Off The Beaten Path...7 Hidden Hotspots to Visit in Europe

Posted  on by
Image Off The Beaten Path...7 Hidden Hotspots to Visit in Europe

So youve already
toured the Louvre, crashed the Coliseum and ogled Big Benwhats next? Whether
youre a seasoned traveler, or just looking for something a little out of the
ordinary, there are plenty of things to do and see off the beaten path in Europe.
From adventurous, to secretive, to downright obscure, these hidden hotspots
will have you seeing Europe from a whole new perspective.


ComportaComporta, Portugal

Lisbon is great, but can get a bit crowded and touristy
during certain times of the year. For something a bit different and more
relaxed, try the little surfing village of Comporta about an hour to the
south. Spend your mornings hangin ten,
then relax on stunning white sand beaches, take in acres and acres of rice
fields, and go dolphin-watching at Sado Estuary, followed by a nightcap around
the beach fire pit at Sublime Comporta.


Istria, Croatia

For a more upbeat adventure, check out the ancient port city
of Istria on the northernpeninsula. Fill up on wine and white truffles, and
then head to the Outlook music festival for your electronic dance music fix.
The next day, soothe your aching head by drinking some more wine and heading
over to the historical districtfeaturing architecture from the Roman and
Byzantine Empires. (photo credit: Michael Bechtold CC BY-SA 3.0)


RotterdamRotterdam, The
Netherlands

Despite the fact that Rotterdam dates back to 1270 (when a
dam was constructed on the Rotte Riverhence, the name), the city is absolutely
bustling with state-of-the-art, ultra-modern attractions. From the Markthal
marketplace to the Cube Houses and the Nieuwe Luxor Theater, Rotterdam has
plenty of options for lovers of the hip and modern. (photo credit: Raul Ayres CC BY-SA 3.0)


Monschau

Monschau, Germany

If there was such a thing as German Disneyland, this would
be it. Untouched by WWII, Monschau has retained a pristine beauty and
ber-cleanliness that makes Berlin during the 36 Olympics look unkempt in comparison.
This cloth-weaving town turned tourist Mecca boasts a 13th century castle, rows
and rows of cross-timbered houses, gray slate bridges over gorgeous canals, flower-filled
markets, and a mustard museum. (photo by Jean-Pol Grandmont CC BY-SA 3.0)


SalzkammergutSalzkammergut, Austria

Looking to release your inner Julie Andrews? Look no further
than bucolic Salzkammergutthe area featured prominently in the classic film
The Sound of Music. Start at the 15
th century Fuschl Castle, head
to the Mozart museum in St. Gilgen, stop in at the lakeside The White Horse
Inn for a schnitzel and beer, and follow in the footsteps of Maria and Liesl von
Trapp to the cathedral in Mondsee.


VallettaValletta, Malta

Although the capital city of Malta can hardly be considered
a secret, few travelers make it past the beautiful beaches and raucous
nightlife to experience some of Vallettas lesser-known offerings. Take a
spiritual journey that spans the ages, from the prehistoric Megalithic Temples,
to medieval dungeons and St. Johns Co-Cathedral. Need some midday excitement? Head to Upper
Barrakka Gardens for a walking tour and witness the firing salute of vintage
cannons, overlooking some of the worlds oldest standing structures.


CambridgeCambridge, England

Less popular with tourists than Oxford, Cambridge is
certainly no less beautiful. Winding cobblestone streets are routinely filled
with collegiate bicyclists seeking out knowledge (and more than a few Tudor
pubs). Cambridge is absolutely brimming with medieval churches, old colleges
and unique photo-ops, like the Bridge of Sighs over the River Cam, and the
Fitzwilliam Museum. (photo credit: Sailko CC BY-SA 3.0)

So are you feeling adventurous yet? While many of these
destinations may seem a bit obscure, the vast majority are accessible just a
short distance from major tourist destinations and ports-of-call. Find out how
you can break away from your contemporary outing and make your own pathby
speaking with one of the Vacations Specialists at
www.travelperks.biz.

Like this blog? Share it with your friends!

Share on Facebook

or

Click to Tweet

Read More    |   Travel Lists   

book travel buttonshop for travel buttonmake a payment buttonnewsletter subscription buttton
Read All Reviews

From Our Clients...

Exceptional support through delayed vacation due to COVID

"Theresa was wonderful. We had been planning this Alaskan cruise since 2019 and then COVID hit and then we were still unsure about 2021 so we waited another year. Theresa took care of everything for us, checking in with us every couple of weeks and making sure that we were getting our checklist taken care of. Thank you, Theresa and TravelPerks Dream Vacations, we had a great time and cannot wait for our next cruise."

– Donna H. - Alaska Cruise, 2022

Ready to go again!

"Words can not explain the marvelous time we had on our very first cruise. Theresa is the best travel agent!! There was not a time when I called with questions that my questions went unanswered. Great customer service, very caring travel agents, always there to help, great prices, and last but not least, I'm ready to go again!!!! If anybody ever needs a travel agent this company will be the only one that I would recommend."

– Shanda - Essex, MD

Booking a Vacation is FUN!

"In today’s environment, booking vacations is hard. Why? There are a million and one websites out there that all have information on them. You can look at peer reviews until you are blue in the face. Is this ship really that bad? Is it the best thing ever? Is the resort awesome? Was it an isolated incident? Who knows. And sorting through all of them and figuring out what is real and what is somebody making a mountain out of a molehill takes time.

Which is where Theresa comes in. We love working with her for our vacations. It generally involves a quick phone call giving her a budget and the vibe we are looking for. And then go on an awesome vacation. No pecking through reviews and pricing that should be written in hieroglyphics. Just straight-up advice and no-nonsense planning.

Prior to using Theresa’s team, I would spend hours planning and routing and reading. Now? I pick the phone up or I email the awesome team and they take care of me and we get to enjoy our vacation. If you are booking a large group or an intimate vacation, I highly recommend Theresa and her team. Awesome to do business with and they make vacations FUN!"

– Ben - Atlanta, GA

Flawless Honeymooning

"I used TravelPerks to book my honeymoon and had the pleasure of working with Matt Kim. He is very knowledgeable and goes out of his way to get you the best deals. Matt was extremely patient and was always prompt answering my emails. I definitely recommend using TravelPerks for all your vacation needs and their bonus deals are a plus. Thanks, Matt, for making vacation planning easy and stress free!"

– Michael S. - February 2023

Once In A Lifetime Trip

I was talking about TravelPerks during our state presentation, and a member commented that they had booked cruises through TravelPerks and had a fabulous experience! They both said that you guys were super easy to work with and explained everything well and they felt cared for. It's not often we get members interrupting a presentation to put it out there that they had a great experience!

– FOP - Proud Partner

Worry Free!

"You folks are incredible and your services outstanding! No one does it better."

– Robert C. - Celebrity Cruise, March 2023