Travelling to Europe in summer? Indian traveller says ‘better travel India’ after 10-day trip

An X user has shared a detailed account of a 10-day family trip to Europe during July and August, saying the experience has convinced him to prioritise travel within India over European destinations during the summer months.

The user said Spain, France, Germany and other parts of Europe were experiencing intense heat during the period and argued that travelling through European cities can become particularly difficult because many sightseeing activities involve walking outdoors.

He wrote, “Better travel India than travel to Europe. I travelled with family for 10 days during July/Aug. Won’t repeat the error again.”


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‘35C feels like 40-42C’

According to the post, temperatures of around 35°C felt like 40-42C under clear skies.

“June to September, it’s hot. really hot,” the user wrote, adding that the heat was being reported across several European countries.

He said extensive walking made the conditions harder to manage, with caps, umbrellas and sunglasses offering only limited relief.

The user also pointed to the lack of air conditioning in several places, including restaurants, museums, castles and public transport such as trams and buses. He added that even many hotels do not have air conditioning, making accommodation selection particularly important.

Heat disrupts sightseeing plans

The user said the weather affected several parts of the trip, including visits to monuments, iconic bridges, river cruises and BigBus tours.

Shopping was also difficult, he said, because many shopping areas, local markets and even outlet malls were located in open-air spaces.

The family adjusted its schedule by visiting attractions mainly in the early morning and late evening, taking advantage of longer daylight hours. During the middle of the day, they generally preferred returning to their hotel.

The user said heavy showers brought temporary relief on two occasions, with temperatures becoming cooler for around two days after each spell.

“We saw heavy showers twice, which cooled the temperature for 2 days twice. Thankfully. I should say we were Lucky,” he wrote.

At one point during the trip, the family questioned whether leaving Mumbai’s monsoon weather for Europe’s summer heat had been worthwhile.

User says future overseas travel will need more planning

Reflecting on the experience, he said he would now give greater preference to destinations in India.

“Now onwards, I plan to prioritise India over the rest of the globe. Overseas will need real careful planning,” he wrote.

His post sparked discussion over the best time to visit Europe and whether domestic travel offers better options during the summer.

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X users debate Europe travel and Indian destinations

One user responded to the criticism of walking in Europe by arguing that walking itself was not the problem and that visitors could plan trips differently. The commenter said older local residents continue to walk despite the weather and suggested that travellers consider destinations such as the Nordic countries, South Africa or Australia during this period.

Another user pointed to several Indian destinations, writing that there are many unexplored places in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Meghalaya.

A third user said travelling to Europe during summer was the mistake and recommended visiting in autumn, spring or winter instead.

Another commenter suggested late September through October as the ideal period, citing fewer crowds, more pleasant weather and better views.

A fifth user also recommended travelling between late September and the end of October for similar reasons.

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