{"id":5098,"date":"2018-01-21T15:10:24","date_gmt":"2018-01-21T15:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.routeperfect.com\/?p=5098"},"modified":"2024-05-15T11:40:54","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T11:40:54","slug":"alternative-city-getaways-for-summer-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/alternative-city-getaways-for-summer-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative city getaways for summer 2018: Use our Europe trip planner tool"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Big cities often mean big crowds, big queues, and big budgets. You don&#8217;t want to spend your entire summer vacation waiting in line in the hot sun to get into that amazing museum. That&#8217;s why, by using our <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Europe trip planner tool<\/a><\/strong>,&nbsp;you&nbsp;can very easily&nbsp;discover&nbsp;more off the beaten path locations. Avoid&nbsp;the crowds and make the most of your summer vacation with our list of the best&nbsp;alternative city getaways for 2018. There are so many incredible places to go &#8211; you just&nbsp;might not have&nbsp;thought of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"titleitineraries has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Popular itinerary &#8211; Prague to Sicily:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"piw-container\">\n<iframe class=\"responsive-iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/widgets\/popular-itineraries?id=1636a4c7\" title=\"\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.&nbsp;Go to Vienna instead of Berlin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna is the classical music capital of the world, and for good reason. Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven are&nbsp;just a few of the musical geniuses who called Vienna home, and their presence can still be felt throughout the city. Vienna is not&nbsp;only a city of rich musical heritage, it&#8217;s a city that oozes culture. From museums to theaters and concert halls, to smaller fringe venues, if you&#8217;re a culture vulture this is the place for you.&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/austria\/vienna\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Summer in Vienna<\/a><\/strong> will be less expensive and less packed than a trendy city like Berlin, but it will not be lacking at all. In addition to&nbsp;its unique culture, the city is brimming with hip modern cafes and bars, sprawling parks and historical sites. There&#8217;s something for everyone to enjoy in this magnificent European capital on your trip to Austria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3067\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kursalon_hubner_music_hall_vienna.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kursalon_hubner_music_hall_vienna.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kursalon_hubner_music_hall_vienna-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kursalon_hubner_music_hall_vienna-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kursalon H\u00fcbner Music Hall, Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Go to Prague instead of Paris<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine yourself walking along a picturesque river, crisscrossed by eclectic bridges, surrounded by history&#8230; Are you in Paris? No, you&#8217;re in Prague! Prague&#8217;s charming colorful buildings,&nbsp;exquisite architecture and breathtaking scenery will&nbsp;leave you satisfied and culturally inspired. You can spend days just wandering the city, watching the sunset from the Charles Bridge, exploring the castle, and getting lost in the Old Town. In the evening, kick back at one of its great bars and enjoy an authentic Czech supper washed down with some local beer. A fabulous end to a fabulous day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3068\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vltava_river_prague.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vltava_river_prague.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vltava_river_prague-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vltava_river_prague-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View on Charles bridge and swans on Vltava river in Prague at sunset, Czech Republic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3069\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/old_town_prague.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/old_town_prague.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/old_town_prague-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/old_town_prague-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Old Town, Prague<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Go to Budapest instead of Krakow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Culture, history and castles. Wine, food, spas, and beer. What more could you ask for&nbsp;in a vacation? Another of our alternative city getaways is Budapest.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/hungary\/central-hungary\/budapest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Take a trip to the Hungarian capital<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;for the summer of a lifetime. Sample <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzfeed.com\/anitabadejo\/hungarian-foods-the-world-should-know?utm_term=.naYYyD82Q#.yxKlj2wEg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">authentic local treats<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(especially the pastries), drink local wines, explore the countryside, and best of all, treat yourself to a day (or four) in one of the country&#8217;s renowned spas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3071\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"639\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/budapest_city-scape.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/budapest_city-scape.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/budapest_city-scape-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/budapest_city-scape-768x491.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hungarian parliament, Budapest at sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3188\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/fishermans_bastion_budapest-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/fishermans_bastion_budapest-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/fishermans_bastion_budapest--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/fishermans_bastion_budapest--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Budapest, Hungary &#8211; The famous Fisherman&#8217;s Bastion at sunrise with statue of King Stephen I and Parliament of Hungary at background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Go to Dublin instead of London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Summer in London is noisy, crowded, hot, and expensive. Take the path less traveled and hop on over to the next island &#8211;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/ireland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ireland.