We’re wrapping up a 3 week trip, and I was just thinking how pleasantly surprised I’ve been with the crowds (or lack thereof) in most of the places we’ve been. With all the talk of people flocking to Europe thus summer, I expected bigger crowds than we’ve experienced:
Our flights from Seattle to Frankfurt to Munich were pretty full, but not packed. Our checked bags arrived no problem. Yay!
Our first destination was Santa Cristina Val Gardena in the Dolomites. We explored Ortesei, Col Raiser, and Alpe di Siusi. None felt crowded. We never shared a lift with other parties. We never had more than one group waiting for a gondola in front of us. There were always plenty of tables and sun chairs available at mountain huts. We are a group of 6, so I made reservations for the first night at each of our stops, but after that we just made reservations the day of, or just showed up and we’re seated.
Next stop was Venice. This is where all the people are!! Actually, it felt pretty similar to summer of 2018, the last time we were there. Vaporettos were crowded, but always allowed people to board. We had timed entry to St. Marks and Doges Palace, but the “no timed entry” line for St. Marks wasn’t crazy. No line at all for Doges Palace when we arrived for our 1:00 tour in the Secret Itineraries.
Next stop was Stresa, Italy. Yes, I know this is not as well know as Lake Como, and that was readily apparent in the lack of crowds. What a gem of a place. There were tourists, but mostly Europeans. I heard very little American English.
Next was Wengen, Switzerland. We rode trains, boats, busses, funiculars, gondolas. You name it. None were super crowded. The only exception was the absolute madness of crowds at Interlaken trying to get on the boat that takes you around Lake Brienz. If you want to board there, just don’t. Instead, take the train to the next town over and board elsewhere. It was a mob scene. I’m guessing due to large numbers of your groups all trying to board at once. Independent travelers: use your flexibility to avoid that madness.
Colmar, France. In addition to Colmar, we explored Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Requiwihr and Turkheim. We arrived in Eguisheim around 10:15 and pretty much had the place to ourselves. The early bird gets the great photos! By the time we got to Requiwihr around 2:00, the crowds were thicker, but certainly not bad. We went to Turkheim after 5:00 and saw literally two other groups of tourists wandering the charming streets. Most of the shops were closed, and restaurants had not opened for dinner yet. But it was a lovely peaceful time exploring a lesser know town.
We arrived in Bacharach after 3:00. The last time we were here in June 2018 it was packed. Not this time. Felt almost eerily quiet on the streets. Shops and restaurants are open, otherwise I would think it’s a holiday or something. Tomorrow we take the river boat, so we’ll see if it gets crowded.
I hope this provides some encouragement for those traveling this summer. My advice (as always): get up early and do your “must-see” before 10 am. And take a mid-day break from the heat and go back out later in the evening.