Planning a trip across the pond but you’re not exactly keen on joining the throngs of beret-clad TikTokers at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, or then waiting hours on end just to enter the Colosseum for a selfie? Trust us, neither are we. There’s truly nowhere like Europe, but the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, ridiculous prices, …

Switzerland is probably the last European country on your list if you’re budget-savvy, but 6 visits to Europe’s most sought-after Alpine retreat later, I’ve realized that how far your money goes—and sometimes, how much you enjoy your trip—depends entirely on where you go. Most visitors head to Zurich for the city buzz, or the Lauterbrunnen …

From a secondary European summer destination, overshadowed by a much larger Spain, to a year-round tourism hotspot loved by Americans, Portugal has never been trendier than it is at the moment. The westernmost country in mainland Europe now draws in millions of visitors with the promise of wine breaks in picturesque patios, long walks serenaded by fado …