11 Holiday Spots For Aussies That Are Giving European Summer But Don't Take 24 Hours To Get To

It's giving Athens, but it's actually the Philippines.

1. Similan Islands, Thailand

Instagram: @au_siripong

Nothing says European summer like a sailing trip, right? Croatia might be pretty far away, but Thailand sure isn't. There are a TON of live-aboard sailing trips, especially in the Similan Islands (northwest of Phuket), where the scuba diving and snorkelling are out of this world. They're pretty well priced, too. 

2. Fortune Island, Philippines

Instagram: @tomatraverse

Two things Europe does well: azure beaches and ancient ruins. You'll find both of those on this Philippines island just south of Manila, which you'd be forgiven for mistaking for Greece.

3. Goa, India

Wikimedia Commons / Via commons.wikimedia.org, Flickr: Navin Sigamany / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: gimp

For a real party vibe, you're going to want to head to Goa. Who needs Ibiza when you can enjoy Goa's stunning coastline, pristine beaches, and raucus nightlife for a fraction of the cost? Stay in the Fontainhas area for a hit of Portuguese culture, with brightly coloured houses, blooming bougainvillea, and bars with excellent Latin music.

4. Da Lat, Vietnam

Instagram: @vin.vi.vu97

Vietnam is another country that retains a lot of architecture from the time when it was colonised, making for a really interesting mix of local and European culture. The big cities are great, but Da Lat is where it's at — a cool mountain town with French colonial villas surrounded by flower fields and coffee plantations. 

5. New Caledonia

New Caledonia Tourism / Via Creative Commons

New Caledonia is a French territory, so while you're not technically in Europe, it's still part of France. And you feel it when you're there. The architecture, the food, the vibes, all just scream South of France...but with better beaches. 

6. Singapore

Instagram: @sgig

Usually, a Euro summer is synonymous with the beach, but if you're more of a fan of cities, Singapore is the perfect place for a short getaway. Again, it has a lot of European colonial influence while retaining its own distinct culture too. It's a bustling city, like visiting London, but with much better food (sorry, but it's true).

7. Semeti Beach, Indonesia

Instagram: @maulana_akbar001

Yep, we all know that Indonesia has good beaches, but for the most part, Bali doesn't exactly scream "Europe". But head to the lesser-known Lombok, where you'll find Semeti Beach, a stretch of beach that's rocky and beautiful — very reminiscent of Mediterranean coastlines. 

8. Wellington, New Zealand

Instagram: @wellingtonnz

Okay, FINE, this isn't quite ~summery~, but Wellington has to be the coolest capital city in the Southern Hemisphere — we're talking real European city vibes. Think cute cocktail bars, world-class food, friendly locals, excellent coffee shops...and close enough that you can go for a weekend. 

9. Sri Lanka

Flickr: Sergei Gussev / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: sergeigussev, Flickr: Pierre Le Bigot / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: plb75

If you want to escape Aussie winter for a bit, Sri Lanka should be near the top of your list. Galle, a city in the southwest, was built by Dutch settlers, so it has a distinctly European feel. Plus, the beaches are incredible, and it's a small-enough island that you can see a lot — even if you're there less than a week.

10. Khajjiar Lake, India

Flickr: Srinivasan G / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: srinig

A Swiss Alps trip would be nice, but if you don't have the time or the cash to travel all the way to the other side of the world, India offers a surprisingly similar alternative. Khajjiar Lake is a stunning alpine paradise — warm in our wintertime and snow-covered in December and January. 

11. And Finally: Phuket, Thailand

Dream Beach Club

If you're after a beach club vibe — without having to fly to Mykonos — perhaps Thailand is more up your alley. You can fly directly to Phuket and park up at one of many luxurious beach clubs (Dream or Catch are two favourites), spending your day dancing in the pool, drinking in the sun, and eating delicious pad thai. 

Where are your favourite international holiday spots around Australia? Let us know in the comments below!