Home to an unprecedented number of historical sites, from ancient Roman arenas to towering Gothic churches to beautiful medieval towns still surrounded by 15th-century walls, Europe is likely to be on your radar this summer, particularly if you’re keen on a cultural getaway.
Now, if you’re already sold on the idea of crossing the pond but can’t bear the thought of Rome crowds, Paris Olympics chaos, or the anti-tourism sentiment that’s brewing in Barcelona, we have 4 alternative Old World destinations for your consideration that are just as incredible.
And the best part is, though none of them are nearly as popular as the continent’s usual tourism hotspots, you can still fly there nonstop from America:
Belgrade, Serbia
Perhaps the most unexpected of capitals to host Transatlantic flights, Belgrade is the largest city and cultural and economic center of Serbia, a landlocked Eastern European country that you’ve likely never given much thought.
This vibrant metropolis has a nightlife as taboo-free as Berlin’s, a Danube riverfront that rivals Budapest’s in beauty, lined by the medieval Kalegmadan Fortress, and a row of beautiful Orthodox churches, not to mention the delectable Slavic cuisine leaving nothing to be desired.
Top attractions include the monumental Church of Saint Sava, built to be one of the largest in the world in 1939, the incredibly fun and interactive Nikola Tesla Museum, honoring the renowned Yugoslav inventor, and Kneza Mihaila, a pedestrianized street lined by elegant Belle époque buildings.
Believe it or not, despite its relative anonymity, Serbia is more well-connected to America than neighboring coastal hubs Croatia and Montenegro: flights are offered by national carrier Air Serbia and departing from two key U.S. airports, Chicago O’Hare and JFK.
Fly to Belgrade, Serbia (BEG) from:
- Chicago–O’Hare (ORD)
1 flight per day every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
- New York (JFK)
1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Madeira, Portugal
A Portuguese island surrounded by the azure Atlantic and one that’s often skipped altogether by tourists, Madeira is an otherworldly territory of jagged peaks, hillside settlements amid vast banana plantations, and outstandingly-beautiful, needs-seen-to-be-believed nature.
The capital and oldest city on the island, Funchal flourished as a prominent port upon Madeira’s settlement in the late Middle Ages, and surviving remnants of its glorious past can still be admired town, including a 15th-century cathedral and the colonial Fortress of São Tiago.
Elsewhere on the island, Porto Moniz is where you go swimming in Madeira’s volcanic sea pools, while Fanal is both a forest and UNESCO World Heritage Site at an altitude of 1,400 meters, famous for its twisted, ancient trees enveloped in mist.
Other than breathing in the culture––and inebriating ocean breeze––you can go hiking around Madeira, with as many as 147 peaks to conquer, and for New Yorkers, this subtropical paradise is a short 6-hour flight away with Azores Airlines.
Fly to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal (FNC) from:
- New York (JFK)
1 outbound flight every Thursday, 1 return flight every Sunday
West Coast Of Ireland
Ireland is a hugely popular destination for Americans, particularly the Irish diaspora, but for a majority of them, Dublin is their only way into the Emerald Isles (or so they think): Shannon Airport, on the West Coast of Ireland, also welcomes Transatlantic flights.
It is nearest to the quaint town of Shannon, a popular stopover on the way to the world-famous Bunratty Castle and folk park. It is also used by travelers to reach the cities of Limerick, only 16 miles away, and Galway, 53 miles north of the airport.
If you love castles that look as if they’ve come out the pages of a children’s storybook, dramatic sea cliffs, and scenic lake-dotted hinterlands, you’ve come to the right place: Limerick itself is best known for its King John’s Castle, built in the 1200s, and picturesque riverside.
Fly To Shannon/ The West Coast Of Ireland (SNN) from:
- Boston (BOS)
Aer Lingus
1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Chicago–O’Hare (ORD)
United Airlines
1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Newark (EWR)
United Airlines
1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- New York (JFK)
Delta Air Lines
1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Aer Lingus
1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Bucharest, Romania
Back to the continent’s mainland, Romania is an Eastern European country most commonly associated with vampiric tales––it is the birthplace of the actual Dracula––and the mystical, castle-dotted Transylvania, but not so much cosmopolitan city breaks.
Well, look no further than Bucharest, the sprawling Romanian capital, centered around a picturesque Belle époque Old Town that has given rise to Paris comparison over the years, but mostly a sea of towering Socialist-era apartment blocks sprinkled with verdant, manmade parks.
Other than the unique blend of traditional European and Brutalist architecture, Bucharest is well-reputed for its riotous nightlife: Calea Floreasca is one of the continent’s liveliest party zones, lined by stylish lounges, busy nightclubs and entertainment venues.
Last but certainly not least for the budget-conscious traveler, Bucharest is one of the most affordable city breaks in Europe: according to Numbeo, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs as cheap as $11.17, or the equivalent in Romanian leu, while a pint of domestic beer is around $3.
Fly To Bucharest (OTP) from:
- New York (JFK)
HiSky (recently launched nonstop route)
1 flight per day every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
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