My wife and I can only vacation this year during late October/early November. We would love to get back to Europe again, but I don't want to spend the whole time battling the elements. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go and what the weather is like that time of year? I'm sure most of the crowds will have thinned out by then too, but that's also part of the fun. We certainly don't want to feel like where in a 'ghost town' either.
Thanks!
It's a good time of year to be South of the Alps. Italy, South of France, Spain or Portugal all have good fall weather.
For years we headed to the Spanish island of Mallorca for our wedding anniversary ( 31 October ).
It's warm during the day and you will tan if you have fair skin, the evenings are cool enough to require a sweater but not chilly.
All the shops are still open but it's at the point where the main tourist crush has gone home and prices have come down from the high season prices, you can get some real bargains on accommodation and car rental.
Tuscany is lovely in the Fall (and it's truffle season!!!) You'll hit some rain but the days can be filled with bright sunshine and a brisk breeze. Delightful. Nights will be cold. Sit by the fireside and sip some fruit of the gods.
I went to Rome in November 2005, and it was very warm.
The weather is so crazy these days, I wouldn't count on anything! But Rome was sunny all week, and Florance was much cooler, but still very nice.
I like the suggestion someone gave on Spain. I've never been there, and I would imagine it would be great there in November!
Where ever you choose to go, the shorter lines, less crowds are sure nice!
If you like horses, apple cider(brandy), fall foliage, history, and just being in the country, then I'd suggest going to the Calvados section (coastal area) of Normandy. There's a week long horse festival, 'Equi'days' about the third week of October with races almost daily, especially in Deauville,and tours of France's 2 largest stud farms.
This is apple orchard country and you can go apple brandy tasting too. The weather is still fairly good. With less crowds it's also a good time to visit nearby Mont St Michel and Monet's home at Giverny(open through October).
I would say the whole southern region, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, but maybe not some of the resort type places (Greek islands are shutting down) unless you can find one with a good local population year round. Cities can be good as they will be in full local mode, a notch down from tourist mecca.
Our trip to Italy in 2002 was in mid Oct through early Nov...great time for Italy. We started in Venice 5 nights (be prepared for the flooding)...then drove to Tuscany...spent nights in San Giminagno (2), Montalcino (1), Spello (2), Cortona (1) and Florence (4) with day trips into Siena and Montepulciano, Assisi and Monte Falco before going to Rome for our last 5 days. The weather was great...most of the tourists were gone (but not all...enough still around to make is more festive)...I can't think of a better place to spend Oct-Nov in Europe.
My wife and I always plan our trips to Europe in the Fall. And always by car. Never had weather problems anyplace south of Frankfurt.
That means we had favorable weather in Germany, Austria. France, Czech and Switzerland.
Once we had cold weather in the Alps; so remember that the higher you go the colder it will be.
