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4 Unexpected European Destinations You Can Fly To Nonstop From The U.S. This Season

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Home to an unprecedented number of historical sites, from ancient Roman arenas to towering Gothic churches to beautiful medieval towns still surrounded by 15th-century walls, Europe is likely to be on your radar this summer, particularly if you're keen on a cultural getaway.

Belgrade Waterfront In Serbia, Eastern Europe

Now, if you're already sold on the idea of crossing the pond but can't bear the thought of Rome crowds, Paris Olympics chaos, or the anti-tourism sentiment that's brewing in Barcelona, we have 4 alternative Old World destinations for your consideration that are just as incredible.

And the best part is, though none of them are nearly as popular as the continent's usual tourism hotspots, you can still fly there nonstop from America:

Belgrade, Serbia

Knez Mihailova, A Pedestrianized Street Lined By Ornate Buildings In Belgrade Old Town In Serbia, Eastern Europe

Perhaps the most unexpected of capitals to host Transatlantic flights, Belgrade is the largest city and cultural and economic center of Serbia, a landlocked Eastern European country that you've likely never given much thought.

This vibrant metropolis has a nightlife as taboo-free as Berlin's, a Danube riverfront that rivals Budapest's in beauty, lined by the medieval Kalegmadan Fortress, and a row of beautiful Orthodox churches, not to mention the delectable Slavic cuisine leaving nothing to be desired.

Drawbridge Leading To Kalegmadan Fortress In Belgrade, Serbia, Eastern Europe

Top attractions include the monumental Church of Saint Sava, built to be one of the largest in the world in 1939, the incredibly fun and interactive Nikola Tesla Museum, honoring the renowned Yugoslav inventor, and Kneza Mihaila, a pedestrianized street lined by elegant Belle époque buildings.

Believe it or not, despite its relative anonymity, Serbia is more well-connected to America than neighboring coastal hubs Croatia and Montenegro: flights are offered by national carrier Air Serbia and departing from two key U.S. airports, Chicago O'Hare and JFK.

Aerial View Of The Church Of Saint Sava At Night In Belgrade, Eastern Europe

Fly to Belgrade, Serbia (BEG) from:

  • Chicago–O'Hare (ORD)

1 flight per day every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

  • New York (JFK)

1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Madeira, Portugal

View of Funchal, Portugal

A Portuguese island surrounded by the azure Atlantic and one that's often skipped altogether by tourists, Madeira is an otherworldly territory of jagged peaks, hillside settlements amid vast banana plantations, and outstandingly-beautiful, needs-seen-to-be-believed nature.

The capital and oldest city on the island, Funchal flourished as a prominent port upon Madeira's settlement in the late Middle Ages, and surviving remnants of its glorious past can still be admired town, including a 15th-century cathedral and the colonial Fortress of São Tiago.

Stairway To Heaven In Madeira, Portugal

Elsewhere on the island, Porto Moniz is where you go swimming in Madeira's volcanic sea pools, while Fanal is both a forest and UNESCO World Heritage Site at an altitude of 1,400 meters, famous for its twisted, ancient trees enveloped in mist.

Other than breathing in the culture––and inebriating ocean breeze––you can go hiking around Madeira, with as many as 147 peaks to conquer, and for New Yorkers, this subtropical paradise is a short 6-hour flight away with Azores Airlines.

A young female tourist on Ponta do Sol Beach in eastern Madeira in summer copy

Fly to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal (FNC) from:

  • New York (JFK)

1 outbound flight every Thursday, 1 return flight every Sunday

West Coast Of Ireland

The sky above the Cliffs of Moher is illuminated orange as the sun rests over the water

Ireland is a hugely popular destination for Americans, particularly the Irish diaspora, but for a majority of them, Dublin is their only way into the Emerald Isles (or so they think): Shannon Airport, on the West Coast of Ireland, also welcomes Transatlantic flights.

It is nearest to the quaint town of Shannon, a popular stopover on the way to the world-famous Bunratty Castle and folk park. It is also used by travelers to reach the cities of Limerick, only 16 miles away, and Galway, 53 miles north of the airport.

