Social media is awash with people going to the same destinations, staying in the same hotels and eating at the same restaurants that they’ve seen online.
Yet there are still plenty of tourists out there looking for hidden gems that haven’t already been shared on TikTok millions of times.
According to Airbnb, Gen Z travellers in particular are booking stays in rural destinations, particularly across Italy, France, Spain and Germany.
By looking at rural destinations that have seen the biggest increase in searches year-on-year, the short-term let platform has come up with the top trending places in each of these countries.
Here’s where you should be heading, and what you should do while there.
Rojales, Spain
Avoid the crowds in Barcelona and head to Rojales instead.
Located in the province of Alicante, the village is perhaps best known for its cave houses which were first built in the 18th century.
Other things to see include the shell house (which is exactly what it sounds like) and the archaeological museum.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants lining the River Segura for when you get tired of exploring, too.
Gérardmer, France
Nicknamed the pearl of the Vosges – the mountain range in eastern France – Gérardmer is a small resort town centred around a lake.
There’s a six kilometre walking path around the lake, and there are plenty of hiking trails if you’re looking for more of a challenge.
Come winter, you’ll be able to ski, and in the summer months, you can swim or go kayaking on the lake.
Every two years, the town hosts a daffodil festival in April with a huge parade of floats covered in the flower.
Braunlage, Germany
A health and winter sports resort in the Upper Harz Mountains, Braunlage is another great option for those looking to ski in the winter months.
As for the summer, Braunlage is a great base for the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, a long distance hiking trail that stretches along the whole of the mountain range and Harz National Park.
There’s also a popular mountain biking route you can follow, and you can take the Wurmberg cable car for amazing views over the area.
For those focusing on the health side of things, there are plenty of spa resorts you can book that have saunas and swimming pools.
Brixen, Italy
Brixen, or Bressanone, is found in South Tyrol in northern Italy.
Boasting a charming Old Town, the best time to visit is in December as you’ll be able to explore the famed Christmas market here.
If you do come outside of the winter months, there are more than 400 kilometers of hiking trails nearby, with many passing by the peaks of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites.
Year-round, you can also explore the city’s many museums and galleries – including one dedicated to cheesemaking.
Arco, Italy
Lake Como might be teeming with tourists, but this town near Lake Garda in Trentino certainly isn’t.
Aside from visiting the lake, you can head up to the Castello di Arco, a ruined medieval castle overlooking the town, or go hiking on the surrounding mountains.
Read the full article here
