My Top Ten European Countries - Number Two

2. CROATIA

'Why is everything here so beautiful?' - that was what I found myself saying as I wondered around Dubrovnik and drove along the nearby coastline last year. No matter what corner I turned or street I travelled along there always seemed to be something beautiful to behold. Sometimes the view would be of the stunning Adriatic Sea whilst on other occasions it would be of the picturesque towns and villages sculpted into the coastline. What is quite incredible about Croatia is that this stunning coastline stretches for hundreds of miles on the mainland alone not mentioning the many secluded islands scattered in turquoise seas.

I visited in April and at the time it wasn't quite ready for a swim but one can only imagine how beautiful an experience this is in summer and there are so many places to go and do this. Whilst it wasn't baking hot in April the temperature was still mild enough to sit outside in an Italian restaurant with a spectacular sea view, a location that ranks highly as one of the best I've experienced. The restaurant in question was also located near to the entrance of Dubrovnik's beautiful old town. Much of this has been recently rebuilt or renovated and it tells clearly and it's easy to get lost in its many narrow and sometimes steep streets. In a continued reminder of the beautiful coastal backdrop to this town there is a secret bar that exploits this wonderfully. The bar is sculpted into the cliff side and on multiple levels and one could easily sit for hours watching the boats go by.

Croatia hasn't yet developed large resorts specifically targeted to tourists and perhaps that is what appeals to me most as it is yet to still be visited by as many people as go to Greece for example. There are so many places here to explore and the flight network to the UK is quite extensive also and not too expensive. The main limitation for independent travellers is perhaps the distances and routes between towns and cities in Croatia. The public transport network isn't fully developed and where it is developed the travel times are often long due to geographic restrictions. One of the best ways to explore this country I imagine would be to rent a car or if the budget allowed I'm sure sailing along the coast here is a wonderful experience. What is certain is that there is much more I want to explore and it won't be long before I return to do just that.

Take a look at some of my pictures from my trip to Dubrovnik.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Three

3. SWITZERLAND



A simple and seemingly unassuming train journey between the Swiss capital of Bern and Geneva sums up a lot of the reasons why this country is one of my favourite places in Europe. Setting off from Bern you get your first taste of spectacular scenery within seconds as you pull away from the central station, high up on the railway bridge, you see the crystal clear River Aare running through this pretty city and its picture postcard buildings. Once out of the city the view from the train windows just gets better as you snake your way past more beautiful towns nestled at the foot of hills and valleys with a backdrop of even larger mountains in the distance. All of the scenery is stunning along the way but it reaches a glorious finale in the last stage of the journey on Lake Geneva, no matter how hard I tried with my camera it was quite hard to believe how breathtaking the view really was at times. When you think of Switzerland it's likely you think of spectacular scenery and this didn't disappoint.

The train journey highlighted a famously notable feature of this country which is the diversity of its population and the sudden change of language experienced between the different areas. I visited Bern after trips to Zurich and Basel during which I became accustomed to the German language being spoken, that despite being just miles away from France in the latter, but in the blink of an eye in Switzerland that can quickly change. The train I travelled on to Geneva passed through the town of Fribourg or Fribourg/Freiburg as the station is called due to it being the point where the language changes. After that point it is on to Lausanne and Geneva where not only is everyone now speaking French but the cities here reflect that culturally and feel different to its northern counterparts. Having visited Italian speaking Lugano this similarly feels Italian and all of this makes for surely being the most culturally fascinating countries in Europe.

I guess all good things do come at a cost and that is certainly the case with Switzerland as prices are significantly higher on everything from travel to basic food, souvenirs and most pressingly - hotels. If you put great value in the hotel experience when travelling then you will have to fork out a high amount but, if like me, the enjoyment comes from exploring the cities you visit then there are ways around this here. In Basel I stayed in a youth hostel which was of an impeccable standard whilst in Zurich I stayed half an hour out of the city which was no problem thanks to the many and frequent transport links available. In Bern I opted for a houses-share but having just outlined the interesting culture of Switzerland this was a great chance to speak to a local about their city. In Geneva I actually stayed in France! As ludicrous as it might sound to be staying in a different country the tram network runs right to the border and a short walk across will half your hotel price. I didn't mind being flexible on my accommodation options at all as the beautiful cities and scenery in this country deserve to be explored at whatever price that might be.

