In 2012, I will celebrate my 50th birthday and want to do so by travelling to an amazing European city and spending a week there, perhaps taking day trips to local sights but really getting to enjoy the city itself. I am very interested in the north -- Scandinavia, Scotland -- but am worried that the time of year (March 31st - April 7) isn't very conducive to visits. Does anyone have any experience with travelling to the north in early April? To Vienna (an alternate choice)?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
For weather go to the FAQ and click 4th one down.
Posted by
OP
Sierra Madre
3 posts
Thank you for the great responses. Vienna looks encouraging!
Posted by
Malaga, Malaga, Spain
410 posts
Check when summer time starts in 2012 - when the clocks go forward - it is usually the last weekend in March so the days will be a little longer. To me, Vienna would be a wonderful choice - it is a very accessible city with fantasic public transport.
Posted by
naches, wa, usa
182 posts
have been to vienna twice, once in february, another time in march. cold and clear both times. alot of snow on the ground during the february trip. however it snowed from amsterdam to krakow during that entire vacation. what a great city vienna. compact, interesting, accessible, affordable, lots to see inside if the weather gets wacky. do see an event at the opera house, and make sure to have coffee at one of the lovely cafe's. have fun, be safe.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
There are things going on in Scotland in spring. The days are starting to get longer and despite all the snow now, it usually has melted by March. ; ) Check out Visit Scotland events to see what's happening. A sampling includes: Peter Frampton (!) in Glasgow, lots of tribute bands, Abba singalongs, Engelbert Humperdink, and Herman's Hermits(!!!) is playing in Lanarkshire in March! On a more serious note, Inverness has a Music Festival and in Edinburgh there's the Ceilidh Culture 2011. Also, Blazing Fiddles, a traditional music band has concert, and Wolfstone a contemporary Scottish rock band that embraces celtic tunes has some gigs. There are lots of classical music events. There is a snowdrop festival! And if you wanted to go really, really far north there is the Shetland Folk Festival! The very end of April there Whisky Festival in Speyside. Also, while some castle have more limited hours until March 31, the hours seemed to get longer starting in April. I think it would be a good time to the countryside. You just need to dress appropriately. Pam