With its rich history, culture and natural beauty, Europe is a favored destination among travelers. Although throngs of tourists crowd its famous monuments and towns during the peak summer months, there is an often overlooked alternative: the winter off-season. The demand for cool low season in Europe is a hot trend.
Since 2023, Avalon Waterways has increased its off-season river cruises by 88% to meet demand. When Windstar Cruises redeployed a ship to the Mediterranean last winter, the itinerary proved so successful that the small ship line is offering more this season.
Visiting Europe during the off-peak period from late November to late March is a quieter, more authentic experience, without the crowds and shorter queues, when Europe can be flooded with Christmas cheer and scenery wonderful winters (Christmas marketsanyone?). It's “the opportunity to experience a more European Europe,” writes Rick Steves, founder and owner of Rick Steves' Europe, on his travel agency's website. “We’re doing more off-season tours than ever.”
Plus, it's not as cold as you think. “Global warming is keeping the Mediterranean warm,” says Janet Bava, sales director of Windstar Cruises. “It’s a lot warmer,” but not as hot intense like summer heat. “Especially in southern Europe, where air conditioning is not as common, older travelers will find that traveling in winter is a more comfortable experience due to the milder temperatures in popular countries like Italy, Italy. 'Spain and Portugal,' says Melissa DaSilva, interim CEO of TTC Tour Brands, parent company of Trafalgar Tours. Trafalgar offers escorted tours around the world.
As an antidote to the scourge of overtourism, winter travel is more responsible and sustainable, easing tourism-related tensions. busy in high season in many destinations. Best of all, it offers savings during peak season, a time particularly suited to older travelers and retirees with more flexible schedules.
Just ask Geralyn Rock, 67, a retiree from Collingswood, New Jersey, who took five winter trips to Europe with Road Scholar, an educational travel company for travelers over 50. The company's attractive pricing was paramount, she said. Plus, “these places have a mild climate…” It’s not crowded at all,” she says. “And you’re still contributing to the local economy that depends on tourism.”
Europe is popular with older travelers. According to AARP 2024 Travel Trends SurveyEurope tops the list of international destinations that people over 50 want to visit this year, with 41% choosing it.
From river and ocean cruises to guided land tours, here are six companies that offer winter trips to Europe – often cheaper than summer trips. (All prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. They were accurate at the time of publication.)
Budapest, Hungary is one of Avalon Waterways' destinations during the low season.
Courtesy Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways
“The offseason features milder temperatures, fewer crowds and generally better deals – including airfare,” says Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “And now cruise lines – especially those with a flexible schedule and children out of the house … embark… to see Europe in a new light and a new season.
