4 fascinating European destinations that are cheap for Singaporeans to visit

Recently, a friend of mine confided that his wife, whom he married last year, is insisting they go on a grand tour of Europe before she will agree to have kids.

Now he's imagining the worst and gearing up for a huge spending spree that will involve him trailing behind his wife as she darts in and out of Chanel and Prada in between sightseeing at the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum.

But seriously folks, while cites like London and Paris are notoriously expensive, there are lots of places in Europe that are seriously cheap.

If you can find cheap tickets to go there (and with aggregators like Kayak it's almost always possible to find flights well under $1,000), you'll be pleasantly surprised that you can stay in decent accommodation for the equivalent of $10 or $20 a night. Here are our top picks.

1. Poland

Photo: Pixabay

When Singaporeans think of Poland, images of concentration camps in knee-deep snow come to mind.

Well, Poland isn't just a destination for WWII addicts or history buffs.

It's also a country of immense natural beauty, gorgeous architecture and great museums… which sounds suspiciously like France minus the Eiffel Tower (which is overrated anyway) and without the hefty pricetag.

Accommodation: A nice Airbnb rental in the capital Warsaw accommodating 2 people can be had for as little as 25 to 30 SGD per night. This room is 25 SGD a night, while this entire apartment is 31 SGD a night. Both are smack in the city centre.

Food: According to numbeo.com, the average price of a meal in an expensive restaurant in Warsaw is 22 zlotys (3.70 SGD), while a McDonald's combo meal is 17 zlotys (5.90 SGD). In smaller cities, you pay even less.

2. Czech Republic

Photo: Pixabay

Prague has gained a legendary reputation amongst Singaporeans as a place that looks like it belongs on the pages of a children's fairytale.

Most visit Prague on a whirlwind tour of Europe and end up spending only a day or two there before they're whisked off to other destinations.

That's a pity, because the Czech Republic has a rich and fascinating history, and enough UNESCO World Heritage Sites to keep you busy. Beer is also ridiculously cheap, with a pint costing about 35 koruna (1.97 SGD).

Accomodation: You can get Airbnb accommodation for two in a central location in Prague for as little as 25 SGD to 35 SGD. This room can accommodate up to three people and costs only 35 SGD a night, while this one in a beautiful 19th century building accommodates two for 34 SGD a night.

Food: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant should set you back around 120 koruna (6.80 SGD), while a McDonald's meal costs about 125 koruna (7 SGD). We're not even counting the cost of street food or takeaway, which costs less.

3. Croatia

Photo: Pixabay

While we're pretty sure there are some Singaporeans who think Croatia is a kind of pastry, most avid travellers know it exists on the "cheap side" of Europe.

Dubrovnik consistently makes it to lists of the world's most beautiful cities, with its signature orange roofs, and the country is also famous for its stunning coastline. Not to mention it's become quite the hotspot for Game of Thrones fans as well.

Accommodation: While all the destinations on this list are cheap, Dubrovnik offers the best value in terms of the sheer beauty of the views you can get from your Airbnb apartment. This entire two-bedroom apartment which accommodates up to 4 people is available for 31 SGD a night, offers a jaw-dropping view of the sea and is within walking distance of the beach and the city centre. This entire apartment accommodating up to 4 people costs 31 SGD a night and is located right in the centre of the Old Town.

Food: A meal in an inexpensive restaurant will set you back 70 kuna (14.30 SGD) while a combo meal at McDonald's costs 40 kuna (8.10 SGD)

4. Portugal

Photo: Pixabay

Looking for a Mediterranean holiday where you can soak up the sun, stuff your face with seafood and enjoy some exuberant Latin culture?

Skip Italy, Greece or Spain and head to Portugal, which is incredibly inexpensive to visit.

Accommodation: This room in the centre of Lisbon accommodates two guests and costs just 20 SGD a night. And amazingly enough, this entire apartment in the city centre, complete with spacious bedroom and a hammock on the patio, costs only 15 SGD a night and accommodates two.

