Germany's Wide-Scale Vacation: Exploring Benefits of Early and Late Holiday Begins and Ends
In Germany, the summer holiday season is upon us, with students enjoying a ten-day break from the 1st to the 10th of August [1]. But the start of the summer holidays varies across the country, with some families opting for an early start and others choosing to vacation later.
Early starters of the summer holidays often enjoy hot weather for swimming, as July is typically the warmest month of the year, with longer days and warmer nights [2]. However, the advantage of an early start also comes with a potential disadvantage: an increase in wasp activity in late summer [3].
For late starters, the benefits include a longer period of anticipation for their holidays and the opportunity to enjoy a milder climate at the beginning of the school year [1]. Jellyfish are less common in September, as they reproduce more in the warm summer months from June to August [2].
The staggered system of summer holidays in Germany is designed to balance these benefits. By having each state set its own holiday dates independently but coordinating them to avoid overwhelming transport and accommodation systems, the staggered vacation start dates reduce massive traffic congestion and overcrowding that would occur if all students vacationed simultaneously [1][2][3].
This approach offers families the chance to escape traffic, overcrowding, and potential high-season costs. Late summer holidays support tourism businesses by prolonging visitor flow throughout the summer, benefiting hotels, beaches, and amusement parks by distributing visitors over more months rather than concentrating them all at once [1][2][3].
To avoid traffic jams during the traditional main holiday season, which falls in the last two weeks of July and the first half of August, the ADAC recommends traveling during the week, early in the morning, or late in the evening, and buying e-vignettes before traveling abroad [4].
UV radiation decreases in August and September in Germany, according to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) [5]. Swimwear bargains are available at the end of July and the beginning of August, according to the Association of the German Textile and Fashion Industry [2].
The debate on when each state starts the six-week summer break has been heated recently [6]. Regardless of when families choose to take their holidays, the staggered system ensures a smoother holiday experience and economic advantages across regions.
References:
[1] https://www.bundesverband-der-deutschen-textil- und modeindustrie.de/ [2] https://www.adac.de/ [3] https://www.bfs.bund.de/ [4] https://www.adac.de/ [5] https://www.bfs.bund.de/ [6] https://www.tagesschau.de/
Late starters of the summer holidays can enjoy a milder climate at the beginning of the school year, as jellyfish are less common in September. Conversely, early starters may encounter increased wasp activity during their vacation due to late summer months.
