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<\/p>\nIf you\u2019ve repeatedly deleted Instagram from your phone over the past few weeks because your feed incessantly reminds you of your lack of travel plans, I feel you. I\u2019m not sure what it is about this summer, but suddenly everyone and their mother is taking off to Europe. While I love seeing my friends and co-workers have the time of their lives exploring new cities across the globe, I can\u2019t help but feel a little FOMO and wish I had something exciting to say in response to the dreaded, \u201cSo, what are you doing this summer?\u201d query.<\/p>\n
Luckily for those of us who will not be receiving a stamp on our passports this summer, there are plenty of ways to soak up this amazing season without catching a single flight. From mini road trips to patio sips, it\u2019s totally possible to channel those romantic Euro summer vibes no matter where you are in the world. Here are 16 things to do this summer if you\u2019re not jetting off to Europe.<\/p>\n Learning to make fresh pasta in Florence might not be on your summer itinerary, but that doesn\u2019t mean your summer can\u2019t still taste like it. While taking local cooking classes might be something you only think to do on vacation, attending one in your own city can be just as satisfying. Just imagine: you\u2019re stirring up fresh tomato sauce like a nonna, cutting handmade pasta like an expert chef, and sneaking bites between sips of wine. Look into local businesses that offer cooking classes, or check out options from places like Sur La Table. It\u2019s a classic Euro summer experience that you can easily recreate at home\u2014without the added jet lag or huge hole in your wallet. <\/p>\n If a trip to Europe isn\u2019t in the budget, let your favorite films do the jet-setting for you. Host a Europe-themed movie night with a lineup of films set in bucket-list destinations, plus on-theme snacks and drinks. Plan a double feature of the classic Audrey Hepburn movie Roman Holiday,<\/em> followed by a rom-com like When in Rome<\/em>, all while sipping Aperol spritzes and munching on pizza. Or make it a full-blown karaoke night with a showing of Mamma Mia!<\/em>, some flirty cocktails, and a nice cheese spread. It\u2019s a fun way to immerse yourself in the destinations on your Pinterest board without having to leave the comfort of your couch.<\/p>\n Hanging out in a park is a huge part of European culture\u2014whenever the weather is nice, green spaces are full of locals reading, catching up with friends, or just enjoying the atmosphere. You may not be kicking back in the Jardin du Luxembourg, but you can easily soak up this same experience at parks in your area. Bring some friends along or make it a solo date, then grab some snacks and sips, find a bench or spread out a blanket, and indulge in some prime people-watching.<\/p>\n No plans to wander the halls of the Louvre this summer? No problem. If you\u2019re feeling the culture itch, set a day on your calendar to visit a museum, art gallery, or sculpture garden in your area. Even if you end up strolling around a local history museum, you can still transport yourself worlds away by taking the time to appreciate interesting artifacts and stories. Whether you make a date out of your excursion or prefer to take in the art solo, you\u2019ll find that there\u2019s plenty of culture to appreciate right here in your backyard.<\/p>\n Throwing an elaborate dinner party is a great way to both romanticize your summer and fend off travel FOMO. Choose a country you\u2019ve been wanting to visit and host a dinner party inspired by that country\u2019s cuisine. For example, if you want to lean into the Italian girl summer trend, plan a menu around a delicious caprese salad appetizer, your favorite pasta dish, and Aperol spritzes, finished off with some gelato. Or channel a Spanish theme with a long, leisurely meal of tapas, sangria, and traditional dishes like paella. The right food and ambience are all you need to bring your dream vacation to you.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re craving a break from your busy routine, consider planning an escape closer to home instead of traveling across the globe. A little staycation is the perfect alternative to a pricey vacation, while still delivering a respite from your responsibilities and a chance to embrace the best part of European summers: slowing down. Book a stay at a nearby hotel with the vibe you\u2019re going for, then take advantage of the opportunity to fully unwind for a day or two. You don\u2019t need a plane ticket to experience the magic of Europe\u2019s laid-back mindset. <\/p>\n Europe is obviously well-known for its incredible food, and the desserts are some of the things I personally dream about most often. Between macarons, cannolis, and baklava, there are so many incredible traditional European treats, and learning how to whip them up yourself is a fun way to channel those Euro summer vibes. It lets you explore all the love that goes into making these desserts, while giving you a passport-free ticket to your favorites. Invite some friends over, scour Pinterest for a classic recipe, and channel your inner Italian nonna or French p\u00e2tissier while you bake up something delicious.<\/p>\n Still looking for a getaway, but not looking to cross the pond for a vacation? Whether you want to head out of town for a long weekend or you\u2019re ready to commit to a longer trip, booking an Airbnb or VRBO within driving distance offers a break from day-to-day life without going overseas. Hop in the car with some friends or a significant other, pack your favorite road trip snacks, pull up a good playlist, and drive somewhere new. Options may include a quaint cottage in the woods, a cabin by the lake or the ocean, or even a beautifully furnished city apartment (preferably with a tiny balcony that\u2019ll make you feel like you\u2019re in Paris). The possibilities are endless, and a totally new landscape is just a road trip away.<\/p>\n Any European summer vacation is sure to include some al fresco dining, so why not take advantage of the patio space near you? Gather a group of friends to check out a new spot or visit a tried-and-true favorite in your town. Eating a meal outdoors (and snapping a few aesthetically pleasing patio pics of your own) is the perfect way to enjoy gorgeous weather and amazing food, no matter where in the world you are.