Set out to sea from the Bulgarian city of Varna
Columbus sailed the real version of the Pinta Varna
The Black Sea city of Varna – Bulgaria’s third-biggest – is a hot hub for seafaring types (and an important centre of maritime trade since waaaay back in the Ancient Greek era). From pirate rigs to private yachts, these are the best ways to take to the water.
Set sail from Varna
Hop across Croatia’s iridescent islands
Mountainous Lošinj is teeming with hiking paths / Image: Mónica R Goya
The wicked coastal strip of country that comprises Croatia is fabbo for late-night hijinks – but it’s also home to some of the dreamiest islands this side of the Ionian. The city of Pula is a perfect jumping-off spot to explore some of the most serene – and here’s where to start.
Go island hopping out of Pula
Find beach bliss in Cyprus
Nissi beach from above / Image: Getty Images
Love beaches? Who doesn’t?? And if you love serene sands you’ll adore Cyprus, the Mediterranean island paradise that’s home to everything from hot party hubs to hyper-chill coves and turtle breeding hotspots.
5 not-to-be-missed beaches in Cyprus
Visit a pioneering centre of inclusivity in the Czech Republic
Neratov is located the rugged Hradec Králové region / All images: Dave Imms
Prague, what with being one of Europe’s most radiantly beautiful and affordable capital cities, is blissful, sure. But have you heard of Neratov? It’s a teeny community that’s become a beacon of inclusivity, where people struggling with mental and physical adversity can thrive – and visitors are very welcome.
Welcome to Nerative: Europe’s most utopian village?
Take a dazzling day trip from Copenhagen
The chalky bluffs of Møns Klint / Image: Adobe Stock
OK, we’d never suggest visiting Denmark’s dashing capital of Copenhagen simply to leave the moment you get there – but the city is also a fine zipping-off point for some dreamy day trips. Undulating chalk cliffs? The world’s most alluring art museum? Hamlet’s actual IRL castle (er, sort of)? All, and more, in close proximity.
7 delightful day trips from Copenhagen
Run with the devil in Helsinki
Helsinki's The Riff / Image: Juha Hanhinen – John La Hanhi Productions
Apparently, Helsinki has 70 heavy metal bands for every 100,000 residents (who’s counting, we couldn’t say). That means that there’s a hella lot of rockin’ hangouts for fleet-fingered longhairs – and we’ve rounded up some of the coolest.
Brave Helsinki’s heavy metal hangouts
Find inner peace in a Nice church
A natty nave at Église Sainte-Rita / Image: © Ville de Nice
After the years we’ve all had, a bit of spiritual quietude feels more than welcome. The French city of Nice – which is absolutely is – is full of ecclesiastical wonders, replete with nifty naves and fetching façades. Perfect for taking a reflective breather – and architecturally impressive enough for even the most ardent atheist.
The most dramatic churches in Nice
Sup the spoils of Berlin’s dinky urban wine scene
Timo Bieber and Daniel Mayar are the men behind Kreuz-Neroberge / Image: Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Unlikely as it sounds, Berlin’s hip Kreuzberg district has been home to a dinky vineyard since the Cold War, producing up to 700 bottles of its inimitable organic Kreuz-Neroberger label each year. Question is: how do you get your mitts on some?
Discover Berlin’s secret urban winery
Fill up on the Med’s finest food on Greece’s Aegean islands
Making stuffed vine leaves on Andros / Image : Nicole Franzen
Many countries lay claim to their cuisines being the best in Europe – but Greece really might have the edge (sorry Italy). Its South Aegean islands are a European Region of Gastronomy, meaning their food is officially delicious. Here’s what you should snaffle – and which sun-kissed rocks you can do it on.
These are the most delicious islands in Greece
Strike out from the brilliant bedlam of Naples for a day
Pompeii is swiftly accessible from Naples / Image: Getty Images
With its fantastic pizza fritta and a chaotic character like no other, the Campanian city of Naples might be Italy’s most thrilling. It’s also in striking distance of some other amazing places: from the archaeological marvels of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the dreamy Tyrrhenian islands of Ischia and Capri.
The best day trips from Naples
See what the youth are up to in Pristina
Pristina's 'NEWBORN' monument, opposite the Palace of Youth and Sports / Image: Alamy
The Kosovan capital of Pristina is the most youthful in Europe, with the average age a fresh-faced 28. From the Palace of Youth to its banging club scene, here’s where to feel old in this Balkan beauty.
