6 Reasons To Travel Off The Beaten Path In Europe
London. Paris. Rome. Amsterdam. Barcelona. There are so many European cities that get a lot of attention, and for good reason: they're cradles of civilization, architecturally stunning and/or replete with rich culture unlike that of anywhere else.
Unfortunately, these destinations have become popular and, in some cases, inundated with tourists. They may be on your bucket list, but you might also be underwhelmed if you hit crowded major city after crowded major city — Europe has so much more to offer than just the biggest stars on its map.
That's why your next trip over the pond should take you not to the capitals, but to the off-the-beaten-path towns and cities. Chances are, you'll be even more amazed by the lesser-known gems you see — and even more proud of the places you discover on your own without tour buses, tour guides or guide books telling you exactly where to go. (And, even if you do end up in a major tourist destination, wandering off on your own can introduce you to more authentic neighborhoods.)
If you need further convincing, here are six reasons to travel to less popular locales:
1. You'll Spend Less
Let's play to your practical side first: big touristy cities, towns, landmarks and restaurants know that you'll pay top dollar to get in. You should, of course, pay to see what you want to see, especially because European vacations are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
However, if you spend a fraction of your time tourist-ing and the rest of your time experiencing more authentic neighborhoods and small towns, you'll probably save big. Obviously, smaller towns and neighborhoods farther from the center will have cheaper attractions and restaurants. Lodging is typically cheaper, too.
2. You'll Get More Authentic Food
There are so, so many great food cities in Europe. But heading to the tourist center and looking for the best meals will likely yield you a disappointing slate of menus. Rather than serving up authentic fare, many tourist traps try and cater to international tastes by serving up watered down flavors.
So, shy away from meals served near major monuments, museums and other places likely to be full of tourists. Instead, walk down side streets and into new neighborhoods to find places where locals eat. Not sure how to find those? If you can read the local language, try and find a restaurant without a translated menu. Or, simply find one out of the fray that's still bustling and you've probably stumbled upon the real eats you're looking for.
3. You'll Be Less Overwhelmed
We aren't joking when we say that Europe can get extremely busy during the summer tourism season, as well as during holiday weeks or festivals that draw lots of visitors. As such, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people around, in lines for attractions, etc. This can cause stress or just general displeasure, which is the last thing you want to feel while on vacation. So, check out the must-sees and then swiftly return to your off-the-beaten-path home base to avoid these sentiments.
4. You'll Try Other Modes of Transit
Yes, you need a lift overseas to get to Europe, but, once you arrive, you can explore all kinds of transportation to take you from point A to authentic, one-of-a-kind point B. These unique experiences — the way you get from city to city — can be reason enough to travel off the beaten path.
Take, for example, small cruise ships that pass through European seas and up slimmer rivers. These boats take you to small ports that you might otherwise skip because they're hard to reach via plane, train or bus. But you can experience all of them simply by hopping on a luxury cruise — we know, that sounds so difficult. On top of that, many cruise ships schedule excursions and dining options that ensure you get the most out of every port.
5. You'll See Nature
Lots of Europe's biggest highlights are the ancient cities from which Western civilization came. Many tourists come to the old continent with plans only to see these famous locations, which is totally fine and understandable. But if you want an off-the-beaten-path trip, then you might have to look beyond urban destinations and start thinking about natural ones. From lakes, to mountain ranges, to cliffs and beaches, you'll find a hiking trail, swim or breathtaking walk to add to your itinerary.
6. You'll Be Able to Relax
European vacations are notorious for being exhausting — have you ever heard someone say, "I need a vacation from my vacation" after returning from a Euro trip? However, if you choose a quieter home base for your trip, you can do your best to avoid the sheer exhaustion that comes with scheduling every activity, meal, bedtime and wake-up to a T.
Instead, you'll go with the flow, immerse yourself in the local scene and live. If that's not reason enough to take your next trip off the beaten path, then we're not quite sure what is.