Travel Articles: Europe

The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the best times to travel to Italy for superb weather, lower rates, and fewer crowds. Summers in Italy are also gorgeous, but some may find the heat and crowds overwhelming.

The best time to visit Austria on a Danube River cruise is during the shoulder season months of late spring or early autumn when the weather is warm and there is noticeably less tourist crowding in the major cities. Summer can also be a great time to visit Austria if you prefer hotter weather and don’t mind dealing with the crowds. Unless …

The best time to take a cruise to Scandinavia is during the spring and summer in the months of May, June, and July when the midnight sun, the ease of travel to fjords at sea, and the wildlife give those who take the journey an experience that exceeds expectations.

Ireland cruise ports including Belfast, Dublin, Donegal, Galway, and the Aran Islands make a cruise through the Emerald Isle an experience that takes you deep into the culture of the country and far away from the ordinary.

The best time to visit Ireland is during the late spring, summer, and early fall between April and October because during these seasons there are the most festivals, the best chance to see wildlife, and the best weather.

There really is no best cruise port when on a cruise in the United Kingdom, as they all have a different charm, but there are definitely some must-see ones that you should be sure not to miss.

The best time to visit the United Kingdom is in the spring and summer between the months of May and August. Sunny days, many festivals, green landscapes, and pleasant weather greet those who travel during these times.

Visiting Croatia on a cruise takes you to ports of call where the romance of Dubrovnik, finding the birthplace of Marco Polo on Korcula Island, discovering the history of sunny Hvar, and wandering the beaches of Bol puts you in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Spring, Summer, and Fall are the best times to visit Croatia, Summer is the high season when things are hot and crowded, and spring and fall are the shoulder seasons when the weather is still great but there are fewer people traveling.

Top ports of call in Portugal include Lisbon and Port, the Azores islands, and the wine region of the Douro Valley where towns and villages like Pinhão and Régua are fun places to sample the ports of the country.

The best time to take a cruise in Greece is between the late spring to early summer and autumn. During these months, the balmy Mediterranean weather is perfect for sightseeing in Athens and the Greek isles. Summer is better for swimming, but it also brings inflated prices, heavy crowds, and stifling hot weather.

Between March and May and September and October are the best times to visit Portugal. July and August are the hottest months and see the most crowds as they mark the holidays for Portuguese families.

Choosing a cruise from Spain is a matter of deciding where you want to visit and how long you want to be at sea. Spain has a wealth of ports of call that encompass the beauty and culture of the country and is a jumping-off point for voyages to neighboring Mediterranean countries.

Fall or Spring is the best time to visit Spain for the Mediterranean or central Spain to beat the heat, and during the summer months if traveling to the northern region of the country. There are also lighter crowds, as the Summer is the high season.

The best cruise ports in Spain from north to south include Bilbao, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Cartagena, Mallorca, Malaga, and Cadiz. The coast of Spain and its ports offer historic, cultural, and relaxing attractions and activities that make a Spain cruise an adventure in discovery. For information about exploring the country’s port cities by the sea, reach out to one of our travel experts.

Adventures on Germany cruises take you to river ports that have enchanted visitors for centuries with gorgeous and historically important towns like Berlin, Dresden, and Hamburg. Explore cities like Lutherstadt Wittenberg where Martin Luther nailed his theses to the door of the church, discover Treir- the oldest town in the country, and try the fine wines of both Breisach and the village of Bernkastel.

The best time to visit Germany is during the spring and early fall, but only during certain months. May, September, and October are the best months to visit by far. Every spring, festivals of all shapes and sizes take place around the country leading up to Oktoberfest in the fall, and during the month of May is when Germany begins to warm up.

A cruise through France takes you to ports of call that combine the romance of Paris, the gourmet food of the city of Lyons, the beaches of Nice, and the wine regions in the Rhône Valley while stopping at many other destinations that make exploring the country a family-friendly adventure or a romantic getaway.

The best times to visit France are between April and June and between September and November. Summertime has the most crowds but an upside of warm weather and lots to do. In the springtime, there is comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and the vegetation is in full bloom.

Choosing a cruise to Iceland begins with your interests and the activities that are on your list. Other aspects to consider are your travel style, the time of year you want to go, and the amount of time you have budgeted to getaway.

The Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle Route, the Westman Islands, and the Dettifoss Waterfall are a few of the most popular places to visit in Iceland. Populated areas that draw international visitors each year include Reykjavik, Husavik, the town of Isafjörður, and Siglufjordur.

June, July, August, and September are the best months to take a cruise in Iceland. June starts the extended days of summer daylight where whale watching is in full effect. The lingering clear nights of fall begin in September when spectacular sightings of the Northern Lights often occur.

Summer is the high travel season for Hungary with warm and dry weather, but popular attractions may be packed. The best time to visit Hungary is during the beautiful shoulder seasons of spring and fall, especially for those who want fewer crowds.

Vienna, Salzburg, and Linz in Austria are teeming with cultural sites that bring the history of Europe to life. Each stop on an Austria trip shows a different side to the country, making a journey here an experience that sheds new light on life in modern-day Europe.