Forget Paris, these are the European spots you should visit this summer

Are you ready to think outside the box?

The waiters can be snobby, the city cold and unfriendly, and now it’s armed to the teeth with security, yet Paris will undoubtedly remain a fixture among the most popular European travel destinations every summer.

But are you ready to think outside the box?

Lonely Planet, which publishes some of the most popular travel guides in the world, has just unveiled its “Best in Europe” hotlist of off-the-radar European destinations that deserve your attention. And there’s no Paris, London or Barcelona on the list.

Of course, there have been some unsettling headlines out of Europe, given this week’s deadly attack on concertgoers in Manchester, U.K., which may remind some that the U.S. State Department did issue its own Europe travel alert earlier this summer, citing threats of terror attacks. Along those lines, you may end up putting your iPad, laptop, digital camera in the hold on those transatlantic flights.

And OK, your U.S. dollars might stretch a little less further this summer, with the euro up about 6.4% so far this year against the greenback. Still, there’s too much world to see to let the summer go by just sitting in your backyard.

So without further ado, let’s go:

10. Le Havre, France. Outside of the setting for a Cannes hit in 2011 of the same name, this will be “one of the best places to be this summer,” says Lonely Planet. That’s because a 500th anniversary of the city will come complete with a five-month-long musical and art festival, with street parades, concerts fireworks.

“Despite Le Havre’s years, the city is a showcase of eye-catching modern architecture – including designs by the likes of Auguste Perret, Othello Zavaroni and Oscar Niemeyer – having been completely rebuilt after WWII,” says the guide. And it’s also a great jumping off point to visit the D-Day beaches of Normandy.

9. Pafos, Cyprus. The first capital of Cyprus in the days of ancient Rome was named European Capital of Culture for 2017. “The island of Aphrodite has weathered so many occupations that history has piled monument upon monument on its sun-kissed shores: catacombs, temples, castles, medieval baths, Roman-era mosaics, and the Unesco World Heritage sites of Kato Pafos and the Tombs of the Kings all bring to life a fascinating bygone era,” says Lonely Planet. Hmm...you had us at “sun-kissed shores.”

8. Moldova. Landlocked in Eastern Europe, Moldova’s capital city Chişinău, also lays out some destinations that you probably can’t pronounce, but once visiting, will likely never forget. “Sip the best drops in Mileștii Mici’s gothic-attired cellars, housing the world’s largest wine collection. Explore sacred Orheiul Vechi, encircled by chalk cliffs, or lonely riverside monasteries like Saharna and Tipova. East of the Dniestr River is the self-declared (though unrecognised) republic of Transdniestr, a region locked in the Soviet past,” says Lonely Planet. Just wow.

7. Northern Germany. Lonely Planet says head north when you reach this European heavyweight’s borders. “This is big-sky country with a pristine coast hemmed in by shimmering beaches and buttressed by pint-sized islands. In between lie charismatic cities like Lübeck and Bremen that flaunt a medieval pedigree and are only a train ride away from such places as Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Eisenach, both of which played key roles in the Reformation launched 500 years ago this year,” says the guide. Bye, bye Berlin, see ya Bavaria.

6. The Alentejo, Portugal. This large coastal area of Portugal, and easy to get through from Lisbon, has been off the radar, but busting with Unesco World Heritage sites, like this eerie chapel made of bones. (Capela dos Ossos). “New investments in tourism haven’t taken away from the Alentejo’s timeless beauty, its rolling vineyards, medieval village centres or rich traditional cuisine, which ranks among the best in Portugal,” says Lonely Planet.

5. Leeds, UK. Craft beer lovers, get thee to this city that’s right in the middle of the U.K. “Recent developments have propelled its Victorian city centre and atmospheric mill district into the 21st century, luring stylish boutiques, innovative coffee houses and restaurants, and people seeking an alternative to London,” says the guide. The 50th anniversary of the Leeds Carnival this year as an added attraction.

