Travelling Europe January - March

That would not be my choice of timing because of the short daylight hours as well as the weather, but plenty of folks enjoy mid-winter trips because there are fewer tourists around. Just be very cautious about small resort-like places. The can shut down tight for extended periods during the off-season. You'll need to consult guidebooks to be sure you don't run into something like that. For example, I am doubtful about the Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast in Italy, though I haven't done any research to back up my concern.

Andalucía has comparatively mild mid-winter weather, and there's enough there to keep you busy for quite some time.

Sicily is fascinating and you could certainly occupy yourself there for a month. Malta is a short hop away.

I loved my two trips to Madeira in May and June. I suspect it's nice mid-winter since it's located near the equator. It involves a flight from Lisbon. It's a physically beautiful island with lots of walks along irrigation canals.

Crete might work for part of your time. I think it would be a bit warmer than the other most-visited islands, but the Aegean spots would probably be OK if they're not off-season-dead. Check carefully on the Ionian islands (like Corfu), though. I think they tend to be cooler and rainier.

Edited to add: You could also consider a mixture of warmer/southern destinations and larger northern cities with lots of indoor activities--places like London, Paris and Berlin.

Just a gentle reminder, you can only go for 90 days and not three months. However, since February is in the middle this is only three months that you can go. Obviously, the further south you stay the warmer it will be. Parts of Frances can be cold and snowy at that time.

Three months seems like a long time but then once you start considering the countries on your list (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece), that time quickly disappears.

Be mindful of prolonged travel during the cold months, even through the Mediterranean. Personally I could cope with up to 3-4 weeks before discomfort would set in. Remember that a lot of tourist sights close over winter, day light hours are short and beach areas are totally shut down.

To make your time less stressful as well as more comfortable I would stick to the big cities, staying a week at each.
Porto & Lisbon in Portugal
Seville, Madrid & Barcelona in Spain.
Paris, Marseille/Provence & Nice in France.
Rome, Florence & Venice in Italy.
Athens & Thessaloniki in Greece.

Here is my theory, and I admit it’s not widely shared. If I am going to some place with fabulous warm weather then I want to be there in warm weather; not cold, not even cool. I don’t want to go to a famous beach and then tell folks I didn’t go in because it was 50F; But I saw it!! So, I do places that are famous when they are warm when the weather is actually warm. For Winter, I go where the weather is cold and you can capitalize on that. Among other places that means Eastern Europe. Short days? Outstanding as there are some cities that are absolutely magnificent when all lit up. And what do you expect? Do you think all the locals just go to bed at 5pm? No, there is a vibrant culture that continues through the dark and through the cold. They have long hard winters and they have figured out how to make the best of them. So I would say look east. Search for events as well. Many locations have celebrations or carnival between Epiphany and Easter. Here is an example: http://www.mohacsibusojaras.hu/ Its also the high point in the theater season in many locations..

Oh James, you share it with me. All the way.

My husband and I spent five months traveling in Europe from September through January. We knew the weather would be cold and packed accordingly, and it really didn't bother us much. While we were disappointed a handful of times that certain things we wanted to do were closed, overall one of the best things about the trip was the small crowds. We don't plan on ever traveling in high season again after having to wait five minutes to get into the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and seemingly being the only tourists in Tuscany!

Portugal was glorious in December, we knew we wouldn't be swimming in the ocean so of course we weren't disappointed when we couldn't. We still enjoyed the views of the water immensely.

Due to family obligations over the holidays, we did spend the last eight weeks in the U.K. and Ireland. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and experiences there; however the daily grey, overcast skies did start to take its toll. We decided to spend a week on the warm beaches of the Dominican Republic before returning stateside, it was the best antidote and a great way to wrap up our travels!

Europe is still fabulous in the winter, keep your expectations in check and you'll have a great trip!

I've been to Spain and Italy multiple times in February and it was great. The weather was mild, often sunny, and little rain. Except for special events (Semana Santa in Andalucia and Carnevale in Venice), hotels had low season rates (some real bargains) and tourist sights weren't crowded, In 2018, Semana Santa is the last week in March, Easter is April 1, and Carnevale is Jan. 27 to Feb. 13.

Portugal, on the Atlantic Coast, may be less balmy and much of southern France can be bitterly cold, due to the mistrals. In winter, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy snow in the the Pyrenees and the Dolomites, if you so choose. Even though more northern areas will be cold, it's a good time to see major cities at low season rates, with fewer tourists - London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam - even with short daylight hours, there's plenty to do in the evenings, including opera and concert season.

Europe is still fabulous in the winter, keep your expectations in
check and you'll have a great trip!

No, go someplace that is magnificent in the winter and exceed your expectations.

By the way, that's the best time to visit nearby Israel - only 3 hours from Rome or 2 from Athens, generally warmer and sunnier than southern Europe.

Of course January to March is the height of the Australian summer if you don't want to be such a frosty Peggy.

Budapest to Tel Aviv is $166 RT or $96 one way (EL AL). Its 3:20 non stop.

Budapest in February is much colder than Jerusalem

Rome to Tel Aviv is about $300 RT There are a few one way trips for abut $100, but most run $600 or more. Its 3:30 non stop
Rome in February is one degree cooler than Jerusalem and has 2 hours less sunshine.

Athens to Tel Aviv is about $100 RT and $50 one way. Its 2:00 non stop.
Athens is about 2 degrees warmer than Tel Aviv in February but has one hour less sunshine on average

Barcelona is 1 degree warmer than Jerusalem on average in February, but has one less hour of sunshine.

With the exception of Athens which is in the low 50's, these cities are I the high 40's on average. I would just assume be some place where the temperature is in the high 30's, but has a culture that thrives in that weather.

Here is an interesting tool I just stumbled on. Put in your minimum temperature (10C = 50F), and the month and the continent. With 10C and Europe chosen for February you are pretty much limited, with a few exceptions, to Greece and Turkey.

http://www.thebesttimetovisit.com/

I spent March in Tavira, Portugal on the Algarve and the weather was on the whole warm and we only had 2 days of rain. It was a good base for trips around the Algarve and to Lisbon and Seville and Huelva in Spain. You could easily spend another month exploring northern Portugal, as there are plenty of historical towns to see.

I would then spend the third month in the south of France, such as the Dordogne. Visit vineyards, plenty historical towns and colourful markets to explore.

Wherever you go, January will be the quietest, with more places closed for the winter and by March, the weather should be better.

Of the places you have suggested, Greece would be the place I would least recommend, as the weather will be the wettest and more places shut down for the winter. Italy will be the coldest.

The Dordogne is not the south of France and it is not very pleasant until later in the year, though if you visit any of the caves, it will be 50-F and no rain inside the caves.

In the winter, only the Riviera has the sunny, clear air and drier weather but the temperature is still requires a wool jacket.

For winter travel, I'd be thinking Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia... And then hit somewhere warm and coastal for a change.

Periloph, That requires packing for two climates; and I wouldn't want to plan a trip to a country with whom our relations are as bad as they currently are with Russia unless I paid the extra for fully refundable tickets (I don't get to travel often enough not to be a little overly cautious).