Europe

While visitors to Albania must still prepare to walk some seriously uncharted paths, to dismiss a country that brags a pleasantly unpolished Mediterranean coast and fascinating Ottoman and Roman heritage (tangible and not) would be a major lapse in judgement. It took Albania many years to recover after Communism, hardships of yesteryear being forgotten by Albanian people as some of the ubiquitous war bunkers become transformed to hostels and cafes, and the capital of Albania – Tirana – begins to slowly bud as a tourism destination.

Seamlessly fusing the old and the new, Belgium stays in tune with the times while not letting go of its Medieval poise. Hip cafes and design boutiques mingle with UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the cities (most notably in the iconic Bruges, once world’s most important commercial hub), the North Sea offers up attractive sandy beaches, while the country’s south remains idyllically rural. Beer flows ceaselessly here, paired with the Belgian national dish “moules-frites” (mussels and fries), followed by a dessert of celebrated Belgian chocolates.

The historical centres of Sarajevo and Mostar, along with the rural countryside of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the beautiful mountains, medieval castle ruins, rafting rivers and rushing waterfalls offer endless opportunities for exploration. Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the best value destinations of Europe, with affordable prices for accommodation, food and even the possibility to have a budget friendly skiing holiday. The country’s atmosphere is characterised by a unique blend of East and West; the horrors of the civil war of the 1990s still hold a prominent place in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history, but it now well and truly is a safe and fascinating destination to travel.

A unique blend of nature and history draws in foreign visitors to Bulgaria. Its landscape, that is marked by seven mountain ranges, fascinates nature enthusiasts and makes Bulgaria the perfect destination for hikers, mountain bikers and skiers. From rough mountain ranges with granite cliffs, long sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, to bustling city nightlife, religious art, and ancient fortresses and ruins, Bulgaria boasts a diversity in culture and activities that is waiting to be experienced.

Cyprus offers a diverse landscape with sandy beaches, meadows, and valleys that are as rich as the island’s culture. Learn more about the complex history of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities that, although significantly different in some of their beliefs, will forever be intertwined and share common values such as high regard for family and hospitality. Experience the local cuisine with its diverse meze dishes, hummus, kebabs and baklava and explore Cyprus’ cycling routes, beaches, and cultural monuments.

Denmark feels, at times, as close as it gets to a real-life fairy tale, and with its narrow cobbled alleys and teeny old houses – with doors that are barely high enough for an average Dane to fit through without hunching – often looks like Andersen’s narratives brought to life. It seems no less miraculous that a country that once produced the ravaging Vikings is now at the forefront of progressive thinking, simultaneously remaining dedicated to cultivating the universally sought-after, elusive “hygge”.

With closer historic ties to Finland than its Baltic neighbour states, Estonia is a nation of just over a million residents who preserve and actively propel the country’s distinctive culture: the Estonian Song Festival belongs to UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage and Tallinn, the capital, holds northern Europe’s best-preserved Medieval Old Town (today also part of UNESCO World Heritage), which remains standing after decades of Soviet rule. Beyond Tallinn lie vast natural expanses, islands bearing trace of Viking presence, castles, lakes and charming Estonian towns.

Switzerland is a country of still lakes, rolling hills and snowy mountainous landscapes. Located at the crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe, it also separates Germany from Italy, serving as the gateway to Southern Europe from the northern half of the continent. With speakers of French, German, Italian and Romansh, Switzerland is all the best of four cultures jammed into one. The town of Basel, on the German border, is the ‘pocket-sized metropolis’ of Switzerland, complete with stylish architecture, compelling museums and a rich historical city centre. The chic city of Geneva, on the other hand, is almost entirely surrounded by French land. Nestled in cozily around the shores of Lake Geneva, or Lac Léman, the city is elegant and luxurious, as well as vibrant and energetic. Back in the German speaking part of the country you’ll find Zürich. Here you can head down Bahnhofstrasse, a street famous for its shopping destinations, enjoy the burgeoning gastronomical scene or take a trip to the cascading Rhine Falls. Then take a break from the city streets and make your way up to Klosters, a snowy haven for lovers of nature and winter sports. Try out your skiing, go tobogganing or wind down at the Engadin Baths in the town of Scuol.

While Prague remains the undisputable crown jewel of Czech cities, those who venture beyond its magnetic Medieval old town will luxuriate in ailment-curing thermal springs of West Bohemian Karlovy Vary, gape at the creepy Bone Church in Kutná Hora, delight in supreme Czech beer in Pilsen (or nearly any other town, for that matter: Pilsner Urquell certainly deserves its regalia, but multiple microbreweries have risen to rival the celebrity brand), and discover the laid-back region of Moravia with its animated, youthful capital of Brno.

To some, Germany is peaceful towns of timber-framed houses; to others, rolling hills and the mighty Black Forest; to others still, the grungy bars and trendsetting neighbourhoods of metropolises like Hamburg, Munich, and, of course, the immortal capital – Berlin. From the north’s seaside resorts to the Bavarian heartland and its legendary Oktoberfest, Germany is a country of startling many facets, with a natural and cultural diversity rivaled by few.

Despite its location in the geographic centre of Europe, the former Soviet republic of Belarus has only recently begun to cautiously open its doors to international travelers. The few days’ visa-free allowance is more than enough to venture into Minsk – the capital city that breathes Soviet nostalgia – and beyond, to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Mirsky and Nesvizh Castles, passing through the vast natural expanses of fields, blue lakes and primeval forests (the Belovezhskaya pushcha, still inhabited by European bison) en route.

Monumental like the Schönbrunn Palace itself, Austria champions its artistic legacy and carries on establishing cutting-edge galleries, museums, and an increasing number of additions to the cultural scene – in the capital and beyond. It is a country of unspeakable natural beauty, the idyllic region of Salzkammergut containing Austria’s arguably most scenic town, Hallstatt. Hiking and skiing are pursuits for the great outdoors, while the famously convivial café culture lives on in cities small and large.