Getting sprayed with a water gun not on top of your vacation bucket list? Here are our top 3 alternatives to Spain!
Planning a vacation in 2024 comes with unique challenges as anti-tourism protests spread through Europe faster than wildfires—also spreading through Europe. If you’d rather avoid being sprayed with a water gun during dinner, we’ve got you covered. There are still some places that want tourists—both in Europe and other, more exotic locations.
Here are our top three alternatives to Spain (or Greece, or France, or Italy, or Portugal… sigh):
If you’re flying from the US to Spain, you may as well fly to Marocco—it’ll roughly take you the same amount of time. And Marocco has a lot to offer—from bustling cities like Marrakesh and Rabat to the so-called ‘blue city’—the small town of Chefchaouen, and Essaouira—the real-life Astapor from the third season of Game of Thrones. Oh and, Casablanca—that’s kinda famous too... you get the point!
Whether you’re traveling for the beaches, the architecture, the culture, all of it and then some—you’ll find it in Marocco.
Now, it may get “a bit” hot in the summer, so if 90 degrees is unbearable to you, maybe plan your visit for early fall—September and October are much more pleasant, but still warm.
Next up, we’re bringing it back to Europe with Croatia—rightfully known as ‘lijepa naša’ (‘our beautiful’). Croatia is one of the most popular summer destinations for many Europeans and it’s easy to see why: picturesque landscapes, the cleanest swimming water in Europe, and a lot to offer whether you’re looking for some peace and quiet or vibrant nightlife.
If you’re visiting Croatia, you have to walk the streets of King’s Landing—yes, we’re gonna keep going with the Game of Thrones references. But whether you’re a GoT fan or not, Dubrovnik is without a doubt worth the visit—the architecture is just breathtaking!
And since you’re already there, you may as well visit some other popular places like Split—known for its beaches, historic sites like The Peristyle of Diocletian's Palace, and nearby attractions such as Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes.
And, closer to home, you’ve got one of 2024’s top vacation destinations, according to The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, and many more: Costa Rica. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches and most biodiverse national parks, Costa Rica has long been the ideal spot for honeymoons and Europeans and Americans looking to escape the dreadful winters.
December to April is the driest time of year in Costa Rica and is considered the high season—so if you’re looking to avoid heavy rainfall, you know what to do. Plus, you’ll get to see many birds that migrate from colder regions (much like you!). Guess they also want to experience la pura vida. So the biodiversity is even higher than usual during this time—perfect for nature lovers.
If you value tranquility and privacy on vacations, you might enjoy the green season more, as there are fewer tourists around from May to November.
Regardless of when you decide to visit, make sure you plan your trip well so you don’t miss out on anything. And book yourself a nice resort—Costa Rica is known for its luxury beachside hotels.
This content is provided in partnership with Gigi Brown Beachfront Santa Teresa and is intended for informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and advice expressed in this article are solely those of Gigi Brown Beachfront Santa Teresa and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any other individual, organization, or entity.