Food: A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs about 8 euro (12.20 SGD). Meanwhile, a McDonald's meal costs 5.50 euro (8.40 SGD), though we don't think you'll be needing that since Portuguese food is mad delicious.

The article first appeared on MoneySmart.

MoneySmart.sg is Singapore's leading personal finance portal, and aims to help people maximise their money with powerful tools and engaging content.

Source: 4 fascinating European destinations that are cheap for Singaporeans to visit

5 European hotspots for a glorious suntan without burning your pocket

There is nothing better than savouring a prolonged summer at a European beach. Is there? So why not stretch out the season with some early fall sun? At this time of year, water temperatures are ideal for dips in the sea and you can avoid the crowds and prices of high season.

Here, we bring you a curated list of our favourite five European destinations for easy reference:

Crete, Greece

A white and blue church on the Greek island of Crete. (Istock)

After the summer crowds have headed home, this stunning Greek island winds down until low season starts at the end of October. Crete is one of the most southerly destinations in Europe, offering ideal water temperatures for a dip in the Med, between 23 and 25°C.

It's a good idea to rent a car to explore the island, which quietens down when families head back to work or school. Trundle the quiet roads to discover Heraklion's wineries, Greek ruins, Orthodox monasteries and stunning steep gorges. For travelers on tighter budgets, low season runs from November to March.

Malta

The port at Valetta, Malta's capital city. (Istock)

Southern Europe is obviously the most promising corner of the continent for sunshine and pleasant water temperatures. Malta is an ideal choice for travelers hoping to match cultural visits with swims in the sea, with temperatures between 25 and 27°C in October and staying above 20° in November.

Just watch out for the wind, which can soon cool a fall getaway. Visitors to the smallest country in Europe can enjoy rugged excursions to the Island of Gozo, while history enthusiasts will enjoy time in Valetta, Mdina and the hypogeum of Hal Saflieni in the small town of Paola.

Sardinia, Italy

Spiaggia del Principe on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia. (Istock)

This Italian island is another Mediterranean option for fall getaways. Swimmers can enjoy water temperatures around 20°C until the end of October. If that's still on the chilly side, just lie back and enjoy Sardinia's beaches, some of the most beautiful in Europe.

Sardinia is a new alternative for travellers looking for wild landscapes, making it a popular choice for vacationers at the moment. The cost of visiting could put off many travellers during the summer months. However, the late summer/fall season is a great time to sample Sardinian cuisine in relative peace while exploring the coastline, down to the Golfo di Orosei, for example.

More athletic visitors can head to Gola Su Gorropu, often billed as 'Europe's Grand Canyon.' It's better to visit inland landscapes in the spring when vegetation is in bloom.

Puglia, Italy

Polignano a Mare, in Puglia, Southern Italy (Istock)

Bordering the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, the Puglia region (also called Apulia) still offers plenty of sunshine hours in fall as temperatures drop to pleasant levels after the stifling heat of July and August.

A trip to the region wouldn't be complete without visiting the historic vineyards of Polignano a Mare, Lecce, Vieste and Bari. Walking is often on the agenda, which makes the drop in temperature particularly welcome, and there are plenty of beaches to discover. Try visiting wineries and olive groves during the harvest for an authentic Italian escapade.

Faro and The Algarve, Portugal

Castelejo and Cordoama beaches on the Vicentine coast, Portugal. (Istock)

Travellers can be put off visiting the Algarve in summer due to the tourist hordes. The Portuguese region is a popular haunt for vacationers in July and August, but it's also a good option for fall getaways.

The sea will be cool on the Atlantic coast, such as at Cascais, the closest beach to Lisbon. Bathers will find the least bracing waters in the Gulf of Cadiz. In September and October, travelers can enjoy temperatures that stay above 25°C.

Walkers can take in stunning scenery inland while the magnificent beaches on the coast are ideal for relaxation. Head to the Vicentine Coast between Odeceixe and Burgau.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.

