Overland guide
Get ready to unleash the explorer within, by trying one of our inspirational overland tours.
Best time to visit Europe
There is no right or wrong time to travel through Europe. The summer months, peak season, tend to see the nicest weather, but also the biggest crowds and the highest prices. Some cities including Dubrovnik, Barcelona and Venice have been experiencing severe problems with overtourism during the peak season, which can naturally have an impact on your enjoyment. But other parts of Europe, the Baltics, Scandinavia or the UK for instance, are best seen in peak season when the weather is warmest and most reliable.
Conversely, the off-peak season, which normally lasts between November and March, involves much more unpredictable weather, with rain, snow and cold temperatures likely in many parts of Europe, and shorter days. But at the same time, visitor numbers drop off sharply in most places, slashing queues at even the most popular landmarks.
The shoulder seasons of late spring and early autumn are a good time to visit Euroope. Through April, May and early June, and late September through to October and November, you should enjoy smaller crowds, but still pleasant weather, and plenty of daylight. The countryside is normally at its most beautiful in these months as well.
Conversely, the off-peak season, which normally lasts between November and March, involves much more unpredictable weather, with rain, snow and cold temperatures likely in many parts of Europe, and shorter days. But at the same time, visitor numbers drop off sharply in most places, slashing queues at even the most popular landmarks.
The shoulder seasons of late spring and early autumn are a good time to visit Euroope. Through April, May and early June, and late September through to October and November, you should enjoy smaller crowds, but still pleasant weather, and plenty of daylight. The countryside is normally at its most beautiful in these months as well.
Visiting Europe, month by month guide
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania vacation
Journey through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 12 days
From
US $2380 to US $2660
12 days
ex flights
Venice to Split small group tour
Discover the spectacular natural beauty of Europe
From
US $4968 to US $5364
9 days
ex flights
Flight free England to Iceland vacation
Amazing opportunity to travel flight free to Iceland
From
£4980
15 days
ex flights
Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro vacation
Multicultural diversity of 2 South- European countries
From
€1290 to €4150
11 days
ex flights
Vienna to Budapest tour
Travel five countries for memories to last a lifetime
From
US $3020 to US $3960
15 days
ex flights
Madrid to Marrakech tour
Take a vibrant tour through Spain, Portugal and Morocco
From
US $4054 to US $4554
24 days
ex flights
Our top trip
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania vacation
Journey through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 12 days
From
US $2380 to US $2660
12 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2024: 5 May, 15 May, 23 May, 6 Jun, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 4 Aug, 7 Aug, 1 Sep, 4 Sep, 18 Sep
2025: 16 Apr, 4 May, 14 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 11 Jun, 25 Jun, 29 Jun, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 6 Aug, 17 Aug, 20 Aug, 31 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep
2024: 5 May, 15 May, 23 May, 6 Jun, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 4 Aug, 7 Aug, 1 Sep, 4 Sep, 18 Sep
2025: 16 Apr, 4 May, 14 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 11 Jun, 25 Jun, 29 Jun, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 6 Aug, 17 Aug, 20 Aug, 31 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep
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Changing climate
Changing climate
Generally speaking, Europe gets colder the further east and north you go. In the far south, the climate is Mediterranean, sunny and warm even into late autumn, while to the east it’s far more continental, with seasons that are clearly defined. Northern and Western Europe have an oceanic, milder climate.
Some countries, such as Spain and Portugal, can get seriously hot during July and August, while parts of Europe frequently see bouts of heavy snow between December, January and February. Spring and autumn are often marked by torrential downpours in parts of Europe, overcast skies adding to the atmosphere.
More Europe tour articles
Bohemian, romantic, adventurous – European tours have a knack for kindling the imagination and passion for traveling.
There are practically endless routes you could take on an overland Europe tour, with 50 countries to choose from, several of them with borders opening into other continents.
A European tour is finally seeing iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum and the Parthenon.
Europe is a superb destination for a cycling tour, with most countries having established routes between key destinations, and defined cycle paths in major cities.
There is something inescapably romantic about a European rail tour, even when blurrily viewed through a hangover! Watching the scenery change outside the window as you sail easily through border crossings, between iconic cities such as Paris, Berlin and Rome, this is shoestring sightseeing at its very finest.
There are several European tours that see you getting around exclusively by rail, bike or coach, but many combine a wide range of transportation methods, both public and private.
There are several European tours that see you getting around exclusively by rail, bike or coach, but many combine a wide range of transportation methods, both public and private.
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