Europe

Berlin

Germany

Timișoara

Romania

Timișoara 🌞 at €52-€59 rtn from Berlin

Memmingen

Târgu Mureș

Târgu Mureș at €38 rtn from Memmingen

Brașov

Brașov 🧛‍♀️ at €40-€45 rtn from Memmingen

A premium economy pick and mix with a gazillion POVs!

New York

The United States is a travel heavyweight, packing everything from dazzling skylines and buzzing neon cities to natural wonders so epic they make your camera feel inadequate. It's the land of big ideas and even bigger distances—which is precisely where Jack’s Flight Club comes in. We’re here to help you skip the seriously long bus rides and the soul-crushing flight search by finding the cheap flights for you and proving you don't need to break the bank just to cross a few time zones.
Whether you're planning a swift weekend trip to the Big Apple, a surf session on the West Coast, or a grand tour of the national parks, we've got your back. Our Navigators love sprinkling in a generous helping of insider knowledge to make your trip count—because life’s too short to pay silly money for flights you can’t even brag about.

United States

The United States is a travel heavyweight, packing everything from dazzling skylines and buzzing neon cities to natural wonders so epic they make your camera feel inadequate. It's the land of big ideas and even bigger distances.

Amsterdam

If you’re still picturing the Netherlands as just one giant postcard of windmills and wooden shoes, you’re missing out on one of Europe’s most dynamic corners. This is the place where historic canal-side cycling meets cutting-edge urban design and a bar culture that’s second to none. We’re scouting the routes to land you the best Netherlands flight deals, whether you’re plotting a culture-heavy weekend in Amsterdam, exploring the industrial cool of Rotterdam, or getting lost in the medieval charm of Utrecht. Don’t just scroll through photos—book the cheap flights to the Netherlands and find out why this place is so much more than just the stereotypes.

Netherlands

This is the place where historic canal-side cycling meets cutting-edge urban design and a bar culture that’s second to none.

Frankfurt

Florence

Why should Italy be next on your list? Because it's the place where "living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate. Travel to Italy means surrendering yourself to world-class authentic Italian food that will ruin your neighborhood pizzeria for you forever. We're talking freshly rolled dough, delicious ragus, and gelato that’s a mandatory daily pleasure, all served up with a side of next-level atmosphere.
But an Italy vacation is so much more than just a culinary tour; it's an effortless deep dive into culture through the ages. The art, the fashion, and the sheer, undeniable style of it all are so effortlessly chic, they'll make you want to immediately uproot your entire life.
One day, you could be standing awed by thousand-year-old historic sites in Rome or Florence, and the next, you're sipping an Aperol Spritz on the Amalfi Coast. From the rugged beauty of the Dolomites to secluded beaches, Italy offers a perfect backdrop for any adventure, whether you're seeking romance in Venice or a vibrant city break. It’s an inspiring destination that checks every box, and our affordable Flights to Italy make those Rome, Florence, and Venice dreams a reality.

Italy

"Living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate in Italy. Our affordable Flights and travel guides will have you soaking in ancient history, sipping on spritzes, and splashing in the sea in no time.

Madrid

Sick of looking out the window at the same old gray sky? We get it. Sometimes you just need to swap reports and Teams chats for tapas and a questionable sangria that tastes suspiciously like pure sugar. Spain isn't just one place; it’s a million different escapes waiting to happen, from the scorching beaches and Moorish architecture of the south to the mountains and wine regions up north.
We’ve been hunting down Flights so cheap, you won't even care whether your boss notices you're gone. Consider this your official notice: your next spontaneous trip is calling, and it sounds suspiciously like "Hola."
But we’re not just going to drop you off at the gate with a map and a shrug. On this page, you’ll find all the insider intel—hand-crafted articles, honest reviews, and destination guides—to help you navigate everything from the world's best paella to how to avoid tourist traps. 
We've done the legwork and gathered the secrets of Spain, so you can stop scrolling through boring forums and start perfecting your siesta game. If a trip is worth taking, it’s definitely worth taking for less.

