Autumn and the beginning of winter are not the most popular time for a trip to Europe, but for those who are not burdened with the institute or the need to drive children to school, this time of the year gives the opportunity to relax perfectly. The main plus of traveling in a low tourist season is the lack of crowds. Judge for yourself, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii is a huge open -air museum, its area of 67 hectares. In the high season, from April to October, up to 30 thousand tourists in the heat of 30 ° C in a day. In January, sunny days with a temperature of 18-20 ° C-not uncommon, and visitors on average 500 people per day. But there are other, less obvious advantages, for example, theaters and museums save the most interesting collections and production for a low season to attract true connoisseurs from the local audience. The autumn harvest promises the feast of the abdomen to those who are important on the journey, the gastronomic component is important. Well, most importantly, hotels and flight prices are much lower than usual, so we have made a selection for you from the five best areas for traveling in a low season.
Istanbul. Flight + hotel for 7 nights from 13,369 rubles per person
The low tourist season in Istanbul is from November to February. This is mainly due to the fact that the weather is mostly cloudy, the closer to winter, the more often the rains go, but, we must pay tribute, the sun also looks regularly. If you should dress properly, you can walk for a long time in no less beautiful than in the summer, the city, and from the rain to hide in numerous museums and one of the largest and most beautiful aquariums in Europe. Back in November, the theater and jazz festivals were held in Istanbul. For lovers of eastern bazaars, “Not a season” is a wonderful time when you can not push in the famous city market, but calmly walk between the shelves and successfully bargain, because when there are few buyers, sellers are more willing to deal with. And do not forget that hot tea and a steaming kebab are a hundred times tastier after walking in the fresh autumn air!
Greece. Flight + hotel for 7 nights in Athens from 17,551 rubles per person
The influence of tourist seasons in Greece is very great: many cafes, restaurants and hotels work only from May to October. But then in those that are open all year round, in a low season it is easier to book the best numbers with a chic view of ancient ruins, and in restaurants you will find the best service and very sociable waiters who are not too busy and will be happy to take a picture of your company at dinner or reveal local secrets of good rest. Naturally, not only cafes, but also ancient ruins are empty, so the walk on them makes a greater impression. As for the weather, December is the rainy month, and January is the coldest, but the climate is still very soft and pleasant, and due to high humidity, the rocky terrain is covered with greens and pleases the eye with bright colors.
Sicily. Flight + hotel for 7 nights from 18,543 rubles per person
Italians call November on Sicily “in the summer of St. Martin.” The weather at this time is sunny and warm, but not too hot, so visiting archaeological attractions is much more pleasant. In addition, all cruise liners have already set sail, and the empty museums reduced the working day and close at 15:30, but this only facilitates travel planning: in the morning – a cultural program, in the evening – a walk in the fresh air and dinner at the best table of any restaurant. No queues and very fast service.
Portugal. Flight + hotel for 7 nights in Lisbon from 20 030 rubles per person
The low season occurs throughout Europe almost simultaneously, while winter creeps up from the north and in November in Portugal is still not felt at all. There are fewer cloudy days than sunny, but it is still baking in the summer. It’s nice to walk lightly through the streets smelling of fried chestnuts, and if you get to the coast, you can even sunbathe. But in the evening you need to wrap yourself in the warmest sweaters and warm up with traditional drinks: the famous port or cherry tincture of Genjin, which is especially good if it is served in edible piles made of chocolate. It is very cool to drive through the autumn Portugal in a car: blushing vineyards alternate with green fields, in which huge, almost ripened orange pumpkins are scattered, and high white wind stations are slowly rotated over all this beauty.
Excursions from local residents in Lisbon
Venice. Flight + hotel for 7 nights from 21,838 rubles per person
The influx of tourists in Venice falls by the end of October and resumes only from April, not counting a two -week outbuilding during the Venice Festival, which in 2019 will be held from February 16 to March 5. Of course, life boils in this city all year round, but those short queues that are still formed in the “not season” in any comparison with those in which it is necessary to defend, for example, in June or July. The fact that in winter, in January and February, is really cold here is the truth, because the city is literally on the water, and wet air is usually felt colder than the thermometer. But if you arrive in the extreme months of the low season, that is, in November or March, you can catch pleasantly refreshing air and not hot sunny days. Special entertainment is the so -called “acqua alta”, that is, high water. In the cold months, the ebbs are so strong that water from the canals floods the squares and streets of the city. In fact, the water leaves as quickly as it comes, that is, the flood lasts no longer a couple of hours that can be safely drawn in a cafe, but much more fun – put on high rubber boots and, as in childhood, run through huge puddles.
* Prices for flight and accommodation are indicated at the time of writing of the text. The cost indicated in the material, and the final price may vary.
Text: Irina Krokhaleva
