Blog
Long-form essays, destination notes, and dispatches from our editorial team. New writing every other week.
Why Lyon Often Impresses Travelers More Than Paris
Paris will always be Paris. But travelers returning from Lyon often describe a city that felt easier to love, easier to walk, and far easier on the wallet.
7 European Cities to Visit Instead of the Capital
From Porto to Thessaloniki, the cities you skip on your first trip to a country are often the ones worth returning for.
Beyond Madrid: Spanish Cities Worth Exploring
Madrid and Barcelona dominate the brochures, but Spain's regional capitals are where the food, architecture, and weekend energy actually live.
Alternatives to Athens for History Lovers
The Acropolis is non-negotiable on a first trip. But Greece and the wider region are stacked with cities where ancient history is part of the daily street.
Smaller Cities That Showcase Italy Better Than Rome
Rome is essential once. After that, the smaller Italian cities are where the food is better, the streets are calmer, and the locals haven't been hardened by a million tour groups.
Where to Go Instead of Santorini
Santorini is genuinely beautiful and genuinely overwhelmed. The Cyclades have a dozen alternatives where the views, the swims, and the food are arguably better and the queues simply don't exist.
Alternatives to Venice Without the Crowds
Venice has reached a point where the city itself is asking visitors to think twice. The good news: the upper Adriatic has several cities that scratch the same itch.
Quiet Coastal Alternatives to the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi is sublime, and in July it is also a single very long traffic jam. Italy's other coasts offer the same lemon trees, the same sea, and a fraction of the buses.
Less Crowded Alpine Destinations
Chamonix, Zermatt, and the Dolomite poster towns are spectacular and saturated. The Alps still have entire valleys that haven't been turned into queues.