As Europe’s southern hotspots face overtourism and soaring summer temperatures, travelers are turning to lesser-known destinations that offer similar experiences without the crowds. Cities such as Barcelona, Venice, and Mykonos have struggled with high hotel prices, long lines, protests against tourism, and extreme heat, prompting visitors to look for quieter alternatives.

In Spain, Girona has emerged as a popular substitute for Barcelona. Just an hour away, the city offers medieval architecture, a charming Jewish Quarter, and panoramic views from the Passeig de la Muralla, all without the cruise-ship chaos. Girona is also more affordable, allowing visitors to enjoy local cuisine, pastries, and ice cream while wandering its historic streets.

Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, has become a sought-after alternative to Venice. The city’s canals, pastel buildings, and lively café culture mirror the Italian city’s charm, but at a more relaxed pace and lower cost. Visitors can explore the Old Town, climb to Ljubljana Castle for sweeping views, and enjoy riverbank dining along the scenic waterways.

Greek travelers seeking a quieter escape from Mykonos are increasingly visiting Tinos. This island features whitewashed villages, pristine beaches, and a traditional Cycladic atmosphere. It also offers cultural highlights, including the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, local marble art, and hiking routes with panoramic views, making it a more authentic and peaceful option for 2026 holidays.

Italy’s Amalfi Coast has its own alternative in Salerno, a historic port city with medieval architecture, dramatic coastlines, and lower prices. Visitors can explore local markets, enjoy fresh seafood, and use Salerno as a base for trips to Amalfi, Positano, or Pompeii, all while experiencing authentic Italian life away from tourist throngs.

Croatia’s Rovinj offers a quieter version of Dubrovnik. The town features Venetian architecture, pastel-colored waterfronts, and cobbled streets, making it ideal for romantic getaways. Travelers can visit St. Euphemia Church, explore hidden coves, and enjoy seafood at local restaurants, all while avoiding Dubrovnik’s intense peak-season crowds.

For those seeking French culture without Parisian crowds, Toulouse provides a compelling alternative. Known as the Pink City for its terracotta architecture, Toulouse offers riverfront walks along the Garonne, canal-side strolls along the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi, and historic sites such as the Basilique Saint-Sernin and Couvent des Jacobins. The city also features regional cuisine, from duck dishes to cassoulet, with a more relaxed and affordable atmosphere.

As travel patterns shift, these lesser-known European destinations are gaining popularity, providing a mix of history, culture, and scenic beauty while offering respite from the challenges of overcrowded tourist hubs.

Airport workers across Europe are walking out in protest of the “Grinch-style behaviour” of low-paying employers, threatening to disrupt travel during the busy Christmas season. The strikes come as staff push for better pay, improved working conditions, and job security, targeting a period when millions travel for holidays.

In Italy, coordinated walkouts are planned on 17 December, involving ground handling staff, airline crew, and air traffic controllers. The four-hour strike, from 1 pm to 5 pm, will include ENAV air traffic controllers at Rome airport, Assohandlers staff covering major airports, employees of ITA Airways, and ground staff for Vueling, Air France, and KLM. Officials warn that disruption may extend throughout the day, causing flight delays and longer check-in and baggage queues at airports in Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania.

In the UK, London airports are preparing for a series of strikes around Christmas. From 19 to 22 and 26 to 29 December, easyJet ground staff at Luton Airport will walk out, affecting check-in and baggage handling. London Heathrow Airport is also facing potential disruptions as Scandinavian Airlines Services (SAS) cabin crew plan to strike from 22 to 24 and on 26 December. Flights to major Scandinavian hubs, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, may experience delays or cancellations.

Workers cite low pay as a key reason for the action, with union Unite noting that some staff have been forced to rely on food banks while working at expensive Scandinavian destinations. “This is real Grinch-style behaviour from SAS – it is taking advantage of the goodwill of its staff and will now be responsible for cancelled Christmas flights,” said Callum Rochford, Unite regional officer.

Spain is also seeing ongoing travel disruptions due to strikes at Ryanair’s ground handling partner, Azul Handling. Since the summer, staff have staged weekly walkouts over working conditions, bonuses, and job security. Strikes will continue until 31 December on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during early morning, midday, and late-night shifts. Passengers flying from Alicante, Barcelona-El Prat, Girona, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Madrid-Barajas, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Tenerife South, and Valencia can expect longer queues and delays with check-in and luggage collection.

Travel experts advise passengers to check the status of flights before heading to airports, as some walkouts are announced only days or hours in advance. Those affected by cancellations or delays may be entitled to alternative tickets or compensation.

With strikes coinciding with one of the busiest travel periods of the year, passengers are urged to allow extra time for check-in, baggage handling, and security procedures to avoid last-minute chaos.

UK consumer group Which? has criticised major European budget airlines for rarely offering carry-on bag fares as low as advertised. The watchdog’s survey shows that the lowest prices promoted by Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air are almost never available to passengers.

The survey examined nearly 1,500 bag prices across eight popular routes, spanning Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air. It found that advertised cabin bag fares starting from £5.99 (€6.80) were available less than one per cent of the time. Data was collected across four dates in August, November, December, and February to account for peak and off-peak travel.

Which? highlighted that passengers often only discover cabin bag charges at the final stage of booking, a practice the watchdog described as frustrating and potentially misleading. In some cases, the fees for carry-on luggage exceeded the cost of the flight itself, particularly on short European routes, which are the main draw for budget travellers.

The watchdog contrasted these practices with those of larger airlines such as British Airways, KLM, and Qatar Airways, which typically include a free cabin bag while charging for checked luggage. Budget carriers’ additional gate fines and opaque pricing have drawn scrutiny in recent years. In November 2024, Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry fined five budget airlines €179 million over “abusive practices” regarding luggage, though the EU Commission has challenged Spain’s authority to impose the penalties.

Which? has shared its findings on EasyJet with the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which is now investigating. Rory Boland, editor at Which?, said: “Our research shows that the tens of millions of passengers who need to take a cabin bag will pay much more than the cheapest price advertised. Rather than a few pounds, prices for bags can often exceed the flight itself. The tactics used by these airlines deserve to be called out.”

EasyJet’s lowest advertised cabin bag fare of £5.99 was not found on any of the 520 flights surveyed. The cheapest fare identified was £23.49 (€26.79), with the average at £30 (€34.20). EasyJet said its pricing is transparent and allows customers to pay only for what they need.

Ryanair’s lowest cabin bag fare of £12 (€13.70) was available on just two out of 634 flights, or 0.3 per cent of the time. The airline dismissed the survey as unrepresentative, noting it operates more than 100,000 flights each month and claimed its policies are optional and transparent.

Wizz Air’s lowest cabin bag fare of €10 was available on only two of 338 flights, or 0.6 per cent of the time. A spokesperson said customers receive a free under-seat bag with every ticket and can choose larger luggage if required, insisting their pricing is compliant and clear across multiple channels.

The Which? survey adds to growing concerns over budget airlines’ baggage fees, with regulators and consumer groups calling for more transparency and fairness in cabin bag pricing.