You’ve told us that when you go to Europe, you want to find the paths less traveled—to avoid the crowds and seek out the charms and local flavor beyond the overtouristed cities. So we invited six Europe experts on our WOW List to share their top off-the-radar recommendations in a WOW Wednesday Travel Talk. Watch the Zoom chat below (recorded on March 12, 2025) to learn some of the continent’s best-kept secrets to avoid the travel stampede this year, and read on for a summary.
Can you spot Wendy in Portugal’s medieval village of Monsaraz? Fast-forward the video to 0:57 to skip the WOW Wednesday preamble and learn about more of Europe’s less-touristed gems, including:
Annecy, France
In the Haute-Savoie heart of the French Alps, Annecy is a medieval old town where the mountain-fed lake is popular for swimming, kayaking, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Cyclists circle the shore, and hikers (and cows) use the Alpine meadow footpaths. The culinary popularity of Lyon is an easy day trip.
Ascona, Switzerland
Palm trees and a mild climate give a Mediterranean atmosphere to this lakeside town, in the Swiss canton of Ticino, that draws artists and intellectuals. Lake Maggiore’s shoreline is divided between Ticino and Italy, and the waterside promenade is more intimate than Lake Como’s. It’s a quieter spot for Alps hiking and landscapes, and for sampling out-of-this world cheeses from the lush valley pastures. Nearby Locarno is a gem too.
Biarritz, France
Jennifer Virgilio, a WOW List expert for France, proposes a road trip between the Art Deco surf mecca of Biarritz and Spain’s Basque coast (think Bilbao and San Sebastián). A laid-back journey could include the seafood and estates of Cap Ferret and veer east to Dordogne and its prehistoric caves of Lascaux.
Cornwall, England
A train from London’s Paddington Station takes just a couple of hours to bring you to Cornwall’s seaside holiday culture (where you can surf the strong Atlantic swell). Devon, Clovelly, and Dartmoor National Park are nearby scenic stops, and local specialties include pasture-raised beef and lamb, orchard fruits, and clotted cream.
Faroe Islands
This autonomous collection of 18 small volcanic islands in the northeast Atlantic are a study in extremes: steep coastal cliffs, narrow fjords, birdwatching, nightlife, turf-roofed houses, sophisticated digital technology, shaggy grazing sheep, and advanced renewable energy.
Formentera, Spain
This Mediterranean island recommended by WOW List Spain expert Iván Ricoy is not as well-known as other Balearic islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza—and that’s a good thing. There’s no airport, which keeps the tourist masses away; Formentera is reached by 30-minute ferry from Ibiza. Both land and sea are nature preserves, retaining an unspoiled-chic vibe, with lovely beaches and great hiking.
Iceland’s Highlands
You need a sturdy vehicle for this off-road geothermal paradise, which gets you off the far more heavily traveled Golden Circle and Ring Road. WOW List Nordic Europe specialist Mads Christensen recommends the Highlands for their stunning canyons, hot springs bathing, black beaches and, depending on the season, either lush green volcanoes or a snowy moonscape for Nordic backcountry skiing.
Innsbruck, Austria
The capital of Tyrol is a world-class ski town with a cable car for summer hikers heading into the Nordkette mountain range. The old town has the medieval charm of a 15th-century clocktower, Imperial palace, Gothic church, and the historic Goldenes Dachl building with gilded copper shingles. Innsbruck is easy to reach from both Munich and Vienna.
Istria, Croatia
Dubrovnik and Split are on everyone’s radar, but the beautiful coastline and fresh seafood are every bit as wonderful —and less crowded and expensive—in the region of Istria, a peninsula to the north whose main towns, Pula and Rovinj, are just over an hour’s drive from Italy. WOW List expert Gwen Kozlowski describes the hill towns and wineries of northern Croatia as “like Tuscany 40 years ago.”
