For Australians, Europe has long been the holy grail when it comes to summer travel – the appeal of its sunny beaches, historic sites and energetic vibe just too hard to pass up. But heightened worries about extreme heat and the proliferation of tourists have started to change travel habits, and many Australians are rethinking the long European summer holiday — as is so much of the rest of the world.

For Australians, Heatwaves and Crowds Complicate a National Ritual: ‘Going Bush’

Australians have long associated July and August with European summer holidays. But extreme heatwaves that have pummeled Southern Europe and its tourist-laden cities like Paris, Rome and Barcelona have many considering an adjustment to their summer travel plans. The effects of rising temperatures and throngs of tourists are beginning to reshape the patterns of European travel, particularly for people from Australia, where long flights and expensive trips require thoughtful planning.

And while experts may have anticipated this change, global leader in experiential travel, Intrepid Travel is experiencing it at an earlier stage than expected. Intrepid Travel Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Brett Mitchell said climate change had expedited the trend, saying peak summer travel was now “too hot and inconvenient”.”Scarves are suddenly our summer travelling staple,” Mitchell said. “We figured we had five to ten years to go mainstream, but the heatwaves, the forest fires, the overtourism have accelerated everything,” he said in an interview with news. com. au.

The Escape: Should Season Travel on the Rise – Why April, May and September Are the New June and July

For the first time, more Australians have been traveling to Europe during the shoulder season — April, May and September — than over the summer months of June, July and August, according to booking data from Intrepid Travel. This year, an impressive 55% of customers of the company – which sends people to Europe, among other destinations – are opting to travel during the quiet times, indicating an increasing longing to flee the scorching heat and tourist hotspots.

What’s becoming more attractive are the shoulder seasons (with milder temperatures, fewer people and cheaper places to stay). It is the time when Australians can experience the rich and diverse culture of European cities minus the oppressive heat and endless queues at the top sights. Intrepid Travel, which says it places an emphasis on overtourism when evaluating its offerings, also points out that places like Greece, Italy and Spain are particularly popular because of their nice spring and fall weather, and less burdened by over-tourism.

Effects on Business and Other Commuters

The move toward shoulder seasons also marks a big shift in how business events and conferences in Europe are being planned for business travelers and corporate tourists. And with lighter attendance (due to heavier load), better weather, there are many who are even opting to attend rather than suffer through July and August! “Finally the smaller audience makes it more possible to network without the burden of those huge crowds and venues and transport.”

This is also good news for leisure travelers. Enjoying good weather along with a chance to get to know Europe at a leisurely pace, they are visiting out-of-the-way gems that might have been overshadowed during the busy summer peak. The imperative to adjust to the changing climate is giving fuel to a larger trend in sustainable tourism, as more travelers weigh the environmental impact of their getaways.

Climate Change and Overtourism Are Nudging the Hungry Alps Further Downhill

As climate change affects weather patterns, Europeans and global travelers are both noticing the impact. Cities such as Venice, Barcelona and Amsterdam, which are appealing both for their architecture and culture, have been swamped with mass tourism, making them highly unlivable in the long run. Visitations have become frequent and, along with road congestion and local attraction inundation, triggered concerns about the environmental and social implications of tourism.

It also is an issue that is driving European governments to respond. For example, Italy has rolled out measures to limit overtourism in Venice, while Amsterdam is advocating for more sustainable tourism plans, such as visitor caps at popular landmarks. Australians planning to travel sustainably are likely to take these matters into account when planning their European holidays to ensure their tourism dollars are assisting in conservation efforts.

9 things to know when planning your 2025 trip to Europe from Australia

Book Early for Shoulder Seasons: Both prices and crowds are lower if you travel in April, May and September. This will also help keep you out of the strong summer sun.

Discover Lesser-Known Cities: Sure, the crowd-pleasing appeal of Paris or Rome never fails, but Porto in Portugal, Valencia in Spain or Krakow in Poland are quieter but no less appealing alternatives.

Check Local Regulations: A number of European cities are enacting new regulations in response to overtourism. Be sure to know about any booking requirements or restrictions.

Consider the Environment: Choose sustainable accommodations and transportation methods such as trains or electric buses.

Hydrate, and Plan for Heat: Even in shoulder seasons, European cities can get really hot. Pack appropriately, drink plenty of water.

Next for Australian Travelers Going to Europe?

The shift towards shoulder season travel is a trend likely to increase as Australians look for comfort, value and sustainability when traveling. As climate change refashions the way we are able to experience the world, destinations combining the richest cultures with the best environmental stewardship will be the ones that stand out.

For travelers who had been eyeing Europe, this will translate into a new cadence in their holiday planning — planning in quieter seasons; selecting less-trodden, lower-profile destinations; and embracing more sustainable forms of travel. The new European summer may not be the old, but for the discerning tourist it’s turning into something more rewarding.