When it comes to choosing a vacation spot, the most important criteria is the cost that you need to pay versus how beautiful that place is. Most people would choose Paris or Rome, but I have made up a list of amazing destinations that will not make a big hole in your wallets which some of you may not even think about. I have visited and enjoyed them all, and to be honest, I would happily go back in each and any one of them.
- Lisbon
Lisbon is one amazing place and it is one of my favorite cities in the world, and it’s one of those places where I think about settling. It reflects the Portuguese modern culture while maintaining its unique heritage and traditions. It may not be as cheap to visit as some of the others on my list, but it is definitely worth it, so, this is the reason I have put it at the top of my list.
- Berlin
Berlin is not one of those places where you can find breathtaking landscape, white sand beaches or crystal clear water.Here you can expect a mix of history, art, great food and nightlife. We visited it last year and we just loved it. You can find a lot of useful information and tips and tricks about Berlin here.
- Alberobello
We have seen the amazing “Trulli” houses on the internet many times and we decided we need to visit them. After a little research, we found out that the little city is close to Bari, and there are a lot of great low costs flight connecting it to most of the major cities in Europe. From Bari, it’s just 2-hour train ride, or 1 hour by rented car in our case. As a tip, you should definitely search for accommodation in a traditional “Trulli” house. It costs a little more than a normal hotel, but the experience is great. Read about our adventures and other tips and tricks here.
- Valletta
Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. The country covers just 316 square km. It’s capital, Valletta is inextricably linked to the history of the military and charitable Order of St John of Jerusalem. Valletta’s 320 monuments, all within an area of 55 ha, make it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world and also a UNESCO world Heritage site. You can easily reach it by low-cost flights from almost all big European cities.
- Cyprus
Cyprus is far more than a lazy beach-time resort; the island is multilayered, like its history, with a compelling culture, lifestyle and landscape, overseen by warm, hospitable people. The most important cities are its capital Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Aya Napa. There are a lot of great beaches where you can relax, hiking trails that you can follow, and great food that you need to taste.
- Madrid
Madrid may not be as famous as Barcelona or Valencia because it has no sunny beaches, but it is definitely one of the European city appreciated for its amazing museums like Museo Del Prado which attracts more visitors than any other museum in Spain, or Museo Reina Sofia which hosts some of the great contemporary masterpieces. After a full day of strolling through museums or art galleries, you can relax and have a glass of wine in one of the small traditional tapas restaurants.
- Bruges
Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium is considered to be one of the most romantic places in the world. It distinguishes itself by its swan filled canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings. In the city center’s Burg square, you can find the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall), and nearby, you can find Markt square which features a 13th-century belfry with a 47-bell carillon and 83m tower with panoramic views. You can start your day by taking a romantic boat ride, and close it with a romantic dinner and glass of wine in one of the great restaurants.
- Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the few cities in the world to be shared by two continents and is by far the largest and the only metropolis in the world to do so. Here you can find everything from history, culture, gastronomy and entertainment. Its architecture is both ancient and contemporary and over 650 hectares of the city are UNESCO World Heritage listed. Most tourists that come here only visit the attractions that can be found in city guides, but there is much more to this amazing city. Nothing compares to a fresh fish sandwich from the boats under Galata Bridge or having a coffee with a view on one of the terraces situated on top of some of the tall buildings.
- Prague
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic who despite the number of wars that it has been exposed to, including the 1st and 2nd World War, and the 30 years’ war, managed to survive the destruction. You can see old buildings having a beautiful architecture that rise into the sky, have a boat cruise on one of the canals that flow gently, or wonder on the cobbled roads. It is a city filled with charm that you will definitely love.
- Copenhagen
Copenhagen has become one of the must-visit destinations in the Nordics. The city is full of great people, food and things to do and see. If you visited Berlin and liked it, you will most probably love this city. There are a few tourist attractions, but you will find a lot of great bars, restaurants, galleries and shops when strolling on the streets. You definitely need to go to Tivoli Gardens and have a beer on one of the terraces in Nyhavn port.