Spain

If you're looking for a destination where the default settings are fiesta and siesta, Spain is the one. You're in for legendary food, charming, sun-drenched streets, and mind-blowing architecture, and that's before you even hit the beach.

Warsaw

Poland is the sort of place that makes you wonder why you’ve been spending your travel budget on the usual suspects when you could be exploring some of Europe’s most underrated urban hubs. From the fairytale spires of Kraków and the modern, resilient energy of Warsaw to the hidden, cobblestone magic of Wrocław, this is a country that consistently punches way above its weight. So stop scrolling, and get booking your cheap flights to Poland to discover a destination that’s equal parts historic, affordable, and surprisingly cool.

Poland

From the fairytale spires of Kraków and the modern, resilient energy of Warsaw to the hidden, cobblestone magic of Wrocław, this is a country that consistently punches way above its weight.

Baltimore

Chicago

Philadelphia

Boston

Geneva

If you think Switzerland is strictly a playground for the ultra-wealthy, it’s time to rethink the itinerary. The Swiss Alps and the crystal-clear shores of Lake Geneva are surprisingly attainable when you have the right intel, and we spend our time hunting down the best Switzerland flight deals so you don’t have to. We ensure your travel budget stays firmly focused on the actual experience—like sampling artisanal cheese in Bern or catching a scenic train ride through the Jungfrau region—rather than getting eaten up by airfare. Skip the inflated holiday packages, use our tracking to snag cheap flights to Switzerland, and prove that the quintessential Alpine escape doesn’t have to carry a premium price tag.

Switzerland

If you think Switzerland is strictly a playground for the ultra-wealthy, it’s time to rethink the itinerary. The Swiss Alps and the crystal-clear shores of Lake Geneva are surprisingly attainable when you have the right intel!

Basel

Belgrade

Serbia

Bucharest

Riga

Latvia

Bologna

Nice

France isn't just about Eiffel Tower selfies; it’s a country that deserves a serious deep dive without the pretension—or the heavy price tag. We’re here to help you snag cheap flights to France so you can spend less on airfare and more on what actually matters: endless glasses of Bordeaux, buttery croissants, and authentic French food. Whether you’re planning a culture binge in the romantic streets of Paris, hunting for sunshine along the French Riviera, or wandering through the vineyard-lined hills of Provence, we’ve got the insider intelligence to get you there for less.

France

We’re here to help you snag cheap flights to France so you can spend less on airfare and more on what actually matters: endless glasses of Bordeaux, buttery croissants, and authentic French food.

Palma De Mallorca

Seattle

Prague

Czech Republic

Venice

Rome

Barcelona

Portland

Hamburg

Las Vegas

San Diego

Orlando

Tampa

Atlanta

Phoenix

Denver

Salt Lake City

Europe 🏰 in $770s-$1050s RT

Dortmund

Oradea

Oradea 🧛‍♀️ at €52-€64 rtn from Dortmund

Karlsruhe

Suceava

Suceava 🏰 at €35-€45 rtn from Karlsruhe 

Hi, I booked my return trip to India yesterday over December and got it for 399 without a checked bag (and 458 with). This is a direct flight via BA from London &gt; Delhi &gt; London. Thought I’d share!

Postcard from Sangam

Hi team, thank you so much for finding this flight for me just in time to go and see family and friends. It&#39;s always lovely to have some extra money to spend due to cheaper flights!! Thank you

Postcard from Michaela

Booked and heading straight on the bus to Moldova! 

Postcard from Adam

Thanks Jack! Your wizzair sale email has led to a spontaneous trip to Tenerife for 7 uni friends as a reunion. All booked within one hour. Lovely.

