Parikia, Paros, by ethanlindsey

The four destinations are: Krakow in Poland,, Utrecht (just south of Amsterdam, a crowd-less miniature version of the capital), the Greek island of Paros in the Cyclades and Cornwall in the UK.  In my opinion Cornwall and Krakow are by no means overlooked.  Cornwall is absolutely mobbed from May to September and Krakow is a popular short break destination.

Krakow is a beautiful medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the centre of Poland’s cultural and artistic life. Its vibrant atmosphere is made up with coffee-houses, jazz clubs and a sophisticated nightlife.

By comparison, Utrecht features amazing historic architecture including several ancient churches, beautiful canals, town squares and green spaces; in addition it is a true multi-cultural event centre. But Utrecht’s true beauty may lie in the fact that it’s a bit like visiting Amsterdam without the crowds!

Paros is probably one of the most beautiful Greek islands that crucially remains quiet even during the high season. You can enjoy traditional Greek seafood and drink, trips to/from other nearby islands and even sunbathing in relative peace (but probably not after this article?)

And for something still beachy, sandy and touristy but also very different, visit Cornwall on the south-west of England. Its spectacular landscape features rolling hills, beautiful lakes and good hiking trails, while its tiny towns are full of  friendly locals (maybe not if you’ve also spotted that free parking space!)

So, don’t just focus on the most popular cities, try going some place different and spice up that summer!

You may also wish to follow some of our own recommendations on other unusual European destinations.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Four overlooked European travel destinations?

Prague: The Golden Lane, by flydime

The top activities include Pedalling under Charles Bridge along the River Vltava, following the Kafka trail (favourite cafe, childhood home, his tomb and the Kafka Museum), getting up at dawn (around 4am !), visiting the John Lennon Wall and more. All rather unusual, so you won’t be joined by a large crowd doing exactly the same!

Best Prague day trips include visiting the bone church at Kutna Hora for its chilling beauty and/or visiting the super scenic Czech town of Cesky Krumlov.

Regarding for best places to stay in Prague, there are excellent suggestions for budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation, as well as Prague apartments. All were thoroughly researched and included as having been vetted and recommended by the customers that stayed there, as it’s their suggestions alone that should reflect quality and value.

So, the city’s there for your enjoyment and after this article the budget needn’t be forbidding either.

For something a bit different and “off the beaten track”, also see our previous article on unusual pastimes in Prague.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Best of Prague, Czech Republic

Berlin Central Station, by Marco Mutzke

The advice includes the Reichstag (now housing the German Parliament), Brandenburg Tor (Gate), the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Museumsinsel (museum island) in the Spree River housing 5 gorgeous museums, the TV tower near Alexanderplatz, the statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles and the (animal!) zoo. All these attractions are wothwhile spending sometime at – don’t try to take them in all at once, maybe plan for 1/2 to 1 day each as a guideline for the first time visitor (although some would argue that e.g. the museums are worth spending weeks in – hey, we’re not arguing, just making a general suggestion!)

You’ll also see parts of the infamous Wall that came down with the fall of communism and other sights that’ll remind you of the city’s suffering during WW2 – not necessarily to everyone’s taste, but nevertheless some of the city’s recent past that has imparted a lot to its present day character.

Our suggestion for those on a Europe tour in Berlin would be to also sample some, preferably much, of the nightlife.  Berlin’s one of the most vibrant places in Europe for the young and the young at heart, it really rocks!

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Must see sights in Berlin, Germany

Sparkling rose, by someToast

The authors suggest that by comparison with American Rose wines, the French ones excel,  are delightful with food and ever so drinkable.

Something not everyone knows is how Roses are made: they’re not a mix of white and red wine, Roses are actually made from red grapes such as Syrah, Grenache, or Cinsaut, with the skin participating in the wine making process for a limited amount of time only, thereby imparting the exact amount of colour/flavour. Most French Roses are quite pale and the Cotes de Provence region produces most of France’s Roses. The  Cotes du Rhone Tavel Rose is a darker than average blend of Grenache and Syrah with a high alcohol content and a delightful dry/flowery taste – a perfect accompaniment to light/medium light  French food! Also worth trying are the Domaine Tempier from Bandol near Cassis and the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence from the Luberon.

