Eastern Europe

Central Dalmatia abounds in gorgeous landscapes, endless beaches and numerous options for active holidays. A wide array of beautiful beaches and opportunities for adrenaline-filled adventures combine with iconic old settlements, towns and picturesque islands to make Split-Dalmatia County the ultimate destination for travellers of all ages and interests.

Wellness tourism is nothing new in Slovenia. It's countryside is seriously idyllic - especially in and around Lake Bled to the mountainous nations north-west. It was here that pioneering Swiss wellness expert Dr Arnold Rikli established a 'healing institute' in 1855, prescribing a strict meat-and-booze-free diet, and a routine of hikes in the hills and swims in the lake, much of which was to be done naked for maximum sun exposure.

Through the centuries, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarians have all left their mark on Croatian art and architecture. You could include one or more of the following mainland port cities in your sailing itinerary, or arrange sail and stay holiday, combining a week of sailing with a week of cultural sightseeing. 

One of Europe's most beautiful sailing destinations, Croatia offers calm turquoise waters and a host of islands, each with its own identity and idiosyncrasies. Yacht charter bases are located in marinas, the most popular ones being on the mainland, in or near Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Pula, all of which are conveniently served by summer flights from the UK or elsewhere in Europe.

It was the legend of Dracula that first drew my attention to the forest-clad mountains and creepy castes of Transylvania, but I soon discovered that the region has much to offer beyond the sinister fairytale.  So, I head to Dracula country and more than haunted castles and vampires.

In the film Hostel, the director Eli Roth depicted Slovakia as a dirty, dangerous war-torn country brewing with evil. Horny backpackers were particularly vulnerable, not only from the devious women who'd lure them to an early death for a few korunas, but also the young ruffians who'd kill for a mobile phone - or even a piece of chewing gum.

With an idyllic location, incredible architecture and a vibrant social scene. Wrocław is the next city to add to your must - visit list. Word is spreading about this unique spot in the south west of Poland - Wrocław recently beat the likes of Athens, Amsterdam, Budapest and Paris to clinch this year's top prize at travel site European Best Destinations' annual awards. Anyone who's visited before is sure to have found a reason to shout about Wrocław.

The Dalmatian Coast is said to be one of the most beautiful coastline in Europe. Dotted along the Croatian coast are islands, each has its different shape and size and offers its own attraction and beauty.  Hvar Island (pronounced phwoar) along with the rest of the Dalmatian Coast has grown into a must visit European destination.  It was overlooked for the only Greek islands and its westerly neighbours the Italians.  Known as the Croatian Madeira, Hvar receives 300 days of sunshine each year - making it the sunniest spot in the Adriatic both in summer and winter.

There is no generally accepted definition of what exactly Eastern Europe is. The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania often identify themselves as Northern European and seem keen to distance themselves culturally from their soviet past. At the southern end of the continent, in the Caucasus, it can be debated whether Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan should be geographically classed as a part of Eastern Europe, despite many of the population very definitely identifying themselves as European. Russia, of course, is mainly geographically in Asia, but its best-known cities, St Petersburg and Moscow, are firmly rooted, both culturally and geographically, within the traditions of Europe.

If I did not say where I was writing about and ask you where in Eastern Europe you can sun bath all day and party in the night it would take you a few guesses before you mention Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Known for its natural coastline and beautiful sun shine, the Dalmatian Coast covers the entire Croatian coastline which includes towns like Split, Makarska and Dubrovnik and islands like Hvar, Korcula and Mljet.  The Dalmatian coast has become a European short break destination everyone wants to experience. With its excellent Mediterranean climate, rugged mountains and deep blue sea, it’s perfect for an outdoor holiday – whether sunbathing on pebble beaches, peddling along rural cycling trails, or touring archaeological sites.  But if you really want to taste Croatia’s magic, there’s no better way to explore the blissful islands of the Adriatic than by sailing boat.