Don’t worry, we feel the same way about you guys!

Even for those of us who have continental Europe on our doorsteps, there’s so much to discover that we all end up feeling the same way. Europe is littered with spots that have all the charm of the major destinations but without the major crowds and inflated prices.

So, which countries are best to visit in Europe? If you want to get a bit off-the-beaten-path and get a little more bang for your buck then here are the 6 most underrated European countries to visit!

The Most Underrated European Countries To Visit Are:

Let’s now discuss each of these underrated countries in Europe to visit!

1. Slovenia

Nestled between Italy, Austria and Croatia, little Slovenia has all the charm of its bigger brothers but at a fraction of the cost. Ljubljana, the capital, boasts an imposing castle, a charming Old Town, and a scenic river, all of which make it an ideal city to explore on foot.

The coastal town of Piran is another tourist draw, thanks to its stunning architecture and laid-back feel. It’s everything you’d want from Venice or Dubrovnik, but without the overcrowding and expense. The reef just off-shore is also an excellent place to spot seahorses if you’re lucky.

Away from the towns, Slovenia is a mountain country with stunning alpine landscapes in abundance. The fossils, karsts and canyons of Skocjan and Postojna caves should definitely be on your list if you’re heading here, as should a trip to Vintgar Gorge.

For many, though, the country’s most photogenic spot is undoubtedly Lake Bled. A castle on a hilltop; a church on an island; the whole thing surrounded by forests and mountains; it’s the archetypal European fairy-tale landscape.

2. Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has endured some difficult times in the recent past, but its fascinating history and beautiful scenery mean that its well-and-truly one of the most interesting places to visit in Europe.

The bullet marks still riddling the buildings in Sarajevo’s “Sniper Alley”—once the most dangerous street in the world—are haunting reminders of the conflict that left this city besieged for almost four years. The site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination, the event that triggered World War I, can also be found here. It’s well worth hiring a local guide, therefore, to understand the capital’s turbulent past.

But Bosnia and Herzegovina is a defiant country. Bruised but not beaten, it has repaired much of the damage that was done during the war and looks forward to a bright future. There is perhaps no better example of this than the bridge at Mostar. Destroyed by Croatian armed forces in 1993, the bridge has been rebuilt and is once again the centerpiece of this charming town. In the summer the city’s young people jump joyfully from the bridge into the river below.

3. Albania

It’s probably fair to say that Albania might not have always received the best press in the past. Ask most people what they imagine when they think of the country and they’ll picture a drab, grey sort of place.

However, take a walk through the city streets of Tirana and you’ll see that nothing could be further from the truth. The vibrant paintwork that now adorns the capital’s offices and apartments is not merely cosmetic, it is symbolic. These colorful streets show the world that Albania is opening up and is eager to show off its many charms.

Among these are Albania’s many beautiful beaches, the best of which can be found near the town of Dhermi. Albania has striking landscapes, too. The “blue hole”, a natural spring in Albania’s Delvine District, is one picture-perfect example, as are the hot springs at Benja. The ancient town of Berat, known as the “City of a Thousand Windows”, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a perfect introduction to Albania’s old-world charm.

Of course, there are plenty of reminders Albania’s crippling Communist regime scattered around the country, too. The pyramid dedicated to Head of State, Enver Hoxha, in Tirana, may have fallen into disrepair but thankfully the building itself still stands. It’s now possible to walk up the sides of the building for views out over Tirana.

4. Montenegro

Montenegro is an underrated European country brimming with incredible scenery and charming old towns, and all hemmed in between the mountains and the sea.

Perhaps the country’s defining geological feature is the Tara Canyon, a river gorge so deep it is surpassed only by the Grand Canyon. The best way to appreciate the canyon is undoubtedly by organizing a rafting tour over the river rapids, but if all that sounds a bit too energetic, make for Djurdjevica Bridge, a vantage point with breath-taking views along the canyon.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Kotor, with its Romanesque churches and winding avenues, is perhaps the most picturesque Old Town in Montenegro. The coastal settlement of Budva runs it a close second, however, and both should be right at the top of your itinerary.

If a trip to the beach is on the agenda then head to Sveti Stefan, a medieval town turned luxury resort on a tiny island in the Adriatic.

