Undiscovered Europe

We are all familiar with Europe’s well known travel destinations: Spain’s luscious beaches, the romantic cities of Italy and laid back Greek islands, but there are plenty of other destinations out there that are just waiting to be visited!

If you are looking for somewhere to escape the crowds, which is still as beautiful and atmospheric as the well-known haunts of the continent, where the locals are friendly and you can get more for your money, keep reading to discover my selection of destinations that belong to Undiscovered Europe.

* * *

Baltic Coast, Poland

Poland’s sandy stretch of Baltic Coastline is made up of the Trójmiasto (Tri-Cities) of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot, which all lie along the western side of Gdansk Bay.

Gdansk is the biggest and most historic of the three, offering visitors an insight into Poland’s ancient and more recent history and its connection with other towns of the Hansiatic League.

Gdynia is a relatively new town created in the early 1920s to serve as a port and provided access to sea trade when Gdansk was a free town under German control.

For those seeking culture and entertainment, Sopot is the place to go. The seaside town is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Baltic’ and is Poland’s summer capital offering a number of music festivals, sport events and open air Opera. On top of this, the town has Europe’s longest wooden pier, a large casino, the luxurious Grand Hotel which has attracted a number of famous guests in the past (including General DuGalle, Adolf Hitler and even Fidel Castro) and boasts a six mile stretch of sandy beach.

Lake Balaton, Hungary

In recent years, the Hungarian capital Budapest has seen a boost in popularity among tourists but have you heard of Lake Balaton, less than two hours south-west of the capital by train, and well connected from Keleti station.

The Lake is popular with many from the city who want to spend some days enjoying the blue, placid waters of their otherwise landlocked country. The lake is also well known for its several spa towns and the more lively southerly towns such as Siofok. For a more peaceful break try the towns of Balatonalfured or -Almadi. From here you can take a number of boat trips around the lake – you should definitely consider the trip to picturesque Tihany, perched high upon a hill overlooking the lake.

During your trip make sure you have a bowl of the speciality Gulasch or perhaps a glass of Tokaj (wine).

Ljubljana, Slovenia

According to Lonely Planet, the quaint Slovenian capital is “one of Europe’s greenest and most liveable cities”. After my trip to Ljubljana, with few expectations, I would certainly agree. With a lively atmosphere, day-time coffee culture and animated nightlife once the sun has set, Ljubljana is set to steal visitors’ hearts, not their money!

The city is a great place to set up base whilst exploring the rest of the country – in just forty minutes you can be on the shores of Lake Bled, or above the clouds atop the high peak of the Velika Planina mountain plateau.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Croatian city of Dubrovnik is gaining popularity with tourists due to its connection to medieval drama Game of Thrones. Whether you are a fan, or not, the city is well worth a visit, and offers direct proximity to the sparkling Adriatic Sea as well as having a stunning Old Town, which is surrounded by giant stone walls dating back to the 16th century.

For more on Dubrovnik – read my ‘Weekend in Dubrovnik‘ Guide

Mittelrhein, Germany

If medieval castles are up your street, the 65km long Mittelrhein region in Germany, which stretches from Koblenz to Bingen is well worth a visit. The UNESCO Heritage Site accommodates more than forty castles and fortresses, as well as a number of picturesque wine villages along the way.

If castles are not your thing, the area also offers wonderful views, a multitude of vineyards, great scenery and hiking routes, as well as direct connections to some of Germany’s major cities.

With its many outstanding monuments, its hills full of vines, its settlements crowded along the narrow river banks, and the rows of castles lined up on the hill tops, it is considered the epitome of the Rhine romanticism.

Images courtesy of Maaike van Kuijk of Travellous World – find more of her gorgeous pictures here.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, is a great destination to consider when it comes to booking a spring- or summer- time break. The medieval city is home to a diverse set of buildings, from baroque beauties, to the neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral and Gothic St. Anne’s Church, as well as a maze of windy cobblestone lanes, and secret courtyards hidden from plain sight, just waiting to be discovered.

If you can drag yourself away from the picturesque Old Town, you will find plenty of parks and rolling green hills, the peaceful Vilnia river which curves gently through the city (perfect for a spot of paddling), and a great selection of restaurants and nightclubs where you can while away those long summer nights.

Vilnius also acts as a great base for those wishing to explore further afield. Just forty- five minutes out of town to the #, you will find yourself faced with the spectacular fourteenth century Trakai Island Castle in the middle of Lake Galvé.

Images courtesy of Karisa Klee of Flirting with the Globe

* * *

Hopefully this post has provided you with some inspiration for your travels and tempt you to head off the beaten path in search of a more authentic experience.

Is there anywhere else that you would add to the Undiscovered Europe list?

Do let me know in the comments below!

Join me over on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest