Pleasant Europe in Late March?

You can't miss doing Sicily and/or the amalfi coast; we've done both in early March and late March and ended in Rome before flying home. Personnally, as far as Sicily is concerned, I enjoyed the area from Cefalu to the West-Palermo, Erice, Segesta, St. Joseph's festival in Salami and Agrigento. It's lush and green and carpeted with wild flowers during March and we enjoyed the 60's during the day.

Unless there is a freak, lingering storm system, which can happen anytime and virtually anywhere, I doubt if you will have a problem with the weather in late March. With only a couple of exceptions, I usually travel in mid-March and have had nothing but good luck so far with the weather: Pleasant temps and, at most, no more than one or two days of rain per week. Some observations: Thousands of bikes on the streets of Amsterdam in beautiful weather in March 2007 and watching a hang glider over the Mosel a few days later; glorious weather in Salzburg one day, followed by snow the next in '08, with similar weather in '10; overcast and rainy in Florence on the same '08 trip; left snow in Alabama for a week of bright sunshine in Paris in '09; several days of blue skies and only one day of rain in London this March. The only time I have encountered cold weather for more than one day at a time was in Bavaria a couple of years ago; not good for biking but hiking in the snow was a treat for me. I don't know if this helps or not, but I would just as soon be north of the Alps as in Italy in March. One thing that might help is to see what is in bloom and where in late March. PS: For usually perfect weather in late March, come to Alabama and Georgia; most years azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom at that time and summer does not start for another month. PPS: I have sent by private message a link that may be helpful.

Naples and Sorrento... or Rome

Thanks for the ideas. I have been intrigued by the idea of Sicily for a while now, but it does not seem as conducive to amateur bicycling as a more flat area would be. Maybe I'm wrong about that? We were on the Amalfi Coast just a month ago and I didn't care for it as much as I expected to. I don't see myself going back there any time soon. I know weather is fickle and what occurred for one person in one location is no guarantee than it will happen that way for me, but I do appreciate personal accounts of the "I was there then and it was great (or terrible)" sort. At least it gives me an idea of what is possible. How about Dubrovnik, Provence, Spain, Portugal?...

(Spring Break)

My husband and I have taken 5 trips during March since 2006 and I'd have to say the best and most consistent weather was in Spain. We did a Barcelona/Andalucia/Madrid loop and I only recall rain in Toledo and Madrid. Andalucia was especially fantastic, warm (but not scorchin'), sunny, and the orange trees were in bloom and they smell similar to lilacs. Oh, was that a treat. Another great-weather-March-trip was Italy, but it looks like you just got back from there so... Oh, and we were in Dubrovnik in March in 2008 and weather was great one or two days, very rainy for two days. The rest of that trip (going northerly in direction to Slovenia) was a mixed bag of beautiful days and rainy days and there was snow on the ground in Plitvice. So that's our story of weather in March. From our experience, Spain would get the weather vote.

Obviously to the south. The further south, the greater the chance of warm weather. I'd consider the Mediterranean coast/southern hunks of...Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Italy (including Sicily), Spain and maybe Portugal (it seems more exposed to Atlantic storms - we got walloped b what seemed to be a hurricane in the Algarve one September). If you're willing to fudge a bit on the definition of "Europe" look at Morocco, Canary Islands, maybe Tunisia. Other rocks that could work would be any islands in the Mediterranean (Malta, Crete, etc.).

2011 we went to Amsterdam, Brugge, and Paris, April 1st-14th 60's - 80's temps and we did bike Brugge to Damme which was a treat. We also had the same type of weather in Italy in 2008 late march early April. We enjoy Europe that time of year because it's Spring in Europe !! Hope this helps, good luck :)

I have been to Europe in March and one time the weather was great the end of Feb. and turned colder in March. Germany one year over spring break...beautiful...a friend was in Turkey that same week and she froze.???
If you are not opposed to a new location have you ever been to Guatemala? I go almost every year around March/April because it is a shorter flight, cheaper, beautiful weather and an exotic culture. If the spring break is over Easter there is the incredible Semana Santa to experience. I usually go to Antigua, Lake Atitilan (which look like Lake of Constance in Germany) only it is surrounded by Mayan Villages, Chichicastenango (largest market in Central America) and this year I went to Tikal to the Mayan Ruins in the jungle... amazing trip. Most of the time spent in Antigua or the Lake and because it is in the mountains the weather is spectacular. Hot & humid in Tikal, but worth it.

Terry Kathryn, Guatemala is an interesting suggestion. In fact, it has already occurred to me that Central America could be an interesting change of scenery and culture, the airfare would likely be cheaper, and other costs could be cheaper as well (to say nothing of the more reliably warm weather). My only hesitation is that I still have this (perhaps unrealistic) vision of renting a bike and getting from town to town that way within a fairly small area. This would require me to feel comfortable with my surroundings as well as being certain that there is no danger in being alone or a little lost. That's probably true in much of Central America. But all? If I could choose anywhere at all, I would choose New Zealand. But I'm trying to NOT spend $1600 on airfare - more like half that or less.

The last 2 years in Germany, March has actually been decent. All the flowers in bloom, sunny skies, and no rain. Go figure. What about Portugal or Spain? Weather should be nice there, prices shouldn't be atrocious.

Before I moved to Europe, the majority of my trips here were between March and May. So speaking from experience, I concur with Roy, temperatures really are rather mild and pleasant for most of the continent. The only real cold spells I have ever experienced in spring were in places where you would fully expect it to be cold, the Alps and Russia. Considering that you generate quite a lot of body heat while traveling by bicycle, I really don't think you would experience any trouble staying warm enough. Now avoiding rain, that's going to be much tougher. Even in the Mediterranean basin, late March is still part of their wet season. For cycling, the four most bike friendly countries are probably the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. For almost every road connecting two towns, there's usually a designated bike path.

