For Americans, Thanksgiving is a great time for international travel. November is the off/shoulder season in many places, and you already have a couple days off. Costs and crowds aren't bad since it's only a US holiday.
I agree. One Thanksgiving, a friend and I went to Paris, France. It wasn’t our first time there, so we could just enjoy the culture, the different ethnic restaurants, and the people! Great time to be in Europe, for sure!!
@@nikkicolvin4027 I think that's a good time to go, because those guys famously have a religious opposition to AC, but if you go in November it won't be an issue because it will be cold. 🙂 Hopefully they do acknowledge the need to raise the temperature indoors in winter, even if they don't acknowledge the need to lower it in summer! 🙂 I haven't made it out to Europe yet (I've done Canada), but my first target would actually be Britain, because we speak "the same" language. lol 🙂
so true, the best time to travel is when you can :) Lastely, I have loved travelling for Christmas and New years, We recently went to Japan and were warned that "everything closes down on new years's day and it's a ghost town" we didn't find that to be true, we followed the locals and found plenty of fun things to do and "act local"
I think a good time to travel is the time of the year with the most daylight, to really take in the sites. But that may be more expensive time to travel.
Yes! My mother and her friends wanted to go to Scotland last year, but they could only go in November. Not the best time. So they decided to delay that trip. Now they're going in June.
Winter for me 100% or late Autumn. Disadvantages are the weather means you need to bring more stuff and what you bring is thicker, heavier and bulkier. Plus side, it looks amazing photography wise in snow and Winter weather. Plus you've got Christmas markets and so on. Plus side, in hot weather, once you're down to shorts and Tees there's not much more you can do to remain cool outdoors. In cold weather, you can layer and always be comfortable if you have the right clothing. Plus side, outside of extreme examples like NYE, NYD and Christmas, during colder months prices are generally a lot lower, it's off season for many places and you get less crowds. NYC in Jan-March is much cheaper.
Hi Mark I'm just finishing up two weeks in Florence. This was the perfect time to go. The weather was by far better than the northern USA and the crowds were thinning after Christmas. I must confess I don't see how anyone can seriously visit here in a few days in the Summer. Florence, two weeks early January, perfect for someone who really wants an immersive Renaissance experience. And there was a lot I didn't get to. And i did discover the.most fantastic shop of a man who has been making masks since 1973.
I went to Florence mid June last year & it was perfect. No families, warm enough to enjoy the pool at my hostel but not too hot to venture & explore outside & the day trips to the beach were great. I couldn't imagine being there in winter with a thick coat on 😂
Agreed on going just before or just after peak season. I mostly travel for mountain related reasons - so I'm a bit more limited on weather windows, but Nepal in the second half of November is amazing.
It's always a good idea to check when the school holidays are at your desired destination. Here in the Netherlands that's late February/early March, late April/early May, July and August, late October and around Christmas and New Years. Especially during the April/May holiday a lot of families go on vacation, so the airports are VERY busy the first couple of days, it's worse than summer.
I would say the most important advice on best time to travel besides weather, and kind of weather related is also what you want to do in the location you are going to. I am heading to Japan in a few weeks, before the Sakura blossoming season, as I do not care to much about the sakura blossoming myself, but I love snow, and want to experience jpow in Hokkaido, and its cheaper than to travel a few weeks later, and for me it works better as well, since I am looking for powder snow, and not Sakura blossoming, and yeah I know Hokkaido its kind of "higher" season, but still more reasonable to get to Japan then if I were to travel in March. So for me, what do you want to do where you are going is the first thing to ask, if its the beach you want to experience for example, shoulder seasons in September works fine in southern Europe, and even early October many places, later than that is a bit of a gamble, although you can get nice beach weather all the way into November, but I wouldnt count on it. If you are a museum person, and history, and looking for food experiences, there is seasonal foods etc, so what is the best time to travel really depends on you and what you want to do yourself.
Depending on region and planned activities you need to look at weather, rates and school vacations. It's often a small window where it is a good compromise. It is easier if you only want to visit cities or just to hike. Much more difficult with beach time or certain activities like winter sports or flower seasons.
I've always been a shoulder season traveller. Research and planning in late winter for a spring trip also gives me something to look forward to in an otherwise-blah time of year. As an astronomer southern hemisphere fall is the perfect time of year to visit Australia. Good weather, shoulder-season crowds and prices, and the southern Milky Way through Centaurus and Carina is highest in the evening in April.
I went to Australia from mid October until the end of November and I think that is a really good time. Good weather, hot but not too much and warm enough in the South. Not too many tourists but activities all active and no problem getting something for the night.
Mid-Sept through October, late April to mid-May, also late May to early June for Europe. I live in a high tourist area that also has pretty severe weather in the winter (looking a minus 10F for the weekend coming up) so - being flexible - the shoulder seasons allow us to get away without worrying too much about the house.
