For years I traveled to Europe in the heat of the summer. I was always insistent that our cruise
vacations coincide with the school vacation calendar, and if that meant hiking
up to the Acropolis in July’s sweltering sunshine, so be it! Fast forward to the present, and I can cruise
any time of year. So, let me just say that cruising around Europe in the fall
is a delight…for many reasons!
My first reason is obviously the lovely weather! Ninety
degrees or 75 degrees? That’s not a
tough choice, especially when you’re spending your day running around trying to
see everything you can in foreign cities.
Not only does the temperature drop September through
November, but the scenery colors change also. The leaves and hills of Europe, (think Tuscany),
turn various shades of red, yellow, purple, orange and brown. What stunning
photographs you’ll have to share with family and friends when you return home!
In the fall you miss Europe's summer crowds. Imagine, just walking into the Vatican with no
lines! Or not having to pre-book and lock yourself into a time slot for every
museum you hope to visit. Not to mention that there won’t be hundreds of other
tourists in all the pictures you’re taking! Nice!
Wine lovers appreciate cruising to Europe in the fall
because the grapes are harvested, and the season’s wines are released. There
are tastings, tours of wineries and festivals in almost every port of call! I
can’t think of a more pleasant way to spend a crisp autumn day!
Cruising in the fall may be less expensive too. Airline tickets
eat up a good chunk of the budget for a European cruise vacation, but prices are
generally lower in the fall. The difference is enough to consider booking a
non-stop as opposed to one with a layover or maybe even bumping up your ticket
to business class!
I’ll be taking my own advice by boarding the Azamara Pursuit
in October. Can’t wait!
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