Most of us plan to travel to at least one of the most visited places in Europe such as Paris, Rome, London and Barcelona. That's definitely normal and there's nothing wrong with it. Each and every one of us travel for various reasons. The majority of people would say that they travel in order to relax, experience new things and explore new places. However, there may be times when those places are too crowded with tourists. If that's the case, chances are you would not be able to enjoy the beauty of the place itself.
With that being said, here are some fascinating non-cliché places to visit in Europe:
1. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. It is known for its literature, art and festivals. If you plan to visit an exhilarating historic location, don't hesitate to visit the Edinburgh Castle. There is something about castles that take you back in time. Not only will you be fascinated by this historic fortress, you will be enchanted with the scenery from the castle as well. Another place to visit in Edinburgh is the Scott Monument. It honors Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish historical novelist. In order to reach the top of the monument, you must climb 287 steps. As for those who would love to visit various quirky shops, restaurants and many more, the Royal Mile is the place for you.
Fun fact: There is a gourmet tea and coffee shop in Edinburgh called The Elephant House and it has been an inspiration to numerous authors, including J.K. Rowling. Yes, you've guessed it - The Elephant House was the birthplace of the Harry Potter series.
2. Colmar, France
Colmar is a very charming town in France. Some people may even describe it as a "fairy tale village." Speaking of a fairy tale village, it actually does remind me of the village from "Beauty and the Beast." Perhaps it was the inspiration for it. Who knows?
Anyway, one of the most recommended places to visit in Colmar is the Old Town. It is filled with museums, churches and historic buildings. Within the Old Town is The Unterlinden Museum. It displays artwork starting from the Middle Ages until the 20th century.
3. Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is the capital of Belgium. It has been known for its waffles, architecture and splendid chocolates. The Grand Place displays various architecture styles from the Gothic, Louis XIV and Baroque eras. The square is undoubtedly unique. It is also in the Grand Place where they hold the bi-annual Flower Carpet during a couple of days in August. If you enjoy looking at murals, Brussels actually has a Comic book route which are basically murals of comic book strips. How awesome is that?!
4. Lapland, Finland
Lapland is one of the places where you'll be able to see Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. I think that being able to watch the Northern Lights would be such an amazing experience and it is definitely on my bucket list! Although they occur all year round, the best time to watch for Northern Lights is during winter time. You can either go on an Aurora tour and chase the Northern lights for approximately 4-5 hours or stay in a cabin. This may be expensive, but you could also spend a night or two at a glass igloo in order to relax while watching the beautiful Northern Lights.
5. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is known for its remarkable Old Town and Ancient City Walls. The Old Town has numerous places one could visit such as churches from 3 different eras, castles and monasteries. You may also recognize this place from the television series "Game of Thrones." If you wish to see an amazing view of the Old City and aren't afraid of heights, then you should go for a ride in their cable car. If you'd rather be on the ground and admire the Old City from a distance, then visit the Minceta Tower. This fort was built in the year 1319 as the peak in the city's defense system. Another place one could visit is the Lovrijenac Fort. It was first established in the 11th century and was completely built, upgraded and altered during the 16th century. It played a huge role in the city's history as it protected the Western side of the city from violations coming from both the land and sea.
Going to popular places may be fun, but I think it's also important to visit the less famous areas in order to familiarize yourself a little bit more with the countries, their cultures and norms.