To see pictures from my recent trip to Switzerland click here.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Four

4. ITALY

Italy is a wonderful country to visit for so many reasons which I will expand on but for me the most wonderful of all is its cities and specifically the architecture on offer here. Rome is unquestionably the standout city when it comes to things to see and do - I don't think there is another major city in the world where you can find so many phenomenally well preserved and historically important buildings. Whenever you see publicity for the capital the Colosseum is usually centre stage and rightfully so as it is an incredible sight to see but really it is just the start of a maze that contains something beautiful around each corner you turn. One of my favourite walking routes of all time starts from the Colosseum and heads up the 'Via dei Fori Imperiali' past the impressive 'Altare della Patria' and then onto the Pantheon, across the River Tiber and finishing at Vatican City - if you only have a day in this city then that is the exciting path you should take.

The truly great thing about Italy though is it really is not all about Rome, there are so many other cities that have so much to offer the visitor. There is of course Venice which is a fascinating place with its beautiful canals, lovely shops and all around uniqueness whilst Florence is a magical place giving a real taste of authentic Italy. What I've mentioned here really is just the tip of the iceberg as well as one of my favourite parts of the country is the Aosta valley in the very north with the stunning Lakes Como and Garda not too far away. On top of all of this you can add some wonderful beaches to the mix, my favourite cuisine, friendly people, great transport links and a wealth of hotels wherever you go. Italy really does have a bit of everything and there's so many more places I'm desperate to explore!

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Five

5. PORTUGAL



Portugal is often overshadowed by its larger neighbour of Spain but its cities and attractions more than hold their own. I first visited Portugal when I was a teenager and had a very memorable experience sailing under the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge in Lisbon at sunrise. I went on to visit the Portuguse capital city and the lovely seaside resort of Estoril and had a great time in the heat admiring the beautiful sites of the city. I didn't make a return visit to Portugal though until early this year but what a great visit that was as I spent a few days in the city of Porto.

I saw many similarities between Porto and Lisbon from the outset, utmost of those was the lovely pastel coloured houses, the vintage trams and both cities have quite stunning landmark bridges. The overriding feeling I got from both places is that, despite there being many signs of modernisation, they have kept a real sense of authenticity and Porto in paritcualr seemed as though it had been untouched  by time and wouldn't have looked much different decades ago. Portugal is surrounded on two sides by sea and as a result this forms an important part of the country's heritage with the port cellars in Porto being a great beneficiary of this. Religion is also an important part of daily life here with stunning examples of cathedrals, churches and monasteries not just in the main cities but in smaller places such as Braga.

Portugal has so much to offer the visitor aside from its manmade attractions, it has a stunning Atlantic coastline, popular beach resorts and a green and pleasant interior. The practicalities of visiting here couldn't be much better either with modern airports and a good road and train network. All of this is enhanced by such a friendly and welcoming people who are always ready to proudly share information about their city. I could talk for a lot longer about why Portugal is one of my favourite countries but if I had to give just one reason it would be 'pastéis de nata' - if you've never heard of it nor tried it you really are missing out on one of life's luxuries!

To see some more pictures from my most recent trip to Portugal click here.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Six

6. FYR MACEDONIA



This one might surprise some people and would have been equally surprising for me this time last year as I had no intentions of visiting the country at all. I often look out for cheap flights and back at the start of this year I spotted a flight from London to Ohrid, a place I hadn't heard of before, for just £11. After having done a little research I decided to take the plunge into what was the unknown for me still, not really knowing much about FYR Macedonia or much about the town I was about to visit.

When coming into land at Ohrid I got my first glimpse of some of the spectacular scenery in the region as the plane circled over the lake of the same name and touched down at the tiny airport on its shore. This is still a town and a country getting to grips with tourism and as such things were not, unsurprisingly, laid on for the arriving visitor as is the case in many modern airports these days. It didn't take me long to select one of the few transport options and arrive into the town which is a small but fascinating place. Walking through the old town of Ohrid is like walking through a postcard from the 70s with vintage cars still widely in use and cobbled streets with beautiful views over the lake. The church of St. John at Kuneo is one of the most calming and pretty places I've visited and the walk there was equally so. Whilst still in Europe everything here seemed different to other countries on the continent I had visited previously and that's what signifies its appeal to me.

