Hello again group! First thank you all for answering me. I may settle on the Lancelot Hotel as mentioned in Rick's Italy book. I have a question. I know this is really dumb question. What is the difference between Low and High Season? This is really the first time I will be planning and going one way or another...Thanks group!!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Low season, in theory, is when the weather is not very favourable, and tourists less numerous, therefore, again in theory, hotels rates are lower, museums less crowded and most tourist sites are more accessible.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Generally speaking:
High season: April thru October
Low season: November, Dec (Christmas week may have high season rates(, Jan (New Year's eve & day may be high season rates), Feb & March
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
And just to make things more complicated, there's also "shoulder season" which is generally the parts of spring and fall that stil have pretty good weather, but are less popular times to go (the kids are back in school, it's not quite "traditional vacation" time).
Many of us find that shoulder season is the ideal time to go to many destinations - certainly those southern European desitinations that are uncomfortably hot -- and mobbed with tourists -- during the "peak season".
Personally, I'll take Venice in April or Madrid in October over the "high season" any time. A much better experience IMHO. Of course, everyone has their limits -- I'm sure Oslo is nice in January (and not clogged with tourists), but you have to draw the line somewhere. ;)
Posted by
Buffalo Grove, IL
82 posts
As someone else already said, weather is everything...and I think that everyone's idea of "winter", for example, varies depends upon where you are from. I'm from the Chicago area and am therefore used to very extreme (COLD!) winters, so most of the "winter" season in Europe doesn't really feel too cold to me...of course, someone from Florida or the Southern part of the country wouldn't agree with me; for them, I'd imagine that they'd find a European winter cold (and a Chicago winter unbearable)!
For example, I lived in France last year and traveled throughout Switzerland, France, and London in late December/early January last year. People in France and London were complaining about their "cold" weather; to me, it didn't feel that cold! Switzerland was also not too cold, though it certainly was colder than the other two.
It's really all relative, if you ask me. If you are used to colder temps, you may have an advantage going to Europe in winter time over those who are not.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10257 posts
Erica, You've got that right! We were in Amsterdam, Bruges & Paris over the holidays and although some days felt colder than others, there was not a day when we didn't feel like we were freezing. It probably would have felt balmy to you in comparison. Future trips for us will be in warmer weather.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
High season is usually June, July and (especially) August. In Italy, high season also includes May and September.
Shoulder season is April-May and September-October, except in Italy which is probably only April and October (maybe March and November). I like traveling in shoulder season. In May, the days are long and comfortable but the rates and crowds are better than they will be in one month. The weather is still great in September (in some places better) but the crowds have mostly gone back to work.
Low season is November, December, January, February and March in most places. The days are shorter, colder and many tourist sites are closed for the season. The crowds are thin to non-existent and the rates are the lowest. This is the best time to do non-touristy things but it's best to plan indoor activities because the weather can be pretty bad.