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Forbes
10 hours ago
- Forbes
These Are The Best European Cities For Vintage Shopping, According To New Survey
Woman tries on hat in shop, while friend looks on. getty There's no souvenir like a really good vintage find. Whether it's a cheeky flea market gem or a high-end designer score, the thrill of the hunt when it comes to vintage shopping is amplified even further when abroad. If you're looking for vintage finds over traditional souvenirs, a new survey from global travel booking site Omio has highlighted the best cities in Europe for vintage shopping enthusiasts. Here are some of the best European cities for vintage shopping according to the survey: Vintage toned portrait of a woman in London second hand marketplace. getty London has the most vintage stores in Europe—by a long shot. The city has a total of 409 stores all across town with an average rating of 4.46 out of 5. The rating is lower than every other city on the list, which means that certain shops might be hit or miss, but with vintage shopping, the hunt is all part of the fun. It should come as no surprise that Paris—the city of fashion—ranks high on the list of the best vintage stores in Europe. Paris boasts 226 different vintage shops across the city with an average rating of 4.52. The best part of vintage shopping in Paris is that you'll frequently come across high-end designer vintage, like well-preserved Hermes scarves and Chanel shoes. Berlin woman browsing through the second hand clothing in Berlin. getty The third-best city in Europe for vintage shopping is Berlin; there's a reason the city is renowned for its edgy street style. The German city boasts a total of 165 vintage stores with an average rating of 4.57. Rome The first Italian city to make the list, Rome is another haven for vintage lovers. The Eternal City has a total of 102 vintage shops throughout the city with an average rating of 4.45. It has the second-lowest rating out of all cities on the list, so it might be worth doing some research on specific shops before heading out for the hunt. Milan The second Italian city to make the list, Milan is a close second to Rome with 101 vintage shops across the city. The average rating sits at 4.51—but given its proximity to fashion week and high-end Italian fashion, you never know what you'll find at vintage shops in the city. Barcelona BARCELONA, SPAIN: Antiquary dealer shop in Barcelona. getty Barcelona boasts 90 vintage shops across the city and has the fourth highest average rating, at 4.64. The smaller number of shops juxtaposed with the high average rating means that the city is one of the best for highly curated vintage shopping. Madrid The second Spanish city to make the list, Madrid is right under Barcelona at 81 stores across the city. The average rating is also on the higher end, with 4.60 out of 5. Lisbon The city of Lisbon is considered the best in Portugal to go vintage shopping. It has a total of 54 vintage shops with an average rating of 4.55 out of 5. Athens A charming Athens thrift shop with vintage treasures and retro finds spilling onto the cobblestone street, inviting passersby to explore its eclectic collection getty Athens is the only Greek city to make the list—and it's definitely worth making a detour to the mainland if you're into vintage shopping. The city has a total of 46 vintage shops with an average rating of 4.75 out of 5, which is the highest on the list. Manchester Although Manchester boasts just 22 vintage shops in the city, it also boasts an average rating of 4.75 out of 5, the highest on the list, meaning it has the best vintage shopping experience with the least amount of effort.
