No other age group spends more on travel than Millennials.    When it comes to European excursions affluent millennials have

their Go-To destinations – Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam.  This month I want to introduce you to three unique, off-the-beaten-trail

European destinations for the ITK hipster Millennial.  These are destinations that are quickly becoming hot spots offering a combination

of exciting nightlife, local charm, style, as well as art and culture.   The big Euro cities are so yesterday…here are a few locations where

the new hipster Millennial looks to be seen.

 

 

Lisbon Portugual

Cuisine, Culture, Charm – Lisbon has it all.  Lisbon is abound with history and classic architecture.   Every quaint cobblestone street appears

to have been painted by Thomas Kinkade.   The city is home to over 500,000 residents with tourism reaching nearly 4.5 million annually.

After soaking in all the charm and culture during the day, when night falls it’s time to dress up and unleash your wild side as the Lisbon

nightlife comes alive.      The Bairro Alto district is Instagram-worthy, and without doubt one of the top late-night hangouts for the cool

kids looking to dance and mingle.   The quirky and sheik Bairro Alto is home to more than 100 distinct bars and unique restaurants.

 

There’s more to Lisbon than just fun, sun and nightlife that makes this cultural paradise so alluring to millennials.  Today’s young adults

prefer blending fun with historical beauty and culture.   Integrating culture into a trip is standard protocol these days, it’s the spiritual

reward.  One of the cultural components of Lisbon that makes it unique are its Fado houses where you can taste the traditional Portuguese

cuisine and enjoy the local beverages while listening to traditional music.    For most it’s the people that make the Lisbon experience special.

Countless stories of the locals providing tourist assistance, always with a warm smile.

 

Seville, Spain

Millennial travelers who love to dance, sing and party are quite familiar with the streets of Seville, a region where flamenco dancing is

integrated into mainstream culture.  Seville is a historic and seductive city where baroque churches and winding medieval streets are a

backdrop to stylish clubs with everyone dancing the sexy and passionate flamenco.   OK, I’m stretching it a bit, but you get the idea.

A historic, traditional intimate setting – almost Hollywood backlot perfect – the smell of food in the air, cocktails flowing, and people of all

ages having a great time.

 

Like many European towns, late dining (9PM) in Seville is the norm, and some clubs stay open until 7AM.    Seville may not have the party

distinction as Ibiza and Barcelona, but for those millennials looking to blend culture, adventure and a unique party night life, this flamenco-inspired

town is right up your “callejon”.   Seville has numerous types of bars from live music, to stylish clubs to cozy pub houses.  A popular hip hangout

is El Arenal.   This area is quite trendy with all its cocktail bars and archetypal tapas joints.    The more touristy and colorful area is the Calle Betis.

It’s difficult to miss Calle Betis with all its flamenco and tapas bars lining the street.   This hotspot for young adventurous foreigners is located

along the picturesque Guadalquivir River.

 

Seville Tip:   Seville has a spectacular weeklong party called the April Fair that runs April 26 through May 2.   This bucket lister fiesta is six days of

people parading in the streets, locals dressed in costumes, decorative carriages, dancing in the streets, eating and drinking with flare.

 

 

Ljubljana, Slovenia

OK, not what you were expecting, right?   Ljubljana?   How to even pronounce Ljubljana?    Recognition and pronunciation aside, millennials are flocking to this attractive, historic and culturally exciting capital city in the heart of Slovenia.   Ljubljana is a stunning European city with a wealth of cultural and ancient sites, scenic countryside and stunning nature locations.  The Slovenian cuisine is gorgeous, colorful and diverse, and a trip to central Slovenia is not complete until you have the classic Kranjska Klobasa…then washing it down with a cold local brew, Union Pils.    A visit to the old city center on a sunny day offers you a perfect opportunity to stroll the streets, shop, or simply sit outside and people watch while indulging on the tasty traditional dessert prekmurska gibanica.

 

Today, Ljubljana is the perfect place for millennial travelers who are interested in the environment.   In 2016, it was named the European Green Capital,

as a result of its preserved green spaces.     Numerous outdoor activities abound in Ljubljana, from biking and hiking tours to river activities.  The capital

is situated on the Ljubljanica river where you can take a boat, canoe, standup paddle under the numerous bridges.  Or take a wine tour and experience

old world Slovenian wines.  When the sun goes down, Ljubljana lights up.   Millennials will appreciate the guided pub crawl tours which is an excellent

way to capture the pulse of Ljubljana’s nightlife, meet other millennials and enjoy the most vibrant haunts to party all night.