~ Top 10 European Hideaways ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 European Hideaways

Europe somehow just sets the mood right even for Europeans looking for the perfect getaway, the reality is that Europe is one of the biggest tourist areas of the world. The problem is that so many people love Europe and travel to the region of the world so frequently that sometimes it can seem crowded with tourists in the most popular places. This top 10 list though will put you up a step ahead of other tourists looking forward to great European getaway. The places found in this list are just as or even better than the common travel destinations found in Europe but they differ in one way that not many people know about them, so they are still exclusive at present time. You will find all the European wonder and magnetic scenes that are found in the top destinations but you wont find the crowds and that makes them earn their place on this list.


1. Kvarner Islands, Croatia   



One of the few places in the Mediterranean where quality of the experience outweighs the community satisfaction of mass tourism is Kvarner Islands, which are part of Croatia. The island region area is also referred to as Apsyrtides, which roots from stories of the Argonauts stealing the Golden Fleece and making their way to the area on the run from the Black Sea. It was the kings son Apsyrtides that the islands were named after as he was sent to stop the Argonauts but was caught, cut into pieces and thrown into the sea. The legend is that the islands formed from the pieces of Apsyrtides. The Dalmatian coast of the Islands is not well developed and remains in an almost untouched state and this draws tourists that search for eco-tourism destinations. The summer brings in temperatures of 38 degrees and the water stays cools for a nice dip, although, it is best to go to in the off season, before July and after August. In the off season there is rarely ever a crowd, even on the beaches.

[MysteRy]

2. Urbino, Italy   



Urbino is sometimes referred to as the poor mans Tuscany but just because it is cheaper than and not as popular as the well-known Tuscany, it doesnt mean its not just as good or even better. If you really want to experience the Italian culture then Urbino is the place to be in Italy. When you go to Florence or Tuscany you will run into businessmen from New York and Los Angeles but to run into a true Italian painter that captures the beauty of Italy Urbino takes the cake. Although the life is a little slower than the popular tourist spots of Italy the atmosphere is truly Italian and not crowded with tourist from all over. In the town you can find a renaissance palace and narrow cobblestone roads that rarely have motor traffic. Another unique aspect to the town is that it is completely walled in.

[MysteRy]

3. Lipsi, Greece   



In Greece, a small group of islets is a wonderful place to spend some time relaxing and getting away from the rush of the major tourist destinations. Lipsi is the biggest island in the group and on the island is the namesake capital city as well. Lipsi Island and the city itself is a great place to go and sample the local delicacies at small family owned cafes and taverns. In the shops you will find mostly locally made products as well such as thyme honey, which is made traditionally on the island. Locally grown food products are easy to find in the many open air produce markets and something else travelers will run into is hand-woven fabrics in the bizarre. There are many small churches and monasteries throughout the island and it is said that there is one for every single family on the island, which may very well be true.

[MysteRy]

4. Dingle, Ireland   



Dingle, Ireland is a place where history runs rampant and the explanation why is that it has around 6,000 years of history throughout its land area. The history and beautiful lands have to be one of the main attractions of the land as common tourist traps really arent found in Dingle. Since Dingle is so remotely located it has led to an extremely well preserved area of monuments and archeological sites. There are over 2,000 monuments that have survived very well for centuries and they are all worth seeing, especially the Stone Age rock art that can be found in the land. The history though, extends as far back as the Mesolithic Era and there is evidence of the first tribes, which scoured the coast for their food sources. Many structures can be discovered around the lands of the area and the history is quite intriguing for anyone.

[MysteRy]

5. Grimaud, France   



A village locked in the Medieval Architecture that makes up the city and the 11th century ruins that overlook the city, seemingly keeping an eye on the city through the centuries. During the Middle Ages Grimaud had a huge strategic edge as it is perched high on a hilltop and this gave it a great advantage over invaders. This is what helped the city keep so well preserved and almost untouched by outside forces. In the city you can find almost everything from the renaissance period of France and almost every site is well preserved. Low vaulted passageways and narrow medieval streets are found within the city and give the feeling that you are in a different time and place, somewhere out of your own era. The town accommodations include small inns, hotel and private holiday rental apartments and homes. Something that the city has done to accommodate the less spry is adapt elevator systems throughout the city as making the uphill climb around the city can be quite exhausting for most.

