From islands, beaches, villages to a wide range of places of interest, Europe still has amazing tourist attractions that have yet to be discovered. From France's most majestic villages to Sweden's amazing hiking trails, here are 18 places to offer a tranquil getaway where you won't be as close to other visitors as you would at a temple fair.
1. Blagaj Tekija Monastery of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Braga dervish monastery is located between the springs of the Buna River and the historic building of Tekke. Built in 1520, this monastery is built in Ottoman and Mediterranean styles. Visitors can sit on the wooden river platform and enjoy the scenery of the Buna River while sipping cold drinks.
Those who have visited the Braga dervish monastery in the town of Kasaba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, tend to admire the grandeur of the monastery.
The spring of the Buna River next to the Braga Monastery is one of the largest karst springs in Europe.
2. Kizhi Island, Russia
Kizh Island, Russia, is known as the "Island of Museums", and the most famous building on the island is the Transfiguration Church, a magnificent all-wooden church built without a single nail, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1990.
In fact, the Kiri church consists of two wooden cathedrals, a 22-domed Transfiguration Church, a 9-domed Intercession Church and a bell tower church cluster. I heard that the color of the roof will change in different weather.
The island has been inhabited since the 15th and 16th centuries, and many traditional buildings have been preserved for visitors to understand the life of the islanders at that time.
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3. Spain • La Graciosa
Graciosa is a volcanic island in Spain's Canary Islands.
If you're looking for a stunning, natural and isolated beach, this is the place to be. The island has whitewashed villages and sandy beaches to explore, as well as places for scuba diving.
4. Liechtenstein
Surrounded by Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is the richest and sixth smallest country in the world, with an area of only 160 square kilometers. Like a fairy tale, with its towering peaks, lush jungle and ancient castles, it's also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Royal Castle of Liechtenstein.
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5. Italy • Procida
If you're looking for a relaxing holiday, there's no better place than on the island of Procida in the Bay of Naples, Italy!
Nestled between Cape Miseno and Ischia, Procida is the third largest island in the Gulf of Naples. Although Procida is not as big as Ischia and Capri, it offers a more authentic atmosphere for tourists, away from the noisy crowds of tourists.
Procida's picturesque landscape, lemon groves, pastel-coloured colorful houses, bustling bars and beachfront restaurants serving classic Italian cuisine make for an unforgettable experience. Visitors will be enchanted by its dazzling colors and simple folk customs.
6. Natural seawater pool in Giola, Greece
The Greek island of Thassos, located in the North Aegean Sea, has been a resort since ancient times due to its pleasant climate. On the island in the Astris Valley there is a natural pool of Giora made from the erosion of rocks by seawater lagoons.
To get to Giorra, visitors need to drive 2 kilometers across the wilderness, park on the side of the road, follow signs to their destination, and then enjoy this crystal clear natural seawater pool. The water reaches a maximum depth of 8 meters, and the surrounding rocks are stepped in, making the pool very easy to enter and exit.
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7. French village of La Roque-Gageac
La Roqueegajac, a village carved along the northern bank of the Dordogne River in southern France, is known as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The houses in the village are built along the banks of the river and on the cliffs, with golden houses and brown traditional perigord roofs.
The exotic garden on the hillside, created by Gerard Dorin in 1970, thrives on the backdrop and the sun rises. The town is only 8 km from the most prestigious historical town, Sarlat.
Due to geographical restrictions and inconvenient transportation, the town's quaint "river and mountain scenery" is still famous, and tourists now visit it by converted ancient early cargo barges (Gabares).
8. Sweden Kungsleden
Kusleiden, also known as The King's Trail, is a hiking trail in northern Sweden that is about 443 km (275 mi) long.
Stretching from Abisko in the north along the Scandinavian Mountains to Hemavan in the south, it is the most famous hiking trail in the world. The route passes four national parks and nature reserves, with towering peaks, vast wilderness, lush woods and hidden glaciers, and powerful rivers. In winter, the hiking trail becomes an excellent ski resort.
The Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, near the southern end of the trail, is the largest nature reserve in Europe.
It takes a month or more to walk the entire trail, and people usually spend a week choosing a section of the trail. It is recommended to walk from north to south, all the way to the warm sunshine can be a good experience, especially when carrying heavy equipment.
