. We had a wonderful time in Lyon France one December.

Europeans understand heat and warm drinks much better than they understand air conditioning and cold drinks so it is better to go in cooler months.

It is a lot cheaper and there are a lot fewer tourists so high airline tickets and hotel prices as well as long lines of tourists will be missing which will add to your enjoyment.

If you are really afraid of the cold, go to Spain and/or Italy where it will be a little warmer.

But GO!

Hi Roger:

I have been to Europe three times (Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland)in the spring. And each time it has rained, a lot. The first time I went it even snowed in Italy. My take is if I am going to be rained on, better in Paris than San Francisco. There is always the possibility of bad weather when you travel. Too hot, too cold etc.

That being said, what your wife will have is a lot less of us tourists. If she is in Paris, there are many museums to see, stores to shop in etc. Use this as an excuse to buy a beautiful French winter coat. If she likes to cook maybe a class at the Cordon Bleu. Sit in a warm cafe and have coffee and a pastry. It can also be a fun experience to take a walk through a park on a brisk morning.

I think the key is to research what the weather will be and be prepared for it. Then you can concentrate on the city you are in.

Let the weather be a concern, not an major issue to prevent you from taking a wonderful trip.

We have been traveling to the UK and Austria in late Nov/early Dec for more than 20 years. We love going that time of the year. Rain has seldom bothered us. London is a wonderful place for her first visit to Europe. You can stay put in one place and do day trips. Bath has a marvelous Christmas market as does York. Windsor, Canterbury and Dover, Cardiff, Wales, Stratford-upon-Avon and many other wonderful places are all "doable" by train. Feel free to contact me for ideas- I've just published an atricle in AAA Carolina's "Go" magazine about doing a trip like this. Trust me, your wife will love England at that time of year.

Southern Europe is nice in the falls.
Germany and Paris are really rainy.
You can try Cote d'Azur (Golden Coast) including Marseille. It should be nice in Nov./Oct.

I was in Italy ending in Rome on the 15thof Nov.The weather was very nice and no crowds.

I don't know much about London. And Paris is very rainy and can be windy, and at times biting cold.

I used to live in the Cote d'Azur. and it can be beautiful in the late fall. It rains there too, but with all the tourists and yachts gone you get to see a bit of the old fishing villages that they once were. I especially like St. Tropez in the off season.

The other consideration would be use the seaon to your advantage. Consider the coast of either France (Brittany) or England, Scotland, Ireland etc.... The winter weather can be stunning.

I personally always go to Europe in the fall, and am now going in winter also. I'm going to Paris in 10 days. I know it's cold there now, but I also know it will be wonderful ( I was there in Jan 2006) The lower prices, cooler temperatures and lack of crowds are what I appreciate. I went to Paris and Rome this past September, and it was in the high 70's and beautiful, but also very crowded, expensive and with all the walking we did in the heat -- very tiring. I will not go in high season again.

I suggest going to Paris, and Venice -- where in November the crowds from the cruise ships are non-existent. Both cities actually are enhanced by rain, cold & dark, I think -- certainly the experience is not ruined -- it's just different, but great!