Jaén, Spain
Iván Ricoy holds the keys to this quieter Andalusian province that is a hub of lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage sites, narrow cobbled stress, and Arabic 11th century hammams. It’s also a world capital of award-winning olive oil production and synonymous with “oleoturismo” (olive oil tourism).
Kraków, Poland
Renaissance and Baroque architecture that survived World War II help Kraków retain the charm of an Old World city, but with the lively vibe of a university town. The main square, or Rynek Głwny, is much like Prague’s Old Town Square. Gwen Kozlowski points out that since Poland’s currency isn’t the euro, Krakow offers particular value.
León, Spain
A stop on the Camino de Santiago, this city and province in northern Spain has Gothic and medieval architecture and history, Roman heritage, and exceptional undiscovered restaurants. Art Nouveau designs by Antoni Gaudí are rare to find outside of Barcelona, and León’s Casa Botines is a museum for his work.
Manchester, England
Adding to its history as a textile powerhouse, Manchester is now known for its world-class football (soccer) clubs and vibrant restaurant and live music scenes. It’s also a doorway into the Lake District, with walking itineraries exploring villages such as Ambleside, Windermere, Keswick, and Grasmere.
Manshausen, Norway
On the fjord-rich coastline of Norway, Manshausen is one of several small, off-the-grid private islands in the Grøtøya strait; this one happens to have glass cabins perched to view the harbor, mountains, stars, and northern lights. The nearest restaurants, museums, and shops are a close-enough-but-not-too-close boat ride away in Nordskot.
Montefalco, Italy
The Italian region of Umbria has been billed as “the next big thing” in Italy for more than 20 years, but it will never attain top-tier status because, says WOW List Italy expert Maria Gabriella Landers, it’s “just too laid-back and low-key.” The panoramic views from the little hill town of Montefalco have earned it the nickname “the balcony of Umbria.” It’s the center of Perugia’s winemaking, but staying there offers the experience of living in a tiny Italian village with winding medieval alleys and courtyards.
Occitanie, France
The landscape of Occitanie stretches from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees mountains. Jennifer Virgilio calls it “a place to hide in Provence,” with beaches (graced with about 300 days of sunshine per year), vineyards, and UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Pont du Gard and Canal du Midi. The region’s gastronomic traditions draw upon black truffles, Roquefort cheese, Bouzigues oysters, Lucques olives, Camargue rice, and Collioure anchovies.
Parma, Italy
A staple of the Emilia-Romagna food zone that includes Modena and Bologna, Parma is known for its Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma. It’s close to WOW List Italy expert Brian Dore‘s heart because it’s also home to the Festival Verdi, an annual opera extravaganza; Brian, an opera singer, is executive director of the International Friends of Festival Verdi (in case you need any opera strings pulled). The nearby countryside has cool castles with ancient royal history, such as Colorno, the home of Napoleon’s second wife, who was given the Duchy of Parma when he was exiled.
Sussex and Kent, England
A short trip south of London and you’re into the countryside and the white chalk cliffs of Dover. Sussex is home to Glyndebourne, one of the world’s most celebrated opera houses (and festivals) and the rare lowland heath of South Downs National Park, the newest national park in the U.K. Kent’s Hever Castle was home to the Tudors and Anne Boleyn. The area’s reputation for sparkling wine drew Taittinger champagne to buy a vineyard, which just produced its first bottles last fall.
Ready to plan your own off-the-beaten-path trip? Get started via one of the buttons below.
Or contact the appropriate WOW List expert featured in this WOW Wednesday Travel Talk. In order of their commentary, they are:
Maria Gabriella Landers and Brian Dore, specialists for Italy and Switzerland
Jennifer Virgilio, specialist for England, France, Italy, and the Netherlands
Iván Ricoy, specialist for Spain and Portugal
Gwen Kozlowski, specialist for Austria, Croatia, Poland, and Central and Eastern Europe
Mads Tange Christensen, specialist for Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Denmark, and other Nordic countries
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