On a Sunday afternoon in September, Ban Jelačić Square in Zagreb is almost empty. A statue of Josip Jelačić on horseback stands in the town square. It’s one of the most iconic places in Croatia, and just a few weeks ago you couldn’t take a picture. of it without fighting the crowds of tourists.
But with the end of the summer season, things are much calmer.
“We had a busy summer,” says excursion consultant Ivana Mudronja. “Not as busy as in 2019, much more than last year. “
And this fall?
“We’ll see,” he adds.
This is good news for American visitors, many of whom have Croatia on their to-do list. Fewer visitors means lower costs and more opportunities to enjoy an original experience when traveling in Europe. not seeing this summer, and yes, there is still time for the best European holidays in 2022.
When it comes to destinations, Europe is causing a stir this autumn. A report published by Bounce found that 8 of the 10 most sensible fall destinations were in Europe. Amsterdam, Paris, London and Berlin are the most sensible on the list.
Oui. La maximum European countries have restrictions on books that require evidence of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative verification result when entering countries or spaces with “high epidemiological risk”. However, no country on this list as of September 17. 2022.
If you are making plans to travel to Europe, you should know one thing: next year, the European Union will introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). It’s an electronic formula that tracks visitors who don’t require a visa and works in the same way as the U. S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). USA The ETIAS application payment is $7 and you can pay by credit card.
Ivica Max Krizmanić, General Manager of the Art Decco Esplanade Zagreb hotel.
At the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, business is almost back to normal. The hotel, opened in 1925 as a stopover on the Orient Express, is one of the most sumptuous in the city. Still, room rates at this time of year are just $136 per night, meaning core assets are also affordable for many American visitors.
Ivica Max Krizmanić, the managing director, says the occupancy rate may reach the record grades they achieved in 2019 for this year. But it’s still too early to say.
“It’s been a smart summer here and autumn is smart, but you can’t see too much in the long run because the booking behavior has changed,” he told me.
Still, Krizmanić believes the window for reduced-price hunters is small. Summer travelers stay later and develop in the fall. And there won’t be any stalls at the hostel when Zagreb’s prominent Christmas market starts on November 26. Krizmanić says he can’t be sure of availability, but recommends booking as soon as possible.
Experts say this uncertainty and the likelihood of a shorter window for reduced price seekers prevail in Europe this fall. And that may be the grand end of COVID pricing. In fact, one of the most important trends I’ve been following for 2023 is to get back to general booking habits. This means that the last-minute deals we’ve noticed in the pandemic may disappear altogether.
I asked Claire Saylor, marketing manager at Audley Travel, where to spend this fall.
“Europe has long been one of Audley’s most sensible destinations,” he told me. “And this continues after the pandemic. “
Among its most sensitive points this autumn: Italy, Spain and Portugal.
“Our visitors enjoy cultural tours, meet the locals and understand the character of a country,” he added. for traveling this year. “
These are some of the ECU packages that your company has been offering lately.
Aerial view of Madrid’s Gran Vía at dusk from the Circulo de Bellas Artes. Spain
In September, Spain is pleasantly hot and sometimes dry. Visitor numbers are lower than in the peak summer months and temperatures are more pleasant for hiking and city tours, Saylor says.
His company offers this autumn packages of excursions to Madrid, San Sebastian and La Rioja. Among the most sought-after attractions visited in Spain are its museums, to which are added the Prado in Madrid and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Spain’s historic capital, Toledo, and wine tastings in the wine regions of Ribera del Duero and Rioja are also at the top of their guest list.
London, England, United Kingdom, Europe. Houses of Parliament, the River Thames and Westminster Bridge.
Saylor says there is nothing that compares to England and Scotland in October. You’ll see colorful autumn foliage in city parks and in the countryside. Plus, temperatures stay moderate, so you can explore the cities without the summer crowds.
A typical autumn itinerary includes stops in London, Edinburgh, Bath and Cairngorms. She says travelers explore the mountains and lakes of Cairngorms National Park and have tea in the Roman baths.
Piazza de Spagna in Rome, Italia. No Spain in the morning. Architecture and landmark of Rome.
Thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate, Italy is the best destination option in November, says Saylor. In southern cities such as Naples and Palermo, peaks of sunlight are found in the 60s, allowing visitors to spend time outdoors. There are almost no people.
Americans like to visit places like Florence, Rome, and Naples in the fall. One of their most productive tours includes a Tuscan cooking lesson with a local chef in Florence, a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples to see original artifacts from Pompeii, and a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples to see original artifacts from Pompeii. the Museums Vaticanos. La Sistine Chapel is much less crowded at this time of year.
Travel agents like Saylor say there’s still availability for their fall excursions, but they fill up quickly. I spoke to tourism connoisseurs (hoteliers, tour guides and restaurateurs) and they all agreed: at the moment there are many demands for Europe, but even the experts do not know if it will last.
Back in Zagreb, it’s still hot at this time of year. Finding a table in a popular place to eat is easy. There is no line for the Zagreb funicular on Tomić Street, one of the shortest public transport funiculars in the world. Zagreb would be charged about $1,100.
But October and November are a bit murkier. The energy crisis in Europe may intensify, disrupt travel and reduce costs due to the advantageous exchange rate. The war in Ukraine can escalate and cause some visitors to flee. But it’s also conceivable that other hotels will stay on the Esplanade, a strong summer, glued to the toes through an equally sharp fall.
And if that happens, you can’t book your european holiday well in advance.