Azores & Madeira
AZORES
The Azores with their Portuguese name “Ilhas dos Açores”, in German: Habicht Islands, are a group of nine larger and several smaller Atlantic islands. Belonging to Portugal, the Azores, starting from the main island of São Miguel, are still 1369 km from the westernmost European mainland point, Cabo da Roca.
Climate In
summer, temperatures usually do not exceed 25 ° C and precipitation is frequent (“four seasons a day”). In winter it does not get colder than 15-10 ° C (depending on the location), from April 20 ° C will be exceeded. In summer it is up to 25 ° C during the day and temperatures rarely drop below 15 ° C at night. Autumn and spring are mild and rainy.
Best travel time
The months from late March to mid-May are especially suitable for whale watching. The mild summers offer a pleasant climate, especially for hiking and trekking activities.
Time shift
The time difference to Central Europe (CET) is usually 0 hours. During Central European Summer Time (CEST) the difference is -1 hour.
MADEIRA
The island of Madeira, also known as the “flower island” (Portuguese for “wood”) belongs to Portugal and is located west of the Moroccan coast in the Atlantic Ocean. With the smaller island of Porto Santo and an uninhabited group of islands, the mountainous main island forms the Madeira archipelago of the same name.
Climate
Madeira is dominated by a subtropical climate with consistently mild temperatures without major fluctuations. On average, the maximum temperatures reach 19 degrees Celsius in winter and 25 degrees in summer (August). In addition, there is the year-round relatively high humidity, with the north of the island showing more precipitation due to the northeast trade winds.
Best travel time
Madeira is a year-round travel destination. Mild temperatures are all year round, ideal conditions for long hiking tours. The south of the island is generally a little drier than the north, where you have to reckon with precipitation or fog. In the higher mountain areas it can get fresh. The summer months and early autumn are ideal for swimming, when the water temperatures can be very pleasant.
France
According to Countryaah, there are 16 countries in Southern Europe. France is one of them. Located in western Europe, France borders on Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Andorra. The coastlines include the North Sea, the Atlantic with the English Channel and the Mediterranean. France is a member of the European Union. In addition to the territory in Europe, France includes overseas territories in the Caribbean, including Saint-Martin, in South America with French Guiana, off the coast of North America, in the Indian Ocean with the island of La Reunion and in Oceania. France also claims part of the Antarctic.
The most famous island in France is Corsica and is located southeast of mainland France in the Mediterranean Sea. The landscape is very attractive and offers a mixture of mountains and 1000 km of coastline with beautiful beaches and rocky coast. Almost half of the island is covered with an evergreen scrub forest – maquis, which blooms in spring and covers the entire island with its scent. The highest mountain in Corsica is Monte Cinto (2706m). The demanding long-distance hiking trail GR 20 leads along its main ridge. There are also more than 50 other mountains that reach the two-thousand-meter limit.
Climate:
While the northern and western parts have a more moderate, maritime climate, it is significantly warmer in the south on the Mediterranean coast with hot summers, rainy autumn months and mild winters. The Alps in south-east France offer a characteristic mountain climate with lots of snow in winter. On the coast of the Atlantic the summers are warm and humid, in the interior of the country mild with an average of around 25 degrees Celsius.
There are also several climate zones in Corsica. The coastal regions are characterized by a Mediterranean climate, the mountains by a continental to alpine climate.
Best travel time:
France is one of the year-round destinations thanks to its diverse climate. Mild autumn months and a spring with little rainfall are perfect for round trips and city trips. Bathing in the Mediterranean is possible between May and October; for the north coast and the Atlantic region, the period from June to September is ideal. Mild temperatures in winter are safe on the Côte d’Azur. Skiers are drawn to the French slopes between December and April.
Italy
The Republic of Italy is located in southern Europe on the Apennine Peninsula and is almost completely enclosed by the Mediterranean Sea. The area of today’s Italy was the core region of the Roman Empire in ancient times. To this day, Rome is the capital.
Climate:
While the Italian north has an alpine climate, the south is characterized by the Mediterranean climate zone with mild transition months and very warm summers with an average of up to 30 degrees Celsius. Snowy winters can be expected inland. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia are climatically influenced by North African influences.
Best travel time:
The different seasons all have their own charm. Winter sports enthusiasts can use the ski slopes in the Alps between the end of November and April. It gets sunny in Sicily as early as March, then a real beach holiday is ideal between June and August, as it often only rains in September. Mild autumn months are sometimes even possible until November in South Tyrol and Sardinia.