Americans Can Now Fly Nonstop To 5 Of The Safest Undiscovered European Cities
Booking a summer season journey to Europe normally appears like selecting between two horrible choices. You both fly direct into a large, overcrowded vacationer entice like Paris or Rome, otherwise you spend 18 hours navigating a brutal maze of layovers and terrifying commuter flights simply to discover a quiet seashore.
Starting my journey days flying out of Louisville, I’m totally conscious of how exhausting normal layovers will be. Finding a very off-grid, protected European escape that truly has a direct flight from the U.S. is the last word dream.
Well, the airways lastly listened. For the summer season of 2026, U.S. carriers like Delta and United have shaken up their route maps.
If you’re able to commerce the packed tour buses for uncooked authenticity, listed here are 5 of the most secure, most underrated European cities you may lastly attain on a single, nonstop flight.
1. Olbia, Italy
Most Americans heading to Italy fully overlook the island of Sardinia, which is a large mistake.
Olbia sits on the island’s northeast coast and is the last word gateway to the Costa Smeralda—a stretch of shoreline with among the most insanely blue water within the Mediterranean.
- The Vibe: It is impossibly beautiful, closely targeted on sluggish meals, and miles away from the chaos of the mainland.
- The Ground Experience: Because it’s an island, the crime fee is extremely low. You spend your days exploring historic stone ruins, ingesting native wine, and lounging on pristine seashores with out having to consistently watch your again for pickpockets.
- Getting There: Delta made historical past this 12 months by launching the very first scheduled nonstop flight from the U.S. to Sardinia. You can hop on a aircraft at New York’s JFK and land immediately in Olbia simply in time for a morning espresso.
2. Nuuk, Greenland
With European heatwaves getting worse yearly, reserving a “coolcation” is the last word journey flex proper now. Nuuk is the capital of Greenland, and it’s arguably one of the vital beautiful, distant outposts on the planet.
- The Vibe: Forget packed seashores; that is all about large fjords, Arctic wildlife, and jaw-dropping nature. It is extremely quiet and fully unspoiled.
- The Ground Experience: Greenland is so remoted and sparsely populated that crime is nearly nonexistent. You can hike the backcountry or take a ship tour by way of the icebergs with complete peace of thoughts.
- Getting There: Previously, getting right here was a complete nightmare of connecting flights by way of Iceland or Denmark. Now, United Airlines is working direct, nonstop flights straight from Newark (EWR) to Nuuk.
3. Bari, Italy
If you need the basic Italian coastal expertise with out preventing for strolling house on the Amalfi Coast, it’s important to head all the way down to the “heel” of Italy’s boot. Bari is the capital of the Puglia area, and it’s an absolute dream.
- The Vibe: This is genuine southern Italy at its best. It is all about historic port cities, unbelievable historic structure, and among the finest olive oil and pasta you’ll ever eat in your life.
- The Ground Experience: The streets of Bari are extremely protected and welcoming. It is the proper house base to lease a automobile and safely discover close by coastal gems like Polignano a Mare.
- Getting There: United simply opened a brand-new, direct route from Newark (EWR) proper into Bari, fully eliminating the necessity to join by way of Rome or Milan.
4. Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Tucked away within the lush, inexperienced area of Galicia in northwestern Spain, this metropolis is the legendary ultimate cease of the large Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
- The Vibe: Because 1000’s of individuals stroll throughout the nation to achieve this actual spot yearly, all the metropolis is engineered round welcoming vacationers. The historic stone structure is jaw-dropping, and the native tapas tradition is elite.
- The Ground Experience: This is hands-down one of many most secure cities in Europe. The streets are consistently stuffed with exhausted, glad walkers, making it an extremely safe spot for solo vacationers to wander round at evening.
- Getting There: United Airlines added Santiago de Compostela to its summer season schedule, working nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) so you may skip the insanity of the Madrid and Barcelona airports.
5. Split, Croatia
Everyone desires to see the Croatian coast, however Dubrovnik is getting fully crushed by large cruise ships.
Split presents the proper different. It is a beautiful coastal metropolis anchored by Diocletian’s Palace, an precise Roman palace that kinds the guts of the outdated city.
- The Vibe: You get the proper mixture of historic Roman historical past and fashionable Mediterranean seashore tradition. It can also be the last word jumping-off level to catch fast ferries to unbelievable islands like Hvar and Brač.
- The Ground Experience: Croatia constantly ranks as one of many most secure nations on the earth. You can comfortably stroll the polished stone streets of Split late at evening after grabbing a recent seafood dinner.
- Getting There: United is now working direct flights from Newark (EWR) straight into Split, making it simpler than ever to achieve the pristine waters of the Dalmatian Coast.
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