The 3 best destination detours in Europe, according to a travel expert

Some of these places have to be seen to be believed (Picture: Shutterstock / saiko3p)

Whether it’s Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, or Barcelona, we’ve all been guilty of hitting the big sights and skipping the rest.

Granted, if you’ve only got a few days to soak up a city, you’d be forgiven for curating an itinerary that doesn’t leave the centre.

But as overtourism continues to overwhelm popular destinations, degrade environments, and price out residents, travel experts have a suggestion: take a detour.

Helana Jackson, a flight attendant turned travel influencer, has built a loyal following by sharing tips on hidden gems and adventurous locations.

One of her favourite things to do once she’s explored a city is to hire a car and go off the beaten path.

‘Unplanned stops are some of the best parts of a trip,’ says Helana.

‘Not only does it help spread out tourism, but you end up finding places you’d never heard of, or didn’t expect, and can sometimes discover your new favourite part of the world.’

Here, Helana shares her favourite detours with Metro, from an Italian lake that ‘doesn’t look real’ to an Alpine town straight from a storybook.

Detour from the Dolomites: Lake Molveno

Thanks to the recent craze for ‘coolcations’, everyone and their nan is heading to the Dolomites, and we don’t blame them.

The Northern Italian mountain range is a postcard of craggy peaks, verdant valleys and glistening lakes.

The Dolomites in summer (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The region is home to world-class outdoor sports, from hiking, rock climbing, and cycling to skiing and snowboarding in winter.

It also happens to be one of Helana’s favourite destinations. Especially after finding Lake Molveno on her most recent trip.

‘It was our last day in the Dolomites, and we weren’t flying from Milan until the evening, so I decided to see where we could go on the way to the airport.’

After looking at the map, she came across Lake Molveno in Trentino, a province nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps between Lake Garda and the Dolomites.

‘It was more of a detour than normal, taking us on a scenic drive rather than the toll roads back to Milan. But having loads of time to spare, we thought it only made sense to check it out.’

When she got there, Helana was lost for words.

‘It was so pretty everywhere you looked. There were lovely restaurants and buildings surrounding the lake, and people were on boats, swimming and paddleboarding.

‘You can also relax on the pebbly shore, or lounge on the grassy lawns.’

For hikers and adventurers, Helana says the ‘lake loop’ is a non-negotiable. It’s an easy, circular walk or cycle around the lake, on designated shoreline paths.

Or, catch panoramic views from above on the Molveno-Pradel Cableway up to the Pradel Plateau.

Detour from Salzburg: Berchtesgaden

If you’ve been to Austria, chances are you probably went to Salzburg.

Aside from the capital Vienna, it’s one of the country’s most popular cities, welcoming around three million tourists each year.

Once you’ve explored Salzburg, there are plenty of other fairytale places to visit (Picture: Shutterstock / Daniel Chetroni)

For good reason, too. Set against the Alps, it’s famous as Mozart’s birthplace and the backdrop for The Sound of Music.

And judging by the stunning scenery, Helana knew there was likely to be a hidden gem close by.

‘When I checked Google Maps to search what was around, I didn’t realise how close we were to the German border,’ she says.

‘I zoomed in on a place called Berchtesgaden, a historic alpine town in Bavaria known for its dramatic mountain scenery, Lake Königssee, and the Eagle’s Nest’ — Adolf Hitler’s mountain-top retreat, which is now the site of a restaurant with views.

‘Berchtesgaden is just a 30-minute drive from Salzburg, so I decided to take a day trip,’ says Helana.

‘It was amazing, and the views were insane. My favourite part was Königssee Lake, a stunning emerald green lake surrounded by mountains.’

Helana says you can take a wooden boat out and sail to the other side, gliding past steep rock walls to reach the red-domed St. Bartholomä church.

As for the town of Berchtesgaden, it’s just as fairytale-like as you’d imagine.

Königssee Lake has some of the clearest waters Helana has seen (Picture: Shutterstock / Mojolo)

‘We sat in a local cafe and looked at the old alpine buildings before hiking to a mountain hut for some food. Talk about lunch with a view.’

The wider area of Berchtesgaden is also the only alpine National Park, with over 260km of hiking trails.

Detour from Hallstatt: Gosausee

OK, so it’s Austria again. But, Helana wants you to hear her out.

After exploring Hallstatt in Upper Austria — which the influencer would recommend to everyone for its postcard-perfect pastel houses and dreamy lakeside setting — she discovered Gosausee.

‘The area is a cluster of alpine lakes in the Salzkammergut region, about a 30-minute drive from Hallstatt.’

Parts of Salzkammergut also have UNESCO status, recognised for its alpine scenery and salt-mining history, which dates back to prehistoric times.

When Helana visited Gosausee, she was greeted by crystal-clear turquoise alpine water (apparently so clean it’s safe to drink) and unparalleled views of the Dachstein glacier mountains.

‘It has to be seen to be believed.’

Time stands still in Gosausee (Picture: Helana Jackson)

Gosausee is also a nature reserve, and in the summer it’s perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or renting boats.

Helana says you can also take the Gosaukammbahn cable car up to the Zwieselalm ski resort, which doubles as one of the most beautiful hiking areas in the Salzkammergut.

There are walking routes for all abilities, too. For example, the flat, 2.7-mile trail around the front Vorderer Gosausee lake takes roughly an hour and is ideal for those looking for a low-effort route without compromising on views.

Hardcore hikers can attempt the Hinterer Gosausee rear lake walk, which features mountainous terrain and traditional alpine huts.

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