Hope you all had a great Fourth of July for those who celebrated! I did, and I was able to get a beach day in this weekend too, which made me super happy.
Summer is now in full swing, and everyone's making the most of it, with many people heading off on vacation.
Today, I'll share one of the biggest mistakes travelers make, even those with lots of experience. If you've made this mistake like I have, keep it in mind when planning your travels for next summer.
Let's dive in.
If there's one mistake I see many travelers make, even experienced ones, it's going to Europe in the summer. I understand the appeal - summer vacation means kids are out of school, so it's a chance for family bonding. Plus, summer has more daylight hours and is traditionally associated with vacations.
However, when I chatted with some Germans the other day, they wondered why Americans specifically choose summer for European travel. They said it's actually the worst time! Let me break down why going to Europe during summer isn't ideal.
First is the weather. It's uncomfortably hot, similar to New York in summer. In places like Spain, it's even worse. When you're traveling, you'll do lots of walking—imagine how those vacation photos look when you're dripping with sweat! This heat makes sightseeing unbearable and can make everyone irritable. Please note: not all European countries have air conditioning as part of their culture.
The second reason is the tourists. Everyone travels to Europe during summer, making popular sites crowded and uncomfortable. That means hours of waiting in lines - and waiting in heat is definitely not fun. It's a double whammy!
Which leads to my third point: prices are expensive. A summer flight to Europe can easily cost over $1,000. For that amount, I can take two or three trips during other seasons! It's simple supply and demand - when everyone wants to visit at the same time, prices go up.
So when you combine expensive prices, high temperatures, and crowds, summer in Europe doesn't sound so enjoyable after all.
Instead, try traveling in fall or spring. The temperatures are more pleasant and the prices are much cheaper. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Keep traveling,
Andrew
For those who’ve been to Europe multiple times, which season did you enjoy the most — and why?