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Now that blossoms are popping up and days are getting longer across Europe, you may be thinking whether now’s the time to finally book that Transatlantic getaway.
We’re here to tell you it is the perfect time:
Think more pleasant temps, yet not scorching-hot like in summer, smaller crowds, particularly across major tourism hotspots, and most importantly (if you haven’t got a lot of euros saved to splurge on a vacation), cheaper prices.
If you’ve been dreaming of cobble-paved streets that all seem to lead up to a fairytale castle and a cultural getaway that won’t break the bank, here are 5 incredible springtime destinations across the pond for your consideration:
Ohrid, North Macedonia
A laid-back lakeside town in North Macedonia, an often-overlooked landlocked country north of Greece, Ohrid has been nicknamed the Jerusalem of the Balkans:
It is home to a whopping 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and it is peppered with ancient ruins, from Samuel’s Fortress, originally a 4th-century fortification, to an equally ancient Greco-Roman theater overlooking a whitewashed Old Town.
Its main symbol is the scenic Church of St. John at Kaneo, perched on a hill on the shores of the crystal-clear lake.
Considering how picturesque Ohrid is, you’d expect it to be teeming with tourists year-round, yet that’s not the case at all.
Most visitors are still native Macedonians or day-trippers from neighboring Albania or Greece, so you’ll get nothing but authentic Balkan vibes, and according to Budget Your Trip, the average hotel price is a shockingly-low $31, while meals in local taverns usually cost under $7.
Arundel, England
Nothing screams spring quite like an idyllic weekend in the English countryside wading your way through a field of blooming tulips, with views of a medieval village filled with half-timbered dwellings in the distance… maybe add a castle to the mix?
Right, maybe we need to tone down a little on the romanticizing, but in reality, that’s not too far from what you’ll get in Arundel:
If it sounds like the name of a fictitious Disney kingdom, it’s because it’s every bit as beautiful as the fairytale animations from your childhood.
Arundel has a charming medieval layout topped with an 11th-century castle—one of England’s largest and most fascinating ones. This April, it plays host to a Tulip Festival featuring over 110,000 colorful tulip bulbs.
While every other tourist is busy with the London sights or taking day trips to the far-more conventional Oxford or Cambridge, you should head to this area instead for less crowds and quintessential Englishness.
The U.K. is by no means a budget destination, so you may be wondering how expensive Arundel is to visit: needless to say, it’s way cheaper than London, with meals in your round-the-block Wetherspoons costing as little as $9, and a small double room at the Norfolk Arms Hotel listed for $103-a-night.
Grasse, France
You’ve probably heard of Nice, Menton, Cannes, and Saint Tropez, and granted, these are all world-class beach destinations in the idyllic South of France—but how about an equally beautiful and far more offbeat Grasse?
Nestled cozily in the Provence hills, some 9 miles only inland from a bustling Cannes, it is an elegant settlement centered around a cobbled Old Town.
Winding pathways are lined with pastel-colored facades, and pink umbrellas are everywhere.
Just look up as you stroll down Grasse’s busiest thoroughfare, which in any case, will be a picture-perfect pedestrianized lane only wide enough for a small vintage train car to pass.
They’re there to symbolize Grasse’s long-standing tradition of rose cultivation, and its status as the world’s perfume capital: yep, we knew you’d recognize the name from somewhere.
Grasse has been the heart of France’s perfume-making industry since the 18th century, and it’s the headquarters of Fragonard, one of the oldest perfumeries recorded.
Needless to say, spring is the perfect time to visit as the roses surrounding the town, and dotting the lush provençale fields will be in full bloom, as will Grasse’s nationwide-popular perfume-related festivities—but don’t worry, it’s far enough from Paris or Nice to draw in the usual crowds.
As it’s not directly on the coast, staying in Grasse is also cheaper, with an overnight at La Bellaudiere, a cozy boutique hotel commanding views of the countryside, and a short walk away from town, costing from $113.
Zadar, Croatia
A history-charged resort town in Croatia favored by none other than Alfred Hitchcock himself, who described sunsets here as being the most beautiful in the world, Zadar is everything you’d expect a Mediterranean getaway to be.
There’s the postcard-ready Old Town criss-crossed with narrow alleys, lined with gelato shops serving all those summery variations of pistachio and lemon flavors, and family-run restaurants where you can get a generously-sized Margherita pizza for around $10.
Let’s not forget the iconic Croatia-style fine-pebble beaches bathed by teal seas, and the pleasant springtime temps, rarely dipping below 62°F, and never going over 85.
Plus, Zadar is remarkably quiet in April and early May, before the big cruise liners make landfall and all those low-cost seasonal flights from Central and Northern Europe begin, and that means you get the historic center (mostly) to yourself and centrally-located guesthouses from only $58.
Amorgos, Greece
Finally, allow us to introduce you to one of the last true hidden gems of the Mediterranean: the Greek island of Amorgos, a short 1-2 hour ferry from Santorini, and with all the Cycladic charm, yet none of the overtourism or absurd prices.
Amorgos’ main settlement is Chora, a whitewashed village with the typical stone-laden pathways leading uphill to secluded monasteries and scenic viewpoints. The village is backed by a string of centuries-old windmills distributed along a hilltop.
It doesn’t get more quintessentially Greek than this, but wait until you see this:
Amorgos’ main landmark is Panagia Hozoviotissa, a monastery clinging to a cliffside. It was built in a fort-like manner and has a distinctive chalk-like exterior unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
It is at the end of a strenuous but rewarding climb just northeast of Chora. It’s a religious icon of Greece dating back to the year 812.
It’s not a mere cultural attraction, either. The monument continues to function as an active monastery, and three practicing monks live there. You’re welcome to visit if you dress modestly.
For men, that means no shorts, and for women, a long skirt down to the knees and no visible shoulders.
Wait, did we mention the beaches yet? This may be a tiny island, but there are several gorgeous swimming spots that offer peace and quiet, and warm waters as early as May.
Agia Anna is featured in the 1988 drama The Big Blue, and its rocky landscape and crystal-clear waters backed by an impressive Chozoviotissa Monastery only add to its charm.
On the other hand, Aegiali brings the soft sands and the convenience of nearby taverns, where you can gorge on delicious seafood for under $15 (it’s also right by the port of Aegiali, so it’s far easier to get to).
Our last pick would be Levrossos, a wide sandy strip, more isolated, and somewhat less developed, yet that’s precisely why it’s so enticing.
Visiting Amorgos this spring and looking for a cheap guesthouse to use as base as you explore the paradisaical island, preferably for under $55-a-night? Check out Pension The Big Blue.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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