Forget the usual package holidays. They’re repetitive and they’re going up in cost because of their popularity. Birmingham Airport is an underappreciated airport for its many options, so we’ve put together a list of four interesting getaways that make a change from the usual options.
The spiritual coast of Portugal
A trip that has elements of a physical challenge may daunt you a little if you’re used to poolside cocktails. But the Camino Portugues coastal route is a very pleasant walking holiday that doesn’t involve hiking up mountains or boggy treks. Instead, it’s a well known route that the likes of Orbis Ways can organise for you. You’ll head through phishing villages, historic towns, and eat at authentic local cafes. The journey from Porto, which Birmingham flies to, heads northwards towards Santiago de Compostela. If you complete the trail, you’ll get a certificate!
Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s ancient heart
One of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities is Plovdiv, a fairly low-key but dense city packed with incredible Roman history. It’s ideal for the intellectually curious traveller. Its centrepiece is a stunningly preserved Roman amphitheatre, and this actually still functions as a venue for live performances, so you can catch one of those while you’re there. You’ll get great weather in the shoulder seasons to summer, and layers of Thracian, Roman and Ottoman history. Great food and architecture is everywhere, along with cheap beers and cobbled streets. Unlike many mainstream European destinations, Plovdiv feels undiscovered by comparison (but hurry, because it won’t be for long).
Jerez, Spain’s quieter option
Andalusia is fantastic wherever you go, but we do tend to congregate to just a handful of spots. Instead, bypass the Costa del Sol and fly to Jerez de la Frontera. The city is without a doubt the undisputed global capital of sherry production, so that’s a bonus if you like sherry, but its grand bodegas offer great tours and tastings that get deep into the solera system of ageing. Beyond the vine, Jerez is actually a hub for flamenco; it’s the place to witness the art form in its raw and unfiltered state, a world away from staged tourist shows. The city is also home to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, where the region’s famous dancing horses are trained.
Tallinn, Estonia: a Baltic fairytale
Tallinn is a very interesting option that many overlook. The Baltic’s more broadly fall into this category, of being extremely safe, fast developing, and historic. Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed Old Town and is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval city centres. It’s a self-contained world of Gothic spires and fortified walls. Yet, in and amongst the cobbled streets lies a major European tech hub. You may think that Estonia becoming a world leader in digital governance is irrelevant to a holiday, but it does have its upsides, not least in getting around or should you face any issues. But, it means it’s a forward-looking country with optimistic locals. It’s a place where innovation meets 13th-century Hanseatic trading posts.
Birmingham opens its doors to more corners of Europe than we give it credit for. While it can be scary to use our scarce holiday time for an unknown roll of the dice, we can assure you neither of these four are much of a gamble.
