Guide to Low-Season Europe

With its rich history, culture and natural beauty, Europe is a perennial favorite among travelers. Although throngs of tourists crowd its famous landmarks and cities in the peak summer months, there’s an often-overlooked alternative: the winter offseason. Demand for Europe’s cool low season is a hot trend.

Since 2023, the Avalon Waterways company has increased its offseason river cruises by 88 percent to keep up with demand. When Windstar Cruises redeployed a ship to the Mediterranean last winter, the itinerary proved so successful that the small-ship line offers more this season.

Visiting Europe during the off-peak period of late November through late March is a quieter, more authentic experience without the crowds and with shorter lines, when Europe can be awash in yuletide cheer and winter wonderland scenery (Christmas markets, anyone?). It’s “the chance to experience a more European Europe,” writes Rick Steves, founder and owner of Rick Steves’ Europe, on the website of his tour company. “We’re leading more tours in the off-season than ever.”

What’s more, it’s not as cold as you think. “Global warming is keeping the Mediterranean warm,” says Janet Bava, chief commercial officer for Windstar Cruises. “It’s a lot warmer,” though not as intense as the summer heat. “Especially in southern Europe where air-conditioning is not as common, older travelers will find that traveling in the winter is a more comfortable experience due to the milder temperatures in popular countries including Italy, Spain and Portugal,” says Melissa DaSilva, interim CEO of TTC Tour Brands, parent company of Trafalgar Tours. Trafalgar offers escorted tours worldwide.

As an antidote to the scourge of over-tourism, winter travel is more responsible and sustainable, alleviating the strain of high-season crowds on many destinations. Best of all, it offers savings over high season at a time especially suited to older travelers and retirees with more flexible schedules.

Just ask Geralyn Rock, 67, a retiree from Collingswood, New Jersey, who has taken five winter trips to Europe with Road Scholar, an educational tour company for travelers over 50. The company’s attractive prices were paramount, she says. Plus, “these places have mild weather.… 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’s 2024 Travel Trends survey, Europe topped the list of international destinations people 50-plus wanted to visit this year, with 41 percent choosing it.

From river and ocean cruises to guided, land-based tours, here are six companies that offer winter trips in Europe — often less expensive than summer travel. (All listed prices are per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. They were accurate at time of publication.)

Budapest, Hungary, is one of Avalon Waterways’ destinations during the low season.

Courtesy Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways

“The offseason presents milder temperatures, fewer crowds and generally better deals — including airfare,” says Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “And now cruisers — especially those with a flexible schedule and kids out of the house — are getting on board … to see Europe in a new light and a new season.”