Three cities that tourists should visit: opinion of a foreign expert.

As the most popular tourist cities are increasingly suffering from an overwhelming influx of visitors, travelers are more often choosing lesser-known locations to avoid crowds and high prices. Meanwhile, expert from the travel publication Travel Off Path Sem Sears named three unexpected cities in Europe that are rapidly gaining popularity among tourists, according to 'Glavkom'.

'In recent years, travelers prefer to explore lesser-known places rather than follow the crowd to locations that are so advertised that it feels like we’ve already been there,' claims Sem Pierce.

In particular, Sem Pierce named the following:

• Katowice, Poland. This vibrant city attracts a record number of travelers, approaching 7 million. Katowice is home to exciting museums, trendy neighborhoods, ancient squares, green spaces, and captivating festivals held throughout the year. It is a well-balanced mix of old and new, where everyone can find something to their liking. But the most important thing here is its affordability, as one can easily find a four-star hotel for around $60 a night.
• Brussels, Belgium. The capital of European diplomacy is a city whose name everyone knows, but chances are, few have been there. At least that was the case before. Over 10 million travelers currently visit Brussels, and by 2025, there may be even more. The Belgian capital is making a name for itself thanks to award-winning restaurants and the fact that most residents speak English.
• Rovaniemi, Finland. This is undoubtedly the best place in the world to experience a winter fairy tale that will be remembered for a lifetime. Rovaniemi has gained popularity due to the emergence of viral videos on social media showing stunning footage of the Northern Lights, real reindeer, and Santa's village, which has a post office for letters from children.

It is worth noting that the 'new dominant strain' of the norovirus has increased the number of outbreaks of gastroenteritis on board cruise ships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the rise in norovirus outbreaks could impact the number of illness cases reported at sea.

Thus, in recent years, tourists have preferred lesser-known locations in search of new experiences while avoiding overcrowding and high costs. Researchers have identified three European cities that are rapidly gaining popularity among travelers.