Eastern Europe

An industrial port on the edge of the Baltic may not sound like an ideal spot for a mini break, but with his cobbled streets and pastoral coloured Flemish buildings, Gdansk is full of surprises. And right now, is the time to go, before it starts attracting anywhere near the hefty number of visitors Polish hotspot Krakow does. From a tourist’s perspective, it still feels almost undiscovered.

When you say Bosnia, most people will think of war, ethnic cleansing and massacre, as seen on the news in the early nineties. But I didn't come here for a dose of shock tourism. I'm here because travel junkies have dubbed Bosnia one of the world's most exciting undiscovered destinations. Its rugged landscapes, clear rivers and rich East-meets-West history under the Romans and Ottomans are the drawcards.

Offering everything from meat-topped flatbreads to flavoursome cheese, Armenia's divers and exciting cuisine deserves a place on the on the global gastronomic map. This country draws on culinary influences from all over Europe, the Middle East and the Levant to serve up a menu of mouth-watering dishes - think harissa, a savoury chicken porridge; manti, a delicious baked dumpling; or ghapama, a pumpkin stuffed with boiled rice, dried fruits and nuts. A nation of food-lovers, Armenians attach great value to ancestral recipes and home cooking, so travellers should make sure to come with open minds and empty stomachs.

Bosnia has had more than its faire share of conflict, especially in the past 20 years. Bullet holes and bomb damage in cities and villages across the country serve as a reminder of the war that killed 100,000 people and displaced 2.2 million. But despite the deep-seated scars of battle and genocide, Bosnia has managed to retain plenty of natural beauty and charm.  The historic capital, with its unique mix of Eastern and Western culture, contains stories that will make your jaw drop. And, as for the countryside, its lush green mountains and clear rivers make it the perfect destination for sporty adventures on a seven-day road trip.

It's morning and I am geared up for action in the far-flung east of Poland's beautiful Podlaskie Volvodship, Biebrza National Park is 60,000 hectares of marshy flatlands, gentle river valley and moose-concealing pine forests. This is a landscape of wetlands and peat bogs, bordering the Biebrza river and home to hundreds of different bird species, thousands of insect species, 900 moose, red deer, wild boar, hares, rabbits and even wolf packs and solitary lynxes. It's going to be a good day.

As a destination for a city break, Tallinn has become very popular for many wanting a weekend break.  The Estonian capital’s old fishing district, Kalamaja, is has become one of the city’s coolest haunt. Come and explore the medieval Old Town’s cobbled streets, easy-on-the-eye architecture and colourful squares, the galleries (such as Kadriorg Art museum) and the churches (St Olav’s Gothic church and tower) – St Alexander Nevsky Cathedaral, built during the reign of the Russian tsars in 1900, it’s the most opulent Orthodox church in the city and its pop-up bars and warehouse parties.

Dubbed the 'jewel of the Adriatic', Dubrovnik's old town (or Stari Grad) is set within city walls built from the 13th century onwards. A Unesco World Heritage listed site, it is made up of cobblestone streets, forts and museums. Despite being bombed heavily by Yugoslav forces in 1991, the city has been well preserved and is Croatia's prime tourist destination.

Although most of Warsaw was tragically raved to the ground during the Second World War, the Polish capital was given a nip 'n' tuck by architects who used artwork by 18th century court painter Bellotto to try to recapture its former glory. Even so, Warsaw will never win a pretty city award, but its historic centre has clusters of handsome buildings, as well as a rich offering in terms of art, culture and nightlife.

The arrival of budget airline flights and its buzzing nightlife scene have given Tallinn a bit of a reputation as a stag and hen party zone in a recent years, but look beyond the drinks specials and you'll find more to this min-Prague, which has had the badge of a 'European Capital of Culture'.

Our van had seen better days but my partner tackled each bend as if auditioning for a car commercial. My stomach was firmly clenched as we edged a little too close to the cliff-edge during every dramatic twist in the road.

Just as I was wondering why we hadn't bought a sat-nav, the road levelled out onto a flat and fertile lowland on which in some prehistoric time the ocean had rolled. As the sun was at its highest, we faced landscapes that had taken trillions of years to form. With mountains on all sides, Europe's natural beauty was staggering.