Yes Paris in glorious in Springtime, but it is downright cozy in autumn and winter. Where to spend the colder months while you wait for summertime on the Amalfi Coast to return…

The sun is slowly setting on the summer season on the Amalfi Coast, the shores of Ibiza, and the Greek islands. A wistful sadness hits as the realization sets in that it will be a long year before it is time to return to partake in sun and sea again. Yet European cities in the colder months, in the off season, have much to offer, not to mention are much are less expensive. Yes, big cities like London and Paris will always cost a bit, but less tourists, more art exhibitions, and a truer ‘like a local’ experience can be had from end October to mid March. Here are a few cool European cities to enjoy when its cold.

Paris is always a good idea, yes, and in Springtime it is enchanting, but Paris is at its most Parisian in the autumn. October but especially mid November when the city looks golden with the yellow leaves on the trees, and temperatures drop so cafe life means seeking warmth as much as the sustenance of a glass of wine. Rain adds to the mood, fashion is at its peak of tres chic-ness with sharp jackets and bright scarves paired with killer boots on stylish women. It is time to cozy up in Cafe Flore with a splash of Hermes and try to fit in with the locals.

London is always in season and has much to offer year round. But summer is all about the tourists so when they finally leave London returns to the Londoners. And autumn is when it really bustles with activity. First there is the art season, many of the museums best exhibitions are shown at this time of year and one is spoilt for choice as to the many museums to choose from. The art season is highlighted by the Frieze art show in mid October which now offers not one but two venues, with its contemporary offerings in one marquee and the Old Masters next door, all located in the manicured gardens of Regent’s park. It is quite the event. To go in December and London is one of the best cities in the world to enjoy the run up to Christmas. Great shopping, Panto shows at the theater, and all the twinkling lights up and down Oxford Street.  The Christmas displays in all the shops like Liberty and Harrods are sumptuous, the shopping is amazing and for a bit of down time, a pub with a pint by the fireplace really hits the spot. Don’t forget to pick up a Christmas pudding and other food stuffs at the one and only Fortnum and Mason.

Budapest still has that old world feel to it and all that that evokes. Cold weather mixes well with their cafe culture in palatial coffee houses in Pest, tempting with decadent pastries and strudels, and their meat heavy cuisine is hearty and best savored in the colder months. Misty early winter nights over the river make a mysterious city suddenly seem romantic. especially in the fairy tale part of Buda looking down from the majestic castle of Fisherman’s Bastion. Budapest makes for an enchanting escape.

Venice is always crowded with tourists, there is no getting around that. Yet the colder it gets the thinner the crowds and the more Venice is returned to its proud owners, the Venetians. Suddenly with less people you can see what life is like on the islands of La Serenissima. Bundle up as it will get cold, there can be winds off the water, but oh to cozy up on one of the velvet banquets at Caffe Florian and have one of their classic hot chocolates while watching the world go by will never seem so grand. For a brief moment life is a 18th century painting. Many mornings there is fog over the canal and the misty mood created makes the light more ethereal. It is Venice how it should be enjoyed, like a local and not a tourist.