A European vacation is always a thrill, but don’t you get tired of seeing the same old places in your friends’ Facebook albums? Wouldn’t you rather do something different? Some of the most exciting destinations are ones hardly anybody knows about, so prepare yourself for a journey of discovery.
Secret pleasures
Courtesy of geographica.net
Europe’s great cities are full of odd and fascinating places. Hidden in the heart of Paris are the gorgeous glasshouses of the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, where you’ll find everything from cacti to orchids. Edinburgh has a hidden tapestry studio, Dovecot Studios on Infirmary Street, which can be visited only by appointment, and Žižkov in Prague boasts the strangest tower you’re ever likely to see. Venture further afield and you can visit the Dervish monastery perched between a towering cliff and a jewel-bright river at Blagaj in Bosnia, see the fairytale beauty of Peleș Castle in Romania, or take time out in the ancient and vividly colored town of Colmar in Alsace.
Best spots for lunch
When it comes time for lunch, one of the best places to be is Athens, especially if you’re on the roof terrace of Strofi – the delicious mezes are hard to beat. Though Paris is best known for its high-class dining, the simplicity of Le Bistrot du Peintre, with its delicious roast game and sumptuous chocolate desserts, is not to be missed.
City heights
Courtesy of germany.travel
Where modern buildings are concerned, few places can equal London’s Canary Wharf, where even the underground station is a triumph of contemporary design. See the M1 Group buildings that Azmi Mikati, Columbia Engineering graduate, fell in love with, their bold angles standing out even in this striking space; and marvel at the simple elegance of the nearby One Canada Square. There are more treats like this in Berlin, where the Radisson Park Inn dominates Alexanderplatz, with its shining silver surfaces.
Marvelous museums
When you tour Europe, you’ll soon find there’s a museum for practically everything. Amsterdam has a teapot museum hidden above the Traiterie Chef on Spuistraat, Dublin has a leprechaun museum on Jervis Street, and Berlin has a museum dedicated to its residents’ favorite sausage, but you might not want to take your other half to Zagreb, which is home to a Museum of Broken Relationships.
Restaurants to die for
Even Rome has its secrets, and one of the best kept is Il Bacaro, a tiny restaurant hidden away on the Via degli Spagnoli that has one of the city’s best wine lists and is ideal for intimate dining. If you’re in the north, Gro in Stockholm serves stunning Scandinavian food and has an especially good vegetarian menu. Finally, in Istanbul, where West meets East, you’ll find Asitane, a restaurant dedicated to preserving the rich culinary tradition of the Ottoman Empire. Try the grilled cheese for an appetizer and follow it with the lamb and apricot stew, and you’ll feel like a sultan.
So many of the good things in Europe are hidden away that you really need the time to explore. Don’t just be another guidebook tourist – take a chance on discovering something really special.