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9. Castelluccio Valley, Italy
Castellucio in the Umbria region is located in the Apennines in central Italy. The town is in full bloom from late May to early July, and nature paints the otherwise drab grey-coloured valley with beautiful colors. The scenery varies from year to year depending on the weather or rainfall. The small village today has about 5 permanent residents.
A beautiful view of flowers blooming in the Castellucio valley in Italy.
10. Portugal • The Azores
Located in a corner of the North Atlantic Ocean 1,350 kilometres off the coast of Portugal, the Azores are made up of nine main islands where residents live a life of unrivalled seclusion every day against the blue sea and skies and away from the European mainland.
The Azores are volcanic archipelagos formed by submarine volcanic eruptions, and the rugged terrain of the island is full of craters, volcanic lakes and hydrothermal vents. Today, the Azores are rich in vegetation, forests surrounded by lakes, green grass, volcanic caves and waterfalls, and other natural wonders for visitors to explore.
Pico, the second largest island, is also Portugal's tallest mountain, and the 2,350-metre volcano is a challenge for climbers. There is also a world-unique "lava vineyard" that has been registered as a World Natural Heritage Site by the United Nations.
There is also a Chinese tea plantation, where a pair of Macao brothers crossed the sea at the end of the 19th century, and also brought Chinese tea technology, which became an important production of the area.
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11. Spain • Albarracín
Located in the province of Teruel in the Aragonese autonomous region of Spain, Albarracín is known as the most beautiful village in Spain.
Surrounded by mountains, Albarracín is a strategic point in ancient times, and the walled town is well preserved, the highest point of which is the famous Andador Tower, built in the 10th century, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town, abandoned walls and the ruins of former castles.
As if back in time, the half-timbered houses built along the cliffs, the labyrinthine narrow and steep streets, and the mottled city walls tell people about the past. There are towering churches, quaint castles, a spacious Plaza Mayor and the observation deck of the town hall with a view of the Guadalaviar below.
The town has undergone many religious baptisms and still retains Muslim, Catholic and Jewish architecture.
12. Hillary Beach, Turkey
As Turkish authorities ban development by major developers, visitors can enjoy the crystal clear waters of Hillary Beach, a tranquil sandy beach stretching for 3.5 kilometers, in an atmosphere of calm and tranquility.
The quaint village of Hillary is a small rural village in southwestern Turkey that belongs to the Kemer district of Antalya province. Here are the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos and the ancient ruins of the permanent gas outlet of Chimaera.
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13. French • Amiens
Amiens is the capital of the French province of Picardie, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Notre-Dame Cathedral and bell tower, a marshy area where vegetables are grown (water vegetable gardens), the Jules Verne house in the 19th-century neighborhood, the canals and floating market of the quartier Saint-Leu. It's also home to local art, with parks, gardens and canals to watch.
Cathedral of Amiens
14. Ukraine • Bucovina
Bukovina is a historical and cultural district, currently divided between Ukraine and Romania, located between the Carpathians and the adjacent plain hills. The rolling hills are famous for their ancient monasteries, churches and frescoes that are more than 100 years old.
The Romanian Suchevita Monastery was built in 1585.
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15. Sweden • Fiskebäckskil
The west coast of Sweden is a quaint fishing village and popular boating area, and Fiskebäckskil offers seafood cuisine, fascinating hiking and cycling trails. Many tourists come here specially to eat seafood and enjoy the countryside.
16. Italy • Bassano
Bassano, a small town in Italy, is famous for its Grappa (a type of brandy) and has many wineries in the town where visitors can try their drinks.
While it's often overlooked by visitors to Venice, with its charming squares, shops, and cafes, it's a great place to explore the metropolis of Veneto.
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17. Kobarid, Slovenia
Located in Slovenia's Soča Valley, the town of Kobarid is surrounded by majestic mountains, tranquil forests and green pastures. Kobarid was inhabited in ancient times, and the town has Iron Age ruins and museums. In World War I, Kobarid fought for a strategic center for all sides.
The local Korun camping area is a classic European campsite, built on the banks of the Soča River, deep into the jungle, with tranquil lakes and mountains, making you completely forget the hustle and bustle of the world. Although the town of Kobarid is small, it also has some of the best restaurants in the food circle!
18. Croatia • Palagruža Islands
Croatia's Paragruza Islands, although small and remote, are among the best diving sites in Croatia. There are no crowds here, you can quietly enjoy the beautiful beach or diving activities.