Here’s a not-so-shocking confession: I abhor crowds. This might seem a bit odd coming from a person who travels as much as I do. Airports, train stations, and tourist sites filled to capacity give me a bit of anxiety. Because of this, I normally travel in the shoulder and/or off seasons.
Much of Europe is flooded with tourists in June, July and August, and now that I live in Paris, the #1 tourist destination in the world, I’m likely to go mad. Gobs of people will fill the metro and scramble to keep up with their guide at the Eiffel Tower, who can easily be spotted by the unique flag, umbrella, or stick they are holding in the air. Guides will shout over one another in various languages at various museums hoping to be heard. Eventually there’s one loud roar drowning out any sort of semblance of enjoyment.
On the other end of the tourist spectrum are people that go it alone. Their noses are so far up a guidebook that they’re not even seeing the Tower of London, but they can certainly tell you that Anne Boleyn was beheaded there in 1536. They wander from site to site often devoured by the mass tour groups surrounding them.
Simply put: Summer crowds take much of the pleasure out of visiting Europe. And with the current strongish dollar against the weakish euro, there’s sure to be more European-starved Americans making the pilgrimage back to continent. However, there are ways to take some of the hustle and bustle out and keep more of the enjoyment in.
Quality Over Quantity
When traveling to Europe, it’s very tempting for Americans to pack in as many destinations as possible. After all, everything looks so close on the map compared to the United States. The presence of low-cost airlines and the ease of train travel also contribute to the more is better way of thinking. That travel strategy is a huge mistake and one that I have made.
The most important lesson I’ve learned while traveling throughout Europe is that quality outweighs quantity. Cramming Milan, Florence, Siena, Orvieto, Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast into two weeks made me an exhausted and frustrated traveler. I didn’t get to fully experience any one place, and I found myself spending far too much of my precious time on trains or planes. When I wasn’t in transit, I was figuring out where I was going and what I was doing next. A vacation is supposed to be relaxing. That Italy trip was anything but.
I learned my lesson the hard way, so for eight nights during one July trip, I focused solely on Budapest and Vienna. Four nights in each of the cities allowed for a more leisurely pace. I actually took time to eat breakfast and relaxed in the afternoons over glasses of wine. Not once did I feel guilty that my precious time was being used inefficiently, and I spent a minimal amount of time in transit. I did leave wanting more of Budapest and Vienna, but that’s a testament to how much I loved the cities. Sometimes less really is more.
Enlist an Expert
With a packed travel schedule, sometimes I have neither the time nor the energy to research like I’d like. And as an independent traveler, I normally eschew tour companies primarily because of the aforementioned scenario involving groups mindlessly following sticks with stuffed animals tied to them.
For that trip to Budapest and Vienna, I did something I rarely do—I enlisted the help of a tour company, but not just a run-of-the-mill one. Kensington Tours isn’t one of those companies that have a rigid set tours and then tries to cram as many people on them as possible. Instead, Kensington offers customized itineraries and private guides. Custom and private are two words that make this spoiled traveler’s ears perk up.
Since I’d been to neither city, I simply told the experts at Kensington that I wanted a general city overview with a focus on food and wine. They developed an itinerary that included private wine tastings and cooking classes, organized trains and transfers, and pre-purchased attraction tickets. I didn’t stand in a single line and was transported efficiently from attraction to attraction by my private guides. There wasn’t a single aspect that I had to consider. My only responsibility was to enjoy the experiences that were specifically designed for me.
Besides shouldering the planning responsibility, a local expert also offers a deeper insight to a locale. Not only did I see Budapest and Vienna’s typical highlights, but I also experienced places undiscovered by tourists. Plus, I didn’t have to follow around a green flag or strain my ears trying to learn about the Chain Bridge.
This trip was easily one of my favorites to Europe despite the summer crowds. I absolutely adored Budapest and Vienna for their grand architecture, history, and culture. But beyond the wonderful attributes of the cities, I think the fact that it was such a low-stress experience helped propel it into the favorite category.
