| When planning your European trip, check your arrival | | | | accommodation 6 weeks to 2 months before you |
| and departures dates and see if they take into | | | | leave. It's a good idea to reserve a hotel for your |
| account peak, off-peak and shoulder travel | | | | arrival and departure days. The rest can be reserved |
| periods.Peak periods are the times when majority of | | | | afterwards. Also, remember to check for travel |
| travelers fly in and out of countries and these | | | | dangers and updates. Your government and insurance |
| periods usually coincide with school holidays, | | | | company might draw the line if you visit a certain |
| Christmas, Easter and New Year. The country you | | | | territory they've warned you about. Be informed |
| are flying into will also have peak periods unique to | | | | about the dangers and uprisings in the country you |
| that country, so expect flights and accommodation | | | | are visiting and do last-minute updates to check |
| to be heavily booked and tickets to be more | | | | conditions right before you leave.For most seasoned |
| expensive. This peak period generally covers late | | | | travelers, the best time to see Europe is from April |
| December to January (because of the Christmas | | | | to June and September to October when the |
| season) and late June to the end of August (summer | | | | weather is still warm, the holiday crowds have left |
| break). Travel during the Christmas holidays can be | | | | and accommodation and transport are regularly |
| difficult as plane ticket prices soar and ski resorts | | | | priced.In contrast, the single worst time to visit most |
| start overcharging. Public transport is also reduced in | | | | parts of Europe (especially the western and southern |
| most areas since only a few trains will leave on | | | | countries) is the month of August. This is when many |
| Christmas day. The "shoulder period" is in spring and | | | | Europeans leave and take their holidays in nearby |
| autumn and the low or "off-peak" periods are usually | | | | countries as well. The cities can be deserted and as a |
| in the remaining months and in the winter.If you have | | | | result, accommodation prices shoot up and finding a |
| only a limited time to see Europe, your best bet is to | | | | bed can be very difficult. Buses and trains will often |
| fly in and out during a shoulder period. Prices are | | | | be packed and it can be a struggle to get a seat |
| almost at their lowest and travel conditions are great | | | | while you cross countries. Even most tourist shops |
| because you can avoid the crowds and the | | | | and sites can be closed because the proprietors have |
| overpricing. If you have a lot of time to spare in | | | | gone on holiday as well! There's little doubt that July |
| Europe, try flying in the low season when fares are | | | | and August are the busiest tourist months in Europe |
| cheapest so you have more money to spread over | | | | (mainly because of Americans on vacation) and it will |
| your stay. It's always a good idea to start checking | | | | require a lot of patience and money. Avoid these |
| airfares 3-4 months before you leave. Airlines are | | | | months as much as you can. If you really must travel |
| starting to discount in order to reward early bookers | | | | in the high season, your best course of action is to |
| and there's a lot time to wait if you think they're too | | | | stay away from the major cities and choose the |
| high. The cheapest ticket prices might turn up on the | | | | off-track towns and villages and indulge in the local |
| net or at your ticket office at anytime. And while | | | | culture. |
| you're at it, make sure you've already reserved your | | | | |