Often Overlooked Places

Here are some ideas for those wanting to check out more than just a country’s top 3 or most known sights and cities. Not that these are totally off the radar (that category will have it own list at some point), but many folks probably know about these places and figure they’ll give’ em a miss. If you are in that camp, then here are a few reasons to reconsider these destinations next time you make your travel plans. 

Zagreb — Croatia

So many folks make a beeline for the Dalmatian coast that for a country receiving so many tourists, Croatia’s capital of Zagreb is frequently passed by. A typically Central European city with the vibe and architecture to go with it, Zagreb has a million residents but it feels like half that. Good value lodging and eating out, historic trams to get you around easily enough and both upper and lower parts of the old town to explore. Zagreb is a good choice for pre- or post-seaside travels. For a peaceful afternoon inside what feels like a park, take a 20-minute stroll up to the Mirogoj cemetery.

One of numerous arcades at Mirogoj cemetery
Image | Andrew Villone

Sibiu — Romania

I visited Sibiu the first time in 2006, one year before it was European capital of culture and one year before Romania was admitted to the European Union. The town had many sqaures and streets ripped up and many spires were covered in the dreaded scaffolding. When I revisited some  was 10 years later, I was like, yeah Sibiu 2.0 is pretty darn sweet. It’s not as close to castles and sights on the tourist track compared with other Transylvanian cities like Sighisoara and Brasov; but Sibiu, with its three large squares and more vibrant art and cafe scenes, is a better place to chill, meander and slowly explore.

View from Liars bridge to Sibiu’s typically colourful buildings and a 13th-century tower
Image | Andrew Villone

Warsaw — Poland

Once in a while I meet travelers that are literally only visiting capitals in Europe, and for sure, 40% of capital cities are not THE city to visit if you are only going to one place per country. Warsaw would fall into that 40%, and with Krakow being one of the best cities on the continent and Gdansk having such unique history and architecture, it is understandable. Still, missing Warsaw is a mistake, especially the way I’ve seen it progress over the past 20 years. If nothing else, the rebuilt old town is astounding to see once you know how it looked at the end of WWII (watch the film The Pianist). The variety of neighborhoods to explore, the dining and arts scene plus the palaces and grand buildings makes it a city worth visiting. A Sunday afternoon people watching in Łazienki Park and a visit to the epic Museum of Warsaw Uprising are musts.

Autumn in Łazienki Park
Image | Andrew Villone

Anything east of Venice — Italy

I’m pretty much convinced that not only tourists, but Italians themselves, think that Italy ends at Venice and anything east of that is some mysterious zone which never seems to pop up on the cover of Italy travel guides. Apart from Trieste, which deserves its own inclusion on this list, there are numerous small towns where Slav, Austrian and Italian culture and history intertwine. And talk about your underrated gastro regions of Europe: the Friuli and Collio produce amazing wines (such as Ribolla Gialla, Tocai Friulan and Schioppettino), arguably Italy’s best prosciutto (D’Osvaldo) and a myriad of dishes for sure you have not yet tried, like frico (akin to Spain’s tortilla española, but minus the eggs). To top it off, there are no coaches here and streams of “sheeple” following someone holding a yellow umbrella. 

40-year old bottle of Schioppettino, Friuli’s flagship red wine
Image | Andrew Villone