Source: 5 European hotspots for a glorious suntan without burning your pocket

The Average Cost of Different Transportation Methods in Popular European Destinations

It's fairly easy to travel between most European countries, and you typically have a few options for transportation: plane, train, or bus. GoEuro's Transport Price Index shows you the average price of each mode of transportation for 40 countries in Europe.

GoEuro is a booking site for transportation in Europe, and in their recent index, they analyzed prices for millions of tickets sold on their website in the past year. They compiled their findings on an interactive chart that compares the average price per 100 kilometers for each mode of transportation, depending on the country.

As Travel + Leisure points out, there were three countries where flying was actually cheaper than taking a train—Switzerland ($33 vs. $42), France ($17 vs. $20), and Spain ($13 vs. $15). In Portugal, the average cost of a flight per 100 kilometers was the same as the average for taking a train—nine bucks.

Bus prices are generally cheaper, of course, but that's not always the case. In Finland, the average bus price was about $15 per 100 kilometers, compared to $9 for the train. Here are some additional comparisons below, but be sure to check out GoEuro's full chart at the link below for the full list of countries.

Country

Average Price for Flights (Euros)

Average Price for Trains (Euros)

Average Price for Buses (Euros)

Greece

22.63

7.02

7.74

Germany

18.31

12.9

5.33

Italy

14.84

12.28

5.7

Sweden

13.05

5

5.41

Portugal

8.01

8.13

6.2

Denmark

54.72

15.9

11.93

Transport Price Index 2016 | GoEuro via Travel + Leisure

Photo by pidoubleg

Source: The Average Cost of Different Transportation Methods in Popular European Destinations

Saving Refugees to Save Europe

NEW YORK – The refugee crisis in Europe was already pushing the European Union toward disintegration when, on June 23, it helped drive the British to vote to Brexit the EU. The refugee crisis and the Brexit calamity that it spawned have reinforced xenophobic, nationalist movements that will seek to win a series of upcoming votes– including national elections in France, the Netherlands, and Germany in 2017, a referendum in Hungary on the EU refugee policy on October 2, and a rerun of the Austrian presidential election on the same day.

Rather than uniting to resist this threat, EU member states have become increasingly unwilling to cooperate with one another. They pursue self-serving, beggar-thy-neighbor migration policies – such as building border fences – that further fragment the Union, seriously damage member states, and subvert global human-rights standards.

Hugo Drochon poses the question that Europe and the world can no longer avoid, and examines how Joschka Fischer, Otmar Issing, Anne-Marie Slaughter, and others address it.

The current piecemeal response to the refugee crisis, culminating in the agreement reached earlier this year between the EU and Turkey to stem the flow of refugees from the Eastern Mediterranean, suffers from four fundamental flaws. First, it is not truly European; the agreement with Turkey was negotiated and imposed on Europe by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Second, it is severely underfunded. Third, it has transformed Greece into a de facto holding pen with inadequate facilities.

Most important, the response is not voluntary. The EU is trying to impose quotas that many member states strenuously oppose, forcing refugees to take up residence in countries where they are not welcome and do not want to go, and returning to Turkey others who reached Europe by irregular means.

This is unfortunate, because the EU cannot survive without a comprehensive asylum and migration policy. The current crisis is not a one-off event; it augurs a period of higher migration pressures for the foreseeable future, due to a variety of causes. These include demographic shortfalls in Europe and a population explosion in Africa; seemingly eternal political and military conflicts in the broader region; and climate change.

The agreement with Turkey was problematic from its inception. The very premise of the deal – that asylum-seekers can legally be returned to Turkey – is fundamentally flawed. Turkey is not a "safe third country" for most Syrian asylum-seekers, especially since the failed coup in July.

What would a comprehensive approach look like? Whatever its final form, it would be built on seven pillars.

