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.

The world’s most visited country has plenty to show for its indisputable appeal. The vivid lavender fields of lyrical Provence, the swanky French Riviera (Côte d'Azur), the rocky heights of the north and the romantic charm of its city streets have all captured myriad imaginations – and rightfully so. With its internationally renowned wines and a cuisine that was the first to become part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, it’s no wonder France remains a potent magnet for even those travelers who have already summited the Eiffel Tower.

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.

Europe’s beloved summertime destination – Greece – is a treasure chest of assorted holiday hot spots, from ancient Athens for the history buffs and city breakers, to is scattering of fabulous islands: all-white, picture-perfect Santorini, swanky Mykonos, party-geared Zakynthos (with its world-famous Navagio shipwreck beach), sizable Crete and an alluring multitude of others, on both the Ionian and Aegeean sides.

The majesty of modern Italy, successor to one of the mightiest empires ever known, is made immense by its exciting collection of outstanding works of art (some by Michelangelo and Botticelli), ancient ruins and historic spots (Italy contains more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world), internationally revered cuisine, first-rate wines, the rolling hills of Tuscany, postcard-ready Amalfi Coast, and islands small and large, with buoyant Sicily and beach-enveloped Sardinia taking center stage.

Once a mighty empire that stretched from South America to Africa to the Pacific, Portugal is currently the oldest nation in Europe with the same borders, which speaks to its rich and storied past. With a high quality of life and relatively low cost of living, it is one of the best value travel destinations in Europe. It boasts a staggering natural diversity that one wouldn’t expect to find in such a small territory, and with its dynamic and youthful cities, like Lisbon and Porto, idyllic beaches in the Algarve, and picturesque expanses of wine country, there is no shortage of reasons to visit Portugal.

Bathed by Europe’s second longest river, the Danube, Romania is an increasingly popular, though still largely undiscovered, tourist destination. It boasts a variety of landscapes, from the Black Sea to the Carpathian Mountains that stretch across the country from top to bottom. Following the Danube eastwards towards the Black Sea, you will come across the Danube Delta, the best preserved of its kind on the continent. It is home to an astonishing total of 23 ecosystems, that present a wealthy diversity of extraordinary animals and vegetation. If you are in the mood for the perfect city break, the capital – Bucharest – has you covered. Here, beautiful Orthodox churches are thrown in together with hip cafés and trendy art galleries. Wander the streets of the Romanian capital, discover the vestiges of socialism and gaze up at the staggering Palace of Parliament. Although, if you’d like to plan a holiday trip to a truly hidden gem pay a visit to the city of Timisoara, a criminally underrated destination not far from the Serbian and Hungarian borders. With far more than its fair share of pleasant and flowery gardens, pretty squares and gorgeous buildings, Timisoara will give you plenty to do and see.