Europe is a beautiful continent full of beautiful new places to discover. While many of us go and see the popular sights of Paris, Rome and Berlin the beauty often lies within hidden country towns and remote coastlines. If you’re planning a trip check out my top places to visit. I did the research so all you need to do is book a ticket, a van to sleep in and a couple of friends to keep you company as you start your European tour. Bon Voyage!

Civita di Bagnoregio – Italy

Civita di Bagnoregio is two very remote towns. The stunning beauty of Civita is it’s long stone walkway – the only way to get to this medieval hilltop city. It is nickmaed the ‘Dying City’ due to only six year-round residents. The rest of the buildings are owned by rich Italians who come to this beautiful countryside for vacation.

Bohinj – Slovenia

This unique, charming and mysterious region in Slovenia is surrounded by Alps and water. The most recognisable and astonishing natural site is Lake Bohinj, the biggest lake in Slovenia. The twenty-four villages in and above the valley, surround the lake and have plenty of stories to share. Visit this culture filled region and discover the riches of the past, the cheerfulness of the present and the mystery of the future.

Positano – Italy

This Amalfi Coast villiage, in Campania, Italy, is built on a seaside hill. Positano was a port of the Amalfi Republic in medieval times and then turned into a poor fishing village during the first half of the twentieth century. It began to attract large numbers of tourists in the 1950s, especially after a raving review in Harper’s Bazaar in May, 1953. The article dreamily wrote… “It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone…”. I have a strong urge to go and visit!

Menton – France

At the border of two sovereign states, Italy and Monaco, Menton is the most eastern French city of the Côte d’Azur. Nestled by high mountains, the city is open to the Mediterranean and stuns with it’s colourful buildings and blue waters. I’m sure there’s plenty of Instagram worthy photos to take in Menton.

Alberobello – Italy

The Trulli, the characteristic cone-roofed houses of Alberobello, make up one of the 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy. The name derives from the late Greek word for dome and refers to the ancient stone houses with conical roofs, constructed with limestone from the plateau of Apulia’s Murge zone.

These impressive and unique structures, largely present in the Valley of Itria, can also be found in the Provinces of Brindisi, Bari and Taranto. They are a clever example of architecture that is spontaneous, yet imperishable. To this day they are still used as homes, shops and businesses.

Alberobello, an inland village of the Province of Bari, is the main area to see Trulli. Alberobello historic center is constituted by these rather particular white, pyramidal structures that make it so famous and identifiable.

Portofino – Italy

This beautiful, star-studded fishing village sits on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa city. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants fringe its Piazzetta (a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor) which is lined with super-yachts.  A path leads from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian Sea. Likely visitors include the likes of the rich and famous who love to holiday and relax here.

Camogli – Italy

The smaller and lesser known neighbour to Portofino and not far from the rugged landscape of Cinque Terre, Camogli has it all.

This traditional fisherman town with its colourful houses, long history, impressive hotels, small bakeries and laid back vibe is a favourite for many Europeans. Besides checking out all the fabulous restaurants and cafes, Cenobio Dei Dogi hotel is a historic landmark that’s not to be missed.

Did I miss a wonderful place that you highly recommend? Leave me a comment below or contact me via social media for suggestions!