11 European Destinations To Visit After Covid

Presenting a choice of 11 European destinations to look at after Covid has passed.

Trying to help find alternative places that may not always spring to your mind.

1. The Islands Of Malta And Gozo

The islands of Malta and Gozo with their history and links to the UK make them a good choice as English is so widely spoken there.

Easily reachable from a good number of UK airports helps to make it a convenient  choice for either a short or longer stay.

The Pheonicia in Valletta is one of the 11 European destinations.

There are a number now of smaller boutique style of hotels like Palazzo Paolina opening up.  As well as the traditional establish ones like the Phoenicia, located just outside the city walls of the capital Valletta.

If you want some Hollywood celebrity status try to check out the Xara Palace Hotel in the walled city of Mdina in the centre of the island. Brad Pitt has been a visitor there a number of times.

If you fancy booking an apartment then I can certainly recommend James Villas who have a number on both Malta and Gozo.

This James Villa in Gozo has a pool on the roof terrace.

In terms of things to do then taking in that Mediterranean sunshine is an obvious.

Temples of Gozo

However, with so much history on the islands you can even go back to the Mesolithic period and visit the Ggantija Temples at Xaghra on Gozo.

Or more recent then places like the Lascaris war tunnels where the invasion of Sicily was planned in World War II.

Lascaris War Tunnels in Valletta.

The delightful fishing village of Marsaxlokk in the south west of the island with its shoal of colourful boats bobbing around in the harbour. A Baroque Music has been on the January calendar for a number of years see 2021.

Grand harbour is a truly magnificent sight and the Barrakka Gardens provides a great view point. The former harbour warehouses situated there now provide a perfect waterside location for meals and bar life.

The old warehouses around grand harbour now offers a great place to dine.

Malta is also working hard to provide what the  LBGT tourists are looking for. Although the island is made of limestone and can be rocky there are some great beaches to enjoy too.

2. Estonia High Tech Giant

Estonia is almost as far away from Malta as you can go in Europe and is my next choice.

Gone are the rocks this is very forested and flat tundra like country.

Kihnu Island has a small fishing and farming community in Estonia.

It too also has English spoken extensively over most of the country certainly in and around the capital of Tallinn. Closer to the Russian border much less so.

The country on the edge of the Baltic is a hot bed of modern high tech. For instance, Skype was invented there.

A two and half hour flight from the UK makes it very reachable for a long weekend. Not now such a destination for stag and hen weekends.

It has a European feel. However, its plucky outlook made it possible to split from Soviet rule with the singing revolution that joined with its neighbours of Latvia and Lithuania.

Sea Plane Harbour And KGB Museum

The medieval walled city of Tallinn with its Lutheran, Orthodox and Catholic churches that dominate the central area. Access from the airport is now very convenient with a direct tram service that now runs to the centre.

Tallinn and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Its harbour area offers and interesting visit with the Sea Plane Harbour a wonderful maritime museum complete with a submarine to walk around and explore inside too. There is a KGB museum on the 22^nd floor of the Viru Hotel.

The Sea Plane Harbour Museum in Tallinn complete with a full size submarine.

A fishing and farming community to be found on the Kihnu Island to the south of the country is so well worth visiting. Their life style, culture and music is a joy to experience in this day and age.

The marsh and boggy lands of Soomaa National Park may not seem a great choice. However, the wildlife and nature of this protected wetland will enthral. It’s just so different from what we see here in the UK.

The wetlands of Soomaa National Park make for such a different expereince.

Foodies will find some excellent new experiences and much effort is placed on low food miles and seasonality.

3. Northern France Pas de Calais

Certainly, France has always been one of the top choices for the British tourist. Perhaps heading down to the sun of the South. But had you thought of staying literally just 22 miles away from the UK and exploring the Pas de Calais ?

This area that had in the last century been a battle ground.  Not just once, but twice in the two World Wars with Germany.

The Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge.

When travelling around this area of France it’s impossible not to see the memorials of those two conflicts. Cemetery’s some for just a dozen and some for tens of thousands of soldiers who died during battles in that area.

Bethune was razed to ground during the First World War.

To see images of some of the towns at the height of such warmongering which now today have been rebuilt beautifully.  Towns like Arras or Bethune for example.

Their main squares now full of colour, charm and life. Nothing like the faded black and white images that portrayed the destruction of many such towns around the Pas de Calais.

Vimy Ridge and Commonwealth War Graves

Monuments like the Canadian one at Vimy Ridge standing high over Flanders fields draws you in.  Its museum and the remains of the trenches that can still be seen are a sobering experience.

Arras is also home to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission Visitors Centre and Museum. Certainly not to be missed.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Visitors Centre in Arras

Nearby the city of Lens  has a recently opened  Louvre Museum satellite. This modern glass and steel building  holds some of Frances most famous works of art.

The ultra modern Louvre Museum in Lens makes it one of the 11 European destinations to visit.

The town was once a coal capital. And now even the slag heaps, the highest in Europe and an eyesore have now been turned into a nature park and visitor attraction. A place now for 200 species of plants, 82 types of birds, some hardy amphibians and reptiles, twelve types of mammals and around 50 species of butterflies.

Slag heaps now all part of a wildlife park in Lens.

4. Poland Choose From Gdansk or Zakopane

The latter Zakopane being an alternative winter sports destination.  Should you want to find a change from Switzerland,  Austria or the Italian Alps! Located in the south of the country in the Tatra mountains it was a destination that the former Pope Paul II like too.

