AIBU to find European summer holidays too expensive and crowded now?

I mean it's school holidays of course it's going to be busy!

I agree on the price aspect. I'm a teacher so obviously no out of season options for me. I could self cater but I'd rather not go tbh, it's no holiday at all if I'm just performing domestic drudgery in a different location, so I save for longer to go to a hotel..I try not to go to mega touristy places, there are still lots of them to explore.

We went to Thailand in June. Much better value for money than a European package holiday, hotels much higher standard and not too busy. Would go back in a heartbeat, though we are going to Italy next year because a piece of my heart is always there.

You are going to the wrong places OP! Last year we went to Rota in Spain. It was quiet and beautiful!

I mean, if you go to a resort town or somewhere renowned for tourism, then yes, it's going to be busy. But there are plenty of holiday properties you can book in places that aren't like that, especially if you're happy to self-cater. I guess it also depends on what you want from a holiday. If you want lots of choice when it comes to restaurants and cafes, plenty of sightseeing, a big beach with plenty of facilities etc, then of course you're going to be staying in places that get busy. If you're happy to stay in a small holiday cottage near a village or a tiny town that only has two or three local places to eat and where you'll need to hire a car to get out and about, then it's going to be a lot quieter.

However, as you go to South Africa and Antigua in winter every year, it sounds like you've just found a holiday option that suits you better, so it doesn't really seem like a problem that you prefer not to go to the Mediterranean any more?

I sort of agree. Holidays in classic med locations in Europe have lost their shine for me a bit. I always struggle to find good quality, solidly mid-range options in places like Greece and Spain. It's either pile-em-high budget hotels or high end resorts that we can't afford. Over tourism is putting me off too. One because I don't like crowds, and two because I don't like going to places where I'm (understandably) not wanted. I've had a lot of unfriendly and indifferent customer service in Europe, often when I've been spending quite a bit of money. Again, I don't really blame the locals but it's also not fun as a tourist. We've been going to more "alternative" locations in recent years where it's less crowded and our business is welcome.

Europe is a very big place! If you go to tourist areas in the summer holidays, they will be busy. If you go to less touristy areas in June or September, less so.

Obviously depends where you go but August has always and will always be the busiest month. If you want quiet, go out of season.

Well Europe is quite a large area and summer is about 3 months long. If you decide to go to a package holiday in Benidorm in August, it probably will be busy.

If you go outside school holidays, it will be less busy. If you book your own accommodation, in a local area, rather than a resort, it’ll probably be much quieter.

Going off season sounds a good plan. We’re currently in deepest darkest Shropshire at a cabin on a fishing lake and other then going to Lidl twice I have seen a grand total of 3 people! Bliss!

You are going to the wrong places. Avoid resorts and book air bnbs.

I agree wholeheartedly.

It depends where you go, surely? If you go to popular touristy spots it will be busy, but there are other options if you prefer a quieter location.

But there's nothing wrong with having your main holiday off season.