Postcard from Allon

Afternoon Jack et al.
I think this is my 4th or 5th. Just done the Wizz to SSH. More by coincidence, but is our 3rd Wizz of the year - LTN is great for the very adjacent reasonable parking. 
Might be worth mentioning. I think I&#39;ve had great value out of this Wizz loyalty scheme, might have been £49? for that, I&#39;ve had three lots of (x2) 20kg checked bags [wife is not a light traveller] big hand baggage, not that wevew bothered... decent seat selection, speedy stuff andf I think there are some benefits on changes and a flight discount Seems pretty good value to me. I&#39;m sure your elves can work it out and spread the word, if it&#39;s as good as it seems.
Keep going with the long haul Prem Econ stuff - that&#39;s what floats my boat.
Cheers!

Postcard from Simon

Argentina

Uruguay

Canada

Greetings from Romania, Travellers!
Navigator Fran and I may be a week early for&nbsp;<a href="https://madisonsfootsteps.com/halloween-party-draculas-castle/">Vlad's annual outing</a>, but our brief foray across Transylvania has proven that there are plenty of reasons to hang around, even when the strings of garlic are optional.
The most obvious one, in my eyes, has to be the fiery Carpathian forests. We've spent a lot of time on trains and buses this week, but with these views, even 8+ hours on a Flixbus seems kinda reasonable.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/2eb78fbadba590a66c4f5b1ba18ae1d3d9ebfcdd" width="416" height="234" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
The city of <a href="https://www.mywanderlust.pl/things-to-do-in-brasov-romania/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brașov</a> was our home last night. It's the typical base for exploring <a href="https://www.itsalltriptome.com/romanian-castles-transylvania/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Transylvania's castles and palaces</a>, as well as a lovely spot in its own right &mdash; think medieval town walls, colourful lanes with cosy coffee shops, and a mountain viewpoint furnished with a Hollywood-style sign.
Our tracks took us onwards to Bucharest today, where we <a href="https://thenomadicflower.com/taking-the-friendship-train-bucharest-to-chisinau-by-night-train-2025-guide/">boarded the&nbsp;Prietania</a> to Chișinău, Moldova. But rest assured, I'm already planning a proper return. Give me a hand by dropping <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-209-montreal-munching-and-south-american-roots#comments">your Transylvanian tips in the comments</a>.&nbsp;
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

With a shared love of all things Canada and always trying the tastiest local snacks, Kristi and Fran are both known to jump on any cheap flight that will take them to a new corner of the world.

Written by Navigators Fran & Kristi

Grab a <a href="https://timhortons.co.th/product/double-double/#:~:text=A%20Canadian%20classic%3A%20two%20shots,Categories%3A%20All%2C%20HOT%20BEVERAGES">double-double</a>, pack your toque&nbsp;and get psyched for some frolicking in Canada's crunchy maple goodness.&nbsp;
When you think "Montreal," do you imagine strolling through cobblestone streets scattered with blossoms, the sound of jazz floating in the air? Are you drawn to cozy plaid-bedecked hiking under fiery fall foliage? Or do you believe that Canada is a winter wonderland meant to be experienced as you lazily snowshoe through a blanket of glittering white snow?
A good portion of our team is either Canadian, has lived here, or has traveled to Canada. We&rsquo;ve crowdsourced the best travel tips and wrapped them up in a neat little package for your upcoming trip.

Travel Tips

<h3>Plateau Mont-Royal (the Plateau)</h3>
Located to the northeast of downtown Montreal, the neighborhood is renowned for its distinctive Victorian architecture, packed with colorful, narrow, two or three-story buildings with wrought-iron staircases and balconies. Head to Square Saint-Louis to see some of the oldest and prettiest examples of this style.
The two main boulevards are Saint-Laurent Street and Saint-Denis Street:
<ul>
<li>Saint-Laurent (or &ldquo;The Main&rdquo;)&mdash;a major commercial artery filled with shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots. It is also known for its street art and murals.</li>
</ul>

Grab brunch at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/patatimontreal/?hl=en">Patati Patata</a>, do a little shopping at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/evabvintage/?hl=en">Eva B</a>, and finish with drinks at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bar.darling/?hl=en">Le Bar Darling</a>.