Welcome to Tampere! I think I have seen you several times in Turku or Helsinki in 🇫🇮, but Tampere is also very popular among Finns, but not so well known internationally..
For Europe travel in June. Other months are too cold. Either too cold outside or too cold inside without central heating. Heating is a big problem in some countries. Either winter is too short to install heaters, or fuel is too expensive to burn, so they suck it up and stay in cold rooms.
First there is no one time for travelling Europe. It depends on what you want to do (sightseeing or beach time?). It depends on where you go. In Greek it might be hot in June. In Norway it might still be snowing. Same for October. To me starting from mid August and into September is a really good time. Many people have finished their summer vacation and rates start to drop. But it is still warm. In the North they might start to close activities. It's a short season. But they have heating. The South is different, but there it will be warm at least until October.
I love traveling to Europe in winter. Less expensive. Christmas Markets. I booked an airbnb in Kotor Montenegro today for a month.$ 900 A block off the ocean 10 minute walk to Old Town. I couldn’t afford it in summer
In My Opinion, the best time to travel in the Northern Hampshire is during the Shoulder Season, which is April, May, September, and October. The reason is the weather is NOT too hot and NOT too cold. Plus, most kids are in school so airfares and hotel prices can be more reasonable, thus parents will not always take their kids out of school during that time. The MOST Expensive time to travel is the summer season where everything is packed, and during major holidays (ex: United States Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) where everyone is off and traveling, so good deals are very hard to come by. The WORST time of the year (which I agree with the video) is during the worst weather season. And that is typically if going to Florida, mainly Late August to Early October, due to it being the peak of the Hurricane Season, or places that experiences cold and winter weather (ex: Blizzards), which is typically in December-Early March.
Great Information - As you know we live in Northeastern Brazil. My wife ALWAYS goes to the USA to visit our daughter on Mother's Day. I am more flexible as long as it is Summer. 😉
i just came back from savannah, georgia. i think i must've brought the jersey cold down with me because it was really cold with the wind! lol but i only travel between november and mid april. i do not like warm weather.
I love to travel during summer and hope to collaborate with you sometime. Shall I be able to get a cheap air ticket!!? I have to check. Thank you for your information 😊
Wolter, for me, I would not go to Europe in summer, because they apparently have a moral/religious opposition to AC. I'm from a place that's hot in summer -- California -- so why would I want to go to Paris, where it will also be hot, but where they refuse to be comfortable. 🙂 That's not a vacation! 😲lol 🙂 I would instead go in winter or maybe VERY early spring, when I don't have to worry about it being hot. I believe they do admit that heating is needed in winter, even if they have not come around to the realization that AC is needed in summer. I was looking at the temperature in Paris every day during the Olympics, and I don't remember it being below 80 F (26.67 C) for a daytime high during that two week period, and I seem to recall that they got into the high 90s (90 F = 32 C). 90 isn't that bad outside, but if you're inside, and there's no AC, it's going to be HOT! 😲 Hopefully they do start installing AC on a large scale, because it is predicted that by 2050, the average temperature in Paris in summer will be 122 F or 50 C. All summer, not just a few days! 😲
AC is not the biggest problem in Europe in summer (we have AC in many shops and restaurants), but the other Europeans and the school vacations. Everything gets packed. Even if it gets worse we still only have a few weeks with high temperatures.
Here is a great recommendation I heard from a guy in the airport: 1. Travel to Europe in the middle of October. Start in the NORTH (Paris, Berlin, etc), then head SOUTH as time progresses. This way, you are slowly moving down towards a warmer climate. Three weeks later, you are in Italy, and the weather is still tolerable. 2. Or reverse the process in the spring. Start in southern Europe, where its still chilly (but manageable), then migrate NORTH. Again, you are following the warmer climate during your travels. Keep up the good work. PS - what kind of moron goes to Finland in the winter. To each his own. You're the expert.
I love traveling in the off season just to avoid crowds. The reduced prices are just a bonus.
For Americans, Thanksgiving is a great time for international travel. November is the off/shoulder season in many places, and you already have a couple days off. Costs and crowds aren't bad since it's only a US holiday.
I agree. One Thanksgiving, a friend and I went to Paris, France. It wasn’t our first time there, so we could just enjoy the culture, the different ethnic restaurants, and the people! Great time to be in Europe, for sure!!