Euronews
a day ago
- Business
- Euronews
Why France's strategy is working in the age of overtourism
In Greece, locals are spraying graffiti. In Italy, Portugal and Spain, they have resorted to water guns and mass protests. While anti-tourism sentiment has begun to bubble over across Europe, one country is conspicuous in its relative silence. And it's the most visited country in the world: France. Although it welcomes about 100 million travellers each year, France rarely makes headlines for tourism protests – a stark contrast to its neighbours, who have increasingly vented frustration over crowded cities, rising rents and bad behaviour. There is no single reason why France has avoided the backlash, and fears that one could still be coming aren't unfounded. But a commitment to sustainable tourism, strong infrastructure and a strategy to spread visitors across regions and seasons all play a part. France has played the long game Unlike many countries now scrambling to rein in mass tourism, France started laying the groundwork years ago. Atout France, the country's tourism development agency, has made sustainability a central tenet of its strategy. Under a 10-year roadmap – the Destination France Plan – the government earmarked €1.9 billion in 2021 to encourage greener, more responsible travel. That means pushing for rail travel over short-haul flights, investing in mid-sized cities and nudging visitors beyond the usual suspects, like Paris or Nice. The country doubled down this year, with a fresh pledge to invest in tourism that's more ecological, inclusive and digitally savvy. Tourism leaders hope that investment results in longer stays, smaller crowds and more meaningful experiences. 'The French authorities have invested in sustainable travel for years,' says Veronica Diquattro, president of B2C and supply at Omio, a travel search engine for Europe. 'The focus now is on improving the quality of tourism experiences, spreading visitor numbers throughout the year to combat overtourism and emphasising ecological, digital, social and inclusive tourism practices.' The power of trains France has one of the most extensive rail networks in Europe – 28,000 kilometres of tracks, including 2,800 kilometres of high-speed lines. 'France is among the most accessible countries for rail tourism,' Diquattro says. Cities with as few as 20,000 people have train stations, she explains. Thanks to its high-speed rail, you can get from Paris to Marseille in three hours. That kind of access reshapes tourism patterns. It also reshapes policy. In 2023, France formally banned domestic flights on some routes that could be done in under two and a half hours by train. Although its impact on the climate is unclear, the move has nevertheless boosted train travel and likely encouraged trips to regions that may have gone overlooked. Tourists are dispersed by design Where Spain has the Costa Brava and Italy has Venice, France has... everything. And that's exactly how the country likes it. 'Tourists are spread out in France,' says Marine Prat, a travel and business events designer at Loire Secrets. 'They don't go to only one place. They travel to several regions.' Part of this comes down to history – France has always marketed itself as a country of regions. Part of it is storytelling. From the châteaux of the Loire to the wine cellars of Alsace, each region offers its own brand of tourism and the infrastructure to match. 'More and more people want to travel off the beaten track. They want to see different areas – not just the classics, like Paris and Normandy and the south of France,' Prat adds. 'Now they can see on Instagram that you can go an hour and a half from Paris and easily discover charming villages, gastronomy and very dynamic cities.' A cultural advantage Perhaps less obvious, France's legacy of hosting outsiders could be paying dividends today. 'France has been a crossroads of cultures for centuries,' says Prat. 'It's quite normal to have people from all over visit [France]… It's a big part of our economy.' That long history of hosting, combined with a strong tourism infrastructure, has likely helped insulate France from some of the issues seen elsewhere. And the audience is growing. As Prat points out, arrivals from new markets like India, Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa have ticked upward in recent years. They're finding more to do outside of the big cities and gravitating toward them, too. 'We're trying to sell more local experiences,' she says. 'We are very involved in our region. We want to promote more organic or biodynamic winemakers, more local and organic food, and people who work in this way.' Diquattro says her company's data backs that up. 'Travellers frequently choose Paris as their initial destination.' But from there, she says, they're branching out, adding that Marseille and Strasbourg are growing fast, thanks to better connections and more to experience when travellers get there. Can regulation fend off retaliation? France hasn't escaped friction. Frequent strikes – rail, air or otherwise – remain part of the national rhythm. Crowding and gentrification could be looming issues, too. Meanwhile, the Olympic Games last year brought so much attention to the City of Lights that more than 50 million people visited it in 2024 alone. Earlier this summer, residents in Montmartre began sounding the alarm over surging crowds. 'People come for three hours, have fun, buy a beret or a crepe, and leave, as if they were in an amusement park,' one resident told Reuters. The authorities hope that regulation could help stave off the worst. While short-term holiday lets have triggered housing crises in cities like Lisbon and Barcelona, authorities have been quicker to act in France. Under a law passed last year – Loi le Meur – local governments can cap holiday rentals, slash the number of nights residences can be rented (from 120 to 90) and fine landlords who ignore the rules. Whether it's laws regulating short-term rentals or a masterplan for a more sustainable kind of growth, France's system seems to be holding. In the age of overtourism, the country's secret weapon might be that it has planned for this moment all along.