5. Romania

Everyone knows Europe has a bunch of awesome castles, but perhaps not that many know some of the best can be found in Romania.

Peles Castle, the former Royal Residence, is so picturesque it’s bordering on kitsch. Corvin Castle is a grand mammoth of a thing. The most famous, Bran Castle, is where Vlad the Impaler was once imprisoned and served as the inspiration for Count Dracula’s dwelling-place in the Bram Stoker novel.

Actually, it turns out neither of these legends might really be true, but they do lend a luster of mystique to a castle already impressive enough in its own right. All of the places to see in Europe if you’re a castle nerd, Romania must top that list!

In fact, Romania is pretty much a dream for lovers of architecture, too. The Constanta Casino is surely one of the world’s most opulent abandoned buildings; the gigantic Presidential Palace in Bucharest will have you straining your neck to take it all in; the tottering Densus Church is one of the oldest and most quaint in all Europe.

When you throw in a sci-fi theme park in the depths of a salt mine and the incredibly low cost of living, it’s hard to imagine why Romania remains so much under the radar.

6. Kaliningrad (Russia)

Kaliningrad is not a country in its own right but rather a tiny Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea. However, for most of its history it was part of Poland and Germany, and used to be known as Königsberg before being annexed to Russia, after World War II.

Its fascinating mix of Western and Eastern Europe architectural styles and cultural practices make it one of those must see places in Europe before you die.

Königsberg Cathedral is at the heart of public life here and had to be completely rebuilt in the 1990s after being badly damaged during World War II. Immanuel Kant, the city’s most famous inhabitant is buried in a small tomb here, so if Groundwork on the Metaphysic of Morals is your favorite bed-time read then you need to:

1. Visit.
2. Find better ways to relax!

The Curonian Spit, with its famous “dancing trees”, might help you do just that.

So that’s our list of the most underrated European countries, but it’s not definitive—we haven’t mentioned Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Macedonia or Armenia. In fact, there’s a host of countries that could easily have made our list, so if you have any recommendations then do let us know in the comments.

Suggested next reading: 15 Astonishing Mountain Towns In Europe Worth Visiting

The post 6 Most Underrated European Countries To Visit appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Sometimes called the “Venice of the North”, you can spend your days wandering along canals lined with baroque and neoclassical palaces and exploring old churches and cathedrals. The old capital city is also home to two of the greatest art and cultural museums in the world, The State Hermitage and The State Russian museums.

You could spend weeks exploring everything this beautiful city has to offer, but there are a few highlights that shouldn’t be missed. Whether you have a month-long tourist visa, or you’re on a three-day land excursion from a cruise ship, it’s possible to see everything on this list, just make sure you pack good walking shoes!

So without further ado, here’s your St Petersburg travel guide:

The historic center of St Petersburg is the first place you’ll want to explore. Everything is within walking distance, but public transport is cheap and easy to use with Google Maps if your feet get tired.

It’s possible to see each of these in a day, but you’ll want extra time to actually visit the museums.

The State Russian Museum

Only a 10-minute walk from the main street of Nevsky Prospect, this is as good a place as any to start your walking tour. It has the largest collection of Russian fine art in St Petersburg and is one of the largest museums in the country. You can easily spend half a day visiting the Mikhailovsky Palace, with other exhibitions held at the Marble Palace, the Mikhailovsky Castle and the Stroganov Palace.

A same-day ticket to two exhibitions will cost 600R ($9), or a three-day ticket to all four will cost 850R ($13).

The Church of our Saviour on the Spilled Blood

Located just behind the State Russian Museum, this will be your first taste of an onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral and it will not disappoint. It’s so similar to St Basil’s in Moscow with its multicolored domes and turrets, just not quite as busy!

Tickets to go inside cost 250R ($4) and it’s well worth it to see the interior decorated with a kaleidoscope of colorful mosaics.

The Summer Garden

Head through Mikhailovsky garden, across the Moika river and take a walk along the leafy green paths of St Peterburg’s oldest garden, the Summer Garden, where you’ll find marble statues, fountains and the modest Summer Palace of Peter the Great tucked away at the back.

It’s a great place to escape the city streets for a while, entrance to the garden is free, while the palace is currently closed for refurbishment.