First, the EU must take in a substantial number of refugees directly from front-line countries in a secure and orderly manner. This would be far more acceptable to the public than the current disorder. If the EU made a commitment to admit even a mere 300,000 refugees annually, most genuine asylum-seekers would view their odds of reaching their destination as good enough to deter them from seeking to reach Europe illegally – an effort that would disqualify them from legal admission.

Second, the EU must regain control of its borders. There is little that alienates and scares publics more than scenes of chaos.

Third, the EU needs to find sufficient funds to finance a comprehensive migration policy. It is estimated that at least €30 billion per year will be needed for a number of years, and the benefits of "surge funding" (spending a large amount of money up front, rather than the same amount over several years) are enormous.

Fourth, the EU must build common mechanisms for protecting borders, determining asylum claims, and relocating refugees. A single European asylum process would remove the incentives for asylum shopping and rebuild trust among member states.

Fifth, a voluntary matching mechanism for relocating refugees is needed. The EU cannot coerce member states to accept refugees they do not want, or refugees to go where they are not wanted. A scheme like the one used by Canada could elicit and match the preferences of both refugees and receiving communities.

Sixth, the EU must offer far greater support to countries that host refugees, and it must be more generous in its approach to Africa. Instead of using development funds to serve its own needs, the EU should offer a genuine grand bargain focused on the needs of recipient countries. This means creating jobs in refugees' home countries, which would reduce the pressure to migrate to Europe.

The final pillar is the eventual creation of a welcoming environment for economic migrants. Given Europe's aging population, the benefits migration brings far outweigh the costs of integrating immigrants. All the evidence supports the conclusion that migrants can contribute significantly to innovation and development if they are given a chance to do so.

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Pursuing these seven principles, described in greater deal elsewhere, is essential in order to calm public fears, reduce chaotic flows of asylum-seekers, ensure that newcomers are fully integrated, establish mutually beneficial relations with countries in the Middle East and Africa, and meet Europe's international humanitarian obligations.

The refugee crisis is not the only crisis Europe has to face, but it is the most pressing. And if significant progress could be made on the refugee issue, it would make the other issues – from the continuing Greek debt crisis to the fallout from Brexit to the challenge posed by Russia – easier to tackle. All the pieces need to fit together, and the chances of success remain slim. But as long as there is a strategy that might succeed, everyone who wants the EU to survive should rally behind it.

Source: Saving Refugees to Save Europe

William Shatner and George Takei headline a growing roster at Destination Star Trek Europe

With only one month to go until Destination Star Trek Europe lands at Birmingham's NEC this October, the list of guests and exhibits continues to grow with new additions clambering to join.

William Shatner, George Takei and Will Wheaton are to headline the guest list of this year's official Star Trek convention.

With only one month to go until Destination Star Trek Europe lands at Birmingham's NEC this October, the list of guests and exhibits continues to grow with new additions clambering to join.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the iconic sci-fi franchise, Europe's largest Star Trek convention will welcome the likes of Christopher Lloyd and Robert Duncan McNeill as well as the addition of three talk stages, a bridge photo shoot and an autograph area.

Shatner's World will see the former Captain take to the stage on Saturday night to perform his hit, one man Broadway show for the first time in the UK.

Attendees will be encouraged to don their best Starfleet uniform for the Federation Ball, while Saturday sees the Official Destination Star trek Europe 50th Birthday Party kick off, celebrating all that is Star Trek.

Mark Woollard, director of Massive Events, the team behind the exhibition, said: "With this being a very special year for both Star Trek and its fans, Destination Star Trek Europe looks set to be the place where enthusiasts old and new can come together to celebrate the franchise and its wonderful legacy.

"Of course, it wouldn't be a birthday without one or two surprises – we are boldly going where no one's gone before, so keep an eye out for some big announcements as we get close to the show."

Destination Star Trek Europe  will take place at Birmingham NEC from October 7th to 9th this year.