4. Northern Montenegro. No crowds in this mountainous state in the south-west Balkans. For adventure hunters, with good roads that make it ripe for exploration. “Foodies are catered for in highland towns where you can savour Montenegro’s growing slow food scene with mountain cheeses and hearty beef stews; while history buffs can take a pilgrimage to stunning monasteries etched into cliff faces at Ostrog or nestled in breathtaking valleys at Morača.”

3. Galicia, Spain. Here you will find the famed Santiago de Compostela, via the Camino de Santiago. But there’s so much more. “Over 1000km of coast snakes around long inlets, plunging cliffs, pretty fishing villages and hundreds of beaches. It yields some of the tastiest seafood you’ll ever savour, to which characterful Galician wines provide the perfect accompaniment,” says Lonely Planet. But remember, that ocean water is chilly, even in the summer months.

2. Gotland, Sweden. We’ll you’re a smartie if you’ve heard of this place, so get ready to impress your friends. The most sunshine and the most historical sites in the country, plus restaurants galore on this ancient Baltic island. Boasting “...pastoral countryside, mysterious forests, time-warped fishing villages and tranquil sandy beaches...” but go in the summer and you’ll fight the Swedish crowds. Still...

No. 1 Zagreb, Croatia. Drum roll please. Feast your ears on this Lonely Planet description: “Zagreb is at once cosmopolitan and edgy, with its heady mix of Brutalist architecture and sun-splashed Austro-Hungarian squares brimming with coffee drinkers.” And much more: “To top it all off, the city is home to a blossoming food and craft beer scene, and with the opening of Zagreb’s long-awaited airport terminal, along with a host of new flight routes, it’s never been easier or cheaper to reach the Croatian capital.”

Check out Lonely Planet’s full guide here.

No. 1 Zagreb, Croatia. Drum roll please. Feast your ears on this Lonely Planet description: “Zagreb is at once cosmopolitan and edgy, with its heady mix of Brutalist architecture and sun-splashed Austro-Hungarian squares brimming with coffee drinkers.” And much more: “To top it all off, the city is home to a blossoming food and craft beer scene, and with the opening of Zagreb’s long-awaited airport terminal, along with a host of new flight routes, it’s never been easier or cheaper to reach the Croatian capital.”

Check out Lonely Planet’s full guide here.

Are you ready to think outside the box?

The waiters can be snobby, the city cold and unfriendly, and now it’s armed to the teeth with security, yet Paris will undoubtedly remain a fixture among the most popular European travel destinations every summer.

But are you ready to think outside the box?

Lonely Planet, which publishes some of the most popular travel guides in the world, has just unveiled its “Best in Europe” hotlist of off-the-radar European destinations that deserve your attention. And there’s no Paris, London or Barcelona on the list.

Of course, there have been some unsettling headlines out of Europe, given this week’s deadly attack on concertgoers in Manchester, U.K., which may remind some that the U.S. State Department did issue its own Europe travel alert earlier this summer, citing threats of terror attacks. Along those lines, you may end up putting your iPad, laptop, digital camera in the hold on those transatlantic flights.

And OK, your U.S. dollars might stretch a little less further this summer, with the euro up about 6.4% so far this year against the greenback. Still, there’s too much world to see to let the summer go by just sitting in your backyard.

So without further ado, let’s go:

10. Le Havre, France. Outside of the setting for a Cannes hit in 2011 of the same name, this will be “one of the best places to be this summer,” says Lonely Planet. That’s because a 500th anniversary of the city will come complete with a five-month-long musical and art festival, with street parades, concerts fireworks.

“Despite Le Havre’s years, the city is a showcase of eye-catching modern architecture – including designs by the likes of Auguste Perret, Othello Zavaroni and Oscar Niemeyer – having been completely rebuilt after WWII,” says the guide. And it’s also a great jumping off point to visit the D-Day beaches of Normandy.

9. Pafos, Cyprus. The first capital of Cyprus in the days of ancient Rome was named European Capital of Culture for 2017. “The island of Aphrodite has weathered so many occupations that history has piled monument upon monument on its sun-kissed shores: catacombs, temples, castles, medieval baths, Roman-era mosaics, and the Unesco World Heritage sites of Kato Pafos and the Tombs of the Kings all bring to life a fascinating bygone era,” says Lonely Planet. Hmm...you had us at “sun-kissed shores.”