Spotlight on: Saint-Laurent

<ul>
<li>Saint-Denis Street&mdash;famous for its European ambiance, featuring a wide variety of boutiques, bistros, and theaters.</li>
</ul>
Accommodation: In the Plateau, you can expect a mix of low-key hotels, a couple of hostels, and plenty of unique Airbnbs.

<h3>Mile End</h3>
Right next to the Plateau, this historical working-class neighborhood has transformed over the decades into a bohemian hub for artists, musicians, and young families. The area is well-known for its <a href="https://everythingzoomer.com/travelhub/2018/04/20/montreal-cafes/">caf&eacute; culture</a>, with numerous literary caf&eacute;s and <a href="https://tastet.ca/en/reviews/boulangerie-guillaume-a-superb-bakery-on-boulevard-st-laurent/">bakeries</a>. Here are the three most important streets in the area:
<ul>
<li>Laurier West Street&mdash;connects the neighborhoods of Outremont and the Mile End. It&rsquo;s the place to be if you&rsquo;re interested in shopping from local designers and small boutiques, or if you&rsquo;re looking for a trendy restaurant for brunch.</li>
</ul>

When you finish shopping at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ecoledepensee/?hl=en">&Eacute;cole de Pens&eacute;e</a>, grab Montreal's best brunch at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/larrys.gram/?hl=en">Larrys</a>.

Spotlight on: Laurier West

<ul>
<li>Fairmount Avenue &amp; Saint-Viateur Street&mdash;aka <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/the-famous-montreal-bagel">Bagel-land</a>. Besides the puffy, sesame-y deliciousness of their famous bagels, both streets are well known for a variety of caf&eacute;s, bakeries, and second-hand/boutique shops.</li>
</ul>

Snack at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fairmountbagel/?hl=en">Fairmount Bagels</a> or at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stviateurbagel/?hl=en">Saint-Viateur</a>&mdash;be careful <a href="https://www.seriouseats.com/what-are-montreal-bagels-the-best-fairmount-vs-st-viateur-rivalry-canada">which one</a> you choose, though&hellip;

Spotlight on: Montreal bagels

Accommodation: Around Mile End, you&rsquo;ll mostly find artsy design hotels and lots of Airbnbs.
<h3>Downtown</h3>
The neighborhood revolves around the <a href="http://placedesarts.com/index.en.html">Place des Arts</a> cultural complex, home to the Montreal Opera and Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Grands Ballets Canadiens. Plenty of festivals are also held in the area, such as the <a href="http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx">Montreal Jazz Festival</a> and <a href="http://www.justforlaughs.com/">Just For Laughs</a> comedy fest.
You&rsquo;ll see all the city&rsquo;s biggest cultural institutions here: Montreal&rsquo;s central library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Theatre School of Canada, right next to the main commercial area on <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/shopping/sainte-catherine-street">Saint Catherine Street</a>.
Accommodation: Downtown features a solid mix of high-end, business-type hotels, basic Airbnbs, and some hostels.

Pro tip:&nbsp;Downtown is predominantly anglophone, though a significant proportion of residents are bilingual.

This historic neighborhood located along the St. Lawrence River is one of the city's most popular destinations, thanks to the historic buildings, waterfront views, cobblestone alleys, and sites like the Notre-Dame Basilica.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s a little bit touristy, and it can get crowded, but the streets are gorgeous, and there are a bunch of top-notch art museums there. Plus, you can pop in and out of all the cute shops selling Qu&eacute;bec-made products. We recommend leaving your car at the hotel for this one, though, since parking is impossible and the area is well-connected to the metro.

Pro tip:&nbsp;If you don&rsquo;t feel like having food in the Vieux Port&rsquo;s pricey alleys, <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/discover-neighbourhood-montreal-chinatown">Montreal&rsquo;s Chinatown</a> is just a couple of steps (and a paifang gate) away&mdash;it's considered one of the best in North America!

