Hey guys, I will be off next weekend to somewhere in Europe. While I am still deciding where to go, I wanted to share with you this interesting review of Lonely Planet's Secret places in Europe. Where would you go? Do you know any other, more secret, location? Leave your comment if you please, and help me to decide!
- Warsaw, Poland
- Stryn, Norway
- Gijón, Spain
- Ribe, Denmark
- Naples, Italy
- Cyclades, Greece
- Szombathely, Hungary
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Warsaw, Poland
The Polish capital might have come out of WWII as a pile of rubble, but this
gritty city has emerged in the 21st century as a fascinating patchwork of
architectural styles with an entertainment scene unmatched in Poland.
- Stryn, Norway
Tucked away in the folds of fjords and high-altitude valleys of western Norway,
Stryn is a secret best known to locals for its year-round appeal, that grows
with each passing year among those looking to escape the more heavily
visited destinations in Norway.
- Gijón, Spain
Sitting with its feet in the Bay of Biscay and its back against the rolling hills of
one of Spain’s greenest regions, Gijón (hee-HON) is a seaside city that knows
how to live the good life. Located on Spain’s northern coast, this former
industrial hub is too often overlooked by foreign visitors but hugely popular
with southern Spaniards who come here to escape the summer heat and to
enjoy the beaches and nightlife for which Gijón is famous.
- Ribe, Denmark
Denmark’s zeitgeisty appeal is often attributed to its cities, where travellers
Instagram the output of acclaimed architects and chefs (case in point: Aarhus,
one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe stars). But in the rush to embrace the
new, don’t overlook the old. A brilliant contrast to Denmark’s cities is Ribe, 300km west of Copenhagen.
This is Denmark’s oldest town.
- Naples, Italy
Naples is Italy’s wild child, a rambunctious rebel living large in the shadow of
a slumbering volcano. For years tangled in a net of negative press, the city is
fighting back with newfound verve. Restored ancient catacombs, metro stations
designed by some of the world’s hottest artists, street-art tours and a car-free
seaside promenade have those mobster clichés running for cover.
- Cyclades, Greece
Can Greece remain a favourite holiday playground while international headlines
highlight economic tumult and refugee influx? It should. It’s tough to reconcile
all aspects of present-day Greece, but be in no doubt: the country continues to
offer some of the world’s finest history, scenery and
filoxenia
(hospitality and
kindness to strangers). The appeal of superstar Cyclades acts like Santorini and
Mykonos is no secret, but nearby are stunning under-the-radar island gems,
and locals thrilled to welcome you.
- Szombathely, Hungary
When it comes to Roman ruins and treasures, Szombathely is second to none
and 2016 is a big year for Hungary, not least because it is the 60th anniversary
of the Hungarian Revolution. Ironically, this reminder of Europe’s own ‘Arab
Spring’ coincides with St Martin’s Memorial Year, which marks the 17th
centenary of the birth of St Martin in Hungary’s oldest city, Szombathely, in 316
AD.
- Vilnius, Lithuania
That Vilnius remains a secret to anyone is a puzzle. Lithuania’s stunning
Unesco-protected Baroque capital is small enough to wander around in a day,
yet lavishly blessed with cultural riches. Its historical heart is castle-crowned
Gediminas Hill, at the junction of the Vilnia and Neris rivers; from here cobbled
streets lined with Catholic and Orthodox churches and traditional craft studios
radiate in all directions.
Source: a review of Lonely Planet Top Secret destination for 2016
I'd stick to the wings fly now