Roses actually travel well, so you don’t have to go to the South of France to sample them – although we think wines taste best near their place of origin, especially when accompanied by local food.

For your next European vacation, we’d also like to suggest some tempting tipples around Europe.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Amazing Rose wines in the South of France

Dubrovnik, Croatia, by taver

The capital Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, is recommended for its Diocletian Palace, maze of alleyways housing people since Roman times, the leafy Marjan hill with wow! vistas of the marble-paved seafront promenade and  nightlife hotspot beach bars, seafront clubs and cafes by the ancient walls.

Until recently forbidden territory, Vis Island, a place still brimming with (decommissioned) rocket shelters, bunkers, weapon storage spaces, submarine “parking lots” and subterranean communication headquarters, has become a heaven for gastronomes and seekers of secluded beaches!

The chic island of Hvar situated in a dramatic canyon,  contains the abandoned village of Malo Grablje with ancient stone houses and a beautifully preserved church. The island’s highest peak (Sveti Nikola) and the seaside towns of Jelsa and Stari Grad are still retaining their pre-war charm.

Our own advice is that on your next trip to Croatia, is to make sure you don’t miss Smokvica town in Korcula island.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

The Best of Dalmatia, Croatia

Bisentina Island Garden, by Jim Linwood

Acording to the authors, “walking through some of the beautifully constructed gardens of Italy, you experience the same rich history and splendour of a museum, only takes place under the bright blue skies with fresh air and bubbling fountains” – we couldn’t have put it better!

Florence’s magnificent Boboli Gardens, originally designed by Niccolò Tribolo, also contain an amphitheatre with a huge ancient Egyptian obelisk statue, “The Large Cave” containing carved stalactites and (copies of) sculptures by Michelangelo and Giambologna, the Piazzale dell’Isolotto (a small island with lemon trees and flowers in the middle of a large basin) and lots more.

Villa Gamberaia has magnificent views over Florence and the Arno Valley. It was built in the seventeenth century by Zanobi Lapi and is the epitome of a Tuscan garden, complete with tall cypress allie, woods, formal gardens, a bowling green, a nymphaeum, grotto gardens and a lemon tree terrace.

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo contains a Rock Garden, Rhododendron Wood, Bamboo Garden, a Ferns Valley, an agricultural tool museum and many brilliant picnic areas. By contrast, Villa d’Este in Tivoli,  a day-trip’s distance from Rome and a UNESCO world heritage site, contains amazing fountains, waterworks and design features epitomizing sixteenth century Rome, its Church and the Renaissance.

Finally, the proper English-style gardens of Villa Melzi by Bellagio represent some of the most beautiful Lake Como sightseeing. Wear your hiking shoes and visit the Oriental Garden with Nippon-acer plants, the Bamboo Grove, the Plant-Tree Drive and the Chapel. Keep going and also see the Rocky Garden with its small museum housing artifacts from the Napoleonic era and the Kiosk Zone.

Had your fill of  beautiful gardens? There’s so much more to see and do when you’re  next in Italy!

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Famous Italian gardens

Bath, England, by Nigel’s Europe

The advice initialy given is that Bath, one of the most picturesque towns in the UK with unique Roman baths fame and just 90 minutes by train from London, requires longer than just one day to take in its many offerings.

Getting there does not have to be by rail, with many other route and transport choices outlined. Once you’ve arived, you simply have to visit the Roman baths, conveniently located in the centre of town – budget tickets are discussed. The many museums (choose from Fashion,  Postal, Museum of Bath at Work,  East Asian Art, Jane Austen, Astronomy and others) are not free (unlike London’s museums, e.g. the Victoria and Albert) but do represent excellent local interest and value.