Accommodation: The Vieux Port mostly has luxury boutique hotels.

<h2>Food in Montreal</h2>
<h3>Traditional Food</h3>
Central Canada&rsquo;s cuisine (Quebec and Ontario) has a unique mix of First Nations traditions, as well as French and British colonial influences. And, like any major city, Montreal is chock-full of great restaurants from all over the world, especially Lebanese, Vietnamese, and Italian food.
Qu&eacute;bec cuisine is known for French dishes like <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/article/the-meaty-history-of-quebecois-tourtiere/">tourti&egrave;re</a> (meat pie), ragout de pattes (pork stew), and pea soup.

But ask a Qu&eacute;b&eacute;cois about the most iconic Qu&eacute;bec dish, and they will tell you: poutine. Made of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, you&rsquo;ll find variations with additional toppings like pulled pork, bacon, or foie gras. You can get poutine just about anywhere in the city, but our favorite spot is <a href="https://becomingtia.com/patati-patata/">Patati Patata</a>.&nbsp;
Speaking of sweets, get ready for plenty of maple syrup&mdash;a quintessential Canadian (and Qu&eacute;b&eacute;coise) staple&mdash;in desserts like tarte au sucre (maple pie) and pouding ch&ocirc;meur, but also in candies and as a topping for pancakes and waffles. It&rsquo;s a key ingredient in savory foods as well, such as caramelized onions, bacon, or even beans (it&rsquo;s called f&egrave;ves au lard&mdash;<a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/guest-post-from-4-88245">look it up</a>!).
<h3>Montreal Smoked Meat</h3>
A culinary tradition with roots in the city's Jewish immigrant community, Montreal&rsquo;s answer to pastrami features cured and smoked brisket that's thinly sliced and piled high on rye bread and topped with yellow mustard.&nbsp;
One of the most famous places is Schwartz's Deli, founded in 1928 and located on Saint-Laurent Street, but there are also some <a href="https://cultmtl.com/2024/05/best-smoked-meat-in-montreal-best-of-mtl-schwartzs-smoke-meat-pete-dunns-famous-snowdon-deli-lesters-deli/">great options</a> all around the Mile End neighborhood (the city&rsquo;s Jewish quarter). 
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfc-guide-to-montreal">Read more about Montreal...</a>

Tracing Roots across South America

Recently, we asked you well-traveled folks for tips on making Jack's Flight Club Traveler Liz&rsquo;s 50th birthday <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-207-ligurian-lounging-latin-america#:~:text=plans%20for%20a-,big%20birthday%20trip,-%2C%20and%20asking%20for">South America tour</a> unforgettable. And thanks to everyone who contributed, because our community Facebook group and inbox lit up!
Liz is planning to cover an unbelievable (some might say a CRAZY) amount of ground over the space of one month. She&rsquo;ll be tracing family roots across the continent, from landing in Lima and doing Machu Picchu, to celebrating her birthday in Montevideo, where her grandmother Gladys was born.
But like any curious traveler on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, Liz was keen to make sure she didn&rsquo;t miss out on anything along the way. 
Here are your top tips:
<h3>Uruguay</h3>

&ldquo;In Montevideo we went to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g294323-d15766778-Museo_Andes_1972_Crash_Memorial_Admission_Ticket-Montevideo_Montevideo_Department.html">Andes museum</a> and the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g294323-d1572959-Reviews-Museo_del_Carnaval-Montevideo_Montevideo_Department.html">Carnival museum</a> down near the port. If you&rsquo;re in the Carrasco area, there are <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurants-g294323-zfn21002103-Montevideo_Montevideo_Department.html">lots of nice restaurants</a>. Day trip to Punta del Este or Casapueblo.&rdquo; &mdash; Yvette&nbsp;
<hr>
&ldquo;Instead of ferrying straight to Buenos Aires, go first to <a href="https://discoveroverthere.com/things-to-do-colonia-del-sacramento/">Colonia del Sacramento</a>, a little UNESCO historic gem, for a nice dinner and some walking/shopping for leather goods. There&rsquo;s a fast ferry from there to BA.&rdquo; &mdash; Andy&nbsp;

