I looked at options last summer for a Europe trip. I couldn't find a single destination in Europe that wasn't full. It can be hard enough traveling on my own carrier but there is zero chance that I would ever try to take a summer trip to Europe on an offline carrier. You are asking for a big headache. You could easily be stranded for days trying to get back.

Personally, given all the potential for unrest across the EU this summer, I would avoid going there if I could. Especially with children in tow. There are far safer and equally pleasant places for destination travel this summer.

Also, the reason I recommended trains is one actually gets to see some of the country(side) one passes through on the way to a destination, rather than overflying it. More bang for your travel $$ without a massive penalty in time, and one of the biggest benefits of going to the EU.

Just my opinion.

Has anyone mentioned that this year might be easier for the op due to lower demand because of the refugee crisis as well as the seemingly unchecked terror threat?

If you want the "Europe Experience" without the heartache or the looming threat of the durka durka, may I suggest you hit up Buenos Aires, Santiago or Montevideo instead?

Same time zone (more or less) so limited jet lag, same architecture, same culture, and all the awesomeness that comes associated with a) a falling real or peso, and b) practically zero threat of a durka-durka explodistan interrupting your trip.

The steaks in the Recoleta in BsAs are worth the flight alone!

To the OP, if I'm not mistaken, you're a Spirit pilot; fly company metal down to Lima, and springboard yourself into the wonders of Deep South America from there!

(Totally worth the trip!)

Are you sure there will be lower demand? The effect of these events (as tragic and traumatic to all involved) seem to be transient. Have you tried to book a flight to Paris lately?

Quite. Talk about paranoia.

As for a major South American city - I agree - if you want to go to South America, then it's a great idea. I love the continent.

Claiming the culture is the same is hysterical. Which culture are you referring to? There's a few different ones in Europe.

On the topic of safety, however, you're many orders of magnitude more likely to get murdered in any major South American city, than getting caught up in any EU terror attack. Fact.

Again, ignorance/paranoia at its peak.

Trust me, I'd rather do all these things and I really don't enjoy traveling in summer. The trip is only on the plate due to a relative in a LaCrosse tournament in Amsterdam with a few warm up games in Paris and Antwerp. Ideally my Europe trip would be Germany, Austria, and Italy in late September or Early October. I'd much rather be going to Fiji, Japan, or New Zealand. The group actually offers a package that my in laws are using. I'm not about to pay $7600 for my wife and I to do their 10 day package trip. I spent 15 days in Australia, with 3 days in LA for $3500 total.

Did it in mid June 14 from to ORD. ZED on AirBerlin to tegel and on to Krakow where we met up with our group one day after they revenued out. No issues.

Return was dicey but we never got stuck. Used my phone and myIDtrvl to change on fly. Flight from Krakow to Berlin was full so flew to Vienna on Austrian, but ORD was full so went Vienna to Dublin on Aer Lingus and on to ORD just barely though. Be prepared to get creative and maybe get stuck if you do this! Good Luck.

When does it really start to pick up? Is the month of May early enough to where I shouldn't have many issues with full flights?

Paraglider,

Generally speaking, may should be comfortably before the main rush.

June is the turning point, late June for most EU countries is when school finishes for the long summer break. A bonus of travelling in May is that most of Europe can expect wonderful warm weather, without it being stifling hot. Particularly in Southern Europe.

I try to split my 6 weeks of leave into 3 blocks of two weeks - May, Sept and Feb. Generally don't have an issue making it work from a few options available...

Hope this helps..