Cruiser Aurora

Walk through the barren Field of Mars and cross the massive Neva river for a detour to this 1900’s Russian cruiser that played a small part in the communist revolution by firing a blank round from the forward gun as a signal to start the assault on the Winter Palace.

It now houses one of the largest maritime museums in the world with a huge collection of model ships, tickets cost 600R ($9).

Peter and Paul Fortress

Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, the Peter and Paul Fortress was the original citadel of St Petersburg, set on an island on the banks of the Neva river.

Entrance to the grounds is free, if you want to go inside the golden Peter and Paul Cathedral tickets cost 450R ($6). You can also buy tickets to visit the bastion and its grim prison cells, or to climb to the top of the fortress walls for stunning panorama views.

The Strelka

At the tip of Vasilyevsky Island, as you cross the Neva river again, is where you’ll find the banks of The Strelka, with great views of Peter and Paul Fortress to the left and The Hermitage to the right, flanked by two Rostral Columns, iconic St Petersburg landmarks.

St Isaac’s Cathedral

Walk along the river past the Admiralty and a statue of Peter the Great and you’ll see the golden dome of this stunning cathedral that dominates St Petersburg’s skyline.

You can buy tickets to visit the museum inside (250R, $4) or to climb the 262 steps to the collonade (150R, £3) rewarding you with incredible panoramic views of the city.

The State Hermitage Museum

Follow the road past the southern face of the Admiralty and you can’t miss the baby blue Winter Palace.

If you want to explore this vast museum housing over three million items displayed throughout five buildings (the Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, the New Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre), you’ll need at least a full day, more if you have the time, a combined ticket costs 700R ($11).

You can also visit part of the Hermitage Storage Facility and the other branches; the east wing of the General Staff Building, the Winter Palace of Peter I, the Menshikov Palace and the Imperial Porcelain factory.

If like me you want a quick tour of the stunning Winter Palace then you can give yourself a few hours to admire the architecture, the chandeliers and of course the artwork and historic pieces on display. They offer free entry on the first Thursday of every month, but the queue was a mile long even an hour before it opened, so good luck with that.

The best time to visit is on a Wednesday or Thursday evening when it’s open until 9pm and most of the tour groups have left.

Kazan Cathedral

Outside the Hermitage lies the Palace Square which connects back to the main shopping street of Nevsky Prospekt with one last sight to see. From the outside the 111m long collonade of this cathedral makes it look more like a government building, but once you step inside it’s all dark and gothic traditional Orthodox architecture.

You’ll often see a long line of people waiting to kiss the icon of Our Lady of Kazan.

While most of St Petersburg’s sights are in the historic heart of the city, there are a few just outside that are worth tackling public transport or paying for a taxi to visit.

Nikolsky Cathedral

This baby blue cathedral of the patron saint of sailors is one of the most picturesque in the city with its golden domes, finely carved wooden iconostasis and bell tower overlooking Griboyedov Canal.

Trinity Cathedral

I thought I had seen most of the cathedrals that this city had to offer, but when I climbed to the collonade of St Isaac’s I could see the towering blue domes covered in gold stars far away in the distance, so I made my way there the next morning. In 2006 it was destroyed by a fire, but has now been restored to its former glory.

Smolny Cathedral

This sky blue cathedral is the beautiful centerpiece of Smolny Convent, built in the 1700’s. Its plain white interior makes a nice change from the usual colorful mosaics, and you’ll find a large collection of golden icons. The highlight is a climb to the top of the bell tower (150R, $3), the views are stunning!

Once you’ve gotten the hang of public transport in St Petersburg, it’s definitely worth heading farther out to see two of the grandest sights this city has to offer.

Peterhof

The Grand Palace of Peterhof is an imposing yellow building that dominates the hill above the Gulf of Finland, but that’s not why people visit, they come for the magnificent grounds.

The Upper Park is free to enter, but it’s worth buying a ticket for the Lower Park (900R, $14) so you can enjoy the stunning collection of golden fountains, tree-lined canals and acres of parkland. You can also take the hydrofoil for 800R ($12) one way which is a nice way to see the Neva River.

Naval Cathedral of St Nicolas

On the island of Kotlin stands the navel fortress of Kronshtadt, and it’s here that you will find the stunning white and gold Naval Cathedral. The interior is just as impressive, and although it’s far from the city it’s worth a visit on your way back from Peterhof.