<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;Head to the capital, Dublin. It has all the perks of a major city,&nbsp;and is also near some amazing hiking and nature reserves. Make friends in a pub over a pint of Guinness. While you&#8217;re sipping your pint, make sure you&#8217;ve picked a spot where you can hear some <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ireland.com\/en-us\/events\/music-and-theatre\/traditional-music-and-dance\/articles\/trad-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">traditional music<\/a><\/strong> for a truly authentic Irish experience. All around Dublin there are little towns that also deserve a visit &#8211; see what else you can find with our Europe trip planner tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3075\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/trinity_college_dublin.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/trinity_college_dublin.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/trinity_college_dublin-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/trinity_college_dublin-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trinity College, Dublin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3077\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/hapenny_bridge_dublin.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/hapenny_bridge_dublin.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/hapenny_bridge_dublin-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/hapenny_bridge_dublin-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">DUBLIN, IRELAND &#8211; June 17, 2018: Ha&#8217;penny Bridge and Liffey river<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.&nbsp;Go to Lisbon instead of Southern Spain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Entire cities pick up and relocate to the Costa del Sol (the south coast of Spain) for their summer holidays. Avoid the rush, but still enjoy gorgeous sunny beaches on your trip to Portugal.&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/portugal\/lisbon\/lisbon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lisbon&#8217;s ecclectic architecture<\/a><\/strong>, wealth of historic sites, and great museums make this city truly special. Cool down after a day of exploring at&nbsp;the idyllic beaches,&nbsp;where you can relax on the sand or enjoy some water sports. Dance the night away in this vibrant city, known for some of Europe&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/destinations\/europe\/portugal\/lisbon\/articles\/lisbon-nightlife\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">hottest nightlife.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3092\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lisbon_portugal-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13910\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lisbon_portugal-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lisbon_portugal-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lisbon_portugal-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lisbon, Portugal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3079\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/seaside_town_near_sintra_portugal-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/seaside_town_near_sintra_portugal-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/seaside_town_near_sintra_portugal--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/seaside_town_near_sintra_portugal--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seaside Town near Sintra, Portugal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3189\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/yellow_trolley_in_lisbon.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/yellow_trolley_in_lisbon.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/yellow_trolley_in_lisbon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/yellow_trolley_in_lisbon-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yellow Trolley in Lisbon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Go to Dubrovnik instead of the Greek Islands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking for the perfect mix of ancient history and idyllic beaches, look no further. Take a trip back in time as you walk the cobbled streets of Croatia&#8217;s stunning capital city. Recognize some of the pictures below? You&#8217;re probably a fan of HBO&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/follow-game-of-thrones-across-europe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Game of Thrones<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; King&#8217;s Landing is filmed in Dubrovnik. Learn about actual Croatian history, or take a <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kingslandingdubrovnik.com\/game-of-thrones-tours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Game of Thrones tour<\/a>.<\/strong>&nbsp;Discover other small towns near Dubrovnik for a day-trip using our Europe trip planner tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized alignnone wp-image-3094\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13188\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Open Street terrace cafe in the Old city of Dubrovnik, Croatia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3095\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dubrovnik_croatia-1-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dubrovnik, Croatia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Go to Reykjavik instead of Stockholm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Take advantage of every moment of your summer vacation by heading north to the Land of the Midnight Sun. In Iceland in the summer you can enjoy up to 20 hours of daylight. That gives you tons of time for exploring&nbsp;Reykjavik&#8217;s museums, parks, theaters, and bars. Iceland&#8217;s capital is just a short ride&nbsp;from some of the most spectacular nature in the world, including some of the world&#8217;s most <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/unique-shores-for-your-beach-getaway\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unique beaches<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; some with black sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3100\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cityscape_of_reykjavik_iceland-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cityscape_of_reykjavik_iceland-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cityscape_of_reykjavik_iceland--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cityscape_of_reykjavik_iceland--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Colorful Red Green Houses Cars Streets Reykjavik Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3102\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kirkjufellsfoss_falls_iceland.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kirkjufellsfoss_falls_iceland.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kirkjufellsfoss_falls_iceland-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kirkjufellsfoss_falls_iceland-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Go to Sicily instead of Rome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re dreaming of Italy, your thoughts probably&nbsp;wander to Rome. But what is it that you want out of your Italian vacation? If the answer is delicious food, quality wine, and soaking up some art and history, look no further than Sicily. This island has everything that you&#8217;d want from Rome, but without the crowds, noise and cost. Not only does Sicily have all of the things that make a trip to Italy special, it also boasts pristine beaches, sprawling vineyards, and stunning nature. Go for a gorgeous hike, and&nbsp;then treat yourself to some <em>vino Italiano<\/em>, and delicious aranchini, a&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/top-10-foods-try-sicily\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Sicilian specialty<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3196\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/taormina_sicily.