For the road less travelled THE MOST BEAUTIFUL Under-the-Radar DESTINATIONS INEUROPE TO VISIT Before You Die FROM THE OWNER OF GLOBALGRASSHOPPER.COM BECKY MOORE & REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR BETH PINCHES BeautifulTHE MOST UNDER-THE-RADAR DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE TO VISIT BEFORE YOU DIE That beguiling continent bordered Ah Europe! by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea to the south. Take a trip to Europe and you'll be guaranteed to be charmed by its photogenic beauty, unrivalled history and dazzling artistic and culinary diversity. Although knowing where to start can be a little overwhelming, especially if you want to avoid the crowds. Being fans of under-the-radar destinations we've put together a list of our favourite underrated destinations that often get lost in the shadows of their more famous neighbours. Hopefully we will inspire some of you intrepid travellers to take the road less travelled on your next European getaway- we promise you won't be disappointed! Becky Moore, owner of GlobalGrasshopper.com Photo by Porfirio / CC BY 2.0 a picturesque island filled with pastel-hued houses and fragrant PROCIDA, ITALY lemon groves This beautiful pastel coloured island located off the Bay of Naples is one of Italy’s true hidden “I left with the enthusiasm of a child who is gems. A soulful blend of sun-bleached streets going to see the curtain rise on some of the most and shady lemon groves, Procida makes a beautiful scenes of both nature and life.” wonderful place to soak up some real Italian Procida honours these creatives for whom spirit... and we don’t just mean Limoncello! Enjoy it was such an influence by hosting an annual delicious seafood at one of the many port side culture week and awarding the renowned ‘Elsa trattorias or sample the local dish ‘Insalata al Morante Literary Prize’. Each year it also holds the Limone’. Alternatively eavesdrop on old seaman ‘Miss Graziella’ contest, a beauty pageant with a swapping yarns in the picturesque harbour or traditional twist. A good starting point to explore just wander the little streets and soak up the the Procida is Cirraccio, from its main piazza you wonderful authentic atmosphere. can reach any point on the island within 1.5 km. From the Ciesa di San Antonio you can descend Procida has a rich cultural history extending the stone steps onto Pozzo Vechio Beach - a into the twentieth century where it has provided long stretch of sandy beach lush with plants and inspiration for a vanguard of artists, poets, caressed by the mistral winds that was made writers, photographers and film-makers. It famous by its appearance in Il Postino. If you walk also has a few claim to fames - it was the idyllic back through the square you can climb down to setting of the films ‘Il Postino’ and ‘The Talented the stunning Chiaia beach and soak up the lovely Mr Ripley’ as well as the novels ‘Arturo’s Island’ panoramic views over Corricella. by Elsa Morante and ‘Graziella’ by Alphonse de Lamartine who praised the island saying: Photo by CucombreLibre / CC BY 2.0 Procida continued... The Marina Corricella is a Procida must see - The fitter traveller can climb the rugged hill to this is where you can explore the sun-drenched the fortified centre ofTerra Murata, the highest terraces and colourful houses via the tangle of point on Procida, and take in the breathtaking stairways and passages hidden amongst them. views of The Bay of Naples. Whilst up there try In this peaceful oasis you can findboutique visiting the 16th century Abbey of San Michele shops to peruse and soak up the warm friendly with its many works of art and basement tour of atmosphere and then finish up by dining under the ancient burial ground. Don’t forget to sample the soft lights of the marina just metres away the island’s delicious cuisine, traditionally fish and from the sea. The island’s largest harbour the sea food. For a contemporary twist on traditional Marina Grande - where you disembark the ferry fayre visit Il Gazebo on Marina Grande, or sit on from Naples or Ischia - is busier but still worth the terrace of La Pergola and enjoy traditional a visit. From here you can be captivated by the dishes, handmade pasta and desserts under the charm of the typical pastel coloured houses shade of beautiful lemon trees. Accommodation and the imposing Palazzo Montefuso with its in Procida is both reasonably priced and varied. spectacular medieval battlements. You can get Try the unique boutique B&B Casa Bormioli, an eyeful of the baroque bell of Chiesa Santa decked out with objects collected by its well Maria Della Pieta and see the ancient tufa caves, travelled owners or the tranquil Tirreno