Unbeatably, Europe holds some of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes and seascapes, destinations that have been picture perfect for shooting romantic scenes of countless films till date. Travelers yearn to come all the way here to feel like a part of a movie.
However, if you thought you knew them all, you are probably wrong. Here’s a list of the most stunning offbeat European destinations that you didn’t know of, add them to your bucket list to make your holidays all the more scenic, surreal, romantic and everlasting.
Ronda, Spain
This town in the Málaga region sits on either side of the Tajo del Ronda, a narrow gorge more than 150 metres deep. Its old town has been declared a property of Cultural Interest. Celts, Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs all inhabited these lands, which were reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs.
The historic quarter, reminiscent of the Arab age and with a medieval layout is scattered to the south of the Guadalevín, while more modern Ronda, the part which sprang up after the 16th century, unfolds to the north of the course of this river.
Several bridges unite the two halves of one of the most interesting towns on the route of the ImaWhitewashed villages, in the heart of the the Ronda hills, only a few kilometres from the Costa del Sol.
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Lugano, Switzerland
The latter, an international city and the crossroads and melting pot of European culture, constitutes one of the most interesting regions to be discovered. The city is open and welcoming and offers thousands of value added possibilities, typical of a united and constantly open Switzerland, a sort of gate to Europe.
Lugano, the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland’s third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business center, but also a town full of lush green nature with parks and flowers, beautiful villas and sacred buildings. With a Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town.
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Cinque Terre, Italy
The Cinque Terre represent one of the best preserved natural and semi-natural areas of the Mediterranean. Historical and geomorphologic reasons have forbidden excessive housing development and the creation of major roadways.
Human activity and especially viticulture, have contributed to create a unique landscape in which development of the typical stone walls is so extensive as to equal that of the famous Great Wall of China. All this, combined with stunning views of a crystal clear sea, of architecturally interesting locations, and a varied and extensive network of paths, makes the Cinque Terre an increasingly sought after location among Italian and foreign tourists.
Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is a jewel set between the mountains and the sea, waiting to be discovered by all who dare to lose themselves in its majestic historical heritage, luxuriant nature, cosmopolitan cultural offer and opulent gastronomy.
Sintra exudes a romantic aura that leaves a deep impression on the soul and work of the writers who, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, pioneered the Romantic spirit and celebrated subjectivity and the emotion of the human drama. Sintra is truly the capital of Romanticism.
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Trieste, Italy
This city was one of the oldest parts of the Habsburg Monarchy. It was the most important port of one of the Great Powers of Europe. As a prosperous seaport in the Mediterranean region, Trieste became the fourth largest city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (after Vienna, Budapest, and Prague) and one of the most picturesque European destinations for wanderlusts.
Trieste had been an important spot in the struggle between the Eastern and Western blocs after the Second World War. Today, the city is in one of the richest regions of Italy, and has been a major center for shipping, shipbuilding and financial services.
Book a flight to Italy here.
Porto Santo, Madeira, Portugal
It is one long beach with a bit of an island attached. Along its nine kilometres of soft white sands, you’ll find just a handful of hotels and restaurants, making Porto Santo one of the last ‘undiscovered’ resorts in Europe.
Part of the Portuguese archipelago that includes the island of Madeira – in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Africa – Porto Santo offers a superb chance to get away from it all. Its volcanic sands have long been said to have curative powers for all manner of aches and illness.
Zadar, Croatia
Situated in the heart of the Adriatic, Zadar is the urban center of northern Dalmatia that acts as an administrative, economic, cultural and political center of the region with 75,000 inhabitants. The coast is particularly indented, the islands and its corresponding unsullied nature allures many boaters to this region.
This spectacular archipelago counts 24 bigger and about 300 smaller islets and rocks, 3 nature parks – Telašćica, Velebit and Vransko jezero and 5 national parks – Paklenica, Plitvice lakes, Kornati Islands, Krka and Sjeverni Velebit classifying Zadar and its surroundings.
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Kotor, Montenegro
On the foothills of the mountain Lovcen, in the deepest part of the most beautiful Mediterranean bay, lies the old town of Kotor. A picturesque coastal town, Kotor is one of the best off beat European destinations adorned with breathtaking landscape, full of rich cultural tradition and one of the best preserved sights in the Mediterranean.
Bled, Slovania
With immense natural beauty, Bled, together with its surroundings, ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts, renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake waters. The beauty of the mountains reflected on the lake, the sun, and the serenity and the fresh air arouses pleasant feelings in the hearts of travelers throughout the year.
Guaranteeing an ideal base or a relaxing break or an active holiday, Bled attracts the old and the young, from all over the world, enchanting them to come back for more.
Lofoten, Norway
Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland. Though lying within the Arctic Circle, this surreal archipelago experiences one of the world’s largest elevated temperature anomalies relative to its high latitude. Popular for its excellent fishing opportunities, the Lofoton islands is a dream come true offbeat destination away from the chaotic world.
Winter temperatures here, are very mild considering its location north of the Arctic Circle – Lofoten has the largest positive temperature anomaly in the world relative to latitude. as a result of the Gulf Stream and its extensions: the North Atlantic Current and the Norwegian Current.