Traveling is always fun, no matter where you decide to go. However, depending on the destination you choose to visit, the price of such an endeavor can vary significantly. That being said, some destinations are more popular and more “famous” than others, which oftentimes makes them overcrowded and quite pricey.
On the other hand, there are numerous beautiful destinations, off the beaten path, that also offer amazing scenery and thrilling experiences. The best part is that not many know of them, so you can expect to get the real feel of the place instead of just another touristy experience. Europe is definitely rich with such destinations and attractions. Here are just some of them.
Food for thought
The simple truth is that food brings people together. Ever since the ancient times, guests were welcomed with a rich feast prepared in their honor. Europe is a great continent to explore for all the food lovers as there are numerous places offering delicious unique meals that guarantee to satisfy anyone’s taste buds. Balkan countries, such as Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia have a plethora of culinary delights that guarantee that nobody who visits these countries will go home hungry. From perfectly rolled pastries to elaborate home cooked meals (sarma), barbecue, Smokehouse visits and tasting and unique fermented drinks (boza), you can rest assured you’ll find something you’ll simply adore.
Folk festivals
Folk festivals are another interesting attraction you should definitely visit if a great atmosphere, excellent street food, good beer and folk music are your thing. From the world-famous Oktoberfest (Munich, Germany) to smaller, yet equally entertaining festivals such as the Guča Trumpet Festival (Guča, Serbia), Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk” (Bulgaria) and the International Festival of Dance and Song “Hanioti” (Hanioti, Greece), lovers of such attractions will certainly enjoy these authentic experiences. However, if you ever decide to go and check any of these festivals, make sure you spend some time getting to meet all the places you’re currently at, as all of them have so much more to offer, other than the festivals themselves.
Award ceremonies
Europe is famous for the opulence of different award ceremonies. While the Cannes Lions is certainly a world-wide attraction, there are also other ceremonies you should definitely check out. For instance, the Europa’s Unconference and Awards for European Tech Startups is a premier tech award ceremony held for the first time in London, back in 2009. If this is not your cup of tea, on the other hand, you can check out the winners of AskGamblers Awards, held for the first time in the beautiful city of Belgrade this year. The European Film Awards is the perfect ceremony for all European film lovers. This year, they are scheduled to be held in Berlin on December 7th 2019.
Breath-taking nature
Europe is filled with breathtaking scenery and natural wonders nobody can really stay indifferent towards. If you like chasing waterfalls, make sure that the road takes you to South Coast of Iceland, precisely the south coast near Vik. Here, you will have the opportunity to see – and walk behind – the beautiful Seljalandfoss, discover the stunning Gljufrabui (also known as the Secret Falls) and climb the steep stairs to stand above Skogafoss. On the other hand, you can head towards Serbia and check out the Devil’s town (Đavolja varoš). Here, you’ll be able to see some of the most unique and stunning natural tall stone formations. According to the local legend, the stones are actually petrified wedding guests who were, by devil’s orders, on their way to marry a brother and sister. So, if local legends and stunning natural scenery are your thing, make sure you include this one in your bucket list.
Oenophiles’ dream
If you like wine and you want to combine your love for travelling with tasting different alternatives of this delicious drink – you’re in luck! Europe is rich with places that are famous for their unique wine tastes. Melnik region (Bulgaria) will offer you some of the most unique flavors that can only be found in this region. If you’re more of a fan of dessert wine, make sure you check out a small town of Sremski Karlovci, near Novi Sad (Serbia). Here, you will get the chance to try Bermet, a dessert wine made by maceration of around 20 different spices and herbs. The exact recipe to create this wine is a well-kept secret, known by only a handful of families that live in the town of Sremski Karlovci. However, even though this wine is exclusive to Serbia’s Fruška Gora wine region, some documents actually state that Bermet was served on the Titanic.
So, the next time you decide to hit the road and travel to a new location, don’t just visit a place everyone’s flocking to. Instead, try focusing on lesser-know and explored destination for a better feel of the region and a more unique experience. This way, you will not only get to experience some wonderful things you never know existed but you’ll also be able to truly get familiar with some other customs and traditions.
Categories: Europe