This is everything I managed to visit with just three days and a lot of walking.

On my first day, I covered everything in the historic heart of the city. On my second day, I visited the things farther away, and went back to a few of my favorite locations in the center to get better photos. On my last day, I visited The Hermitage and Peterhof, stopping at the Naval Cathedral on the way back.

Public transport is very easy to use, you can rely on Google Maps to get you anywhere you need to go, whether it’s on the metro or the buses. You can pick up a local prepaid SIM card from мтс (MTS) with unlimited internet for only 600R ($9).

There are also many options for food, shopping and accommodation throughout the city, head to the main street of Nevsky Prospekt to find the best of everything!

Suggested next reading: Your Perfect Little Travel Guide To Moscow, Russia

The post How To Experience The Best Of St Petersburg In Just 3 Days appeared first on Modern Trekker.

I spent three days in Moscow and while it’s not as compact and easy to navigate as St Petersburg, it’s still an essential stop on your visit to Russia.

If you’re pushed for time you can see the highlights in a day, but I’d recommend spending at least three days here to make the most of it! Here’s my little travel guide to Moscow based on my own experience.

Where I Stayed

I stayed at the perfectly located Nereus Hostel, so I was only a 10-minute walk from the Moscow Kremlin.

Kremlin Tips

I recommend getting up early and being at the gates when they open at 9am so you can avoid the busiest part of the morning, it fills up with coach loads of tourists by 11am.

Tickets for the Kremlin and its Cathedral Square cost 500R ($7), you can pay an extra 250R ($4) to climb the Ivan the Great Bell Tower (definitely recommend this), and tickets to the Armoury cost an extra 500R.

As you enter the main gate you have the modern Kremlin State Palace to your right and as you pass through an archway of the Church of the Twelve Apostles you’ll find yourself in Cathedral Square, surrounded by white marble and golden domes.

You can climb to the top of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and you can go inside the Cathedral of the Archangel, the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the massive Assumption Cathedral and the tiny Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s Robe. You’re not allowed to take photos inside any of them, but I didn’t realize this and managed to get one before I got told off!

Cathedrals & Other Noteworthy Sites

If you leave the Kremlin by the east gate you’ll find yourself in the south corner of the Red Square, opposite the magnificent St Basil’s Cathedral. Seeing such a famous landmark in person is pretty amazing! You can pay to go inside, it costs 700R ($10, half price for students) and I expected a big open cathedral like the rest of them, but I was pleasantly surprised with many small rooms, winding corridors and dark decor.

The grand building running along the southeast side of the square is GUM, a massive department store for the wealthy, you’ll find brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Burberry. To the northwest of the square is the dark red State Historical Museum which costs 400R ($6) to enter, it houses a nice collection but after a visit to the magnificent Hermitage Museum, I found it quite boring.

Another must-do in my travel guide to Moscow, for me at least (I loved the architecture too much to be sick of it), was visiting the absolutely stunning Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It stands on the banks of the Moskva River, you can climb to the collonade for 400R ($6, half price for students) which rewards you with wonderful panoramic views of the city and the interior is gorgeous, I think it’s the most beautiful cathedral I visited in Russia.

From here you can cross the bridge and follow the river south, past the giant statue of Peter the Great, to Gorky Park—it’s a really nice place to be on a sunny day.

Further along the river is the much quieter Swallow Hills park, with a soon-to-be cable car that will take you up to the dramatic Moscow State University, one of seven similar skyscrapers throughout the city, and the view from here is wonderful.

As you take a bus back to the city, you can stop at Arbat Street, one of the main shopping sections of Moscow.

Outside The City

If you’re sick of the city and want to get out of it for a while, head south to the massive Kolomenskoye Open Air Museum where you can stroll through endless gardens and visit the Alexei Mikhailovich Palace, the Church of the Ascension and the Church of Our Lady of Kazan. Sit on the hill overlooking the suburbs and watch the sunset with a cold beer.

Guided Tours

The last thing I can really recommend in this travel guide to Moscow is a metro tour. Certain stations are more like tiny palaces, churches or art museums.

You can join a guided tour for around $10 but they go at the busiest times. It’s much better to go by yourself either very (very) early in the morning, between 11am and 2pm or last thing at night, when a single metro ticket only costs 55R (85¢)!

