Rick Steves Recommends Visiting Europe During This Season To Make The Most Of Your Trip

When is the best time to take a vacation? For many of us, it's based simply on convenience whenever we have time off from work or school. Typically, this means summer, but if you and millions of other people have the same idea, it's a recipe for waiting in a lot of lines — especially when visiting Europe. Peak travel season is generally from May through September, and that means crowds. While you may be limited to when you and your family have vacation time, it's worth considering another season, according to travel pro Rick Steves. On his website, Steves says that the off-season, from around November through March, can be the best time for you to make the most of your trip. He writes that "you'll enjoy an amazing slice of Europe where the only crowds are festive locals."

Instead of standing in line for two hours to get a ticket for Rome's Colosseum and Forum, you'll likely get in faster and actually have room to move around instead of dealing with wall-to-wall, sweaty tourists. You might even get some social media pics that don't have a hundred other people in them! Of course, smaller crowds aren't the only perk of traveling to Europe in the off-season.

Visiting Europe in the off-season from November to May might be colder, but you'll get so much more out of your trip. With fewer people, you'll be able to enjoy attractions without the crowds. And for super-popular places that are usually sold out? Those will be much easier to get into. No more waking up at 5 a.m. to make sure you're at the front of the line! Your trip will be much more relaxed and leisurely when you don't have to plan around peak travel times.

Plane tickets are typically less expensive during this time, as well as accommodations. Rick Steves explains that fancy hotels are likely to be less expensive (if you want to enjoy the lap of luxury), while smaller hotels will have more vacancies.

For businesses, some might be closed down for the winter. But for businesses that are open, they will be less crowded and potentially offer discounts. And don't dismiss winter activities in Europe, including skiing and other snow sports. Europe also has some amazing Christmas markets, and if you haven't experienced one, it's the perfect reason to book a December trip.

There are, however, a few things to keep in mind if you're planning an off-season trip to Europe. First, not all destinations will have these perks. Rick Steves explains that while most summer tourist cities will be less crowded, "the opposite is true of big-city business centers (especially Berlin, Brussels, and the Scandinavian capitals), which are busiest with corporate travelers and most expensive off-season." Still, southern spots like Italy, Greece, and Spain might just be the perfect destinations to explore during this time of year.

If you're traveling off-season, you have to plan for the weather. Look into the average temperature where you're going and dress appropriately. Make sure you're prepared for rain by packing a waterproof jacket and finding some comfortable shoes or boots that are water-resistant. Forget the bulky coat, however. One of Rick Steves' tips for packing light in the winter is to layer. You can also wear your heaviest items on the plane so you don't end up overpacking and having to check a bag. Finally, keep in mind that you're going to have less daylight during the winter, but don't let that stop you. Seeing a city all lit up at night can be absolutely magical.

Remember that some tourist spots (particularly in smaller towns) do tend to close during the off-season or have shorter winter hours. Make a quick call or send an email to hotels and other businesses to ask about seasonal hours and closures. Once you arrive in your destination, ask around. Locals may have some ideas for great spots to visit that you wouldn't find in a guidebook. Are you ready to plan your off-season trip to Europe? Check out the best European destinations to visit in December for inspiration.