Europe Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips!

With fall settling in as September begins, the high tourist season of summer is officially over. Leaves turn color with the arrival of autumn, the sun becomes gentler and the crowd recedes. Portugal calms down and grows quieter, yet it offers all summer perks at shoulder-season rates. A trip to Portugal in September means that you can concoct the perfect country cocktail with a bit of everything thrown in. Leisurely beach days in the warm Algarve, scrumptious wine harvest in the Douro Valley, a historical exploration of Lisbon and Porto, or hiking in the northeast, in Serra da Estrela. Safe to say, there won't be any shortage of things to do on your tour of Portugal.

Looking to explore Turkey when the weather is just right and resort crowds are thinning out? Then visiting Turkey in October might be right up your street. With low rainfall and pleasantly warming temperatures, it is a great time to explore all that Turkey has to offer without the oppressive heat that often accompanies the summer season.If you are looking to visit Turkey for outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, biking or trekking, October offers the perfect conditions for this along with lower rates, thanks to it being the fall season. Also, if you are looking for cultural highlights and festivals, this month is jam-packed with exciting things to see and do.

September is still considered part of a high season in Turkey. This is because even though holidaymakers start returning to work and school as the month progresses, both crowds and prices are still pretty high across popular destinations. Temperatures remain warm throughout this month, although they are not as high as those during the peak summer.This makes it an ideal month to explore Turkey, check out its highlights, get active or snag a beach holiday at a more affordable rate. Whether you want to dive into Turkey’s vibrant culture and history or are planning to head to the coast and explore the great outdoors, there is something for everyone during a trip to Turkey in September.

Want to see a different side of Turkey? Well, touring Turkey in November means that you get to catch the start of the ski season in mountainous places like Uludağ and Palandöken. This is also a great time to head inland to destinations like Cappadocia, where the conditions are cooler for activities such as hiking and hot air balloon rides. If you want to stick to the popular cities like Istanbul in November, expect cooler temperatures and rain showers. But on the plus side, you will find fewer tourist crowds and lower rates. On the coast, near Antalya and Bodrum, the resorts are mostly closed for the season as the number of tourists drop with the temperature.

A trip to Portugal in August is particularly enjoyable if your five P’s are sorted: a plump purse, patience, people-loving spirit, pre-planning, and pre-booking your trip. You will need these travel essentials to fight the legendary mad tourist rush of August head-on. So, if you are a seasoned traveler, now is the time to ditch the tourist trail and go off-grid. Soaring sun and absolute dry days mean it is time to hit the beach. Foray a little deep to find an equally picturesque alternative to the famous beaches of the Algarve in the calmer Southwest Alentejo or Centro region. Substitute watersports with an adventurous outing in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Its scenic waterfalls, lush forests, and fast-flowing rivers offer you the chance to canoe, raft or simply hike.

With the lingering effects of the cold Irish winter finally over, April is a lovely time to explore Ireland. Spring is in the air; days are longer and there is ample sunshine. There are lots of excellent things to do in Ireland in April—from hiking along the exquisite, 180-kilometers-long Ring of Kerry to gazing at the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which tower more than 200 meters above the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you are touring Turkey in January, you have picked a great time for a ski holiday adventure. Far away from the sweaty and crowded peak season of summer, Turkey is cold, and parts of it are blanketed with snow in January. Fewer tourists and cheaper rates are great perks if you are visiting this country during this time of year.The further you head inland, the colder the temperatures get, but you will also find better skiing conditions. Turkey is often overlooked for snowsports in favor of the Alps or even nearby Bulgaria. But Turkey is an affordable alternative for snowsport enthusiasts, especially at Bursa and Kayseri. Add to that a completely different cultural vibe in Istanbul, and you have the perfect holiday.

Portugal in February is like a temperamental lover. Sometimes it is sunny, warm, and inviting, while it is gray, cold, and foreboding at other times. However, regardless of weather conditions, you will be rewarded for your trip if you have patience and a plan. Whether you want to dance to the beats of a traditional carnival in Torres Vedras, wander in the 500-year-old cobblestone alleys of Lisbon without bumping into another tourist, or create your gastronomic trail with hearty Portuguese delicacies, a trip to Portugal in February offers a string of exciting adventures. For an unhurried traveler who likes to be one with the local vibe of a destination, there is nothing better than romancing in Portugal during the month of love.

December is the mildest winter month in Turkey and there are tons of spots around the country to still catch some sun or even take a dip in warm coastal waters. Much of the country is, however, covered in a cloud of gray as the rainy season makes its arrival. However, this also means that the ski season is here to stay, and this highly underrated destination still offers fantastic traveling opportunities during this time of year. Read on to find out why you should go on a trip to Turkey in December.

May is part of the shoulder season in Ireland. As such, the number of tourists is fewer and rooms are easily available throughout the country. Although not a busy season, Ireland’s weather in May is comparable to the peak tourist season (June through early September), so make the most out of it. Explore the stunning Cliffs of Moher, take a road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way, soak up the culture and history of Dublin and admire the Neolithic tombs in Newgrange. Fun and learning never stop when you are on a trip to Ireland.

With longer daylight hours, milder temperatures, and a flurry of festivals to fill your itinerary, it is no wonder that a trip to Norway in June is popular among travelers. The sun barely sets in the sky during the summer months – a phenomenon that gave this Scandinavian country its popular title, the Land of the Midnight Sun. Set off on outdoor adventures while the weather is warm. Go island-hopping, cruise past fjords, hike in national parks, or dive in the peninsula’s waters – the choice is yours.

If you are used to the first month of the year being a disappointment, you have obviously not discovered touring Norway in January. Snow covers much of the inland areas of the country during this time of year, while fjords remain as beautiful as ever. Plus, there are plenty of winter sports to get the adrenaline flowing and the Northern Lights above the line of the Arctic Circle are beginning to hit their stride too. Join us for everything you need to know about Norway in January right here.

Whatever your mojo, you will find it during your trip to Portugal in July. In June, summer in Portugal kicks off with a sizzling start, ushering in the vibrant season and its sunny delights. And as the mercury rises, so does the level of fun. The North Atlantic Ocean starts heating up in July, heralding the season of swimming and watersports, while Alentejo and the Algarve beckon holidaymakers to relax on their sandy beaches.Art and culture enthusiasts can hop around gorgeous summer festivals that deal with everything from food to folk culture and from music to tall ship races. Hikers pining for peace have the option of heading for the quieter backcountry and wandering in thickly forested Peneda-Gerês, away from crowds and in the embrace of nature. Irrespective of your preferred holiday style, you will be impressed with the options available in Portugal in July.

If you want to steal some summer fun even before the season begins, head to Portugal in May. Spring is in full swing with long days, receiving around 10 hours of sunshine every day, and the weather consistently dry. And though the seawater is yet to reach swimming temperatures, the land is befitting for some leisurely beach time. Weather conditions across mainland Portugal in May are perfect for sightseeing in cities like Porto, Lisbon, and Coimbra, or for hiking through the backcountry in Serra da Estrela and Peneda-Gerês National Park. The weather across Portugal’s islands also improves significantly, with the Azores finally seeing some dry days.

April is when colors compete everywhere as the blooming season begins in Portugal; the countryside bursts with greenery and wildflowers dot the landscape. Cities like Porto dazzle with their multicolored buildings under the spring sun during this time of year. If you overlook the scattered remnants of winter rains, a trip to Portugal in April is bound to be a worthwhile experience, not just because of its warmer climate but also because of the chance to partake in Holy Week festivities.