We are traveling to Amsterdam in January on business, and we have an extra week. Where should we go that won't be really uncomfortably cold. We have done this in the Fall and enjoyed France, Belgium, and Germany. I thought a city would be easier to enjoy? Any ideas are welcome if someone has enjoyed a European city in January.
Posted by
Texas
158 posts
Barcelona was great earlier this month, doesn't seem like it will get that much colder in January.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17912 posts
Most of the mediteranian coast of Spain, Tel Aviv, Casa Blanca, Tenerife are all less than $100 away on non-stop discount airlines out of Amsterdam. https://www.google.com/flights/#search;f=AMS,ZYA;t=r-Europe-0x46ed8886cfadda85%253A0x72ef99e6b3fcf079;d=2017-01-08;r=2017-01-16;tt=o;s=0;mc=m
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
I'm in Tel Aviv and freezing, with our unseasonably cold weather, but for us, cold means having to use heaters and wear sweaters.
I have traveled to Spain and/or Italy 4 times in recent years in February. My guess is that, like here at home, the main difference between the two months is slightly longer daylight hours in February. Even in "northern" Venice and Madrid, I've had more sun than clouds and little rain, though I did have snow once in Rome (first time in 25 years and it was amazing to see). Still, temps were never down to freezing and usually in the 50's and even 60's. Andalucia is the warmest, driest part of Europe, so I'd fly to Sevilla and spend a week there, maybe ending with a couple nights in Madrid if you need to fly home from there. Alternately, fly to Naples, stay in Sorrento for at least 3 nights, visit Pompeii, maybe Capri and/or Positano if it's sunny, then a couple nights in Rome before flying home. Or spend a week in Barcelona, with enough sights to fill a week and several excellent day trip possibilities.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17912 posts
Tel Aviv this week is forecast to have a low of 47F and a high of 65F. That's cold? That's heaven. You are just spoiled :)
Barcelona this week is forecast to be between 37F and 60F; also pretty nice.
Naples, 31F to 57F, also pleasant.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
It's barely gotten up to 60 at all in the last week and only sunny since yesterday. Rain's coming back and getting a little colder soon - about 55 brrrrrr. But it's good training for my upcoming trip to Italy in February.
James - I'm still planning a fall trip to Poland and Hungary. You said early October was your favorite time. At the end of September I started looking at the daily weather in Warsaw, Krakow and Budapest and all I could think was "this is colder and wetter than the worst of winter at home." So know I'm thinking early to mid-September ☺