Europe: Where to go Late Oct?

Donna, what would you like to do and see once you get there? Are you a museums kind of woman, theater, concerts, nice restaurants? In late October I'd pick a big city destination for all the cultural amenities and comforts it offers. The days will be quite short by then. If the weather is fine, you could always do a few day trips into the countryside. I'd consider Vienna, Munich, Berlin, Istanbul, Madrid, Barcelona and London, since you say you've been to Paris and Rome.

I have been very lucky, being a retired airline employee, and have visited many European cities, especially ones in Italy north of Rome because we have family there. I guess my concern is weather, since we usually visit Europe in March, April, May......I love architecture, culture, museums, good food........but if the weather is terrible (went to Normandy in April, and it was blowing and raining sideways, and despite three layers of clothing, could barely sight-see) it puts a terrible spin on the sightseeing. Just wondering if anyone had any experience late Oct/early November.......really wouldn't mind going South of Rome, or South of Paris........for new experiences, or even Barcelona..........

Do NOT go to Croatia, Southern Italy, Sardinia, Corsica, Southwest/West Spain and Portugal that time of the year. Mid-October to Mid-November is the height of rainy season there.

Perhaps the most unique city in the world is Venice.

Have you ever been to the Canary Islands?

Looks like it may be the South of France I don't mind a day or two of rain, but in all honesty, touring usually means a lot of walking and outside time, and to be miserable doesn't sound like a lot of fun..........and I'm into architecture, history, cuisine.......so I'm going to rule out the Canary Islands at this point. Thank you all, as usual! The best travel advice is the RS website.......lots of very knowledgeabe travellers!

We went to barcelona and Madrid two years ago in November, third week and weather was great, Maybe we just got lucky but no rain, mild days and cool evenings and loved the history and architecture.

Not a bad idea!!!!So many choices.......my husband may end up making up my mind for me...........he's never been to Barcelona..........and only a quick stop in Madrid...

I'd pick Spain, Italy or Greece for that timeframe. The weather will still be very mild and even if it does rain some, it will probably be less than in northern Europe.

It's in Europe, weather will be good, food is fabulous, there's outstanding, stunning architecture, friendly, welcoming people and one of the most fascinating cities I have ever traveled to. How about Istanbul?

I suggest Turkey. The western part/Turkish Riviera is great then. It can rain, but you could hit great weather as well.

Maybe it was just a fluke, but I thought the October weather in Budapest and Prague was beautiful. Not beach resort weather by any stretch, but it had that perfect crisp-but-sunny autumn feel. Wouldn't have traded it for sweating it out in the summer, to be honest. With all the weather anomalies going around though, I don't know how accurately anyone can predict what is likely to happen vs. what "should" happen.

That's true! Anomolies are the "new normal!" I really think I've got it down to Barcelona, Paris/drive South to Bordeaux.......I just feel more "comfortable" in Western Europe. Maybe I'm a chicken, but I AM turning 60, and both Greece and Turkey scare me in the current political environment......

I have been to Italy for the entire month of October in 2006 and did from North to Sicily and we did not have more then 48 hours of rain total. In Rome, on October 29th the temperature was 90

We did Southern Portugal in Dec one year, (Lisbon and the Algarve) and our friends did Southern Spain at the same time. Both of us had excellent weather, and had a blast. When we went to Northern Portugal to go port tasting we really got into the rain. The weather is usually in the mid 60's in November, and the ocean is about the same temp. When we there in Dec we were wading in the surf. See holiday-weather.com for some of the averages by month, etc.