Tip: Just north of Montevideo sits Canelones, Uruguay&rsquo;s wine region. It&rsquo;s especially well-known for Tannat. Bodega Bouza is one of many family-run wineries offering <a href="https://wareontheglobe.com/2019/02/08/bodega-bouza-the-perfect-romantic-day-trip-from-montevideo/">guided tours and tastings</a>.&nbsp;
<h3>Argentina</h3>

&ldquo;<a href="https://lucidkiwi.com/recoleta-cemetery/">Recoleta Cemetery</a>, <a href="https://www.travelyesplease.com/travel-blog-buenos-aires-japanese-garden/">Japanese Gardens</a>, and the <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/buenos-aires/museo-evita">Evita Per&oacute;n Museum</a> are must-sees.&rdquo; - Yvette
<hr>
&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t skip BA! It&rsquo;s got so much charm, and you can&rsquo;t understand the city without understanding football; it&rsquo;s like a religion&mdash;Messi's face is everywhere! And when the sun dips, the area of Palermo really comes alive. I loved the restaurant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant_Review-g312741-d866502-Reviews-La_Dorita-Buenos_Aires_Capital_Federal_District.html">&ldquo;La Dorita&rdquo;</a>, but honestly, any asado here could convert a vegetarian!&rdquo; - Hugo

Tip: In the neighborhood of San Telmo, check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/casaezeiza/?hl=en">Casa Ezeiza</a>. Its antique shops, art galleries, and vintage stalls are housed in a 19th-century mansion. The home was built in about 1876 for the aristocratic Ezeiza family, a prominent Buenos Aires lineage descended from Basque immigrants.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/tracing-roots-in-south-america-community-tips">Keep reading...</a>

Reader's Corner

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">With new competition on the horizon in the Channel Tunnel, Eurostar is planning to up its game by <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2025/10/22/eurostar-launch-double-decker-high-speed-trains-europe-1-080-seats-24491362/">adding double-decker trains</a> to its fleet by 2031. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">This week, we learned that even <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/black-bear-california-zoo-b2850147.html">bears just want to make friends</a>. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">Beware the cheap cocktails on your next trip &mdash; <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33p7vvyp2zo">methanol poisoning</a> is on the rise around the globe. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">And finally, there's officially <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/21/climate/iceland-mosquito-discovery">no escape from mosquitoes</a>. The nibbly little beasts have just been found in Iceland for the first time, where residents were long protected by the bracing climate.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Travel News

Munch Your Way Around Montreal & Community Tips for South America

Belgium

Malaysia

Indonesia

<h1>Paris Travel Dupes</h1>
This article was originally published in the Detour in January 2024

I&rsquo;m not a big one for leaning into travel trends&mdash;go where your heart truly desires, I say! But if your heart&nbsp;reeeeally wants to go &ldquo;somewhere like Paris but not so touristy,&rdquo; then maybe the travel dupes trend is actually for you.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s be clear, I&rsquo;m not talking about going somewhere that looks exactly like Paris&mdash;short of a visit to Vegas, you&rsquo;re not going to get a selfie with the Eiffel Tower anywhere else. TikTokers jumping on the bandwagon are all about finding somewhere &ldquo;better&rdquo; than the original destination, but for me, it&rsquo;s more about getting to the heart of what you want from a trip and looking for places that offer a similar experience.&nbsp;
So, what is it that visitors want from a trip to Paris? Romantic sunset strolls along the Seine, world-class art and stunning architecture&hellip; some really tasty baked goods and great wine? Unsurprisingly, these are all things you can find elsewhere, too.

