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6 secret cities in Europe

OK, OK, so the following cities aren’t completely secret, otherwise no-one would live in them, and then they wouldn’t technically be cities, but let’s just say these are magnificent metropoli that either fly under the radar entirely, or don’t feature in the upper echelons of people’s luxury city break wish lists when they really, really should. Ljubljana Difficult enough to spell, let alone locate on a map, Slovenia’s small but perfectly formed capital sits pretty in the heart of Europe where Slavic, Latin and Teutonic elements meet to create a city of real charm. Ljubljana has been called a pocket Prague thanks to its Baroque skyline and cobbled streets, but those streets then emerge into piazzas more redolent of Rome, and the fine weather and cafe culture in summer is also distinctly Italianate. The city itself is eminently walkable, and make sure you head up to Ljubljana Castle for views across the city and the Ljubljanica River (not everything begins Ljublj-something – promise) below. Slovenia being a small country with a centrally located capital, it means you can base yourself in the city and day trip to the likes of beautiful Lake Bled or even cross the border to CroatiaÂ’s wonderful wine, seafood and truffle region of Istria. Ljubljana2 Palma Mallorca is an enduring favourite destination but many view the capital, Palma, as a mere gateway to the beaches beyond. So why Palma, why now? Many, many reasons, from superb weather to a spectacular cathedral; a beautiful harbour; the winding alleys of the old Arab Quarter and a long history of art and artists. In particular, this was Joan MiroÂ’s home town for many years, and the museum of his works and studio, left as if he might walk back in at any moment, is enthralling. Those are the longstanding reasons for visiting, but more recently a clutch of superbly chic boutique hotels has emerged, including immaculate Hotel Cort with its tasteful navy and white colour schemed suites. The restaurant scene is also resurgent, including English Michelin man Mark FoshÂ’s ace Simply Fosh. The message? Go to Mallorca, but next time spend a night or two in Palma. Palma2 Tallinn The Estonian capital can proudly claim to be the best-preserved medieval town in northern Europe, complete with castellated city walls, cobbled streets and guildhalls. That the beautiful ancient centre sits alongside a new town of exquisitely soviet dreariness only enhances the fairytale castle effect and mercifully the epidemic of mankini and morph suit wearing stag parties has died down significantly. This is somewhere just to wander the alleyways and ramparts, stopping often for a drink or bite to eat in a cafe, bar or restaurant in a centuries old building. It’s in winter that Tallinn becomes even more magical, as snow is likely and the city hosts one of EuropeÂ’s best Christmas markets, which you can visit from the cosy Three Sisters Hotel, created from a trio of adjoining medieval houses. TallinnHouses Gothenburg So everybody knows Stockholm is special, but consider SwedenÂ’s second city, Gothenburg, for a second. It’s also on the sea, it’s also the gateway to an archipelago of several thousand islands and it’s also a serenely sophisticated place to visit, thanks to a raft of lovely hotels and excellent restaurants serving enough unbelievably good seafood to sate the greediest of gastonauts. There’s also a laid back and fun musical festival in summer called Way Out West, which marks its 10th anniversary in August 2016. Gothenburgh-blossom2 Naples Naples might just be the least European city in Europe, with an atmosphere more akin to the bustle of Marrakech mixed with the faded grandeur of Havana. Despite this, Naples is the birthplace of that most Italian of food: the pizza, which, when correctly made, requires San Marzano tomatoes grown on the volcanic slopes of nearby Mount Vesuvius and mozzarella from CampaniaÂ’s marshland water buffaloes. Wander around the heart of the city, the Decumani district, which is split in two by the 2,500 year old Spaccanapoli street, so narrow in places it’s almost a tunnel. Stay at the Romeo Hotel, and once you’ve had your fill of this intoxicating city, take day trips to the classy island of Capri or nearby Pompeii. Naples-coloured-houses Valletta V is for Valletta, and MaltaÂ’s capital is having something of a moment (in a good way) at present. We predict this charming city is going to get very popular in the run up to its coronation as European Capital of Culture 2018, thanks to a winning combination of pretty much unbeatable historical significance in such a small place, a fun nightlife centred around the St Julian area and a clutch of cracking new restaurants, bars and hotels, including Casa Ellul, a tiny townhouse hotel with neo-classical interiors tucked away in one of the city’s side streets. Valletta2 Tom Barber is Co-Founder of Original Travel. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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10 Comments

  1. Tallinn! Magical place! And totally loved Naples, but in a completely different way. :) Although Patarei prison in Tallinn had a completely different vibe from the romantic city center too and my sd-card was just too small there :)

  2. In Naples there is a world to discover both over and under the city. I was there last week and it was simply amazing. Its culture and atmosphere is something unique.

  3. I was in Palma just a few days ago and was pleasantly surprised – really attractive and atmospheric city, especially around the old Banys Arabs. There’s a great delicatessen just off the Plaça Major where you can try all sorts of cheeses, chorizo, sobrasada etc – can’t remember the name but worth seeking out for edible souvenirs!

  4. I blogged Ljubljana last year as I ended up being there by chance. What a delightful and charming city, a plethora of history and the architecture was superb in its design. Not only was the shopping great, the people and the hotel I stayed at were incredibly friendly and English well spoken. Take a bow Ljubljana!
    Grace Lech

  5. Great choices! I think Tallinn is my favorite of the bunch. Luckily I live in Helsinki so it’s easy to just take the ferry down for a quick visit whenever I feel like it!

  6. Travelling is what refreshes my mind after a routine schedule of 9 to 5 job. I love to explore new destinations in my free time. I loved the compilation of these beautiful cities which you have made; they look worth visiting.

  7. Glad you chose our beloved capital city Valletta! The Capital of Culture 2018! We’re so proud of our natural heritage!

  8. Gothenburg is relaxing, safe & beautiful & hosts one of the world’s largest film festivals every February with thousands of films over an event-packed two weeks.
    At Christmas there is the fabulous fair & market at Liseberg and great shopping and atmosphere in the town centre.The summer is laid-back & gorgeous,with ferries going out to small islands where you can swim in the sea.

  9. Try looking at small out of the way towns. Pour example: St. Hillaire de Reitz, in Brittany, France, Magnifique! Etoges, France. Volvic, France. Small towns in Northern Italy. Asolo, Italy, etc.

  10. Hard enough to spell, harder still to pronounce, and I hadn’t even heard of Ljubljana before. Sounds like quite a peaceful area, a little quaint and charming. My friends went to Gothenburg the other year and said it was surprisingly relaxing, steeped in culture, and easy to get around with trams (which I hadn’t realised were a feature there). They managed a boat ride as far as a recall and some kind of bus sightseeing tour, which is probably a good idea to get a feel for the place.

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