The ultimate guide to off-peak travel in Europe

Ever heard of the legend of Pheidippides? This Athenian soldier is said to have run 25 miles from the city of Marathon to Athens after Greece won the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.—and his story is the inspiration for modern marathons like the annual event in Athens! Add a pre-tour or post-tour stay to your off-peak trip to Greece and watch runners take on this historic course (and feel even closer to both history and legends).

Winter tours of Europe in bring festive holiday celebrations—and Strasbourg, France, is home to one of the best. This charming Alsatian city has even been nicknamed the Capital of Christmas, making it a memorable spot to visit on an off-peak trip to France. You’ll feel like you’re inside a giant snow globe as you stroll past stalls of handmade crafts and snack on Alsatian butter cookies called bredele, washed down with seasonal vin chaud.

See more of the best Christmas markets in Europe →

Did you know that in Italy, New Year’s Eve coincides with the celebration of Pope Saint Sylvester I? That’s why Italians refer to December 31 as La Festa di San Silvestro. Locals mark the occasion by gathering for family-style feasts (which usually include pork and lentils), and historic squares light up with fireworks and festivals. Join in during an off-peak trip to Italy—like our New Year’s Eve in Rome: Italy & Greece tour—and discover why Rome is one of the top European cities to visit in the offseason.

Colorful costumes, elaborate masks, live performances—the hallmarks of Venice Carnival fill the city for the two weeks leading up to Lent. This is one of the most famous festivals in Europe in the offseason, and the time-honored festivities create a fusion of merriment, history, and tradition worthy of any bucket list. Join in on the fun during an off-peak tour of Venice, when the streets (and canals!) fill with revelers and wonder.

Check out our insider’s guide to Venice Carnival →

Can you think of a more iconic time to visit Ireland than during St. Patrick’s Day week? While Ireland is a relatively quiet European destination in the winter, that all changes when this event comes around. Join an off-peak Ireland departure and drop in on the Emerald Isle during one of the most festive times of year to explore its vibrant cities and breathtaking countryside. Then, don some green, grab a pint, and join the locals in Dublin for the city’s legendary St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17.

See how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland →

Seeking one of the best festivals in Spain? Valencia welcomes the arrival of spring at this vibrant celebration, which takes place from March 15-19 and has been named to the UNESCO list for Intangible Cultural Heritage. Massive wood and papier mache sculptures are displayed and then symbolically burned, fireworks light up the sky, flower offerings are made to Our Lady of the Forsaken, and costumes are donned to mark the occasion. It’s colorful, satirical, and historic—and it makes taking an off-peak trip to Valencia more than worth it!

These tubers are one of the iconic Italian foods to try that taste better off-peak—they’re harvested in the fall, after all. To be more exact, they’re sniffed out by trained truffle-hunting dogs (or pigs!) and earn a pretty penny in the culinary market. Get a taste of the prized white truffle in pastas, sauces, and more on an off-peak tour of Italy, especially if you’re heading to Florence or Alba in November and December on our Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany with America’s Test Kitchen tour.

We can’t think of a more warming sip than this British tipple, which is traditionally made by combining whisky, honey, hot water, lemon, and bitters. You’ll find it on the menu in almost any pub on a chilly Off-Peak Tour of the U.K., when live music and the jovial banter of locals beckon.

Guided tours of Europe in winter are calling—especially if soup is what you seek. Cue: cocido madrileno. This is one the most quintessential Spanish meals, and you can find it on almost any menu on tour in Madrid in the winter. It’s a filling mix of chickpeas, veggies, and meats, which are all simmered into a flavorful broth. Then, the cooked veggies and meats are served alongside a bowl of noodle soup. The dish is traditionally served “en tres vuelcos,” which means “in three times”: soup first, then chickpeas and veggies, and finally, the meat. Dig in on our Off-Peak Spain: Madrid, Granada & Seville tour.

Fried rice balls don’t get tastier than these sweet treats, which are churned out in Siena from January 31 to March 20 to mark the Carnival season. Set off on our Italy for Women: Rome, Tuscany & the Italian Lakes tour and head to Piazza del Campo, the main square in the city, to find the Savelli family’s pop-up hut selling this seasonal delight. “This was hands-down one of the most delicious things that I tried on my winter trip to Italy,” said staffer Jamie. “I would take a trip back to Siena just to try another one. They’re worth traveling for!”

The only thing better than strolling through sparkling holiday markets on an off-peak trip to Central Europe is strolling through with a mug of this hot mulled wine in hand! Gluhwin is German for “glow wine” and it’s a traditional sip in both Germany and Vienna that’s made with red wine, cinnamon, cloves, and other aromatics. Sip some as you travel from from Heidelberg to Vienna on our Christmas Markets of Germany, Switzerland & Austria tour visiting the best Christmas markets in Europe.

This British staple is found in many a pub in London and beyond, especially in the cooler off-peak months. It’s a stick-to-your-bones dish of mashed potatoes, sausages, and onion gravy—simple, classic, and delicious. Want to dig in? You’ll find plenty of chances to try it on our new Off-Peak United Kingdom: Edinburgh & London tour.

The eastern Savoie region of France lays claim to this culinary gem, which is one of the 20 French foods that locals suggest trying—especially on a cooler off-peak France tour, when more savory meals reign. “Something we ate a lot of in winter, which is originally from the Savoie region near the mountains, is tartiflette," said staffer Vinciane. “You make it with onions, scalloped potatoes, cream, bacon bits, and a ton of Reblochon cheese on top.” Look for the dish in Annecy and other parts of the French Alps on our Jewels of Alpine Europe tour.

Make room on your plate for a bite of this dish on March 25, when Greek Independence Day kicks off around the country. The meal is a common part of the national holiday, and is a simple spread of fried, salted cod served with a garlic-potato dip. Seek some out as you enjoy cultural festivities, traditional dances, and parades on our Off-Peak Tour of Greece.

Shoulder season travel ushers in opportunities galore to savor this cheesy dish in Switzerland and the surrounding Alpine countries. It’s made by melting cow’s milk raclette cheese on a small grill, then scraping it onto noshes like boiled potatoes, cornichons, pickled onions, and cured meats. Order it on an off-peak trip to Switzerland, like our Switzerland, Germany & Italy tour, to see how well-made regional ingredients make even the simplest meal sing.

Getting the perfect shot of the world’s most iconic places is easier to come by in the off-peak season, when fewer visitors fill the foreground of your photos. So, if you love filling albums with travel memories, make it a point to seek out those frame-worthy photos on an Off-Peak Tour while the getting is good. (Those same bucket list sights will be chock-full of visitors come summertime!)

Feeling immersed in local culture is what adds true magic to any trip—and that’s exactly what you’ll find more of on an off-peak Europe tour. Less hustle and bustle means more time to make real connections and observe daily life in your destination. So, if you’re wondering where to go in Europe when it’s less crowded, neighborhood spots are calling. From seeing locals pop into the corner convenience store to watching a football match alongside them in the pub, local experiences in the offseason are a dime a dozen.

What to pack for Europe in the winter comes down to where you’re headed. Off-peak weather varies from place to place, so that super warm winter coat might come in handy in December in the U.K. but will be less necessary in Mediterranean countries like Greece. So, be sure to take that into account before stuffing your suitcase.