Share The Article
Passport in hand, Americans are globetrotting to some unsuspecting destinations giving a big boost to tourism numbers across Europe.
We’re not talking Paris, Barcelona, and Athens—nope. These 3 surprising destinations have slowly crept up on Americans’ radars, whether they’re more enticing with fewer crowds, offer sensational year-end Christmas markets, or offer epic train rides and ski resorts amongst snowy, picturesque mountains.
Bottom line: Americans are all in on these 3 European getaways, and 2 of them are easy to reach with multiple nonstop flights from major U.S. airports.
Vienna, Austria: More Than A Christmas Market City
Wake up with a traditional Viennese coffee, step out into an urban sprawl of grand palaces and world-class museums, and grab a savory schnitzel or shawarma along the way.
That’s how every trip to Vienna should begin, no matter the season.
Of course, it may seem Vienna is typically a must on travel itineraries come November and December as it transforms into one of Europe’s prettiest winter wonderlands, and I can attest to that.
It’s one of my favorite cities to indulge in festive Christmas delights backdropped by historic baroque buildings.
But, there’s certainly an argument to be made for Vienna the other 10 months of the year. Spring and summer see this wondrous wintery city turn into an outdoor haven for nature lovers as dreary parks morph into vibrant green oases.
Vienna’s famous coffeehouses begin providing outdoor seating much akin to Sweden’s fika culture if you’re familiar.
A trip to Vienna without visiting one of its many renowned museums or palaces is a travesty. TripAdvisor recommends these 3 must-visits:
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Historic Center of Vienna
- Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History)
Americans can fly nonstop to Vienna (VIE) from these 6 U.S. cities:
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Newark
- New York City (JFK)
- Washington D.C.
- Boston
There’s no bad time to visit, which is one of many reasons why Americans are a driving force to Vienna’s record-breaking tourism numbers.
Tallinn, Estonia: Medieval Magic & One Of Europe’s Best Value Cities
U.S. travelers can’t fly directly to Tallinn, Estonia’s vibrant capital city brimming with magical medieval sites, but that’s not stopping Americans from making the trek.
According to Statistics Estonia, Americans were a key factor in this highly underrated city seeing record numbers of visitors in 2024.
Although it’s become more popular for Baltic Sea cruises, over 60% of tourists chose to stay overnight and once you step foot here you’ll understand why.
Tallinn’s Old Town is among the most captivating in Europe, truly fairytale-like in pockets of the city.
Albeit many would say Tallinn is a juxtaposition of old and new with many new chic buildings popping up in line with the city’s stylish flair.
Regardless, Tallinn is a thrill to explore whether it be the timeless cobbled streets of Old Town, buzzing markets like Balti Jaama Turg, or cozy bookstores and coffee shops to unwind for a bit.
Plus, Tallinn may not be the first city to come to mind as a beach vacay, but don’t sleep on the Baltic coastline, especially Stroomi Beach and Pikakari Beach come summertime.
Best of all, Tallinn is very affordable, as Eastern Europe is known for. How about a stay at top-rated Hilton Tallinn Park for just $72 this spring?
Zurich: A Stunning Gateway To The Staggering Swiss Alps
Unless you’re writing a thesis paper on Swiss cheese or taking part in a yodeling competition, chances are if you’re flying to Zurich, you’re using this beautiful (yet highly expensive!) city as a gateway to Switzerland’s great beyond.
In fact, Reuters’ latest report claims the uptick in American visitors is largely in part to explore Switzerland’s vast mountains, whether it be an unforgettable alpine train journey or hitting the slopes at a luxurious resort.
According to TimeOut, these are the top 3 ski resorts in Switzerland:
- Villars
- Verbier
- Zermatt
Americans can fly nonstop to Zurich (ZRH) from these 14 U.S. cities:
- Seattle
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- Denver
- Chicago
- Miami
- Tampa
- Atlanta
- Newark
- New York City (JFK)
- Philadelphia
- Boston
- Washington D.C.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Източник за тази статия
Наши спонсори са:
Български трактори на добри цени при изключително качество
