Take the Road Less Traveled this Summer & Choose these Alternative European Destinations

Here’s some good news for those of you’ve been bit by the travel bug. Several European countries are now opening up their borders once again to tourists of certain nationalities this summer.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can freely vacation without following the proper precautions to avoid catching COVID-19. One thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to choose lesser-known destinations instead of popular ones to avoid large crowds of fellow tourists.

Here’s a list of alternative European destinations you might want to check out.

Suffolk, England

I Wei Huang/Shutterstock: Suffolk is an idyllic seaside destination

If you’re planning to experience the best that the English seaside has to offer, we bet Cornwall is already on your list of places to visit. That said we submit Suffolk for your consideration as an alternative.

Not only does it have the same rolling countryside scenes and charming small towns that Cornwall has, but Suffolk also offers more exciting water activities such as surfing. You also have plenty of choices when it comes to accommodations from staying at a sustainable farm to sleeping in a yurt.

Syros, Greece

Santorini is probably one of the most visited sites in Greece. But what if we tell you there’s another place in the country that boasts of the same gorgeous beaches and relaxed Greek small-town life?

Syros is exactly that and it’s a cheaper place to visit than Santorini as well. There you’ll find marble squares, pastel-colored buildings, and courtyards that are reminiscent of Italy.

Porto, Portugal

Diana Rui/Shutterstock: Views from a café terrace in Porto

Lisbon is famous for its winding cobbled streets and colorfully tiled buildings. Those worried about the Portuguese capital being a bit too crowded though can have the same sights in the more laid-back city of Porto.

There you can enjoy the European country’s famous port wine while relaxing at Porto’s many café terraces. A possible side trip from there is a visit to the nearby Douro Valley, where the famous wine is produced.

Bordeaux, France

And speaking of wine, we recommend you skip Paris this summer in favor of a trip straight to France’s port city Bordeaux.

Aside from being less crowded, you might find the weather in the wine-growing region more agreeable due to its location farther down south. Among the specific towns worth stopping by are St. Emilion and Biarritz.

Brda, Slovenia

sn0wball1/Shutterstock: The Brda region has been dubbed as the ‘Tuscany of Slovenia’

Italy’s Tuscany region is one of the most popular summer destinations for vacationers from all over the world. A fantastic alternative to it is the Brda region in the Central European country of Slovenia.

The place boasts of hiking sites, medieval architecture, and an abundance of beautiful scenery. Get a taste of life there and choose to stay at a local farmstead where delicious home-cooked food and wine can be had aplenty.