While summer travel in Europe isn’t something I’d whole-heartedly recommend, I do recognize that it’s often the most convenient and/or only time for others to travel. No matter the season, limiting the number of places you’ll visit is key. And to really dive into a locale, enlist the help of a local expert that will take some of the travel stress off your shoulders. You’ll also see the place in a way that no amount of research would allow. Europe is filled with countless amazing places. Just make sure you’re focused on them rather than the guidebook or the tour guide’s red umbrella.
Shikha (whywasteannualleave)
June 9, 2015Kensington Tours sounds like exactly the kind of tour company I would enjoy using, I can’t stand large group tours where you’re left trailing behind and can’t hear anything etc but smaller, customised tours, for me anyway, have always been positive. I completely agree with you on the quality over quantity thing in European cities too. A lot of my relatives come over from Asia and try and cram a truck load of capital cities in the one trip, sometimes only ending up with only half a day here or there but I always prefer to spend longer in a few places to really soak up the atmosphere.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015I’ve used Kensington on several occasions, and they really take the stress out of travel for me. I’m free to just relax and enjoy. Totally worth it!
Marc
June 9, 2015Leah,
I lived in paris over 35 years and Paris has always been like that during the tourist season and it was not a survival thing for me. It was just what it was because thats all I knew. I know summers are busy with people but the public transportantion is so great that you do not have to crammed in to places. theres buses, metros, RER’s SNCF etc. I think sometimes, its better to walk the city. I love Paris and I miss sometimes since I live in LA now.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015Walking the city is my favorite thing to do. It’s often the favorite part of any given day for me.
Sand In My Suitcase
June 11, 2015Excellent advice! First-time travelers to Europe often want a tasting tour of the whole continent. But spending time absorbing the culture in fewer places is more rewarding – and less tiring.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015I get exhausted listening to some people’s European itinerary. Slow down!
Erin Marie
June 11, 2015Unfortunately, summer travel is all I ever get and that means it’s full of tourists all the time. That’s actually why I’ve chosen destinations in Africa, South America, Asia, and Oceania over the past few summers. Less crowded and cheaper. But, I still do love Europe and these are some good ways to avoid the usual, hectic experiences. I could go for a private wine tasting right about now!
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015Where there’s a high season, there’s always another place in low season. I agree with you. Traveling to avoid the crowds in equally wonderful destinations is another way to skin a cat.
Kieu
June 13, 2015Quality over quantity… I could not agree more! We were once those Summer backpackers on the move every 2-days and got burnt out fast. Since then, every Euro trip that followed slowed down immensely and I love it. Plus, it’s good to leave a few places out — all the more reason for a return trip.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015That’s a great way to look at it…more reason to return. 🙂
Traveling Ted
June 14, 2015Great tips on how to survive rubbing elbows with the hoi polloi.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015You always have a way with words.
Lance | Trips By Lance
June 14, 2015Yes, us Americans love to travel to the hot spots during the hot months and cram it all in. I know I’ve been guilty of it. Slowing down and getting quality instead of quantity is key.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015Yes, I think every American has been guilty of it at least once.
noel
June 15, 2015For very short visits to a new city that I have not spent any time researching, I actually love to work with local tour groups that specialize in some fashion, food, photography, etc. It really gives me a quick look at a destination without having to worry about the logistics and key attractions to maneuver and avoid the tourist crowds at all costs.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015That’s a great point. I often take food and fashion tours and get an alternative view of a city.
Lola
June 18, 2015Quality over quantity is great advice. Even for short trips. I’m so happy you loved your time in Budapest and Vienna.
Leah Walker
June 23, 2015You’re so right. It doesn’t matter the length of a trip. Find the couple of things that interest you most and savor them.
Emme @ Green Global Travel
June 28, 2015Enlisting the help of locals is great advice. If you are kind and courteous, they can really help you get around and experience the country in ways that other Americans or travel agencies can’t. I had a great local cab driver in Orléans who was a huge help to me that day, I don’t know how I would have made it through the day without his kindness and assistance!
Sandy
June 28, 2017Love this! I did the whole speed tour the first time around, and luckily I’ve had the luxury to go back to a lot of places and get really into them- and had a completely different experience each time.