We&rsquo;ll start with a suggestion to satisfy anyone wanting to practise their French: Rouen, the capital of Normandy. At first glance, it&rsquo;s a little more industrial than Paris, but stick with me&mdash;it still checks a bunch of boxes!&nbsp;
For those leisurely strolls, you&rsquo;ve got the Seine running through the centre of town. But here, I&rsquo;d say it&rsquo;s best enjoyed as part of the panorama from atop&nbsp;<a href="https://en.visiterouen.com/heritages/nature/the-sainte-catherine-hill-in-rouen/?lid=16g46ynjyt1i">Saint Catherine&rsquo;s Hill</a>. Even&nbsp;<a href="https://arthive.com/claudemonet/works/324044~General_view_of_Rouen_from_the_hill_of_St_Catherine?lid=sttgycdmn1sl">Monet</a>&nbsp;found the views inspiring!
The steeple towering above the rest of the old town belongs to none other than Rouen&rsquo;s own Notre-Dame Cathedral, which spends its summer evenings&nbsp;<a href="https://en.visiterouen.com/heritages/history/the-cathedral-intimate-and-flamboyant/cathedral-of-light/?lid=mgwjjzgs6r0x">bathing in illuminations</a>. And then there&rsquo;s the Gothic church of Saint-Laurent, worth a visit for its unusual museum packed with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clarkart.edu/microsites/the-art-of-iron/exhibition-(4)?lid=1kppg9ufbm2d">wrought iron works of art</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Just walking through the medieval cobblestone streets will keep you entertained, though. You can hunt down the spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, admire the city&rsquo;s astronomical clock from inside and out, and duck in and out of cheese shops (or&nbsp;<a href="https://rouen-bouge.fr/en/fromagerie-bar-bickett-le-premier-bar-a-fromage-de-rouen/?lid=7c1buui4kcaf">cheese&nbsp;bars</a>!) along the way. It&rsquo;d be rude not to sample&nbsp;<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/calvados-a-norman-tradition?lid=c6qz0tgyl3zl">the local tipples</a>, too!

My second suggestion takes us a hop northeast to the Belgian city of Antwerp. This one has already popped up on social media as a suggested Paris &ldquo;dupe&rdquo;, but I actually think it fits more for Amsterdam. That said, I can definitely get behind it from a more historical destination angle.&nbsp;
The&nbsp;<a href="https://aviewoncities.com/antwerp/meir?lid=gv26bcxfilcb">grand boulevards</a>&nbsp;lined with historic buildings, luxury shopping galleries, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1977614/worlds-most-beautiful-train-station-antwerp-belgium" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO-protected train station</a>&nbsp;all play a major role in setting the tone for the city. Add in the&nbsp;<a href="https://rubenshuis.be/en?lid=t7w2lwhzp3yz">Italian-style palazzo</a>&nbsp;surrounded by lush gardens and stuffed to the brim with Baroque art, and you&rsquo;ve probably got a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Don&rsquo;t worry, Antwerp also has a&nbsp;<a href="https://aviewoncities.com/antwerp/cathedral-of-our-lady?lid=66rfuoyvo8l3">Cathedral of Our Lady</a>&nbsp;for you to visit, complete with more works of art by Rubens and an effigy of Isabella of Bourbon. Bonus activity for anyone who isn&rsquo;t claustrophobic or afraid of heights: free guided tours of the cathedral include the opportunity to climb the small cathedral tower. For the full belfry experience, you&rsquo;ll need to stop by the&nbsp;<a href="https://museumvleeshuis.be/en?lid=jxxel7fzludw">Museum Vleeshuis</a>&nbsp;interactive music museum.
Antwerp also takes care of you boat-trip fans. The Scheldt River is teeming with life&mdash;between the waterbuses connecting the city and the tours that take you around the harbour, you won&rsquo;t lack an opportunity to get on the water. The sunset strolls may&nbsp;<a href="https://www.livetheworld.com/activities/belgium/walking-the-quays?lid=stf13yveldwv">look a little different</a>&nbsp;here than Paris, but they can definitely still be romantic.