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
These are officially Europe's best cities for vintage and second-hand shopping
The scent of leather goods, the sound of vinyl records, the feel of hand-stitched home decor, and the sight of clunky, colourful jewellery – is there anything better? A city's vintage stores aren't only great places to find one-of-a-kind pieces; they're gateways to its past. They shed light on a destination's history of fashion, interests and technology, and it can be ridiculously rewarding when you hit the jackpot of an irreplaceable find. And, of course, they're sustainable – and more of us than ever are choosing to refresh our wardrobe with second-hand finds. To help vintage enthusiasts, global booking platform Omio has rounded up data from the 10 most populated European cities to find the greatest destinations for thrifting on the continent. With over 400 shops to choose from, London has landed at the top of the list. But don't mistake quantity for quality – the UK capital also received the second-lowest review average at 4.46, meaning you'll have to dig through a lot of dirt to find the buried treasure. And often, it is overpriced. But with enough patience, you'll find a priceless piece that will make you feel like you've won the lottery. Paris comes in second. While the French capital has nearly half the number of vintage shops as London with 226 options, that's still a load more than the city in third place, Berlin, which has 165 second-hand shops. Ironically, the cities with the least number of shops proved to have the best success stories. Athens 's 46 vintage shops had the best review average at 4.75, tying with Manchester, holding the title for the least number of vintage shops on the list with only 22. So, ready to rifle? Here's the full list of Europe's best cities for thrifting. These are Europe's 10 best cities for vintage and second-hand shopping 1. London, UK — 409 shops — 4.46 average 2. Paris, France — 226 shops — 4.52 average 3. Berlin, Germany —165 shops — 4.57 average 4. Rome, Italy — 102 shops — 4.45 average 5. Milan, Italy — 101 shops — 4.51 average 6. Barcelona, Spain — 90 shops — 4.64 average 7. Madrid, Spain — 81 shops — 4.60 average 8. Lisbon, Portugal — 54 shops — 4.55 average 9. Athens, Greece — 46 shops — 4.75 average 10. Manchester, UK — 22 shops — 4.75 average Did you see that Tokyo has been named the world's best city for a 'workation '?
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Omio announced as official travel partner for Edinburgh Festival Fringe, simplifying travel for festival-goers
Omio, the leading multi-modal travel booking platform, has been announced as the official travel partner for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, helping audiences and artists from across the globe travel with ease to one of the world's greatest celebrations of creativity. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Omio's vision is to enable billions of people to travel seamlessly – anywhere, anyway. As more people choose to travel in pursuit of culture and personal passions, the importance of accessible travel options continues to grow. Omio allows travellers to search, compare, and book trains, buses, flights, and ferries in one place, empowering them to plan and enjoy their journeys with confidence and ease while reaching the experiences that matter most. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To celebrate the partnership, Omio is offering a 12% discount voucher to Fringe-goers using their platform for the first time, helping artists and audiences access affordable and flexible transport options to the Scottish capital. Your World Veronica Diquattro, President of B2C Europe at Omio, said: 'We're delighted to be the official travel partner for this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Fringe represents creativity without boundaries – a global stage where people from all walks of life come together. At Omio, we share the same spirit of openness and accessibility, helping travellers from across the UK, Europe, and beyond get to Edinburgh easily, affordably, and on their terms. 'Whether it's by train, bus, flight or ferry, our platform simplifies the journey, allowing festival-goers to focus on the experiences that matter. As more people travel for their passions, we're proud to empower spontaneous, flexible and culturally rich trips via the Omio app. It's a partnership that celebrates freedom of expression, seamless mobility and the joy of discovery.'
Time Out
22-07-2025
- Time Out
The most affordable countries to visit in Southeast Asia
Vietnam keeps costs low while delivering big on experience. Omio recently conducted a study on the most affordable countries to visit in Asia, and Vietnam had the least expensive beer; Bia Hoi is usually around 80p. A hearty meal of bánh mì or pho can be had for under a dollar when eating at street food vendors. You'll sleep decently too – dorm beds in highly-rated hostels (review score of 8 or higher on are £2.30 a night. "In Vietnam, you can travel in near-luxury on a backpacker's budget. Dollar meals and free rich cultural experiences," Carli Korik of Girls Who Travel says. Korik spent £6.30 daily on street food, £3 for a traditional water puppet show, and £23 for a train from Hanoi to Huế. Public transit is often less than 40p, while rides from ride-hailing apps like GrabBike are usually less than 80p. Many temples and museums in Vietnam are free to visit. In Da Nang, the Magic Mountains is £1.20 to enter, while the Ba Na Hills is more of a splurge at £1.20.
