Heading back to Paris, London or Rome? Here are some spots you might have missed the first time

17.09.2023 - 09:45 / euronews.com

For Europeans, fall in America looks like the stuff of wanderlust, with fiery trees and pumpkin spice lattes à la Gilmore Girls. 

But it's a European autumn that many Americans are eyeing up this year, according to the latest findings from Tripadvisor.

74 per cent of US citizens surveyed report they will travel this season - and international trips are on the rise as post-pandemic travel finally bounces fully back.

“City breaks are most popular with travellers this fall, as familiar favourites in Europe and Mexico continue to shine,” according to Tripadvisor’s report.

Paris, Rome and London were in the top four most popular destinations for Americans this autumn - in good company with Cancún in second spot.

Three-quarters of US travellers plan to return to a destination they’ve visited before, says Tripadvisor, as repeat destinations give travellers a greater sense of security. But tourists are also keen to explore these destinations in more depth.

There are so many layers of history and culture in these cities, you could return time and time again and discover a new street, scent or scene. But if the European capitals of England, Italy and France are on your list, here are some steers to send you slightly off the beaten track.

We’re assuming you’ve covered the basics - gazed up at Big Ben, rotated around the London Eye and felt the shiver of history in the Tower of London.

But there are plenty of more niche attractions to explore. Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn is one unique spot; the architectural treasure chest of a man who once held a party around his newly acquired sarcophagus. There’s also a folding wall - behind which more paintings lie. The windows and coloured glass panes are so beautifully arranged as to give the whole experience a special aura.

For more fantastic lights, head up to God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, north London. This is where neon and lightbulb signs come for a second life as Insta-backdrops. There’s a little cafe inside, and it can’t fail to lift your mood as you kick back with a coffee and bathe in all the neon.

Far down on the other side of town is Crystal Palace Park, an especially great green area for kids, who will love the dinosaur sculptures. Take their dimensions with a pinch of salt however - real Jurassic lessons are best learnt at the Natural History Museum. Not far from Crystal Palace in southeast London is The Horniman Museum, another family-friendly attraction.

Finding a good viewpoint is an essential part of any city trip.

The problem is, everyone else has the same thought (and the same snaps) and it can be a pricey point on the itinerary too. For better value for money, why not climb the Monument to the Great Fire of London - only £5.80 for a thought-provoking