Bath’s many gardens  and parks – choose from the Royal Victoria Park , the Parade Gardens along the river front,  the free Sydney Gardens, the Queen’s Garden complete with obelisk and the Georgian Garden – make the place even prettier and provide a very pleasant and relaxing experience.

Other attractions like buildings/rooms worthwhile visiting, interesting shops and places to eat are also described in unique and insightful perspective.

Bath must be one of the loveliest places to visit in England and it certainly has an excellent reputation as both a classy and laid back University town. Sounds like a great stop on a Europe trip.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Interesting pastimes in Bath, England, UK

Mt Nemrut – Adiyaman – Turkey, by I was in Turkey

Culturally rich and historic Turkey has a great many worthwhile places to discover.  Once you’ve taken in the ancient architecture, towers and magnificent palaces of Istanbul, make a beeline for its museums – you’ll be even more amazed. Istanbul Archaeology (including the Museums of Ancient Orient and Islamic Arts) is your first must visit museum.

Ancient Troy, discovered by Frank Calvert in 1863  and dug up in 1868, is worth visiting not only for the history but also for a ride on the (replica!) horse. This is where the phrase  ‘beware of Greeks bearing gifts’ comes from!

By contrast, Ephesus, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world and location of the Temple of Artemis, is well worth visiting for its amazing ruins and history.

Finally, Miniatürk, a miniature park situated at the north-eastern shore of the Golden Horn in Istanbul, is a must visit for those interested to see the best Turkish architecture in a single location. It contains 105 models done in 1/25th scale, one of them being the Temple of Artemis from Ephesus (above).

Have you been on a Turkey European vacation – what’s your take?

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Four amazing attractions in Turkey

Budget meal: Baked Beans and Cheese on Potato, by Wootang01

The advice covers destinations (cheap like in former eastern Europe countries and ones to be avoided if the budget does not permit), avoiding travel packages (with their expensive but necessary extras), couch surfing (sleeping free) and using low cost airlines.

Packing light (10 percent of your body weight is recommended – a bit light for me!) and taking plenty of digital pics will substitute for souvenirs (and certainly help reduce that weight!), sending inexpensive post cards and sharing costs with travel companions (buddies) will shed $$$£££s off, while walking /taking public transport and eating light will both keep you healthier and permit you to mingle with the locals – isn’t this what much of traveling is all about anyway?

Excellent common sense advice and most of it can easily be followed by the majority. Our cheap traveling Europe tip is to “follow the locals” in most of their chosen activities (shopping, eating, drinking); they’re bound to know a thing or two as regards value for money and they’d be most happy to share it with you!

And hey, once you’ve saved all this dosh, splash out on experiences of a travel lifetime, e.g. how about choosing one of the best gondola rides in Venice.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Europe for $1000 for 2 months

Belgian Waffles, by Krissyho

The idea is to introduce people to flavours and products of different regions in Belgium, while at the same time paying due respect to the environment (local=minimum transportation, with eating at least one locally sourced meal per week being a step in the right direction). And certainly the presence of diners like the former Belgium premier (now leader of the Liberal group in the European Parliament) shows that someone’s taking notice!

Clearly a great congregation spot for Slow Food Movement fans!

Produce like butter “churned in the wood” by local small-holders, any other genuine bio products and local marché (market) supplied foods, are the types of basic ingredient in use. The resulting food is good; once people realize that it’s local as well, it becomes clear how the best of both worlds can be achieved.

Recipes like a mousse of sprouts, butter and potato. parmigiano with sliced black truffle and aromatic white truffle (‘Alba’) slices sound like excellent starters, with roasted cod with bacon and seasonal vegetables pretty tasty main courses – of course the pudding will always include chocolate, unavoidable in this part of the world!

It all sounds delicious, environmentally appropriate and supporting of local producers – I hope the cost is sensible too! Whoever said that Belgium’s boring sounds pretty daft.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Stylish dining in Brussels, Belgium