The South of France should be warm. I went to Villefranche sur Mer a couple of years ago in mid March and got a sunburn one day. It did rain too, but there were more nice days than not.

I would agree that rain is the bigger obstacle. You can look up temps on a climate chart, but there is nothing a person can do to plan to avoid rain. If the travel was in the summer, I would love to do a 10-day ride from Amsterdam to Paris. But that doesn't seem wise in March. I'll be looking more closely at Sicily, Andalucia (Spain), Provence, a few options in Central America, and looking for better airfares to New Zealand.

Randy... probably the idea of biking around Guatemala would not be a good idea. Although the tourist areas are fine, there are a few more precautions you should take if you are out of those areas, especially by yourself. But, if you give up on the bike idea, it is an incredible place to visit. You could also take an immersion Spanish class for very little money. I have stayed at a guest house a few blocks off the square a few times. $180 a week, private room & bath, 3 incredible meals a day (2 on Sat. and Blanco the cook has Sunday off) Open air dining room that overlooks one of the volcanoes.... so yes, it is much cheaper than Europe. You can also take private spanish lessons for about $150 a week.

The one place that would seem to meet all your needs for bike travel in late March is not in Europe or Central America but along the Gulf Coast of Florida from Pensacola to Appalachicola and possibly on back roads to St. Augustine. Or dip down the coast to Cedar Key. After Minnesota, it might even seem like a foreign culture (actually a variety of cultures, which vary with the terrain). There's also good barbecue, seafood and traditional Southern cooking. There is a strong biking culture along the coast, so you would not be the only cyclist on the roads. Spring break has ended for most colleges in the South by late March and tourist season does not get under way until schools are out in May. Anyway, it is something you might want to check out.

I don't know, my sis in law visited early March this year (3 - 10) and the weather was awful. It was still basically winter. It even snowed in Munich. I don't remember the previous year being much better, until the last week of March when the flowers finally started blooming and the weather got a little bit better. Then again, early July here was dreary and chilly as well. It's a crapshoot. If really pleasant weather is important to you, I would actually second the recommendation for Central America. If safety is paramount, Costa Rica is very safe (expensive by Central American standards, but not by European standards!!) I love, love, love the Yucatan Penninsula in Mexico, and it is still a safe region (unaffected by the drug war in Mexico for the most part). It's not really feasable to bike between villages in most places, particularly since biking after dark would be a hazard, you can have amazing biking experiences there, like renting a bike in the ancient Mayan ruin of Coba, and biking along limestone roads paved 1,000 years ago in the jungle from pyramid to pyramid! And the weather in March there is perfect. There are also beautiful colonial cities like Valldolid and Merida where biking through the city would be very nice.

Paul; Thanks for the great link. Those trails look great. Too bad they don't connect with each-other to form a more wide-spread network. Still, If I ever get there, a few of them would definitely be on the itinerary. Terry Kathryn; At those prices for lodging, it would be foolish to discount the idea of somewhere in Central America. Thanks for the info. Roy; You are probably correct that Florida would feel like a different culture than Minnesota :) It's been almost 20 years since I've been anywhere in FL except Disneyworld. It would have the benefit of being relatively flat, too. Sarah; A little later in the year, Germany would be perfect for what I'm looking for. I just want to go from one small town to another & don't even much care if there is anything to see that a guide book would deem noteworthy. I'm just seeking general pleasantness. But probably not in March - even late March. Thanks for the suggestions.

Where to go in Europe in March... I concur that 55 degrees & sunny is a far cry from 55 with rain. That said... If you want warmer in late March, head to one of the Mediterranean coastal regions and I'd include Portugal in this group. Then I've enjoyed 70 degree weather in Ireland and London in March and seen hail in May! Andalusia, southern Spain, is very mild throughout the year and is easy to navigate. There is some wonderful hiking in the mountains of Andalusia.... For walking Check out: http://www.andalucia.com/rural/walking.htm
And cycling: http://www.andalucia.com/sports/cycling/home.htm Malaga is a fine city to base yourself as it is the hub of transport for the region. Lots to see on a cultural level, great restaurants and bodegas. For hotels check out: http://www.room-matehotels.com/index.php/eng

Contrary to what some others pointed, I think late March is a great time to visit Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and the Mediterranean in general, as long as getting yourself in summer clothing is not a must whose impossibility would make you feel your trip is "trashed" Days are long enough, temperatures are not high but bearable for hikes, walks etc. Other alternatives include Northern cities like Amsterdam, København or Oslo. There, you will find chilly but reasonably long days without the summer crowds.

Paul, Handpicking weather extremes is not helpful. I prefer to rely on averages than extreme data. Considering extremes, most of US would be unsuitable for tourism: low 40s oF have been registered in July in the Gulf Coast. Winter resorts like Vail have seen also high 40s in December... and pretty much everywhere on East Coast has seen scorching temperatures above 110 that make going outside dangerous

Ok, chill guys :) I appreciate all suggestions. Being from Minnesota where temps are below freezing most of the time 4+ months of the year, I know that dressing appropriately can get you by anywhere except the arctic (and even there?!?). But that's not what I'm looking for. After a long winter here, 55F and sunny feels pretty good. That's what I'm looking for - or better. The sunny part matters as much as the temp. Rain or high wind or even dreary clouds can put a big damper on a day. Of course no one can predict any of those things. But probabilities and personal experiences are at least helpful.

OK, your original post said you are open for anything, check out Vieques, PR. Island off the coast of Puerto Rico. We have been there about five times, weather great, very laid back, awesome beaches, check out their tourism website.