Looking for somewhere hot, friendly and a little bit different to go this summer? Why not consider Eastern Europe.
With many people in the UK still pinching their pennies as we head into summer, the faltering euro which continues to drop, is doing us all a huge favour. For all Paris’s romance and Italy’s decadence, much of Western Europe can still burn unhealthy holes in our pockets. That’s why, if you haven’t considered it already, we’d like to let you take a peak under the old Eastern Block rock and see exactly what you’re missing out on. Here are five surprisingly beautiful and fascinating places we recommend you check out this summer.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In the 1990s Sarajevo was on the edge of annihilation. Today it‘s a cosy, vibrant capital whose humanity, cafe scene and East-meets-West ambience make it one of our favourite European summer destinations. (Also handy for good-value skiing in winter.) When the peacekeepers moved out, backpackers moved in, but now Sarajevo’s history, culture, great clubs (drinks for under £1.50) welcome everyone from students to elderly couples in to it’s sunny bosom.
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Tallinn, Estonia: Estonia’s miraculous capital is bound to inspire awe. It’s an exciting, thriving center that has recently emerged from Soviet occupation with many breath-taking Gothic buildings that have somehow escaped war damage. Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the last remaining truly medieval cities in Europe, with subterranean bars that serve locally-made vodka and absinthe and cast an enticing glow from their stone doorways. You can walk the dozens of winding, cobbled streets within the high wall and ramparts, and then stop for a cheap sandwich made on native thin, dense black bread at one of the many cafés, or “kohviks.” It remains relatively undiscovered by visitors outside of the EU, and even to some of those within it – so they question remains, when will you discover its charms for yourself?
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Dubrovnik, Croatia: A very walk-able town, Dubrovnik is filled with architectural wonders in the Baroque style and all within the Old Town which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage spot. It is extremely picturesque with its lovely churches and cobbled alleyways and when you are tired of sightseeing, head for the nearby beaches and the cool waters of the Adriatic Sea to relax and soak up the sun. In recent years Dubrovnik has become a pit stop for cruise liners on the eastern European beat and with good reason. Dubrovnik is a serene little town that has really come into its own recently, ideal for both young and old, we highly (highly!) recommend it.
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Koycegiz, Turkey: Koycegiz, translated, means small poor village and regardless of how that may sound, it is slowly becoming a highlight on the independent travellers’ scene. There are many options here for the adventurous spirited traveller. Jump on a boat to Turtle Beach, where you can visit the mud baths and the Caunos ruins. Head to ‘The Waterfall’, just a mile or two out of Koycegiz, where the natural flowing stream is a great place to swim and jump off the rocks. Whitewater raft down the Dalaman River where rapids can reach up to Grade 4. Or feed your sweet tooth with homemade ice cream sold near the center of town. However you decide to indulge yourself, Koycegiz makes for a fascinating alternative to Istanbul or the much overcrowded tourist trap, Dalaman.
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Berlin, Germany: OK, so not technically in Eastern Europe any more, but as the once defining City which both physically and metaphorically separated East from West, Berlin continues to carries with it as many modern charms as it does old traditions still. People often expect Berlin to be a concrete jungle. But post-wall, times have changed and nowadays nothing could be further from the truth. In the West super-modern buildings provide a backdrop for a dynamic and cosmopolitan city that is distinctly new millennium in outlook. The East meanwhile is a model of twenty-first century urban development, ripe with a rich array of artist hangouts, galleries, beautiful river walks, and generally speaking, a much more relaxed feel to it. If you love fashion, culture and history – why on earth would you go anywhere else but Berlin this summer?