Hotel dug centuries ago to shelter boats in stormy Residence, with its gorgeous sunny terrace and weather. flower laden balconies. Photo by Mario Fajt / CC BY 2.0 a peaceful and beautiful cluster of islands VIS ISLANDS, CROATIA untouched by time The small Croatian Islands of Vis were once mainland for work. Although the tourist industry is strictly out-of-bounds to tourists (due to their now fairly robust, the years of under population have importance as a naval base) and the island retains left the islands a calm oasis of unspoiled beauty a sleepy and slightly undiscovered air. These and they are still relatively quiet especially if you mysterious islands are now a draw for travellers avoid the five or six weeks of the summer holidays who are seeking a more peaceful seaside retreat when Italian tourists flock over for vacation! far away from the crowds. Steeped in history, the islands have been on the map since the 4th century At Vis Town, the oldest settlement on the island BC, playing host to both the Ancient Greeks and you can see the remnants of the walls that once the Romans before falling under the jurisdiction of surrounded the Greek colony of Issa and the Venice until the late 1700s. The strong links to the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre and necropolis. Italian city are reflected in the architecture of the Many of the town’s buildings date back to the Island’s two small towns, both of which nestle at 16th century with beautiful Italianate villas the foot of two large bays. A gentle rivalry thrives and churches flanking the narrow streets and between the historically gentrifiedVis Town and sunny squares. For an excellent insight into the the working class fishing village ofKomiza , with its complex history of the islands it’s worth visiting the terrifying tales of pirates and shipwrecks. Archaeological Museum in the centre of town. Vis Town is also an excellent place to sample some of Having been passed around a bit the Islands the gastronomical delights of the island. became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1920 and formed an important part of the Yugoslav The food is characteristically simple, with natural partisan resistance during WW2. For years the ingredients and fresh fish delicately flavoured with Islands were cut off to foreign visitors and the citrus, bay leaves and other such Mediterranean ailing economy forced locals to move over to the seasonings. Photo by Miroslav Vajdic / CC BY 2.0 Vis Islands continued... Local specialities include fish stews and risottos Aside from the two towns travellers can explore and the delicious ‘komiška pogača’, a kind of expansive stretches of untouched beaches covered pizza stuffed with salted white fish and on the southern coast, the most popular are onions. To wash it down, indulge in some of the Stončica, Srebrna, Stinvia (pictured above) and famous ‘Vugava’ - a sweet and fruity white wine the protected nature reserve of Stinica. Try made from the local grapes. Try eating at Pojoda, scuba diving or snorkelling for a chance to view an award winning restaurant serving traditional the vibrant marine life under the surface of the dishes or the slightly pricier Villa Kaliopa which sea. There are also two more uninhabited islands is set in the romantic gardens of a 16th century reachable by boat - Host, where real peace mansion. seekers can rent out the four bed 19th century lighthouse as accommodation, and Kavnik with Kamiza is a picturesque fishing village from its magical Green Grotto. where you can take a boat trip to the uninhabited Bisevo and the wonderfully eerie Blue Grotto. If Wine connoisseurs can also book tastings at you visit between 11 and noon on a clear sunny one of the local vineyards through the tourist day you will witness the sunlight passing through information office in Vis Town. There are plenty an underwater opening and bathing the cave of hotels or holiday rentals available on the in a luminescent blue light. Further things to island and if its your sort of thing, you’ll find ayoga explore on Bisevo are the nine other caves dotted retreat at the peaceful Villa Vis. The unique around the coast - the peaceful coves perfect for accommodation boasts tranquil colour themed swimming and visiting the 11th century Church of rooms which look out across the bay. Sylvester. Photo by Jiuguang Wang / CC BY 2.0 a medieval canal side city and one of Europe’s GHENT, BELGIUM loveliest hidden gems The picturesque port city of Ghent in North what remained of the original building. In 1274 it West Belgium is a historical gem with a vibrant was handed over to the council of Flanders and arts scene and plenty of authentic medieval became the highest court in the country.