My final Parisian alternative is Bucharest, Romania. You can probably surmise from its nickname, &ldquo;Little Paris of the East,&rdquo; that I&rsquo;m far from the first person to suggest that Bucharest might indeed remind you of the French capital.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ll get the most obvious reason out of the way first: the&nbsp;<a href="https://visitbucharest.today/arch-of-triumph/?lid=848le7bda3sc">Arcul de Triumf</a>. In fact, much of the architecture in Bucharest wouldn&rsquo;t feel at all out of place in Paris. As well as an old town packed with cafe-lined cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards, you&rsquo;ll soon encounter the imposing tree-lined boulevard that was specifically&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulevardul_Unirii?lid=r5k2goalrxk9">designed to rival the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es</a>.&nbsp;
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/muzeul-micul-paris-little-paris-museum?lid=mqb4ptyey4d1">Muzeul Micul Paris</a>&nbsp;(Museum of Little Paris) is a good place to get a feel for where the nickname came from. It celebrates Bucharest&rsquo;s golden age in a staged bourgeois house that&rsquo;ll take you right back to the late 19th century.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But Bucharest does have remarkable landmarks of its own as well! Located at the end of Bulevardul Unirii, the&nbsp;<a href="https://visitbucharest.today/palace-of-parliament/?lid=5hcqn3bipel2">Palace of the Parliament</a>&nbsp;is hands-down one of the most jaw-dropping buildings I&rsquo;ve ever seen. It&rsquo;s the largest civilian building in the world, and apparently also the heaviest and most expensive.
There are loads of excellent spots to stop around the city for a browse or a bite to eat, like the beautiful&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Som5Do3VU/?hl=en&amp;lid=5wjr5drihwe8">Carturesti Carusel</a>&nbsp;bookshop and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carucubere.ro/en/venue/?lid=8gs68s5eupwo">Caru&rsquo; cu bere</a>&nbsp;restaurant. And come the evening, you can pop into a&nbsp;<a href="https://draculasguidetoromania.com/2023/10/15/wonderful-wine-bars-bucharest/?lid=i0iuwb5l64s3">cosy little wine bar</a>&nbsp;and find out just how well the local produce rivals Paris&rsquo;.
Now we&rsquo;ve got a few options lined up instead of the City of Lights, your brain might be ticking away thinking about &ldquo;dupes&rdquo; for other destinations. Here are a few ideas to consider:

<ul>
<li>Switch the Maldives for Malaysia. Already popular with diving enthusiasts, the white sand beaches and overwater bungalows of Sipadan and Langkayan just scream relaxation. Or for more budget options, pick the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timetravelturtle.com/malaysia/perhentian-islands/?lid=bmlbh6zoeah1">Perhentian Islands</a>.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>Want the big city vibe without the Big Apple price tag? Head to Chicago. Walk&nbsp;<a href="https://www.the606.org/?lid=trh43lwi3ros">The 606&nbsp;</a>instead of the High Line, sip a cocktail while taking in the views at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uxcxDLcxE/?lid=k7176azc4l0y">Cindy&rsquo;s</a>, catch a show at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.secondcity.com/history?lid=x9wzz5t5cgtk">Second City</a>. And of course, treat yourself to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/november-2023/chicago-25-best-pizza/?lid=opq344i9pwwk">slice</a>&nbsp;(deep-dish or otherwise).</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>The busy temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are high on many lists, but Indonesia&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/unusual-place-of-the-month-borobudur/?lid=onhk8ub8xkdl">Borobudur</a>&nbsp;deserves just as much attention. It&rsquo;s the largest Buddhist temple compound in the world and which took 75 years to build. Its 3-tiered stupa is made from over 2 million stones and surrounded by 72 smaller shrines. Unsurprisingly, sunrise is a popular time to visit.</li>
</ul>

Romania

€46-€51 rtn

€37 rtn

€40-€45 rtn

Europe in $770s-$1050s RT

€52-€57 rtn

€30-€52 rtn