I witnessed a prime example of the distinct nature of this region on a trip to the country's capital city - Skopje. The stunning, beautifully green, landscape on the way was dotted with hundreds of small mosques, some were high up on the mountains whilst others were low down in the valley but it made for a unique and interesting journey. I had been very pleasantly surprised by what I had seen so far in this country and this continued in Skopje which I found to be a vibrant city that was a great place to be on what was a very hot evening. By the waterside is one of the few remaining genuine bazaars in Europe and a walk across the stone bridge takes you to Macedonia square which is the heart of the city and where I was fortunate enough to stay.

The following day I returned to Ohrid for one more night before my flight home and it has to be one of the most interesting and enjoyable few days I have spent travelling. The fact that this place has not yet been explored by the majority of people means that infrastructure is catching up but perhaps that's a good thing as there is a real sense of authenticity here. The people I came into contact with were very friendly and I won't forget the hospitality shown by the host at the guest house I stayed in Ohrid who greeted me when I returned from Skopje. There is no doubt visiting here presents challenges with the language barrier being particularly notable for instance but it would be worth your time and effort to explore this place before everyone else begins to.

To see some pictures from my visit to FYR Macedonia click here.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Seven

7. NORWAY

One for old times sake - me back in 2005!

I first visited Norway back in 2005 when I was thirteen years old and went on a family holiday cruising its beautiful fjords. I remember this fondly as it was the first time I had travelled anywhere that was distinctly different to what I was used to back home and where I had gone abroad to that point. Three things stand out in particular from that week - the small and colourful houses in Stavanger, the eye-opening fish market in Bergen and experiencing snow in August in Geiranger! It's quite apt that this is what I remember the most as the eccentric houses, the fish industry and the weather are three of the most notable things that can safely be associated with Norway.

I visited the country again ten years later when I went on a short break to Oslo and it was a great experience and it didn't take me long to be reacquainted with the small houses as I stood on the freezing cold platform waiting for the train in the small town of Rygge, having landed at the nearby airport. To say it was freezing cold was an understatement as it was -15C at the time and remained that way throughout my few days there. Unlike as might have  been the case if subjected to such cold in the UK I didn't moan about it once and it just added so much to the experience. The snow coated scenery on the way to Oslo was magical and like something from a Christmas card scene and I will never forget standing by myself at the top of the ski jump overlooking the city as the sun glistened off the frozen water in the distance. Instead of grinding to a halt the people of Oslo embrace this weather and I can't think of too many other capital cities where  you can hop on public transport and see locals with skis heading off to the slopes alongside people coming to and from work.

Oslo doesn't have the architectural beauty of many European cities but it is full of life and left me wanting to see more of Norway in the future. Whilst one has to admit its not the cheapest of holidays when you're there, with food being particularly expensive, it is at least affordable to travel to. On this visit I only paid £4.99 each way to fly from London with Ryanair and whilst flights aren't always going to be that cheap they're never prohibitively expensive either, with the same applying to Norwegian trains. There are others I've heard good things about and am eager to visit such as Aalesund and Tromso but if I do I think I'd be very sad if they weren't wrapped in a blanket of snow!

To see some pictures from my visit to Oslo click here.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Eight

8. POLAND



I've visited Poland on three separate occasions now and there was no question that it would make it into my top ten. The city centres of Poznan, Krakow and Warsaw are amongst the nicest in Europe and there are few more beautiful tourist sites than the main squares found in Polish cities. Most places are spread out across the country and as such there is usually a few hours of travelling between them, but once you get a grasp of the sometimes sporadic train and bus timetables these journeys are very low cost but are importantly comfortable.

Whether its a towering cathedral or a stunning castle the historic sites of Poland are the main draw for visitors with there being many important stories to tell. There is no doubt that the years of Nazi occupation during World War Two left its mark here and most sites you visit will have some story to tell. It was saddening to hear how the Royal Castle in Warsaw was constantly decimated whilst there is no hiding from the horrors of this period when visiting the concentration camps in Auschwitz. The history of Poland offers much but it is also worth recognising how much modern development has taken place here, those who enjoy shopping could happily enjoy a day at the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre in Krakow whilst the café culture is vibrant and can always be enjoyed in whichever city you visit.

Just like with Lithuania the increase in the Polish population in the UK in recent years has resulted in a huge variety of flights being made available from all corners of our country to all corners of their country, there is no doubt this has resulted in myself and I'm sure many others being able to experience these places in a way which wouldn't have been possible before. The weather in summer, whilst often thundery, can be very warm and sunny and I challenge you to find a place as affordable, accessible, interesting and pleasant to visit for a city break.

