With summer comes the end of the peak travel season, but that doesn't mean you should put travel on hold completely. On the contrary, right now is in some ways the best time to get to know new cultures: the lines are shorter, the crowds are smaller, and the prices are cheaper. Plan your trips to those cities and countries that you simply can't fit into during the summer.
Choose the right time to go
Of course, even in the off-season, people can end up in fully booked hotels and cities filled with tourist flows. To avoid these, you should pay attention to a couple of important things. First, school holidays, which are of course also outside of summer. Second, public holidays and also religious holidays, which mean a day off and domestic travel for many locals. Third, major events. There is no point in hoping for an empty Milan when the world-famous fashion week is taking place there at the same time. The same goes for superstar concerts and many sporting events. For just one weekend, an otherwise deserted city in the middle of winter can become the most popular destination, with all the hotel rooms occupied and cafes and restaurants full of people.
Apart from the above-mentioned special situations, the three summer months are generally considered to be the high season, when the weather is usually the hottest and, regardless of the country, there are holidays and school breaks across Europe. April, May, September and October are the in-between months, when the summer rush has not yet started or has already calmed down. The calmest months, however, are between November and March.
But it rains in autumn, right?!
It's true that autumn and winter bring lower temperatures and often rainy weather. Instead of getting wet, you can choose the right clothes, the right activities, and the right destination. The famous Italian city of Bologna has many covered streets. This allows you to explore the city without fear of getting wet. And if the rain tends to spoil your mood, it's time to stop by a local cafe and get acquainted with the culinary side of the destination.
However, a drizzle may not spoil the mood. Take, for example, the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. Even if it rains for a few days during an October trip, the temperature is usually around 20 degrees, so for an Estonian it is simply a worse summer. Slovenia, which is already gaining popularity in the summer, is also a bit neglected in the low season, so a car trip through Slovenia and Croatia would be an ideal choice! Enjoy tiny towns with medieval architecture, coastal towns, and mountains and lakes that resemble the Austrian Alpine landscape. Lake Bled and the coastal town of Piran are two places worth visiting at any time of year.
October and November are some of the best months to visit Italy and France. Instead of the scorching heat of summer, there are bearable temperatures, even in world-famous places like Venice. While Venice is always a popular choice, January is a bit calmer there. And of course, you have to choose where to go. The San Marco, San Polo and Cannaregio areas are always full of people. Dorsoduro, Castello, Giudecca and Lido allow you to explore at your own pace.
If you're not afraid of the cold, the possibilities are endless.
In addition to rushing to your destination by plane, renting a bus is also a good option. Think of traffic-free roads and temperatures that don't turn your car into a sauna. Or a train ride through the autumn-colored landscape! The winter season also offers unforgettable experiences that are not possible in summer. One of the most exciting trips can be to our northern neighbors, Finland. Travel as far north as you can by car from Helsinki, enjoy a restful night's sleep, and when you arrive, you can explore Lapland at your own pace by car. Staying overnight in ice hotels, snowmobile trips, admiring the Northern Lights, and riding a dog sled.
Autumn is also the time for festivals. Everyone knows about Oktoberfest, but there are also many events in smaller villages and regions that focus on traditions, culture and the celebration of a successful harvest. During Christmas, it is worth discovering the Christmas markets in different European countries. The fantastic markets will be remembered for their atmosphere for years to come. Another bonus is the opportunity to interact with locals, not other tourists. If you are the only guest in a hostel, the chances of getting a chat with the local owner are much higher compared to when you are one guest in fifty. The same applies to museums, markets and churches, where locals have time to chat with you at length.
Yes, when traveling off-season, you have to accept that many destinations are trying to make necessary repairs while enjoying the quiet time, or the staff has gone on vacation. However, this should not be seen as a limitation, but as an opportunity to discover places that would otherwise remain on the back burner.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee