Are the major capitals of the world losing their allure? For travellers keen to move away from cookie-cutter itineraries, that may well be the case.
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According to WorldHotels, a global brand of independent luxury and lifestyle hotels within the BWH Hotels portfolio, underdog destinations and lesser-known capital cities are emerging as compelling alternatives. These locations offer fewer crowds, but richer atmosphere and authentic glimpses into local culture and everyday life.
WorldHotels latest report finds that the rise in popularity among standout stays in lesser-known destinations reflects “a growing shift in modern travel”, where “travellers are moving beyond the world’s most overfamiliar city itineraries in search of places that feel more personal, more connected and more rewarding to explore”.
Are you looking to escape the crowded capitals this summer? Here are WorldHotels’ top picks in Europe.
The Netherlands: Arnhem and Gouda
Amsterdam may be world renowned for its canals and offering insights into Dutch culture and heritage, but perhaps Arnhem, a city on the eastern side of The Netherlands near the German border, deserves a place on your travel list instead.
For lovers of the great outdoors, Arnhem’s picturesque landscapes, diverse ecosystem and an abundance of hiking and biking trails make it an ideal escape for travellers seeking nature and adventure.
Described as a place where culture and nature “feel unusually close together” by WorldHotels, the luxury hotel group recommends visiting De Hoge Veluwe National Park, and then experiencing the city’s vibrant fashion and design scene. Arnhem’s Modekwartier, or fashion quarter, in the Klarendal neighbourhood is brimming with more than 60 small scale shops and studies, with most independent shops open from Thursday to Saturday.
After a long day outdoors, WorldHotels recommends checking into Hotel Haarhuis. The 124-key stay was established in 1918, and offers guests a choice of three dining spots, a city spa and close access to bus and rail stations.
Staying Dutch, WorldHotels also recommends visiting Gouda, which is sandwiched (all puns intended) between Rotterdam and Utrecht. More than just the birthplace of the creamy cheese, the city’s charming cobbled streets and centuries-old trading houses adorn the medieval destination.
But for those who do love cheese, pay a visit between April and August when the Gouda Cheese Market is open to haggle at the array of stalls filled with local produce.
“Gouda emerges as one of the Netherlands’ most charming smaller cities that is intimate, walkable and filled with the kind of everyday atmosphere travelers increasingly seek instead of crowded capital routes,” WorldHotels said. The luxury hotel group also advised staying at City Hotel Gouda, which is a stone’s throw away from the Gouwe River in the historic centre.
Belgium: Kortrijk
While in Belgium, why not trade Brussels for Kortrijk? In the Flemish province of West Flanders, the city offers all the allure of a big city with the charm of a village.
Must-sees for visitors include the Broel Towers, constructed from limestone and sandstone in 1385 to control waterway traffic on the Leie River, which connects Kortrijk and Ghent. With the accompaniment of a guide, visitors can visit the inside to learn more about its history.
It’s also not a trip to Belgium without a sprinkle of chocolate. Chocolatier Vandenbulcke has been churning out confectionery since 1949, and with the Chocolate Trail on offer, visitors can get to the sweet centre of the production process: from raw cacao beans to delicious truffles, pralines and biscuits. Naturally, there will be tasting stops along the way, as well as an immersive 4D experience.
For another blast from the past, WorldHotels pick for where to stay is Hotel Damier. Dating as far back as 1398, the 65-key stay is Belgium’s oldest hotel and the third oldest in Europe. Its location is in the famous Great Market Square and is a stone’s throw away from The Exhibition Centre and main railway station.