One of my favorite lesser known places to travel to is Heidelberg, Germany. Dasha Coffman
After traveling to over 50 European cities, it’s fun to visit some lesser known places.
Bath, England, is a fantastic place to see Roman ruins and beautiful architecture.
I also loved my trip to historic and romantic Bruges, Belgium.
I have been to over 50 cities in Europe, including London. ParisI also try to look for smaller cities and towns.
With more than 13 million Americans expected to travel to Europe this summer, it may be the perfect time to visit some off-the-beaten-path destinations on your travel bucket list.
These are five lesser known European destinations that I recommend you visit.
Bath, England, is just a 90-minute train ride from London.
Bath is known for having some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world. Evan Novostro/Shutterstock
As you can probably guess from the city’s name, Bath is known for its Roman Baths, which date back to 70 AD and are one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world.
Bath is known for its beautiful Georgian architecture, which can be admired at places like the Royal Crescent, a crescent-shaped row of 30 houses.
We also enjoyed visiting the Circus, which is made up of townhouses arranged in a circle – these areas showcase Georgian architecture and are what make walking through Bath feel so unique.
Book lovers should visit during the annual Jane Austen Festival in September, when people dress up in costumes and the town feels like it’s been transported back in time.
The train ride from London to Bath takes around 90 minutes, making the city a great choice for a day trip.
Mostar is a beautiful city in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mostar’s Old Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dasha Coffman
Mostar was a real surprise – unlike any other city I’d been to, with its towering Old Bridge connecting the two sides of the city – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 16th century bridge that was rebuilt after the war in the 1990s.
The city has a well-preserved Ottoman townscape with charming cobblestone streets, and during our stay in Mostar we sipped Bosnian coffee, took in the city views, and enjoyed local dishes such as cevapi.
Bruges, Belgium is a romantic city.
In Bruges I loved taking a boat ride on the canals. Dasha Coffman
Bruges has a well-preserved medieval townscape, its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a visit there will make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time.
The best thing I did was take a boat ride on the canals and admire the architecture while touring Minnewaterpark, better known as the Lake of Love.
A relaxing day trip from nearby Paris and Brussels, Bruges is the perfect destination for couples looking to enjoy Belgian beer and chocolate.
Heidelberg, Germany, has embraced modern life without losing its historic charm.
Heidelberg is home to a centuries-old castle. Cernovik/Getty Images
Heidelberg offers stunning views around every corner and is home to a centuries-old castle and Germany’s oldest university.
I enjoyed walking along Philosophenstrasse, also known as the Philosopher’s Way, where professors sought solitude and academic inspiration. The path was particularly beautiful when I visited in the fall.
It was a pleasure to spend time in this city, with lots of great restaurants and trendy bars. Heidelberg is a great city that has kept its historic charm while also embracing new things.
Andorra la Vella is a hidden gem in the Pyrenees.
Andorra la Vella is the capital of the Principality of Andorra. Dasha Coffman
Andorra la Vella is the capital of the Principality of Andorra, a country in the Pyrenees between France and Spain.
All the restaurants we ate at featured cuisine influenced by neighboring countries, and for a taste of authentic Andorran food, head to Borda, a collection of traditional houses once used for agriculture that are now used as charming restaurants.
Andorra la Vella makes a great day trip from Barcelona, but the city deserves more than a day.
