With the summer holidays coming to an end it’s a sad time for many as they make the dreaded return to the harsh reality of work and school life. Here at BAM however we have decided to cheer you up and get you excited for your next holiday by compiling a list of European hotspots that you may never have thought of but are well worth a visit to. Whether you are looking a city break, winter holiday or a week of sunshine abroad we’ve got you covered with a number of truly unique destinations in a variety of countries which range from expensive to affordable. As an experienced traveller myself here are 7 of my favourite cities in Europe which I believe you should visit, why? Because I said so!
Lake Garda: Italy
Probably the most universally recognised destination in this list Lake Garda is situated in the northeast of Italy, between Milan and Venice meaning day trips to these cities are easily accessible. Tourists travelling here will not be short of things to do however, with activities for all ages all year round.For those who enjoy cultural trips, Garda is posses mountainous landscapes, hillside villages and harbour towns which line the shores of the northern end of the city. There are ample opportunities for adventuring, on a walk through the hillside of Malcesine, or simply a stroll along the cobbled promenade of Limone. There are also breathtaking sights to behold such as the towns of Sirmione, which attracts most ‘Lago di Garda’ visitors thanks to its historic Rocca Scaligera castle and Riva del Garda where many flock to in order to see the Varone waterfalls located nearby.
For families, Lake Garda is home to Italy’s first amusement park the historic Gardaland which I have to say has a Disney-esque enchantment to it. The park is perfect for kids of all ages with great rides and an aquarium there is plenty to keep them entertained. With shorelines stretching over 90 miles, covering three regions a boat trip is an ideal way to truly see all the beauty that Garda has to offer. Throw in 15 tiny towns, all worth a visit for various reasons and soaring temperatures throughout the summer months you begin to see why Lake Garda is a perfect Italian destination for all the family.
Split: Croatia
Whilst many would associate the capital Dubrovnik as the place to see in Croatia, the second largest city Split is well worth seeing whilst in the country. Split is a city laced with history but has the right blend between tradition and modernity. In the old town you must visit Diocletian’s Palace, a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments still standing.From there you can take a stroll along the Riva Split, which is the hub of the city. It is a bustling palm tree-lined promenade with an array shops, restaurants and bars. It has a downtown Los Angeles vibe to it with a busy harbour beside the promenade being the only difference.
Split is a hotspot for water sports with various activities from jet skiing to windsurfing available on the vast blue Adriatic Sea. If you’re not a big fan of venturing into the water and would much prefer to top up your tan dont worry as Split has one of the most beautiful and on a summer’s day highly populated beaches in the land.
It is the ideal destination for a weekend break or as part of a European tour with boat trips from the city to city and to other Croatia islands proving hugely popular with tourists. With its many central attractions and again cheap prices it is a must see when visiting Croatia.
Copenhagen: Denmark
The capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities on the list (as I found out on my last holiday!) but also one of the best for an extended holiday. It is very easy to travel around with everything worth seeing within walking distance from the central station which is at the heart of Copenhagen.
It is home to the stunning 19th century theme park Tivoli Gardens, which is situated smack bang in the middle of the city centre. Unlike a typical theme park however, you don’t go to Tivoli Gardens to experience the rides, if you’re not an adrenaline junkie then Tivoli is still a place you must visit when in Copenhagen purely for the scenery. The gardens are filled with exotic architecture, historic buildings and lush gardens and there is a real sense of tranquility around the place despite the thrilling amusements in the park. At night, thousands of coloured lights create a fairy tale atmosphere that is completely unique to Tivoli.
When in Copenhagen you must also visit Nyhavn, a 20 minute walk from the centre. Whilst expensive it is honestly one of my favourite ever places I’ve been, with the small former port surrounded by Balamory like colourful houses and restaurants it’s the perfect place to end a long day by watching the sun go down.
In the capital you will also find the famous Little Mermaid statue, the Rosenborg Castle and the Carlsberg factory among many other sights. If you’re looking for a place with lots to do that has that little bit of class I would definitely recommend Copenhagen to you.
Ljubljana: Slovenia
Probably the most unfamiliar spot on the list, Ljubljana is one of the best and cheapest cities to visit whilst in Eastern Europe. It is a city which has transformed itself in recent years into a vibrant, cyclist-friendly oasis teeming with architectural sights to discover. When visiting the Slovenian capital one must take a trip to the medieval Ljubljana Castle in order to see the amazing views of city from the castle’s rooftop. It also plays host to various cultural, historic and entertaining events throughout the year.
Ljubljana in my opinion is very much like a mini Amsterdam, with its many canals and bridges, the most famous being the Dragon Bridge where the iconic dragon statue can be found. Everything is again very central with the Triple Bridge, a remarkable piece of architecture leading onto Prešeren Square the city’s central square which is located in the old town.
An extremely unique attraction which we as a family decided to visit whilst in the city was the Postojna Caves. Home to a truly majestic cave show you will discover 5 main galleries which have to be seen to be believed as words will not do them justice. Highlights include the enormous stalactites and stalagmites, and the quite sensational Concert Hall, which can hold up to 10,000 people. Note that the temperature of the cave is a cool10ºC, so bring a jumper.
If you want to visit somewhere ‘remote’ whilst remaining in Europe venture to Ljubljana, you won’t be disappointed!
Reykjavik: Iceland
The perfect place for a Christmas/New Year break Iceland is a snow covered winter wonderland from December right through to February. Capital city Reykjavik is located on the southwest coast of Iceland and is the most expensive city on our list. Why specifically a winter break in this city you may ask? In order to have the best chance to see the Northern Lights of course!. In order to see the Aurora you will need darkness, clear skies and northern light activity, all three of which only appear together mostly during the winter months. Sadly on my visit despite embarking on a 5 hour bus journey outside of the capital (only further enhancing our chances of seeing them) they didn’t manage to appear but that didn’t dampen my visit at all, it only made me want to go back again to see them!
From the modern cathedral Hallgrímskirkja which still hosts weekly services on a Sunday to the truly mind boggling Harpa Opera House and concert hall, Reykjavik is full of must see architectural attractions. Whilst these are quite central the best tourist spot lies outside the city centre so I recommend booking a bus tour which will take you to the Golden Circle as it contains sites such as the Thingvellir National Park, The Geysir Geothermal Area and the Gullfoss Waterfall which are renowned across the world as picture postcard places that you have to visit whilst in Iceland.
Another famous attraction in the country is the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located just 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavík. It is situated in in a sprawling, 800 year old lava field in the heart of the Reykjanes Peninsula and is a UNESCO Geopark. As it is extremely popular it is also normally booked out quiet quickly so if you can’t visit it don’t worry, there are a variety of cheaper and less busy geothermal baths across Reykjavik. They are a must for anyone who loves to relax and unwind and are truly remarkable, you sit in a warm bath in almost -10 temperatures in the winter it’s crazy!
Reykjavik is great for any break, long or short, but most suited to the winter, just ensure you wrap up, it’s going to be freezing!
So that’s 5 of the best European cities to visit, let us know if you would like to see a part two as there are plenty more to include!