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Summer Travel in Europe

© Roxanne Nelson

The summer season has arrived--or at least, June 15 is the traditional date when airfares and hotel rates rise, as they brace themselves for the summertime rush. And rush it is, for it seems to be the time when everyone on planet earth decides that its time to take to the road. The kids are off from school, the air is hot and balmy, the surf is up...and so begins the summer.

Europe is a hot summer destination, in more ways than one. Temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels, along with humidity that makes you just want to stop what you're doing and take a shower. Crowds throng the beaches and capitols...Europeans as well as foreigners are jamming the Louvre and Costa del Sol....beach space is at a premium and lines can take up the better part of your day.

As you may have guessed, summer is not my personal favorite for a trip to Europe. I'm not particularly fond of the heat, and I prefer to meet native residents rather to continually crash head on with other tourists. But that's me. For others, summer is the only time that they can go, and there are certain advantages. For one, everything is open and many museums and other sites have extended hours. The days are long, and if you venture to the far north, they are endless. Summer is also a great time to lounge at outdoor cafes, soaking in the sun and streetlife. So with a little bit of planning, some of summer's travel woes can be avoided.

Reservations

Always plan ahead, even if this is your time to backpack through Europe without a care in the world. Lodging fills up quickly in summer, especially those at the low end of the budget, such as hostels and pensiones. Calling ahead and reserving a space can save you a lot of leg work, and a lot of time searching a strange city for an available bed. Hostels are especially popular, as the students of the world descend upon Europe for their summer vacation.

Some establishments may require a deposit; do this before leaving on your trip. I know, reserving that far ahead of time may put a crimp in spontaneity, but at the very least, do it for the prime locations--Paris, Rome, London...

Train seats are also at a premium during summer. You may be traveling with a rail pass, but that only guarantees your fare, not a seat. Board a train without a reserved seat, and you may find yourself walking from car to car, or sitting on your luggage for the length of your trip. You have to pay a small fee to reserve a seat, but it's well worth the money, especially if you are going to be traveling for many hours and most importantly, if you planned on sleeping. Second class tends to fill up faster than first.