Budapest is only 10 euros by bus from Prague, making it a perfect excursion on your next vacation. Make your Sound of Music (196) dreams come true in Austria. From skiing in winter, a music festival in summer, incredible nature and majestic towns and cities, this country is a must see. Did we mention that they also have what is possibly the most chocolaty cake ever invented? It's called a sachertorte, and it's to die for.
To see some of the most pristine beaches in Europe, head to Cyprus. The island is south of Turkey, west of Lebanon and southeast of Greece, so the fusion of culture is quite special and the landscape somewhat more. An autonomous country made up of 18 islands within the Kingdom of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are one of Europe's best-kept secrets. Just a short flight from the UK, these majestic islands definitely fit into the category of “less traveled roads” and are the perfect place for nature lovers (there are puffins, boys), hikers and fans of picturesque villages.
Iceland is all the rage right now (and for good reason), but how about avoiding the Game of Thrones crowds and visiting Finland instead? Another fantastic place to see the northern lights, the country also has dog sledding, the year-round village of Santa Claus and several incredible islands off its coast. Those who see The Crown will already know that Queen Elizabeth II spent some of her happiest years in Malta. The people of this majestic island are known for their hospitality and generosity, and while everyone else you know is fighting the crowds in Greece, you will hang out on this less discovered and even more beautiful island. Skip Croatia and head to Montenegro this year.
Its ancient cities will take you back to another time and its nightlife will also be fun, without sending you home needing another vacation. The sea is stunning, the people friendly and the food healthy and delicious. There are many amazing cities to visit in Georgia. First of all, you should not miss the capital city of Tbilisi.
This city is a real gem, offering impressive architecture and many activities, such as the famous sulphur baths. The glamorous city of Batumi, with its casinos and neon lights, is also known to tourists. Mtskheta, the religious capital of Georgia, is also worth a visit. Other large cities in Latvia include Liepāja, Ventspils and Daugavpils.
One big thing in all these cities is the architectural style. There are many Art Nouveau buildings in all Latvian cities, and especially in Riga. One of the best beaches in Latvia is Jūrmala beach, which has beautiful soft white sand. It is very close to Riga and, during the summer, Jūrmala beach is an ideal place for swimming.
While the city of Valletta and the blue lagoon are two places regularly visited on the islands, the lesser-known and out-of-the-ordinary gems are where magic happens. Some of these include, on Malta's main island, St. On the least visited island of Gozo, some must-see hidden gems are Ramla Bay, Tal Mixta Cave, Ta' Pinu Basilica and Xlendi Bay. For more detailed information about your Malta adventure, check out our blog, A Guide to Exploring Beautiful Malta.
One of the main export products from the Netherlands is tulips. They are not actually native to Holland, although many farmers grow these colorful flowers today. Tourists often visit the expensive Keukenhof to see the flowers blooming in April and May, but you can actually take a short road trip around an area of tulips and enjoy them for free. Goeree Overflakkee, south of Rotterdam, is an area with many tulip fields.
There are many other hidden gems that are mostly overlooked in the Netherlands. They include the Austerlitz pyramid in the forest near Utrecht, the desert national park of Loonse and Drunense Duinen, the picturesque southern town of Maastricht and the impressive Haarzuylens castle. One of the best places to stay in any of these destinations is one of the only Airbnbs in the Netherlands, such as a real windmill or a tree house. Estonia, Latvia's neighbor, is no less fascinating.
Explore the many islands and diverse terrain of this northern state. Its rocky shores, ancient forests, lakes and marshes will captivate nature lovers. Many historic castles, fortresses and churches also dot the landscape, allowing all history buffs to delve into the country's history. The capital city of Tallinn has a well-preserved medieval core and is perhaps one of the most unique and beautiful cities in Europe.
In addition, Estonia is special: in terms of cultural identity, it is more like Finland, although Estonia, being part of the Soviet Union, places Finland and Estonia on different paths. Now Estonia is truly European and more and more people are falling in love with its charms. Lithuania completes the triumvirate of the extravagant Baltic countries on this list. This vibrant and rebellious country is one of Europe's best-kept secrets.
