Summer holidays may be over, but that is no reason to give up traveling. The journalists from The Guardian have compiled a list of five particularly pleasant European destinations that are still relatively under-visited by tourists from around the world. Ideal for a long weekend or a week of autumn break, for instance. The first destination is French and it is even the sixth-largest city in the country: Nantes. For the journalists of the British outlet, the Loire-Atlantique commune—which lies directly on the Loire—offers a form of escape that the other major French destinations do not.
A special note is made of the Carousel of the Marine Worlds and its Jules Verne-inspired machines, which you can ride for a few minutes. Art, anyway, has a prominent place in Nantes, especially in its contemporary forms. Just like history, notably represented by the Château des ducs de Bretagne or the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, Nantes having been one of the cities at the heart of the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Spending time along riverbanks
Our neighbors also offer stunning landscapes to reveal to us. In Switzerland, people mostly know the Geneva region, that of Zurich, or the capital Bern. But Basel is less renowned. Yet this The “city of art and culture on the Rhine” offers sublime scenery around the river—where locals and visitors alike swim willingly. Basel also houses several design-focused museums, such as the Beyeler Foundation and the Vitra Design Museum.
Further north, you could be tempted by Lübeck, in Germany. Again, it is a port city that The Guardian invites us to discover. About 70 km from Hamburg, it is a medieval town, relatively spared from the bombings of World War II, that stands out. Therefore you should of course see the old town, on an island in the center of Lübeck, made of red bricks and streets so intricately woven they resemble a labyrinth. If you can, take the time to learn more about the place’s history by exploring the city’s history and art museums. Lübeck will also appeal to fans of Thomas Mann’s work, Buddenbrooks. It is there that the story of this family unfolds.
Travel ideas for Southern Europe in 2027
If you’re looking to head further south in Europe, The Guardian has also got you covered. And if, instead of Rome, Venice or Florence, you gave Parma a chance for your next Italian getaway? The city is reachable by train from Milan or Bologna, the food is divine yet affordable — including its famous ham — and everything can be explored on foot there. Here again, a river cuts the city in two. But on each bank there are treasures to discover, notably in the form of cathedrals and other Baroque buildings. The National Gallery of Parma, far less visited than other Italian art centers, is worth a look.
In Spain, finally, you may want to stop a few days in Santander, Cantabria. It lies only about 180 km from the French border and could become a new favored destination. Indeed, a new cultural center opened its doors on September 8: 1,000 works, including paintings by Goya, Velázquez, or Picasso, are now exhibited there. An extension of Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum is also expected for 2027. All of it opens directly onto the Atlantic, and promises pleasant moments of relaxation.
