Fancy somewhere different for your next European getaway? These three less crowded of my favourite destinations are easily accessible from UK airports.
Oviedo
While Southern Spanish beaches are often far from relaxing, Asturias‘ calmer shores remain a haven of unspoilt sands. The area is also in prime position for immersing yourself in nature, thanks to the stunning Picos de Europa mountain range and some nine reserves designated as special by UNESCO. If you love the outdoors, Oviedo makes an intriguing city break destination, if you love cider, you’re also in for a treat, and if you love both, you just have to go and sample the famously locally produced brew and take in your majestic surroundings.
Vilnius
Far from the packed squares and pavements of Prague, or Amsterdam, the Lithuanian capital brings a less frenetic change of scene. Here, pretty cobbled streets and intricate buildings mix with echoes of a more brutalist Soviet past. Once notoriously dubbed the g-spot of Europe by tourism bosses, Vilnius remains a beautiful, quirky magnet for tourists, who may not have previously known where it was. Captivating in the spring sunshine, Vilnius packs some surprises — where else could you find a statue of fictional mob boss Tony Soprano in pride of place at a railway station?
Rouen
Often shunned by tourists in favour of Paris, Provence or the Loire Valley, the picturesque Normandy capital is for many, a hidden gem. Lovers of fine food and outstanding French gastronomy in particular find much to savour here. La Couronne restaurant continues to pull in discerning diners, after reportedly first opening in 1345, and carrying the honour of being France’s oldest inn. An unforgettable meal here will keep you talking for days. Rouen cathedral has been famously immortalised by Monet, but simply people watching outside its impressive spires can wile hours away. The city is also known for its grim place in history as where Joan of Arc was tried and executed, with compelling reminders for history buffs.
Photo by me shows Rouen backstreets, taken spring 2024.