[MysteRy]

6. Regensburg, Germany   



Germanys hidden gem is the town Regensburg, which was Bavaria, Germanys original capital city in the past centuries. Being a capital city centuries ago led to the city having many preserved structures from the Middle Ages and renaissance period, this has made the town notorious for history seeking travelers. Regensburg is recognized as one of Europes most well preserved medieval cities there is. Oscar Schindler, the famous author of "Schindlers list”, the author stayed in the city for years. Even though the city has a pretty large population, 130,000 to be exact, it still maintains its sleepy village like atmosphere and nature. The city is about 60 miles north of Munich, where the tourists usually flock for beer festivals. Although Regensburg has its share of beer related activities it is more a place of history and relaxing walks throughout its walls. Spending time in the historical city is something you wont regret.

[MysteRy]

7. Wroclaw, Poland   



Wroclaw, Poland is a one thousand year old city and has the biggest downtown square in all of Europe, that is something not many people are aware of but it is indeed a fact. The renaissance style square is approximately the size of 2 football fields long and about 1.5 wide, pretty large in comparison to others; Rynek Square is definitely worth a visit. Aside from the huge city square the town sports a huge seemingly gold in color, palace that has an in house brewery and pub. During the communistic years of Poland the square only had 2 pubs and restaurants, in present times it holds around 120 in total between the two. The square plays a big role in the entertainment of the city as during the summer it fills with Polish bands, playing salsa, jazz and other polish favorites. Visit the colorful city in the summer and hang out in the square during the twilight hours.

[MysteRy]

8. La Maddalena, Italy   La



Palau a port town is where you can grab a ferry ride to Maddalena, Italy, which is one of the best islands to go while in Italy as most will tell you, it rivals Santorini, Greece. The island is a place where crystal clear, multi shade waters come in abundance and the sun is never hiding, even in the winter months. The beaches on the island are seemingly private as the largest beach on the island does not exceed 70 meters long. There is also a US Naval base on the island as well and the sailors are accommodating just as the locals that live in the homes with the orange roofs that you will see as the ferry gets close to the island. Maddalena is a great place to spend time in peace, away from big hordes of tourists and still be able to have enough people around to share stories with.

[MysteRy]

9. Troyes, France   



The official champagne country of France, Troyes is the place to be for lovers of the bubbly and people who just like to relax in the beautiful lands of France. Troyes is an old town with a population of no more than 60,000 people and it is one of the only places in the world where champagne is so popular that it is part of almost every meal and it is served even at coffee shops. Troyes is easy to find as it is just a short 90 minute train ride southeast from Paris but it is often not crowded as it blends in with the country side and doesnt really make it to peoples attention with all of Frances wonderful destinations. The biggest and most intriguing effect that the city has on your senses is the feeling of time travel into Frances renaissance period. This is mainly because of the narrow stone streets and huge compilation of Gothic churches.

[MysteRy]

10. Ebensee, Austria   



A market town that sits on Lake Traunsee and is just about a 20 minute drive from Salzburg is named Ebensee, one of Austrias hidden gems. The sleepy town has a population of only 8,700 and it remains just as lively and festive as Austrias biggest cities. Ebensee stays without a crowd most of the time leaving lots of room for the lucky few who know of the great town with plenty of opportunity to swim, fish, snorkel, dive, wind surf and boat in the lakes. Some like to take the train car ride from the town to the 5,200 foot high mountain just nearby the city as well. There4 is also an 18th century hunting lodge to visit too, which was founded by an emperor that once ruled the area. If lakes and hunting lodges arent really your cup of tea then you can always hike in the mountains that surround the city where green plateaus and wild bush run rampant.