Most of the prettiest metro stations are conveniently located on the Circle Line: the stained windows of Novoslobodskaya, the regal Park Kultury and the colorful frescoes of Kiyevskaya. Some exceptions are the art deco Mayakovskaya (dark green line), the golden Aviamotornaya (yellow line) and the futuristic Elektrozavodskaya (dark blue line).

You can pick up a Troika card for your stay or buy individual tickets for each journey, and you can plan your route using either Google Maps or the Yandex.Metro app.

So that was my little travel guide to Moscow! Know of any other tips you’d like to share based on your own experience? Let us know in the comments below and we may even add it to this article!

Suggested next reading: 6 Best Places In The World To See The Northern Lights

The post Your Perfect Little Travel Guide To Moscow, Russia appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. Spectacular Scenery – Pyrenees Mountains

If you fancy a break from city life then why not hire a car and head north to explore the Pyrenees? The towns of Ripoll or Olot are excellent bases for rock-climbing and bouldering. Alternatively, head to Grandvalira for the best skiing in the region. Keep pressing north-west and you’ll reach Andorra, Europe’s fifth smallest country. The capital, Andorra La Vella, is a beautiful city nestled in a picturesque valley where French and Spanish influences mix. It can take a full day to do a round-trip from Barcelona and so it is well worth an overnight stay if time and budget permits. The Pyrenees has so much to offer depending on where you decide to explore. See the video below to get an idea of everything the Pyrenees has to offer!

2. Beaches – Tossa de Mar

Sitting atop Mount Guardi, a craggy outcrop towering above the Balearic Sea, is Tossa de Mar, the only surviving fortified medieval town anywhere on the Catalan coastline. A short climb to the top of the mountain provides an opportunity to drink in gorgeous views of the coastline whilst savoring the local seafood in one of the restaurants. Beyond that, the wider town boasts a lively (if touristy) shopping district and a string of pleasant beaches. Nearby Lloret de Mar is another popular destination, but we found it to be more crowded and less characterful than Tossa.

3. Medieval History – Girona

A forty-minute train ride from Barcelona, Girona is overflowing with history and is one of the best spots in Catalunya to gain an understanding of life in medieval Spain. Walk the city walls for a real sense of how a medieval city operated, then dive down onto the streets to sample local food in charming surroundings. The highlight for many is the magnificent Cathedral, a former Moorish mosque which has stood on this spot for over 1200 years. It will be familiar to Game of Thrones fans as the place where Cersei Lannister started her walk of shame, among other scenes.

4. Roman Ruins – Tarragona

A relatively short train ride from Barcelona, Tarragona was founded in the 5^th Century BC and is steeped in Roman history. The amphitheater is one of the best preserved in Europe and its beauty is only accentuated by the coastal backdrop. The Roman aqueduct and Circ Roma (chariot-racing track) are other major draws for history buffs, as is the Romanesque Cathedral. After you’ve taken in the sights, Tarragona has a number of first-class seafood restaurants to help you round off your day in style.

5. Religious Life – Montserrat Monastery

Historically Catalunya’s most important religious retreat, the abbey at Montserrat is still home to around 70 monks. During the Spanish Civil War, it was used as a refuge for artists and intellectuals opposed to Franco’s regime. As well as its interesting history, the Monastery is located in some of the most stunning scenery in Catalunya, making it a must for any visitor looking to explore the wider region beyond Barcelona.

To see a full view of Montserrat Monastery, see the video below.

6. Local Culture – The Castellers of Catalunya

Spain is famous across the world for its public festivals, and one of the most iconic is undoubtedly the human towers constructed by Catalunya’s “Castellers”. These towers are comprised of pinya—generally stocky and strong individuals who act as the base of the tower and a safety net to people who may fall—and the upper levels of more lightly-built people, often children, who make the daring ascent to the top. UNESCO recognised the tradition of making Castells as one of the “Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage” in 2010. The Castellers’ schedule for Barcelona and beyond can be found on their website here.

We hope you enjoyed our 6 day trips from Barcelona! Want to learn more? Or know of anymore? Feel free to comment below.

Other Barcelona articles you should read next:

1. 9 Unique Must-Do Things In Barcelona That Many People Miss
2. 9 Cultured Spots In Barcelona Art Lovers Simply Can’t Miss

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