Tourist-free Spain; north-east England's rich industrial heritage; an eco stay in Ireland
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Good evening

Surfin’ USA? Not any time soon, according to many of us on this side of the pond. The United States is on track to lose $12.5bn (£9.4bn) in international travel spending this year, according to a study published in May by the World Travel and Tourism Council. Its president and CEO concluded: “While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the US government is putting up the ‘closed’ sign.”

The land of the free is looking a lot more fettered these days with the result that UK arrivals are down nearly 15% in a year, and visitors from Germany (which had three of its citizens detained at the US border earlier this year, and is also threatened with punitive tariffs) have plunged more than 28%.

So, with many of us giving Uncle Sam the cold shoulder, we’ve come up with a list of 10 European alternatives to the classic American dream destinations.

“Sprawled on a towel, observing silhouetted surfers chasing the ocean-plunging sun, I don’t need to squint to imagine I’m in the Golden State. But my sandy toes and salty hair are products of the Atlantic, not the Pacific. And this Santa Cruz belongs to Portugal’s Costa de Prata, not California,” writes Daniel James Clarke.

Mary Novakovich swaps the Grand Canyon for Montenegro’s Tara River Canyon, Europe’s deepest gorge, which offers heart-thumping white-water rafting and world-class hiking. In the rugged, forested Făgăraș mountains in Romania, the Foundation Conservation Carpathia is working to create the continent’s largest forest national park, which has been dubbed a “Yellowstone for Europe”. And for the Mojave Desert, there’s the Tabernas desert in south-east Spain, where Sergio Leone shot his spaghetti westerns.

Leone was enthralled by American style and myth but always from a distance. “I can’t see the US any other way than with a European’s eyes,” he said. “It’s a country that fascinates me and terrifies me at the same time.”

That would seem to go for many of us in this current political climate.

Andy Pietrasik
Head of Travel

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Story of the week

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Surfin’ USA? Not this year: 10 European alternatives to classic American holiday destinations Read more

 

Our travel picks of the week

1

Spain’s Sierra de la Demanda | The land that social media forgot Read more

2

Industrial revelation | A walk through England’s Great Northern Coalfield Read more  

3

Giving back to the land | An off-grid eco-guesthouse in a ‘quietly radical corner’ of south-west Ireland Read more  

 

Featured trip

Douro, Porto and Salamanca - save up to £250pp

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This lesser known corner of Portugal is perfect for wine lovers and history buffs. You’ll journey from Porto into the Douro Valley to discover the walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, Salamanca where you’ll enjoy a typical tapas lunch, Mateus Palace and its gardens and visit a famous port producer and two historic Quintas including tastings plus dinner at Quinta da Pacheca.

Save up to £250pp on selected dates and cabin types, call for details. Prices shown include the discount.

 

In other news

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Where tourists seldom tread, part 17: three port towns freighted with history

Read more

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This week's favourite trips

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Bosnia and beyond - save £100pp
This journey through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro includes many cultural and natural treasures, including the Tara Canyon.

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Berlin, Dresden, Meissen and Colditz
Explore Berlin and Dresden on included tours plus visit Colditz Castle and enjoy a tour the famous porcelain studio in Meissen.

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Scottish Highland railways
- save up to 15%

Take three scenic rail journeys through the spectacular Scottish Highlands including a steam-hauled trip on the Straphspey Railway.

 

Readers' tips

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‘If you love adventure but not tourists’: readers’ favourite wild places in Europe

Read more

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Deal of the week

Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast - save up to 15%

Discover this beautiful corner of Italy where you’ll explore Pompeii with a local guide, tour Naples’ historic sights, enjoy a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast and spend a day on the island of Capri.

Book by 31 July 2025 to save up to 15% on this and other classic tours with our partner Newmarket Holidays. Prices shown include the discount.

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Image of the week

How three young Londoners set out to explore the countries of their parents’ birth – and redefined the travel vlog

 
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