Source: William Shatner and George Takei headline a growing roster at Destination Star Trek Europe

Romania a Destination Worth Visiting

Romania is a destination worth visiting for its treasures. According to Famous Wonders, it is an East European country where nature combines harmoniously with history and religion, creating beautiful landscapes with some unique landmarks.

Romania is considered to be a country of contrast as some cities present a look inspired by the Western Europe, while the villages have an ancient air. According to Wall-Street, in the first half of 2016, almost 4.5 million tourists from all over the world visited the land from the north of the Balkan Peninsula. The foreign visitors were mostly from Germany, Italy, Israel, England, France and the United States. The country appeals to the tourists because of its natural beauties, the medieval fortresses, castles and monasteries, and some unique landmarks.

Natural Treasures

Romania is a country covered with beautiful natural gifts. Situated all over the Eastern European state, they come in every landform making the country a destination worth visiting.

Babele (meaning "the old women") and the Sphinx are rock formations in the area of the Bucegi Mountains. They are one of the most popular destinations in Romania for their appearance and position which offers a spectacular view over the area.

The Bigar Waterfall, located in the Anina Mountains, is one of the most beautiful natural treasures of Romania. The cliff, from which the water falls, is covered with moss and situated over a cave, creating a rare view. Moreover, according to Places to See in Your Lifetime, the cascade has been voted "the most unique waterfall in the world."

The Berca Mud Volcanoes are a mixed reservation. The geological and botanical reservation consists of small volcano structures caused by the eruption of mud and natural gasses. In Europe, the only other places the phenomenon occurs is in Russia, Ukraine, and Italy.

The Danube Delta is the second largest of its kind, in Europe. This territory is listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The area has lagoons and is navigable. The delta offers beautiful landscapes of authentic flora and fauna.

Transfagarasan and Transalpina are two of the highest paved roads in the Carpathian Mountains. They are well-known worldwide for beautiful views that surround the paths. Also, in 2009, the "Top Gear" host, Jeremy Clarkson declared Transfagarasan "the best road in the world." They both can be crossed by car in the summer months.

Medieval Castles and Citadels

During its 2,000-year history Romania, first known as Dacia, was the theater of many military operations. As a result, the country is rich with castles and fortresses, ruins of the medieval citadels and remains of the historical events that marked it.

Sarmizegetusa Regia was the primary military, religious and political center of Dacia. It contained a citadel and some residential areas. Currently, the Hunedoara fortress consists of the ruins of Dacian temples. UNESCO recognized this historical monument that attracts tourists enchanted by ancient facts.

The Bran Castle, built in the 14th century, is a primary tourist attraction, due to its association with Bram Stoker's "Dracula." In the 1920s, the fort was a royal residence. It was Queen Marie's favorite home. As a result, it is now a museum filled with art and furniture, once owned by Romanian royalty.

There are plenty of medieval fortresses and castles across Romania. Each of them has an interesting story. Some other examples are Bánffy Castle, Sighisoara Citadel, Corvin Castle, Rasnov Citadel, Savarsin Castle, and Tropaeum Traiani Citadel.

Monasteries

The painted monasteries in the northern part of Romania are architectural treasures that amaze through their colors: blue for Voronet, green and red for Sucevita, yellow for Moldovita. According to Romanian Monasteries, the royalty and high nobles founded the churches as family burial places. However, the interpretation of each painter that worked on the monuments gives them uniqueness.

The monastery of Putna is one of the most important places of worship in Romania. Stephen the Great built it during its reign, along with 43 other churches, one for each battle that he won. Situated on high forested hills and surrounded by wild landscapes, the Putna Monastery is a silent oasis.

The Curtea de Arges Monastery resembles an elaborate mausoleum, built in the Byzantine style. It is a highly important religious monument where both Queen Marie and Queen Anne of Romania are buried. Moreover, there is a legend about the cathedral of Curtea de Arges. The legend states the master who built it, sacrificed his wife and placed her in the foundation. He did this to stop the curse that destroyed the monastery's walls during the night.

