<strong>Picos de Europa, Spain: </strong>Home to Spain's first national park, the picturesque Picos de Europa are one of western Europe's most overlooked mountain ranges.
Picos de Europa, Spain: Home to Spain's first national park, the picturesque Picos de Europa are one of western Europe's most overlooked mountain ranges.
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<strong>Lofoten Islands, Norway: </strong>Winter visitors to Norway's Lofoten Islands may be treated to the otherworldly Northern Lights.
Lofoten Islands, Norway: Winter visitors to Norway's Lofoten Islands may be treated to the otherworldly Northern Lights.
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<strong>Apuseni mountains, Romania: </strong>Part of the western Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the Apuseni make for the ideal summer break, with cooler temperatures and uncrowded paths.
Apuseni mountains, Romania: Part of the western Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the Apuseni make for the ideal summer break, with cooler temperatures and uncrowded paths.
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<strong>Ephesus, Turkey: </strong>The ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, located near Selçuk in modern-day Turkey, is the most complete classical city in Europe, thanks to painstaking excavation and restoration
Ephesus, Turkey: The ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, located near Selçuk in modern-day Turkey, is the most complete classical city in Europe, thanks to painstaking excavation and restoration
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<strong>Avignon, France: </strong>For a city with fewer than 100,000 residents, Avignon -- with its famous bridge -- has a surprising wealth of historical and cultural attractions.
Avignon, France: For a city with fewer than 100,000 residents, Avignon -- with its famous bridge -- has a surprising wealth of historical and cultural attractions.
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<strong>Lisbon, Portugal: </strong>The Portuguese capital's food scene has boomed in recent years, making it a go-to for those who hit the road with the primary purpose of eating and drinking.
Lisbon, Portugal: The Portuguese capital's food scene has boomed in recent years, making it a go-to for those who hit the road with the primary purpose of eating and drinking.
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<strong>Dingle Peninsula, Ireland: </strong>The Dingle Peninsula, in County Kerry on Ireland's southwest coast, is paradise for those who like their trips active and adventurous.
Dingle Peninsula, Ireland: The Dingle Peninsula, in County Kerry on Ireland's southwest coast, is paradise for those who like their trips active and adventurous.
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<strong>Plovdiv, Bulgaria:</strong> Bulgaria's second city, Plovdiv was a European Capital of Culture in 2019.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria: Bulgaria's second city, Plovdiv was a European Capital of Culture in 2019.
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<strong>Pompeii, Italy: </strong>The perfectly preserved ancient city, buried under ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, is unlike anything else in Europe.
Pompeii, Italy: The perfectly preserved ancient city, buried under ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, is unlike anything else in Europe.
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<strong>Athens, Greece:</strong> The UNESCO-protected Acropolis is the most obvious, not to mention most popular, sight in Athens. But there's plenty more to experience in the city's neighborhoods.
Athens, Greece: The UNESCO-protected Acropolis is the most obvious, not to mention most popular, sight in Athens. But there's plenty more to experience in the city's neighborhoods.
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<strong>Salzburg, Austria: </strong>The city's most famous son, Mozart, vies for tourist attention with "The Sound of Music," which was filmed and set here.
Salzburg, Austria: The city's most famous son, Mozart, vies for tourist attention with "The Sound of Music," which was filmed and set here.
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<strong>Henne Strand, Denmark:</strong> On the west coast of Jutland, Henne Strand is a holiday haven for Danes who love the outdoors.
Henne Strand, Denmark: On the west coast of Jutland, Henne Strand is a holiday haven for Danes who love the outdoors.
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<strong>Bruges, Belgium:</strong> Bruges' medieval streets and winding canals have a distinct charm, while the city's main square is the perfect place to quaff a local beer and watch the world go by.
Bruges, Belgium: Bruges' medieval streets and winding canals have a distinct charm, while the city's main square is the perfect place to quaff a local beer and watch the world go by.
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<strong>Düsseldorf, Germany: </strong>Thanks to a booming art scene -- helped in no small part by the internationally revered Art Düsseldorf art fair -- the city has become a go-to for Europe's hippest travelers.
Düsseldorf, Germany: Thanks to a booming art scene -- helped in no small part by the internationally revered Art Düsseldorf art fair -- the city has become a go-to for Europe's hippest travelers.
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<strong>Wrocław, Poland:</strong> Krakow and Warsaw often grab the headlines, but Wrocław is a Polish city to behold, thanks to its truly superb architecture.
Wrocław, Poland: Krakow and Warsaw often grab the headlines, but Wrocław is a Polish city to behold, thanks to its truly superb architecture.
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<strong>Groningen, Netherlands:</strong> Young and hip, Groningen is a winning alternative to Amsterdam. The canals and classic Dutch buildings are all in evidence, but without the hordes of tourists.
Groningen, Netherlands: Young and hip, Groningen is a winning alternative to Amsterdam. The canals and classic Dutch buildings are all in evidence, but without the hordes of tourists.
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<strong>The Cairngorms, Scotland:</strong> This spectacular national park is widely regarded as one of the wildest places in mainland Britain.
The Cairngorms, Scotland: This spectacular national park is widely regarded as one of the wildest places in mainland Britain.
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