To see some pictures from my most recent trip to Poland click here.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Nine

9. MONTENEGRO

 

Montenegro has some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen and just like many places in central and eastern Europe it is still a country not hot on the agenda of most tourists yet. The key word in that last sentence is 'yet' as I thoroughly believe it is only a matter of time before this becomes a popular holiday spot for many more people. The country's beautiful coastline is only an hour or so away from the now popular tourist spot of Dubrovnik in Croatia, many people already make the journey from there on day trips but once it becomes more developed I think it could become a great destination in its own right.

Like much of this part of the world the strains of conflict are still fresh in the memory and as such development here still has some way to catch up, indeed if the infrastructure was already of a higher standard Montengro would no doubt place higher in my top ten than it does but I can see signs that it will get there. The medieval old town in Kotor is beautifully preserved and has lots of historical points of interest whilst Budva is a similarly well presented seaside town with crystal clear water washing up on its beaches. There are many places to explore inland as well including the capital of Podgorica and it's a country I would love to revisit and explore some more as it was somewhere that certainly impressed me.

Currently the cheapest and most regular flights to Montengro head for Podgorica but EasyJet already fly to Tivat which is located on the Bay of Kotor and a future expansion of this airport could hold the key to the beautiful coastline becoming more accessible. To see more pictures from my trip to Montenegro click here.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number Ten

10. LITHUANIA

I was juggling with quite a few countries here who could have just made it into my top ten but in the end I went with Lithuania. I think it deserves to be in there if only for the amazing castle in Trakai, which is an hour or so outside of Vilnius. When you imagine a fairyale castle the likelihood is that it will have many of the features found here, pointed turrets, surrounded by a large and mystical lake and wooden bridges linking it to the mainland. This was such a surprise for me as I went to Vilnius not knowing this place existed until I spotted it inconspicuously advertised at the train station. This is somewhere that is off the beaten track but that's what makes it special - on the day I visited there was just a handful of people wandering around, it makes a change from the most well known attractions in the world where you are fighting to take a picture.

Vilnius was also a wonderfuly surprising city and it was fascinating throughout my time there to see the mixture between its communist past and modern development. The centre of the city is spotlessly clean and full of lively cafes, restaurants and green space which can be admired from the Gediminas Castle which is free to climb up to. As one might expect everything here was affordable and I was pleasantly surprised, as I often am these days, by the quality of its public transport - the trains I used were very comfortable, had charging points and cost the equivalent of £1 for the journey to Trakai. With the increased number of Lithuanians living in the UK now there are numerous and local cheap flights to Vilnius all year round and it makes for a great city break.

To see some more of my trip to Lithuania click here.

Favourite country I've visited in Europe?

It's been a few times now that I've been asked 'What is your favourite country you have visited in Europe?' This has to be one of the toughest questions anyone could possibly ask me as I'm yet to visit any which have not had appeal or something unique to offer me as a visitor. In an attempt to offer some sort of answer to anyone who might ask me the same question again in the future I embarked on at least coming up with a top ten as a starting point.

The big question is how do you compare across countries when each one in Europe, big to small, has its own redeeming features, intriguing culture and varied weather. Before starting to jot down what I thought my top ten countries were I felt it wise to come up with some criteria on how best to judge this, it goes something like this:

• How much does the country amaze or surprise me? This is an important question as whilst some countries might have more attractions, better climate or be more developed it can often be the places off the beaten track that have the capacity to win me over.
• What are the people like? This always leaves a lasting impression on me, in fact it leaves more of a lasting impression on me than I ever thought possible when I started travelling. On many occasions when I think back about places I've been I remember specific people who made my time there that little bit better.
• What are its cities like? In some cases it may be better to ask 'What is its city like?' because it is either so small or I've only yet to sample one location there. I think this is important as so often mine or any traveller's first taste of a country is one of its cities. Whilst it may be possible it's not very common to arrive in the middle of the countryside somewhere or stay there, don't ever rule it out happening with me in the future but it will always be the exception to the rule!

These are the three main points I considered whilst coming up with my top ten countries but there were other considerations such as transport, prices and hotels but for me I don't tend to remember the practicalities surrounding my travels nearly as much.

So, what was my verdict ultimately?

I thought it best to come up with some suspense so will reveal one a day on Instagram and give a little explanation on here as to why it made my top ten.

The great news is I did manage to decide on a top ten, the bad news is that I of course plan to do more travelling to Europe in the near future so it could be all change once more!