The Barsana Monastery is the tallest wooden building in Europe, according to Best of Romania. It is one of the most beautiful wooden churches found on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is situated in a generous landscape. The monastery is a resource of calmness and peace for every visitor.

Unique Landmarks

Besides the natural, historical and religious monuments that Romania is gifted to hold, there are some other unique landmarks. They contribute to the establishment of the East European country as a destination worth visiting.

The Turda Salt Mine, located in Cluj County, is a museum about salt mining. Besides its health benefits, the mine is a place where visitors can see salt sculptures, play mini golf, table tennis, bowl, play billiards, soccer, or enjoy a boat ride.

The National Museum of the Romanian Peasant holds the most significant collection of objects and artifacts of the early peasants. According to the Council of Europe, the gallery is one of the best museums of popular arts and traditions on the continent. Moreover, in 1996, the exhibit, situated in Bucharest, obtained the title of the European Museum of the Year.

Strada Sforii (meaning the String Street) is one of the narrowest streets in Europe. Located in Brasov, the road is 260 feet long, while its width varies between 44 and 53 inches. It is a famous tourist attraction due to its unusual appearance.

The Palace of Parliament is the second largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon in the U.S. It is home to the Parliament of Romania. It is the world's largest civilian building with an administrative function. Previously called, the People's House, the building includes three museums. It is an architectural monument, estimated at $3,4 billion, that attracts a large number of visitors every year.

The Merry Cemetery is an open-air museum located in Sapanta. The burial place is famous for the colorful tombstones painted with traditional images and poetic sayings. Every stone describes the person who is buried underneath in a sarcastic manner.

Romania is a destination worth visiting and its natural and historical heritage proves it. Also, the East European country has a lot of other attractions. Some unique landmarks and fortified churches, as well as monasteries that contribute to making Romania an historical destination.

By Bianca-Ramona DumitruEdited by Jeanette Smith

Sources:

Best of Romania: Barsana Monastery (UNESCO)Covinnus: Top 10 Tourist Attractions in RomaniaExplorra: Top 10 Places to See in RomaniaFamousWonders: RomaniaPlaces to See in Your Lifetime: The Most Unique Bigar Waterfall in Nature Reserve, RomaniaRomanianMonasteries: Travel to BucovinaWall-Street:  Numarul de turisti in Romania a crescut in iunie cu 8,1%, insa piata a fost sustinuta de romaniWorld Record Academy: WORLD RECORDS

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of grațiela dumitrică's Flickr Page – Creative Commons LicenseFirst Inline Image Courtesy of JC Kole's Flickr Page – Creative Commons LicenseSecond Inline Image Courtesy of Bianca Dumitru – Used With PermissionThird Inline Image Courtesy of Septermber Divine's Flickr Page – Creative Commons LicenseFourth Inline Image Courtesy of CameliaTWU's Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

  Europe, romania, spot, travel, visit

Source: Romania a Destination Worth Visiting

Where is safe? Travelers seek safe havens

In the months since the November terrorist attack in Paris and the March bombing of the Brussels airport, Americans did something that may seem counterintuitive. They went to Europe more, with travelers up 5 percent in April, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Travel & Tourism Office.

Most of those trips were probably booked well in advance, and these numbers predate the June terrorist bombing in Istanbul and the Bastille Day attack in Nice, France. But airline data, tourism statistics and the reports of travel agencies and tour operators show international travel is alive and well though it may be shifting to countries like Spain and Ireland as well as farther-flung destinations, even as travel to closer-to-home destinations like Canada and the national parks surges.

"It's not a great year to have France as your No. 1 destination," said Norman Howe, president and chief executive of the high-end tour operator Butterfield & Robinson. This year, Italy has supplanted France, where the company's business is down 10 to 15 percent. "These days we're not falling off a cliff, but there's a cumulative effect."

One place that has benefited among Butterfield & Robinson's clients is North America, where business has doubled. Trips have surged to Newfoundland, Quebec and British Columbia. "Canada's a triple whammy," Howe said, citing its popular new prime minister, the favorable exchange rate and its reputation as safe.

