thepinkginpassportWeekends away are usually geared towards cities. However, if you’re not a fan of crowds and want to be more immersed in nature or culture then these towns are my top recommendations:
Swap Milan for Lake Como
I think an afternoon is enough to see Milan’s key sights. Lake Como is absolutely worth the hype and I wish I had stayed the night rather than just a day trip. A cruise on a boat is a great way to see the sights, and wandering around the shops of Bellagio.
Swap Hanoi for Ninh Binh
For my time in the north of Vietnam I based myself in Hanoi and did day trips out which I really regretted when I got to Ninh Binh as I wish I had stayed for a few days. Rice paddies, hikes to viewpoints and delicious food is a stark contrast to the bustle and adrenaline of crossing roads in Hanoi.
Swap Perth for Margaret River Town
When many people travel Australia, the few that do venture over to Western Australia can sometimes complain that WA “is not all that”. That’s because they haven’t left Perth CBD. Perth is a great place to live, with great food and beaches but if you head to Margaret River you will get a next level experience. Slightly cooler as you head down south, the beaches are more rugged, landscape is more diverse with forests and wineries plus independent bakeries and shops.
Swap Puerto Princesa for Port Barton
While I enjoyed my time in Puerto Princesa, when I found out I could have visited the underground river on route to Port Barton I do wish I had spent a day or two less in Palawan’s capital city. Port Barton is a small beach town with a couple of hostels a few bars and offers beaches and boat trips that aren’t inundated with tourists like El Nido. Many backpacker towns are quickly turned into ultra expensive holiday destinations (like Byron Bay) so I would definitely recommend visiting Port Barton while it’s still relatively off the beaten path.
Swap Ljubljana for Lake Bled
This is not a diss to Slovenia’s capital city, but Lake Bled is one of the most underrated gems in Europe so I could recommend spending the majority of your time in the country there. Hikes to the lake and nearby river give stunning views, the small restaurants are cosy and offer treats like Bled cake.
Swap Swansea for Rhosilli
Now, Rhosilli is technically a village and is very easy to get to from Swansea so a direct swap might not be necessary. While there are plenty of restaurants and pubs in cities like Swansea or Cardiff, Swansea is the gate way to world class beaches like Rhosilli, Three Cliffs Bay, Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park and hiking in the Brecon Beacons.
And finally … don’t swap Florence and still go to Cinque Terre
Florence is one of my favourite cities, as someone who isn’t a big city fan. The lanes are wide and it feels less claustrophobic than other European cities. The architecture is amazing as well as the food and has a more relaxed feel. You can get a train to Cinque Terre that stops at each of the five towns. In fact, these little towns can feel busier than the city so I would recommend a day trip before returning back to the calmer spacious Florence.