Get down with the kids in Pristina
Take tea with Morocco’s answer to a Pop titan
A perceptive work by Hassan Hajjaj / © Hassan Hajjaj, Chillin', 2000
Artist, film-maker and celeb photographer Hassan Hajjaj is known as the Andy Warhol of Morocco. He also happens to run Riad Yima – a delightful tea room, gallery and boutique in the inimitable city of Marrakech.
Meet the Moroccan Andy Warhol in Marrakech
Smash a car to smithereens in Amsterdam
Deconstructing cars is all the rage in Amsterdam / Photo: Jordi Huisman
Feeling absolutely flippin’ furious? Yeah, us too. In otherwise laid-back Amsterdam you can do something about it: by paying to pummel an old banger into itty-bitty pieces with a giant hammer. We’re feeling more zen just thinking about it.
You can take out your anger on a banger in Amsterdam
Wolf down the most righteous kebab in Norway
Oslo's Aleppo Bahebek serves Syrian food made by refugees / Image: Amjad Al Balkhi
Oslo is awash with the clean, clever flavours of the New Nordic movement, but did you know that, thanks to the initiative of some Syrian refugees, it’s also an uhmazing place to find ace, authentic shawarma? Damn straight – and this is the kebab you mustn’t miss.
Find authentic shawarma in Oslo
Pay your respects to the King in Krakow
Presley was inducted to Krakow's Avenue of Stars in 2018 / Image: Getty
Odd as it sounds, but Elvis has a weirdly fervent following in Krakow. Come for the architecture, history and pierogi, sure – but don’t leave without paying tribute to the King in his Eastern European home.
Find Elvis Presley in Krakow
Amble around one of Portugal’s beautiful lesser-known towns
Undulating rooftops in old Obidos / Image: 123rf
Lisbon, Porto, Faro… all delightful, but all done. What you want is a list of the best lesser-known Portuguese towns to make a beeline for this year. They’re just as beatific – but you’ll have more space to breath.
The best secret towns to visit in Portugal
Discover Bucharest, Romania’s ‘Paris of the East’
The Palace of Parliament is an enormous Communist-era relic / Image: Adobe Stock
From the fab food and enormous boulevards, to a provision of pretty parks and a whole lotta high quirk, Romania’s gloriously rough-around-the-edges capital is one of Eastern Europe’s unassuming best. Here are all the reasons you should visit.
Here’s why you need to make Bucharest your next city-break
Get down by the water in Belgrade
Daska & Vesla on the river Danube / Image: Magid Bailla
There’s nothing finer than messing about on boats – apart from when that boat is a bar and you’re in the natty Serbian capital of Belgrade. The Danube has become an unlikely centre for some of Eastern Europe’s coolest nightlife – here’s where to hit the deck.
Spend an evening on Belgrade’s boat bars
Have a hairy time on a wheely good Slovenian cycle tour
A friendly, hairy tour guide in Ljubljana / Image: Tim E White
Ljubljana is one of Europe’s best cycling cities. Take to the lanes with a happily hirsute bike tour following in the footsteps of three of its noteworthy residents – all of whom happened to have wonderful whiskers, just like your guides.
Take a moustache tour of Ljubljana
Find the essence of Spain across its most underrated region
The cosmos provides in Andalucia / Image: Getty Images
Clued-up travellers know that Andalucia – flush with flamenco, stupendous Jerez sherry and Moorish masterpieces – holds the true essence of Spain. As will you, with this wicked guide to the southern region that Seville, Granada and the Costa del Sol call casa.
5 cool and cultured reasons to plan a trip to Andalucia
Feel (and taste) the burn in the wilds of Sweden
Niklas Ekstedt cooks up something something flaming tasty / Image: Ola Jacobsen
Scandi superchef Niklas Ekstedt is on fire. Almost literally, as he’s a pioneer in cooking over open flame. He’s also helped curate Sweden’s alfresco Edible Country scheme – so you can take to the wilds and follow in his flame-licked footsteps.
Learning to cook like it’s 12,000 BC with Sweden’s hottest chef
Browse the hippest boutiques in Geneva
The sleek interior of natural beauty store Archipel / Image: Nicole Hertel Photography
The genteel Swiss city of Geneva is a highly stylish place, and its bitesize boutiques are perfect places to let the francs fly. From concept homeware to natural beauty products and, er, papier-mâché animal heads, here’s where to make all your coolest material dreams come true.
Geneva’s best independent shops for gifts
