When I decided to study abroad in London, I knew I wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity to travel around Europe. Like most tourists, I had major cities like Paris, Berlin, and Barcelona on my must-see list. And don't get me wrong, those places are amazing and well worth visiting. But some of my most memorable and enriching travel experiences have come from getting off the beaten path and exploring smaller, less touristy locales around the continent.
It started with a spring break trip my friends and I took to Central Europe. Instead of heading straight to the relatively well-trodden capitals of Vienna and Rome, we began our trip in a tiny village called Škofja Loka in rural western Slovenia. This place was so small and remote that we were the only tourists. But that allowed us to deeply immerse ourselves in the local culture in a way that would have been impossible in a bigger city. The families who lived in Škofja Loka were so warm and welcoming. They invited us into their shops to try their cheese and handmade desserts and guided us to the hikes at the nearby Lake Bled. We learned so much about rural Slovenian life and customs that you just can't get from a touristy city experience.
From there, we went on to Vienna and Prague, which were great cities but felt a bit more impersonal compared to that village stay. My travels around Italy were similar - while places like Milan were amazing, I enjoyed smaller cities like Palermo even more because of their slower pace and truer taste of local life. In Portugal, we skipped Lisbon altogether and flew straight to Faro in the Algarve region. From there, we rented a car and explored tiny beach villages and towns like Albufeira and Lagos. Once again, getting away from the bigger tourist hubs allowed us to discover Portugal's charms more discreetly, whether that was sampling fresh fruits at a market, hiking along gorgeous coastal trails, or just chatting with friendly locals. Don't get me wrong, I loved the few "big cities" I did get to visit, like Milan and Prague. The history, architecture, museums, and energy of those urban centers was unbeatable. But those places also felt a bit saturated with tourists at times. Especially as an American abroad, it was harder to shake the "visitor" vibe and truly tap into the local culture and lifestyle.
That's why, if you're traveling around Europe, I highly recommend deviating from the Lonely Planet checklist of famous cities and seeking out some smaller, off-the-radar destinations as well. Do some research to find charming rural villages, small beach towns, funky little cities, or any other less-visited place that piques your interest. Go hiking, eat at local-frequented spots, and be open to just wandering and letting life happen. You'll not only get to experience a calmer, more authentic side of that country, but you'll get to enjoy a more sustainable, lower-impact form of tourism as well. I found that getting into those tucked-away locales made me feel more like a temporary local than just another tourist getting shuffled through the crowded thoroughfares of Europe's most famous (and most trampled) destinations. Of course, those big cities are packed with good reason - they have incredible sights, museums, nightlife, and more to offer visitors. By all means, don't skip those on your Europe trip if that's what interests you. For me, that mixture of urban and rural made for an ideally balanced and utterly unforgettable experience getting to know this amazing continent.
Shivam Kotak
Spring 2024
GW England - King’s College London (Study Program)
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs and Economics Major