June 4, 2015
This came up recently while discussing a potential future trip with a family from Canada. European Focus no longer takes guests to the following “Red Zone” cities and areas from mid-July through end of August:
London
Amsterdam
Berlin
Paris
The South of France
Italy (all of Italy)
Portugal
Spain
Why? Because of incredible crowds, heat, very long lines, crabby waiters and exhausted hotel staff. There are many wonderful places to visit in these weeks including our top picks:
Ireland
Scotland
the North of England and just about any other city other than London
Most of Germany with the exception of the far southern regions which includes Munich, Berchtesgaden, Salzburg in Austria and Vienna
Austria countryside regions
Switzerland with exception of Lucerne
Belgium
After many years of travel in Europe we feel that to go into the “Red Zone” areas during the six weeks of European summer vacation is to invite frustration and unhappiness onto our guests.