@@nikkicolvin4027 I think that's a good time to go, because those guys famously have a religious opposition to AC, but if you go in November it won't be an issue because it will be cold. 🙂 Hopefully they do acknowledge the need to raise the temperature indoors in winter, even if they don't acknowledge the need to lower it in summer! 🙂 I haven't made it out to Europe yet (I've done Canada), but my first target would actually be Britain, because we speak "the same" language. lol 🙂
I visited Paris in February, and it was wonderful! Not everyone can say that they watched snowflakes fall with an Eiffel Tower backdrop.😊
so true, the best time to travel is when you can :) Lastely, I have loved travelling for Christmas and New years, We recently went to Japan and were warned that "everything closes down on new years's day and it's a ghost town" we didn't find that to be true, we followed the locals and found plenty of fun things to do and "act local"
I was in Rome in May 2024: insanely crowded. Came back to France/Spain in December: no crowds, cheap hotels.
I think a good time to travel is the time of the year with the most daylight, to really take in the sites. But that may be more expensive time to travel.
Yes! My mother and her friends wanted to go to Scotland last year, but they could only go in November. Not the best time. So they decided to delay that trip. Now they're going in June.
Yes, shoulder season, great rates. Thanks for sharing!
Winter for me 100% or late Autumn.
Disadvantages are the weather means you need to bring more stuff and what you bring is thicker, heavier and bulkier. Plus side, it looks amazing photography wise in snow and Winter weather. Plus you've got Christmas markets and so on.
Plus side, in hot weather, once you're down to shorts and Tees there's not much more you can do to remain cool outdoors. In cold weather, you can layer and always be comfortable if you have the right clothing.
Plus side, outside of extreme examples like NYE, NYD and Christmas, during colder months prices are generally a lot lower, it's off season for many places and you get less crowds.
NYC in Jan-March is much cheaper.
Travelled to Turkey in early December, and I certainly had a good time. I was pretty lucky with the weather in what is otherwise a pretty rainy season
In an ideal world I'd go in early May. Maybe Late March, April to southern Europe. Great video Mark!
Hey Mark, awesome video
Hi Mark I'm just finishing up two weeks in Florence. This was the perfect time to go. The weather was by far better than the northern USA and the crowds were thinning after Christmas. I must confess I don't see how anyone can seriously visit here in a few days in the Summer. Florence, two weeks early January, perfect for someone who really wants an immersive Renaissance experience. And there was a lot I didn't get to. And i did discover the.most fantastic shop of a man who has been making masks since 1973.
I went to Florence mid June last year & it was perfect. No families, warm enough to enjoy the pool at my hostel but not too hot to venture & explore outside & the day trips to the beach were great. I couldn't imagine being there in winter with a thick coat on 😂
Leaving from Las Vegas to Puglia Italy on Monday and the flight was only $900 round trip- Winter price!
Great tips Mark!
Looking good Mark! Great job on the weight loss !!
Agreed on going just before or just after peak season. I mostly travel for mountain related reasons - so I'm a bit more limited on weather windows, but Nepal in the second half of November is amazing.
Kids are NOT 'back in school' in October as it will be mid-term holidays somewhere in the UK, so October can be busy in UK and Europe.
It's always a good idea to check when the school holidays are at your desired destination. Here in the Netherlands that's late February/early March, late April/early May, July and August, late October and around Christmas and New Years. Especially during the April/May holiday a lot of families go on vacation, so the airports are VERY busy the first couple of days, it's worse than summer.
we are heading down to jamaica this month from Long Island NY cant wait for the trip.
I would say the most important advice on best time to travel besides weather, and kind of weather related is also what you want to do in the location you are going to.
I am heading to Japan in a few weeks, before the Sakura blossoming season, as I do not care to much about the sakura blossoming myself, but I love snow, and want to experience jpow in Hokkaido, and its cheaper than to travel a few weeks later, and for me it works better as well, since I am looking for powder snow, and not Sakura blossoming, and yeah I know Hokkaido its kind of "higher" season, but still more reasonable to get to Japan then if I were to travel in March.
So for me, what do you want to do where you are going is the first thing to ask, if its the beach you want to experience for example, shoulder seasons in September works fine in southern Europe, and even early October many places, later than that is a bit of a gamble, although you can get nice beach weather all the way into November, but I wouldnt count on it.
If you are a museum person, and history, and looking for food experiences, there is seasonal foods etc, so what is the best time to travel really depends on you and what you want to do yourself.
Depending on region and planned activities you need to look at weather, rates and school vacations. It's often a small window where it is a good compromise.
It is easier if you only want to visit cities or just to hike. Much more difficult with beach time or certain activities like winter sports or flower seasons.
I've always been a shoulder season traveller. Research and planning in late winter for a spring trip also gives me something to look forward to in an otherwise-blah time of year.
As an astronomer southern hemisphere fall is the perfect time of year to visit Australia. Good weather, shoulder-season crowds and prices, and the southern Milky Way through Centaurus and Carina is highest in the evening in April.
I went to Australia from mid October until the end of November and I think that is a really good time. Good weather, hot but not too much and warm enough in the South. Not too many tourists but activities all active and no problem getting something for the night.