At Abercrombie & Kent, Europe still did well this summer, especially Italy and Spain. "We've seen very, very few cancellations in areas specifically impacted by terrorism issues in Europe," said Keith Baron, a senior vice president. "We have seen a slowdown in new business to those areas."

Closer to home

It's hard to pin terrorism fears to the spike in interest in America's national parks, especially given their widely publicized centennial celebration this year, but traffic has jumped for several operators, including Austin Adventures.

"As we talk to guests, many who have families, they are not giving up on Europe, but are just looking closer to home for now," wrote owner Dan Austin in an e-mail. "Europe was the only region where we saw a dip in bookings. Everything else across the board was up, with domestic travel seeing the biggest increase. For us, domestic travel definitely picked up the Europe fallout."

Bookings at Ovation Vacations, a New York agency that specializes in luxury travel, went to Italy, Spain and Greece, while its France business fell by 43 percent. Still, the biggest gains were domestic.

"In my market, our people are going to travel," said Jack S. Ezon, president of Ovation Vacations. "They may just change where they're going this year. They said, 'All right, I can always go back to Paris. Why go this year? This year, let's explore something new.' For so many of them, new and exotic became the Grand Canyon. Some have been to Luang Prabang or the Irrawaddy River and the Mekong, but they've never been to Arizona."

Airlines have done their part to stimulate European travel by dropping prices. The airfare prediction app Hopper found that this August, relative to August 2015, airfares dropped the most to Europe, by 22.5 percent, compared with other regions, including domestic.

"We've seen incredible discounting to Europe over this last summer, and we're still seeing traffic being weak," said Patrick Surry, chief data scientist with Hopper. He said that European searches were down by nearly a quarter over last year, with Mexico, Central America and United States destinations picking up that slack.

Alternatives abroad

Still, Europe has bright spots in places like Spain and Ireland. In the first half of the year, the online travel planner Expedia found its air traffic rise 20 percent to Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, and 33 percent to Dublin.

Tourism Ireland said its year-to-date traffic from North America was up 18 percent in the first five months of the year. The Tourist Office of Spain showed an increase of international visitors in June, up 12.7 percent over June 2015. For the first six months of 2016, Americans accounted for nearly 900,000 visitors to Spain, an increase of almost 8 percent.

"In every crisis there's an opportunity," said Ezon, who has sent many clients to Spain — Ibiza, Majorca, Andalusia and the Basque region. "The iconic cities in general — London, Paris and Rome — are down. People are drawn to secondary cities for safety concerns."

Nonetheless, the Virtuoso network of luxury travel agencies found that eight of its top 10 vacation destinations this summer were in Europe, including France at No. 3. The biggest gainers in terms of year-over-year bookings were Tanzania (98 percent), Portugal (88 percent) and Ireland (58 percent).

Scandinavian traffic has picked up with some operators.

"The overall trend of interest in the northern realms — Norway, Iceland and our Northern Lights trips — is continuing and may be a result of fears of terrorism or simply a discovery of these fantastic destinations," wrote Barbara Banks of Wilderness Travel in an e-mail.

"Iceland is hot," Ezon said. "It's again perceived as safe by a lot of people because it's so off the radar screen."

Long-haul air traffic to Asia has been slowly growing over the last few years. In South America, Metropolitan Touring, a major operator in the Galápagos Islands, reported strong growth among North Americans, up 11 percent.

"We say that it's close, tolerant and safe," said Tamara de Karolys of Metropolitan. "Most of the time we're in the same time zone and have the same currency. It's a nature-based bucket list destination. We have an opportunity here."

More exotic destinations like Africa and Vietnam have also gained at Butterfield & Robinson. "There are no lack of challenges in these other places, but they don't have that specific one," Howe said. "The anti-terror component makes other issues seem small."

Source: Where is safe? Travelers seek safe havens