Among the charms of this relatively small country stands out its coast of the Baltic Sea. Here you will find a unique sandy promontory known as the Curonian Spit. Lithuania's coastal wetlands attract migratory birds, making it an excellent place for those who like bird watching. The capital of Vilnius, near the border with Belarus, is an interesting city with picturesque, cobbled streets and many historic sites of baroque beauty.
All this makes Lithuania one of the countries to visit in Europe. Slovenia is the dream of a foreign-oriented enthusiast. Known, if at all, for its mountains, natural beauty and outdoor sports options, Slovenia is happily untouched and where artificial structures intrude into the landscape, they often improve rather than detract from value. An example of this is on Lake Bled, where a church atop an island and a castle on top of a cliff by the lake add to the dream fairytale vibe of the place.
You can go hiking in the paradisiacal Triglav National Park, go rafting on the Soca River or explore the cultural and historical attractions of charming Ljubljana, the country's capital. Slovakia's capital city, Bratislava, may be becoming better known after becoming an independent state, but much of the rest of the country is still little known outside Europe and hidden pockets retain a popular culture that has disappeared from much of Europe. Thick forests and perfect hiking trails run through this enchanting country, while the countryside is full of medieval sites and spectacular fortresses. Not only is Moldova cheap and far from the well-known European capitals, but it is also starting to develop a rather interesting wine industry around the vineyards that produce some of the best wines in Europe.
The countryside is deliciously untouched, which makes them a pleasure for the traveler. The cities and towns of Moldova, especially in the Russian-speaking separatist Transnistria, can make you feel as if you have entered the Soviet Union. Those adventurers who like to explore a place little explored by foreigners should be happy here, where there are only 12,000 to 20,000 visitors a year on average in recent years. Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of the most charming places on the Balkan Peninsula and contains one of the most picturesque ancient villages in the region.
It was on the Latin bridge in Sarajevo that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, which caused the First World War. If you want to learn more about the country's recent history, this is the War Tunnel Museum, which shows how food was smuggled into the city during the siege in the 1990s. But Bosnia and Herzegovina is a challenging country. Wounded but not hit, he has repaired much of the damage done during the war and looks forward to a bright future.
There is no better example of this than the Mostar bridge. Destroyed by the Croatian armed forces in 1993, the bridge has been rebuilt and is once again the centerpiece of this charming city. In summer, the young people of the city jump happily from the bridge to the river below. A small, budget-friendly version of Italy with some of the most stunning beaches in EuropeNeighbouring Croatia gets most of the love these days, but Montenegro is just as beautiful, without the crowds.
This small country on the Adriatic seems huge; a little smaller than Connecticut, you can do a lot of things in a short time. The beaches of its lush coastline are some of the most beautiful and noisy in Europe, with a beachfront party scene that can be ostentatious like Ibiza or sloppy like Cancun. Jump between ancient Venetian cities like Budva, Kotor and Perast, with 15th-century fortifications, charming red-tiled roofs, and delicious seaside restaurants. Summer is often the forbidden season for these trips, but you will surely want to have your own piece of “European sun” without suffering from the swarm of tourists.
It is not surprising that it is called a European green city, as it has nature in the heart of the city center and other urban green areas. Discover this small European nation, which offers everything from fun nightlife and incredible art to beautiful nature and breathtaking castles. These are the 11 most ignored European countries that don't visit enough people and that you should plan your next trip as soon as possible. Whether because some of them have suffered wars and other problems in the not too distant past or because of the hangover of the East-West divide in Europe during the Cold War, there are some European countries that are little known to those who live outside the region.
But seeing that most people focus on vampires rather than the rich cultural history, Romania remains off the radar compared to other places in Eastern Europe, such as the Czech Republic or Hungary. Most people who visit the Netherlands focus on its capital, Amsterdam, but there is much more to see in this charming European country. While millions of tourists flock to France and other Western European countries every year, many of Europe's cheapest and most charming destinations are overlooked. .
.