King John's Castle In Limerick, Ireland, Northern Europe

If you love castles that look as if they've come out the pages of a children's storybook, dramatic sea cliffs, and scenic lake-dotted hinterlands, you've come to the right place: Limerick itself is best known for its King John's Castle, built in the 1200s, and picturesque riverside.

Galway, on the other hand, is a pub-packed Bohemian town, often serving as a base for exploring County Clare, with its Cliffs of Moher––a natural wonder running for a length of 8.6 miles with breathtaking views of the Atlantic––and The Burren, a rocky terrain dotted with Stone Age landmarks.

Dunguaire Castle on shores of Galway Bay Ireland by sunset

Fly To Shannon/ The West Coast Of Ireland (SNN) from:

  • Boston (BOS)

Aer Lingus

1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

  • Chicago–O'Hare (ORD)

United Airlines

1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

  • Newark (EWR)

United Airlines

1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

  • New York (JFK)

Delta Air Lines

1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Aer Lingus

1 flight per day every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Bucharest, Romania

View Of Bucharest, Romania, Eastern Europe

Back to the continent's mainland, Romania is an Eastern European country most commonly associated with vampiric tales––it is the birthplace of the actual Dracula––and the mystical, castle-dotted Transylvania, but not so much cosmopolitan city breaks.

Well, look no further than Bucharest, the sprawling Romanian capital, centered around a picturesque Belle époque Old Town that has given rise to Paris comparison over the years, but mostly a sea of towering Socialist-era apartment blocks sprinkled with verdant, manmade parks.

Stavropoleos Monastery In Bucharest Old Town, Romania, Eastern Europe

Other than the unique blend of traditional European and Brutalist architecture, Bucharest is well-reputed for its riotous nightlife: Calea Floreasca is one of the continent's liveliest party zones, lined by stylish lounges, busy nightclubs and entertainment venues.

Last but certainly not least for the budget-conscious traveler, Bucharest is one of the most affordable city breaks in Europe: according to Numbeo, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs as cheap as $11.17, or the equivalent in Romanian leu, while a pint of domestic beer is around $3.

Tourists and locals enjoy the old town of Bucharest, Romania

Fly To Bucharest (OTP) from:

  • New York (JFK)

HiSky (recently launched nonstop route)

1 flight per day every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

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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.


David

Wednesday 24th of July 2024

I've been to Belgrade 2x - it's a very Putin/Russian friendly place, and Americans are not welcome there!

David

Wednesday 24th of July 2024

I just spent a week in Bucharest - people were aggressive, rude and did not like American tourists.

D Y

Tuesday 23rd of July 2024

Serbia, while I didn't have a problem with the people (the gang-like guys wearing "Russia" jackets in the back of a nice restaurant were a bit odd), is a bit different when dealing with officials.

Got into the country ok via car, but on the way out was held at the border, literally blocking everyone's exit from the country, because my compatriot had an EU passport card. They were adamant that a "real" passport was needed, even though that was what was used to enter the country.

I didn't check their own customs website in time to show them their ignorance of their own rules, but their aggressive, disagreeable manner, and unwillingness to let us just leave the country had my compatriot swearing to never come back.

It is a bit disconcerting to be held like that, to be treated as if you had committed a crime, and I still fear that you may actually be arrested. 42 countries, the vast majority in Europe, never had even close to a similar experience.

D Y

Thursday 25th of July 2024

@Milan M.,

I enjoy pretty much everywhere I go. Thus far I haven't had an overall bad experience in any European country. Serbia was by far the worst in terms of experience with government officials, but I don't let that ruin my experience. While in the country I didn't have any problems.

Some of the issues I'm sure stem from the problem with Kosovo.

While friendly, the guards between Kosovo and Montenegro seemed a bit taken aback by my partner and I driving across the borders. I knew better than to try and drive from Kosovo directly into Serbia. But perhaps just the oddity of us driving through that region was a trigger. The outgoing Serbian border guys were definitely over the top not friendly or helpful however.

To their credit, had no issue driving into, through, and out of Bosnia. Things have definitely improved there, I think most have realized tourism can bring a lot of money. The people and border control were friendly.

Milan M.

Wednesday 24th of July 2024

@D Y,

I believe you. They just want money. I worked in Bosnia over 20 years ago and apparently not much has changed. Thanks for your input. Hopefully you enjoyed some of the other things there. Cheers