Spring hath come and gone. It was lovely while it lasted, but it didn't last long.
Nope, not a poet. Just super bummed that I'm in high summer sweating my arse off as I write about cooler temperatures!
Spring in Europe is amazing. I still love fall best, but spring is when everything comes back to life. I arrived in Germany last August, so I didn't know what the land around me would look like in the spring.
Trees in spring were full and green, flowers everywhere, and as per the usual, the weather was fickle.
SPRING WEATHER
I think I have seen more blog posts about what to pack for Europe in the spring than any other season. I've had my fair share of missteps along the spring season, so my
ill-preparedness (is that a word?) is your gain in this post!
Spring in Germany doesn't really begin until you notice that it's almost over! Ha.
You'll see flowers randomly scattered through parks and along the autobahns. You'll admire buds on trees forming and blooming. You'll notice the frost tapering at a snail pace, yet the summer heat punches you before you know it. Spring is a funny thing here.
Yes, it also rains, and often. It comes and goes, and sometimes the daily forecast doesn't call for rain, but it will happen at random.
The average high temperature in April here in central Europe is around 58°F, and the low averages around 38°F .
During April, I had the opportunity to visit Salzburg, Austria.
The weather forecast looked sunny and a bit warmer than the norm. I was excited to get out and explore a new place without having to freeze to death.
Well, on our ride to Salzburg, the forecast changed without notice. The wind picked up, a chill took over, it began to rain, and the lightweight jackets that we wore couldn't keep us warm enough. The first thing I visited in Salzburg was actually H&M. I bought sweaters to wear under our jackets (for myself and the kids) just to get us through the day! When our time and day was ending in the city, the sun came out, and we were hot. Sweaters and jackets came off. True story.
Like I have said in my previous weather posts (you can find them in the December and March archives), the weather here is finicky and utterly indecisive.
Nope, not a poet. Just super bummed that I'm in high summer sweating my arse off as I write about cooler temperatures!
Spring in Europe is amazing. I still love fall best, but spring is when everything comes back to life. I arrived in Germany last August, so I didn't know what the land around me would look like in the spring.
Trees in spring were full and green, flowers everywhere, and as per the usual, the weather was fickle.
SPRING WEATHER
I think I have seen more blog posts about what to pack for Europe in the spring than any other season. I've had my fair share of missteps along the spring season, so my
ill-preparedness (is that a word?) is your gain in this post!
Spring in Germany doesn't really begin until you notice that it's almost over! Ha.
You'll see flowers randomly scattered through parks and along the autobahns. You'll admire buds on trees forming and blooming. You'll notice the frost tapering at a snail pace, yet the summer heat punches you before you know it. Spring is a funny thing here.
Yes, it also rains, and often. It comes and goes, and sometimes the daily forecast doesn't call for rain, but it will happen at random.
The average high temperature in April here in central Europe is around 58°F, and the low averages around 38°F .
During April, I had the opportunity to visit Salzburg, Austria.
The weather forecast looked sunny and a bit warmer than the norm. I was excited to get out and explore a new place without having to freeze to death.
Well, on our ride to Salzburg, the forecast changed without notice. The wind picked up, a chill took over, it began to rain, and the lightweight jackets that we wore couldn't keep us warm enough. The first thing I visited in Salzburg was actually H&M. I bought sweaters to wear under our jackets (for myself and the kids) just to get us through the day! When our time and day was ending in the city, the sun came out, and we were hot. Sweaters and jackets came off. True story.
Like I have said in my previous weather posts (you can find them in the December and March archives), the weather here is finicky and utterly indecisive.
WHAT TO PACK for EUROPE in the SPRING
- Jeans, leggings, jeggings, pants (whatever strikes your fancy)
- A medium weight coat
- A lightweight coat or thick cardigan sweater
- Ankle boots
- Casual shoes (loafers, Converse, Sperrys)
- Flats (spring prints and solid colors are both acceptable)
- Light/medium weight scarf or two
- Thin cardigan
- Dresses and skirts are okay, if that's your thing (bring leggings to layer, just in case)
- Capri pants (or jeans that can be rolled up)
- Short sleeves
- Long sleeves
- At least one tank or cami
- A sturdy umbrella
- Sunglasses
What you MIGHT want to bring to Europe in the SPRING:
- A heavy coat and/or a dress coat
- Thick scarf
- Fleece lined leggings
- A wool hat
- Tall boots
- Rainboots (or 'wellies' for my UK friends)
- Heels (for a special occasion)
What you MAY NOT NEED, but should think about:
- A swimsuit. WHAT? Yes, a swimsuit. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Most hotels in large cities have indoor heated pools, saunas, and some have mini water parks. Some European cities even have world renowned outdoor thermal spas (Baden Baden, Budapest, etc,.). If you're lucky, you may even want to use an outdoor pool in spring, depending on the day. We hit a 86 degree day in late April. If I had a pool, I would have used it. No AC in mi casa!
- A parka. There were a few days that I HAD to use mine during early spring.
- Insulated socks
- Gloves
I won't tell you what to carry on your person for daily site-seeing in Europe, but a few words of advice:
- As always, think about bringing sunscreen! I know some people don't care to use it as often as I do, but the overcast weather can leave you burned sometimes. Even on cold days.
- I always carry lens cleaning wipes. I can't stand when raindrops are on my eye glasses or camera lens. And here in Europe, spring rain happens often.
- Water. Once again friends, stay hydrated!
- Bring a light jacket or a cardigan anywhere you go, even if the weather forecast appears to be warm on that day.
A FEW EXTRA NOTES:
Spring is a beautiful time of year and it is best to expect rain, but don't let the spring rain get your travels down. Some of the cities here sparkle in the rain, really!
I had visited about 15 cities or so during the spring, and although weather was unfavorable at times (Salzburg, you bitch), I am glad I went to each place when I did.
My trip to Salzburg happened as the magnolia blooms were falling to the ground. Perfection. We visited London, England at the cusp of summer, and the rose gardens at Hampton Court Palace were gorgeous.
Rothenburg, Germany and Prague, Czech Republic were lovely too, although not everything was in bloom at the time of those trips.
As soon as the first hint of heat came to central Europe, tulips, cherry blossoms, and all of the prettiest flowers began to disappear. I am grateful that I finally had the chance to see some of Europe's spring flora and fauna, even if rain clouds decided to show up to the party now and then.
Spring is a beautiful time of year and it is best to expect rain, but don't let the spring rain get your travels down. Some of the cities here sparkle in the rain, really!
I had visited about 15 cities or so during the spring, and although weather was unfavorable at times (Salzburg, you bitch), I am glad I went to each place when I did.
My trip to Salzburg happened as the magnolia blooms were falling to the ground. Perfection. We visited London, England at the cusp of summer, and the rose gardens at Hampton Court Palace were gorgeous.
Rothenburg, Germany and Prague, Czech Republic were lovely too, although not everything was in bloom at the time of those trips.
As soon as the first hint of heat came to central Europe, tulips, cherry blossoms, and all of the prettiest flowers began to disappear. I am grateful that I finally had the chance to see some of Europe's spring flora and fauna, even if rain clouds decided to show up to the party now and then.
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| Salzburg magnolia trees |
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| Hanging at a lake near my house |
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| Blooms in Amberg, Germany |
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| Spring at Nymphenberg Palace |
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