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/taormina_sicily.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/taormina_sicily-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/taormina_sicily-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aerial view of Isola Bella island and beach &#8211; Taormina, Sicily, Italy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3103\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vineyard_in_sicily-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vineyard_in_sicily-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vineyard_in_sicily--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/vineyard_in_sicily--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vineyard in Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3104\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/rocky_beach_in_sicily_italy-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/rocky_beach_in_sicily_italy-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/rocky_beach_in_sicily_italy-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/rocky_beach_in_sicily_italy-1-768x513.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Acitrezza rocks of the Cyclops, sea stacks in Catania, Sicily, Italy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Go to Ljubljana instead of Brussels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both are European capitals, set on the water, with charming architecture and lovely locals &#8211; why&nbsp;hasn&#8217;t Ljubljana caught on as a trending travel destination yet? Discover Slovenian history&nbsp;through world-class museums and magnificent architecture. Make sure to check out the amazing&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/slovenia\/predjama-castle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Predjama Castle<\/a><\/strong>, which is actually&nbsp;built into a cliff-side cave. Did you know that Slovenia also boasts beautiful vineyards and fine wine? No trip to Slovenia is complete without a visit to the town of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/slovenia\/upper-carniola\/bled\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">town of Bled<\/a><\/strong>, which is under an hour from the capital. For the perfect summer afternoon, take a stroll through this romantic town and then a boat out to the island in the middle of the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3105\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ljubljana_slovenia.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ljubljana_slovenia.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ljubljana_slovenia-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ljubljana_slovenia-768x508.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Giorgos Tsichlis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3106\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lake_bled_slovenia-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lake_bled_slovenia-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lake_bled_slovenia-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/lake_bled_slovenia-1-768x511.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lake Bled, Slovenia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Go to Kotor instead of Athens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Last but not least&nbsp;on our&nbsp;list of&nbsp;Europe&#8217;s best alternative city getaways, we have Kotor. Trade the Acropolis for&nbsp;Acruvium with a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/top-itinerary\/montenegrin-riviera-solo-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">trip to Montenegro<\/a><\/strong>. Historians believe that the city of Kotor is built on&nbsp;Acruvium &#8211; a city that is older than Homer. Discover ancient history around every corner, surrounded by towering mountains, golden beaches, and bright blue water. The weather is great, the locals are friendly, the food is to die for, and there are no crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3108\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_bay_kotor_montenegro-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_bay_kotor_montenegro-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_bay_kotor_montenegro-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_bay_kotor_montenegro-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Great view of Kotor bay (Boka Kotorska) in sunny day. Picturesque and gorgeous scene. Location place famous resort Montenegro, Balkan peninsula, Adriatic sea, Europe. Explore the world&#8217;s beauty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-3109\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" src=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_montenegro.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_montenegro.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_montenegro-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kotor_montenegro-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kotor, Montenegro. Bay of Kotor bay is one of the most beautiful places on Adriatic Sea, it boasts the preserved Venetian fortress, old tiny villages, medieval towns and scenic mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do you have any other&nbsp;recommendations for alternative city getaways?&nbsp;Use our Europe trip planner tool for some inspiration.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So there you have it, these alternative city getaways are truly just as beautiful as the big, busy cities of Europe. Get to them this summer before the crowds do &#8211; and when you do, let us know what you think &#8211; comment below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Big cities often mean big crowds, big queues, and big budgets. You don&#8217;t want to spend your entire summer vacation waiting in line in the hot sun to get into that amazing museum. That&#8217;s why, by using our Europe trip planner tool,&nbsp;you&nbsp;can very easily&nbsp;discover&nbsp;more off the beaten path locations. Avoid&nbsp;the crowds and make the most [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13177,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,264,275,269,271,6,1,322,263,265,413],"tags":[707,488,318,404,312,448,60,214,418,484,139,146,307,233,49,330,482,483,429,489,147,329,479,486,212,197,455,16,19,20,447,52],"class_list":["post-5098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-austria-travel","category-croatia-travel","category-czech-republic-travel","category-hungary-travel","category-iceland-travel","category-ireland-travel","category-italy-travel","category-montenegro-travel","category-portugal-travel","category-slovenia-travel","category-solo-travels","tag-alternative-destination","tag-athens","tag-beach","tag-berlin","tag-bled","tag-budapest","tag-castles","tag-croatia","tag-dublin","tag-dubrovnik","tag-europe","tag-eurotrip","tag-holiday","tag-iceland","tag-italy","tag-kotor","tag-krakow","tag-lisbon","tag-london","tag-motenegro","tag-paris","tag-prague","tag-reykjavik","tag-sicily","tag-slovenia","tag-spain","tag-stockholm","tag-travel","tag-trip","tag-trip-planning","tag-vienna","tag-wanderlust"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5098"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13911,"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5098\/revisions\/13911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.routeperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}