Make The Most Of Your Winter Trip To Europe With Rick Steves' Tips
By NICOLE CORD-CRUZ
Per travel expert Rick Steves, traveling to Europe during the off-season from November through March offers fewer crowds, affordable prices, and an intimate traveling experience.
Try visiting indoor sites that would usually be crowded. Steves told The Chicago Tribune, "Museums provide a warm and cozy haven, while outdoor sights can be harder to enjoy."
Head to Rome to take in St. Peter's Basilica and the Ponte Sant'Angelo, or perhaps go to Venice and ascend the Campanile di San Marco without the disruption of rowdy tourists.
For a taste of peak European culture, he recommends making your way to Vienna to see the Boys' Choir or have an up-close encounter with the world-famous Lipizzaner stallions.
According to Steves, Christmas in Europe is not just a one-day celebration. Many places turn into a Christmas spectacle for weeks at a time.
The travel guru recommends hitting up German towns to see houses adorned with colorful embellishments and visiting Christmas markets to enjoy holiday-exclusive delicacies.
For a "European Europe" experience, Steves suggests scheduling downtime at the Italian Riviera or Adriatic beaches, while London and Paris offer amazing holiday light fixtures.
After Christmas, Steves recommends Venice, as its Mardi Gras celebrations (Carnevale di Venezia) stretch for 18 days from the end of January to the beginning of February.