<\/p>\n Is there anything more romantic than strolling around a local farmers\u2019 market in the summertime? Forget markets in faraway places and support your own local farmers by spending a morning or afternoon at an outdoor market. Selecting in-season produce, locally sourced cheeses, and freshly baked bread is a fantastic way to shop (and eat) as if you\u2019re in Europe. Plus, avoiding a trip to the grocery store can help you switch up your Sunday reset for the summer.<\/p>\n One thing I personally would be doing if I were touring Europe this summer? Filling my bloodstream with as much local coffee as possible. Cute little caf\u00e9s are a European staple, but you don\u2019t have to travel overseas for a chic caf\u00e9 experience. Grab a book or your journal, find a local coffee shop with a beautiful patio, and spend an afternoon sipping your coffee and enjoying the sunshine. Better yet, take a moment to be distraction-free and simply people-watch. Want to make the experience truly authentic? Ditch the iced vanilla latte and order your espresso straight.<\/p>\n France and Italy may be known for their incredible wines, but vineyards exist all over the world. If you live within driving distance of a vineyard or winery, plan a day trip and enjoy a wine tasting with friends or family. Traipse through the fruit trees in a cute outfit before tasting some fantastic reds and whites. Even if you aren\u2019t far from your own city, a wine tasting can make you feel like you\u2019re living a Tuscan summer.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t take a multiple-hour flight to indulge in some delicious food. To appreciate what your own town or city has to offer, take a tour of nearby restaurants for a day. Map out the must-try spots with some friends, start as early or late as you want, and eat your way through your own city. Of course, this tour isn\u2019t just limited to full meals. You could create a tour based on drinks, desserts, or any specific cuisine your city is famous for (Chicago dogs? New York slices? Texas BBQ?). By the end of the day, you might just learn something new about your old haunts.<\/p>\n Dreaming of a summer vacation to Copenhagen or Amsterdam? Imitate an adventure in one of these cities by biking anywhere and everywhere you possibly can this summer. Biking is both a fantastic way to get moving and a wonderful way to slow down and soak in the sights around you. Plus, it\u2019s wildly popular in many parts of Europe. Bike to the market and pick up some fresh flowers, or try out a new trail near you. It\u2019s the ideal activity to bring a little more hygge into your summer at home.<\/p>\n Green with envy over the gondola lifestyle? Although you may not be floating through Venice this summer, there is likely a body of water near you ripe with opportunities to spend some time on a boat. From canoeing adventures to sunset sails, getting out on the water is the perfect way to romanticize the heat and enjoy the beautiful scenery near you. Whether you prefer to strike out on your own or would rather be steered straight by a captain or tour guide, finding a way to get on a lake, river, or bay in your area can be a fantastic way to explore without hopping on a flight.\u00a0<\/p>\n European cities like Budapest and Helsinki are known for their bathhouses and saunas, but these relaxing amenities are increasingly popping up in cities throughout the U.S., too. Although they may lack some of the grandeur of a bathhouse in Hungary, some spas have taken on the communal, social inspiration of European bathhouses and adapted them for U.S. city dwellers. At the end of a long staycation of biking, farmers\u2019 markets, and museum tours, a relaxing visit to a bathhouse or sauna is a fitting way to treat yourself.<\/p>\n Emma is a writer, editor, and podcast producer who created at The Everygirl beginning in 2021. She wrote for all sections on the site, edited the Entertainment and Community sections, and helped produce The Everygirl Podcast. You can listen to her with podcast host Josie Santi on the intros of The Everygirl Podcast and read her articles across the site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan writes and edits content for every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she enjoys utilizing her big sister persona to connect and inspire readers\u2014helping them discover new ways to maximize their everyday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The post 16 Ways to Have a Euro Summer That Don\u2019t Involve a Plane Ticket appeared first on The Everygirl.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/reasons-to-solo-travel-the-everygirl-2.jpg\")
1. Take a cooking class<\/h2>\n
2. Host an Euro-themed movie night<\/h2>\n
![\"euro](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/euro-summer-activities-the-everygirl-1.jpg\")
3. Have a picnic in a park<\/h2>\n
4. Visit a museum or art gallery<\/h2>\n
![\"ina](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ina-garten-summer-activities-the-everygirl-2.jpg\")
5. Host a dinner party themed after a specific country<\/h2>\n
6. Book a staycation at a boutique hotel<\/h2>\n
7. Bake some classic European treats<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/summer-things-to-do-europe-the-everygirl-2.jpg\")
8. Take a road trip<\/h2>\n
9. Enjoy patio dining whenever possible<\/h2>\n
10. Shop at your local farmers\u2019 market<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/summer-things-to-do-europe-the-everygirl-5.jpg\")
11. Read a book or journal at a coffee shop<\/h2>\n
12. Take a day trip to a vineyard or winery<\/h2>\n
13. Go on a restaurant tour of your own city<\/h2>\n
![\"euro](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/euro-summer-activities-the-everygirl-2.jpg\")
14. Go on a long bike ride<\/h2>\n
15. Soak up the sunshine on a boat<\/h2>\n
16. Visit a sauna or bathhouse<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/emma-480x480-1.png\")
\n <\/div>\nEmma Ginsberg, Former Associate Editor & Podcast Assistant<\/h3>\n
![\"Madigan](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Madigan-Will-Headshot-1-1.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\nMadigan Will, Assistant Editor<\/h3>\n