As the world gets seemingly smaller by the day, there are still lesser-known spots to find, even in such a well-travelled continent like Europe. Here are ten under-the-radar locations to travel to in Europe
Procida - Italy's best kept secret
Mercifully off the mass-tourist radar, the island's perfect blend of sun-bleached streets, lemon groves and pastel-coloured houses makes it a real joy to the eye and soul. This island is so lovely, Lonely Planet calls it "bring-out-your-paintbox-perfect". Ask me how to get there
Greece - Mountains & Villages of Evia
Even in a land as popular as Greece it is till possible to find some authenticity. The delightful island of Evia is a real hidden treasure, with old stone paths connecting quaint villages tucked away in the mountains. This walkers’ paradise offers unique history and an authentic atmosphere in the local towns and villages. Roman quarries, aqueducts and Byzantine churches are visited and in the summer there are plenty of opportunities for swimming at a deserted beach or a tucked away cove. Traditional tavernas and waterfront ouzo-meze shops make eating and drinking here a wonderful experience.
Greece: Hiking the North
Unknown to most of the world, both beautiful and unspoiled, the Zagori area is one of the best walking regions in Greece. Learn more about the myths and stories of the area, observe the unique flora and fauna and taste the delicious local cuisine. Walk amongst traditional stone made villages, arch stone bridges, gorges, mountains and pristine natural landscapes in Vikos-Aoos National Park. Follow this with the chance to visit the UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site of Meteora, exploring the trails of the ancient monks and cliff top monasteries. Ask me how to get there
Albania
Albania is such a fantastic destination you may wonder why it took 20 years since the fall of communism for the word to get out. A country of ancient traditions, splendid historical sites and timeless villages, Albania is a destination unique in Eastern Europe. The capital Tirana is one thriving city, the beaches easily rival any of those in the Mediterranean and the mountain scenery is simply stunning. Explore the Western Balkans
Montenegro
As travel writer Tamara Sheward puts it: " I've been knocked off my feet here more times than I can count (...) No matter how often I visit, Montenegro floors me every time. Rugged mountains, a diverse cultural history, activities galore, and some of Europe’s most spectacular seaside scenery. Hike the Via Dinarica
Romania: Maramureș
An isolated region of huge forests, close to the Ukrainian border in northern Romania, Maramureş's landscape is dominated by beautiful wooden churches. The area is regarded as Romania's most traditional region; indeed you may at times feel you have travelled back several centuries in to a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Best of Romania
Wild France: Ardèche
On the Massif Central above the broad valley of the Rhone lies a walker's paradise of hills where the Ardeche, Loire and Haute Loire regions meet. This is a watershed for some of France's great rivers, a land of steeply terraced slopes, half-hidden valleys and tumbling streams. Large ruined farmhouses seem embedded in the landscape, where the bleat of goats and call of a wild bird are often the only sounds you will hear. Ask me how to get there
Portugal - Alentejo
Covering a third of Portugal's land mass but with just 4% of its population, the Alentejo is an area of wild beauty, where tourists rarely visit despite golden plains and rolling hillsides with a sprinkling of traditional whitewashed villages. History is everywhere, from Palaeolithic carvings to Roman ruins, Visigoth churches and Moorish castles. Along it's dramatic coast wildflowers and butterflies keep company with just a handful of hikers.
Spain: La Mezquita, Cordoba,
Nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking Mezquita, the Grand Mosque of Córdoba, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Once the capital of Islamic Spain, and Western Europe's largest and most cultured city, the narrow streets surrounding the Mezquita are a delight to discover. Discover Andalucia
Saaremaa, Estonia
The island of Saaremaa is a hidden gem out in the Baltic, one of several undiscovered islands where nature, old windmills and villages, lighthouses and farms make up a patchwork of an untouched landscape. Ask me how to get there
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