Sibiu, Romania’s medieval jewel
Sibiu, the historical capital of Transylvania, turned out to be a fantastic destination to explore. The city’s historic center is positioned on a hill, with every building in the three principal squares and side streets appearing as a piece of history, overshadowed by the medieval Lutheran cathedral of Saint Mary. The unique architecture of the attic windows illustrates why Sibiu is known as “the town of a thousand eyes,” and the Teutsch Haus delivers an excellent account of the area and the Transylvanian Saxons. The old town is packed with eateries and cafés, while along the river there is a local market featuring large aubergines, tomatoes, and peppers. For a drink in the evening, Wine Not boasts a wide variety of Romanian (and Moldovan) wines, accompanied by a friendly black cat.
Barbara Forbes
Wrocław, Poland’s vibrant student hub
Wrocław offers a delightful blend of charm and vibrancy, making it an ideal destination for an economical city escape. The large student demographic adds a lively energy to the city, evident from the boat and beach bars along the River Oder (don’t miss Forma Płynna beach bar) to the tempting Georgian bakeries (drop by Piekarnia Gruzińska PURI on Facebook – for pastries while exploring the vibrant painted courtyards of the Nadodrze area). While many visitors flock to the large central square, traversing the outskirts of the old town yields treasures such as Pub Drukarnia (serving scrumptious Litovel Czech beer) or Stacja Breslau bistro located under the railway arches on Wojciecha Bogusławskiego street.
Matt Lunt
World-class architecture in Helsinki
My awareness of Helsinki primarily derived from the works of filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki (Drifting Clouds, The Man Without a Past, etc.), so it was a pleasant revelation to learn that the city is more than just dockyards and Cold War-era bars. Instead, Helsinki is home to lush parks, coastal vistas, easily accessible islands, and stunning architecture. This is what drew us here: from a church sculpted into stone to the state-of-the-art community space Oodi library; from the mid-century Didrichsen museum to the organic modernism of architect Alvar Aalto. Don’t overlook the culinary scene – whether it’s brunch at Levain, Michelin-starred creations at Grön, or simply enjoying a remarkable korvapuusti (cinnamon roll).
David M
Marseille is a delight for families
Marseille met all our family trip needs. The sunny weather, lovely beaches, fascinating street art, sea kayaking, and incredible walking in the Calanques delighted both teens and adults. Personally, I enjoyed the Mucem (Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée), the meandering alleys of Le Panier, and the diverse cultural atmosphere. The locals were warm and encouraging as we attempted to communicate in French, and the public transport options of trams, metro, and buses were efficient. We traveled effortlessly on Eurostar and TGV train and lodged at the Aparthotel Adagio.
Evie
Berlin’s concealed design treasures
Even after nearly two decades of visiting Berlin, I keep uncovering new experiences. While iconic spots like the Brandenburg Gate and the glass dome atop the Reichstag are certainly worth a visit, there are also lesser-known gems, such as the cutting-edge Ludwig Erhard Haus, crafted by Nicolas Grimshaw, whose steel exterior serves as merely an introduction to the breathtaking architecture inside. There’s also the remnants of St Michael’s church, which was cut off from its congregation by the Berlin Wall. Make sure to secure a spot on a tour of the ESMT business school, which once held the elite of East Germany. The stunning socialist stained glass and GDR coat of arms mosaic are unforgettable.
James Carson
A dumpling and a beer in Vilnius, Lithuania
We spent a delightful three nights in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, which has a compact, walkable old town filled with numerous churches, museums, and attractions. We savored local dishes such as kvass, a beverage made from fermented rye bread, and cepelinai, potato dumplings resembling airships and stuffed with minced pork. A half-liter of beer (approximately €5) paired wonderfully with the appetizing kepta duona, strips of deep-fried black bread accompanied by a garlic dip. Climbing the hundreds of steps to the Three Crosses for panoramic city views helped us burn off the extra calories. Our accommodation was at Domus Maria, a former monastery located near the Gate of Dawn.
Helen Jackson
The undeniable appeal of Maastricht
A three-hour drive from Calais or a two-hour train ride from Brussels, changing at Liège-Guillemins, brings you to the charming Dutch city of Maastricht. Compact, mostly flat (great for an elderly visitor), and absolutely delightful. As a university city, we loved the friendly and energetic atmosphere without compromising its allure and historical significance. The Wednesday cloth market and the weekend bric-a-brac market in the main square are incredible (we bought a milk churn!), and the frites at nearby cafés were fantastic while the beer selection was diverse and tasty. A highlight was definitely Boekhandel Dominicanen, a bookstore housed in a renovated medieval abbey.
Bruce Horton
Beer spa located in Olomouc, Czech Republic
Olomouc, located in the Czech Republic, is an absolute gem. With its sparkling spires and domes, two historic squares, charming cobbled streets, trams, and its own astronomical clock. It features a UNESCO-recognized holy trinity column erected to commemorate the end of a plague in the early 1700s. Just a two-hour train journey from Prague, Olomouc is significantly less crowded than the Czech capital. Two fabulous spots to sip a beer are Saint Venceslav’s brewery, which includes a beer spa with a hop-scented sauna; and Twinburg, adjacent to the Moravian cycling route, serving delicious craft beers. This city appears to have been created just for me.
Jack Anderton
Polar nights in Tromsø, Norway’s ‘Arctic hub’
As a Scot who previously sought prolonged summer evenings, I now fully embrace the opposite. Experiencing winter in Tromsø, Norway – the “Arctic capital” – is for those who relish the lengthy, dark nights and are eager to fluctuate their circadian cycles. The polar night, during which the sun remains below the horizon, begins in late November and concludes in mid-January. Explore this surreal, prolonged twilight – known as the blue hour – from approximately 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fjellheisen cable car and silent whale-watching with Brim Explorer are two activities worth considering.
Aimee Lawrence
Top tip: the cheese markets in Alkmaar, the Netherlands
I recently traveled to Alkmaar, located just 35 minutes north of Amsterdam by train, which features canals, charming pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets, ringing churches, superb dining options (De Heeren Van Sonoy, Stadskaffee Laurens, and Patisserie Elhorst offering gluten-free options), and vibrant markets (the cheese market is a must-see for an authentic Dutch experience). We rented bikes from Pesie for an enjoyable ride on well-marked trails through stunning pine forests and the Schoorlse Duinen (Dunes) nature reserve before circling back to town for a well-deserved ice cream at Bergen aan Zee beach.
Nicola