Mid-Sept through October, late April to mid-May, also late May to early June for Europe. I live in a high tourist area that also has pretty severe weather in the winter (looking a minus 10F for the weekend coming up) so - being flexible - the shoulder seasons allow us to get away without worrying too much about the house.
Welcome to Tampere! I think I have seen you several times in Turku or Helsinki in 🇫🇮, but Tampere is also very popular among Finns, but not so well known internationally..
My family went to Northern Ireland in 2023 during the summer, it was crowded, but we enjoyed it.
Best time to visit the UK - early September
For us, we do Europe in May and late September.
For Europe travel in June. Other months are too cold. Either too cold outside or too cold inside without central heating. Heating is a big problem in some countries. Either winter is too short to install heaters, or fuel is too expensive to burn, so they suck it up and stay in cold rooms.
First there is no one time for travelling Europe. It depends on what you want to do (sightseeing or beach time?). It depends on where you go. In Greek it might be hot in June. In Norway it might still be snowing. Same for October.
To me starting from mid August and into September is a really good time. Many people have finished their summer vacation and rates start to drop. But it is still warm. In the North they might start to close activities. It's a short season. But they have heating. The South is different, but there it will be warm at least until October.
Shoulder or winter season for me, depending upon severity of weather
I love traveling to Europe in winter. Less expensive. Christmas Markets. I booked an airbnb in Kotor Montenegro today for a month.$ 900 A block off the ocean 10 minute walk to Old Town. I couldn’t afford it in summer
In My Opinion, the best time to travel in the Northern Hampshire is during the Shoulder Season, which is April, May, September, and October. The reason is the weather is NOT too hot and NOT too cold. Plus, most kids are in school so airfares and hotel prices can be more reasonable, thus parents will not always take their kids out of school during that time.
The MOST Expensive time to travel is the summer season where everything is packed, and during major holidays (ex: United States Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) where everyone is off and traveling, so good deals are very hard to come by.
The WORST time of the year (which I agree with the video) is during the worst weather season. And that is typically if going to Florida, mainly Late August to Early October, due to it being the peak of the Hurricane Season, or places that experiences cold and winter weather (ex: Blizzards), which is typically in December-Early March.
Great Information - As you know we live in Northeastern Brazil. My wife ALWAYS goes to the USA to visit our daughter on Mother's Day. I am more flexible as long as it is Summer. 😉
i just came back from savannah, georgia. i think i must've brought the jersey cold down with me because it was really cold with the wind! lol but i only travel between november and mid april. i do not like warm weather.
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You need to go to the Philippines Cebu is amazing!
I love to travel during summer and hope to collaborate with you sometime.
Shall I be able to get a cheap air ticket!!? I have to check.
Thank you for your information 😊
I prefer spring and fall travel.
Shoulder season
We were in Santorini in November. Gawd, I can't imagine it in season. It is so overrated. You've already seen the best thing to see there.
Your editors are in the Philippines ? Wow, it really is a small world.
How are you able to take the kids out of school once or twice during the school year to travel?
Absolutely cannot travel during snow and rainy seasons. 😂😂 Ugh
The best time ⏲️ to travel depends on when and where you are going.
Wolter, for me, I would not go to Europe in summer, because they apparently have a moral/religious opposition to AC. I'm from a place that's hot in summer -- California -- so why would I want to go to Paris, where it will also be hot, but where they refuse to be comfortable. 🙂 That's not a vacation! 😲lol 🙂
I would instead go in winter or maybe VERY early spring, when I don't have to worry about it being hot. I believe they do admit that heating is needed in winter, even if they have not come around to the realization that AC is needed in summer.
I was looking at the temperature in Paris every day during the Olympics, and I don't remember it being below 80 F (26.67 C) for a daytime high during that two week period, and I seem to recall that they got into the high 90s (90 F = 32 C). 90 isn't that bad outside, but if you're inside, and there's no AC, it's going to be HOT! 😲
Hopefully they do start installing AC on a large scale, because it is predicted that by 2050, the average temperature in Paris in summer will be 122 F or 50 C. All summer, not just a few days! 😲
AC is not the biggest problem in Europe in summer (we have AC in many shops and restaurants), but the other Europeans and the school vacations. Everything gets packed. Even if it gets worse we still only have a few weeks with high temperatures.
🇪🇬🐪🌴
I am the first one
Here is a great recommendation I heard from a guy in the airport:
1. Travel to Europe in the middle of October. Start in the NORTH (Paris, Berlin, etc), then head SOUTH as time progresses. This way, you are slowly moving down towards a warmer climate. Three weeks later, you are in Italy, and the weather is still tolerable.
2. Or reverse the process in the spring. Start in southern Europe, where its still chilly (but manageable), then migrate NORTH. Again, you are following the warmer climate during your travels.
Keep up the good work.
PS - what kind of moron goes to Finland in the winter. To each his own. You're the expert.