8. Moldova. Landlocked in Eastern Europe, Moldova’s capital city Chişinău, also lays out some destinations that you probably can’t pronounce, but once visiting, will likely never forget. “Sip the best drops in Mileștii Mici’s gothic-attired cellars, housing the world’s largest wine collection. Explore sacred Orheiul Vechi, encircled by chalk cliffs, or lonely riverside monasteries like Saharna and Tipova. East of the Dniestr River is the self-declared (though unrecognised) republic of Transdniestr, a region locked in the Soviet past,” says Lonely Planet. Just wow.

7. Northern Germany. Lonely Planet says head north when you reach this European heavyweight’s borders. “This is big-sky country with a pristine coast hemmed in by shimmering beaches and buttressed by pint-sized islands. In between lie charismatic cities like Lübeck and Bremen that flaunt a medieval pedigree and are only a train ride away from such places as Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Eisenach, both of which played key roles in the Reformation launched 500 years ago this year,” says the guide. Bye, bye Berlin, see ya Bavaria.

6. The Alentejo, Portugal. This large coastal area of Portugal, and easy to get through from Lisbon, has been off the radar, but busting with Unesco World Heritage sites, like this eerie chapel made of bones. (Capela dos Ossos). “New investments in tourism haven’t taken away from the Alentejo’s timeless beauty, its rolling vineyards, medieval village centres or rich traditional cuisine, which ranks among the best in Portugal,” says Lonely Planet.

5. Leeds, UK. Craft beer lovers, get thee to this city that’s right in the middle of the U.K. “Recent developments have propelled its Victorian city centre and atmospheric mill district into the 21st century, luring stylish boutiques, innovative coffee houses and restaurants, and people seeking an alternative to London,” says the guide. The 50th anniversary of the Leeds Carnival this year as an added attraction.

4. Northern Montenegro. No crowds in this mountainous state in the south-west Balkans. For adventure hunters, with good roads that make it ripe for exploration. “Foodies are catered for in highland towns where you can savour Montenegro’s growing slow food scene with mountain cheeses and hearty beef stews; while history buffs can take a pilgrimage to stunning monasteries etched into cliff faces at Ostrog or nestled in breathtaking valleys at Morača.”

3. Galicia, Spain. Here you will find the famed Santiago de Compostela, via the Camino de Santiago. But there’s so much more. “Over 1000km of coast snakes around long inlets, plunging cliffs, pretty fishing villages and hundreds of beaches. It yields some of the tastiest seafood you’ll ever savour, to which characterful Galician wines provide the perfect accompaniment,” says Lonely Planet. But remember, that ocean water is chilly, even in the summer months.

2. Gotland, Sweden. We’ll you’re a smartie if you’ve heard of this place, so get ready to impress your friends. The most sunshine and the most historical sites in the country, plus restaurants galore on this ancient Baltic island. Boasting “...pastoral countryside, mysterious forests, time-warped fishing villages and tranquil sandy beaches...” but go in the summer and you’ll fight the Swedish crowds. Still...

No. 1 Zagreb, Croatia. Drum roll please. Feast your ears on this Lonely Planet description: “Zagreb is at once cosmopolitan and edgy, with its heady mix of Brutalist architecture and sun-splashed Austro-Hungarian squares brimming with coffee drinkers.” And much more: “To top it all off, the city is home to a blossoming food and craft beer scene, and with the opening of Zagreb’s long-awaited airport terminal, along with a host of new flight routes, it’s never been easier or cheaper to reach the Croatian capital.”

Check out Lonely Planet’s full guide here.

No. 1 Zagreb, Croatia. Drum roll please. Feast your ears on this Lonely Planet description: “Zagreb is at once cosmopolitan and edgy, with its heady mix of Brutalist architecture and sun-splashed Austro-Hungarian squares brimming with coffee drinkers.” And much more: “To top it all off, the city is home to a blossoming food and craft beer scene, and with the opening of Zagreb’s long-awaited airport terminal, along with a host of new flight routes, it’s never been easier or cheaper to reach the Croatian capital.”