A winter sports destination and also a great summer European destination.

Heading to almost the top of the country Gdansk is a city with a political history that was a key to Poland becoming and independent country again. As well as Gdansk there are three cities that make up the area including Sopot and Gdynia.

It was Lech Walesa who helped to found Solidarity in the ship yards of Gdansk.  This led to massive strikes and the end of communist rule with a free market economy being introduced to the country. He went on to be President.

Gdansk waterfront another great European Destination after Covid-19.

It’s hard when visiting not to be aware of the significances of that period. As too its impossible not to be aware of giant’s cranes that are very much a symbol for the city. A metaphor of lifting the people to freedom?  Many tours are available on the subject to help orientate you.

Red Brick and Amber

On the riverside in Gdansk the narrow Dutch inspired buildings line the quay. As do many also around the Long Market just behind. Here there are numerous restaurants and bars with many shops selling amber.  A staple gem of the Baltic area made from fossilised pine resin. There is an Amber Museum.

The iconic cranes of Gdansk.

The ‘three cities’ area has Sopot as a beach and seaside resort.  With its pier and seafront along part of the Baltic coast. Plenty of nightclubs and the weird and whacky ‘Crooked House’ just near to the pier.

Crooked House at Sopot in Poland.

Returning the Gdansk the red brick Gothic architecture of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is hard to miss. Its tower offers a great views over the city once you have climbed the 82 metre tower.

Having not been to Gdynia I have not included any info.

5. Germany And Its Cultural Heart

Weimar in the state of Thuringia is where German writer Wolfgang von Goethe and playwright Friedrich Schiller both worked. The city and home of the German Enlightenment.

Goethe and Schiller. Weimar makes it one of the 11 European destinations to list for after Covid19.

Nearby in Eisenach is also the home of leading classical music composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Now this former Bach family home is the world’s first and largest a museum dedicated to him.

The nearby Bach House museum in Eisenach.

 Franz Liszt who settled in the town in 1848 later performed for the first time Wagner’s opera Lohengrin in Weimar in 1850.

The modern Bauhaus movement was started here by Walter Gropius, too. A brand new museum dedicated to the movement opened in 2019.  Plus, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Elephant hotel in the town square.

A short drive away is the former Nazi Buchenwald Concentration Camp built in 1937 over 50,000 people died there many were worked to death. Guided tours are available and last around 2 hours.

Bach, Cars and Martin Luther

The camp was freed by the American  80^th Infantry in April 1945.  The US army made residents view the camp to show the horrors that went on there just a few miles from the town. Although it was soon handed over to the Soviet forces.  Leaving Weimar and the camp then all part of East Germany.

Wartburg Castle with links to Wagner, Bach, Liszt and Martin Luther.

Eisenach is also known for its car manufacture Wartburg, BMW and today Opel are made there. A car museum Eisenach Automobile World  takes you through 115 years of manufacture in the town.

Wartburg Castle with its connections to Wagner and Martin Luther puts it firmly in on the tourist map for sure.

With a Martin Luther museum also in the town. The Luther House is one of the oldest timber-framed buildings in the town. It houses a permanent exhibition about Luther as a scholar, and bible translator.

6. Slovenia Small But Beautiful

Bordering Italy and Austria Slovenia is one of the smallest countries in Europe. But I think punches above its weight in terms of its potential for tourists.

The Julian Alps provide a great backdrop of mountain scenery and waterfalls. The Soca river offers some exciting challenges like white water rafting for instance.

Its compact and very neat capital of Ljubljana is a good starting point, the city has a warm friendly feel. A castle and funicular ride will get there in style.  The central bridge right in the city is  good meeting point with some pleasant architecture.

Some excellent architecture in the capital Ljubljana.

Either self-driving or taking a more organised tour around the country will get you to places like Bled. With its island church of the Church of the Assumption of Maria it has to be the most photographed place in the country?

A great taste from Slovenia and not to missed!

With a fairy tale castle that overlooking it which does make this a very special place. Don’t leave without eating at least one Bled Cake!

Even underground the country can offer a great experience.  Like the Postojna Caves. A 2kilometre ride into the mountains will take you to a breath-taking cavern. Giant stalactites and stalagmites adorned the cave which is really huge and provides good access for all to enjoy.

Take A Train Or Cable Car

Another train trip on which you can take the car too. From Bohinjska Bistrica you pass through a six and half kilometre long Bohinj tunnel. Cut through over a hundred years ago by engineers working for the Austria Hungarian Empire. This journey under Mount Kobla saves a long drive over the mountains to Most na Soči.

Try also riding to the top of the mountains.  Take the  Vogel cable car at Bohinji for amazing views over the Julian Alps and the lake 1,500 metres below for around €15 each. In the winter it’s a ski resort.

Mountain top views using the Vogel Cable Car makes it one of the 11 European destinations to visit.

English is widely spoken and you seem to be able to find Wi-Fi in most towns and village cafes and restuarants.

Glamping more like near Bled.

Camping and even glamping are options as well many delightful hotels and B&B’s in the city and towns.

7. Latvia Its Not All About Riga

A city once blighted with the stag and hens from around Europe but now that has changed.

As a city Riga is not that large but dodging those more-rowdy elements was not that easy at times. Although now as prices have evened out around Europe.  Therefore its not cheap booze destination any more.

Wonderful Art Nouveau buildings  found in the city of Riga.

Culture comes through like in its Art Nouveau architecture there.  It has one of the largest collections of that style in Europe. Some of the oldest houses in the city are to be found at what is called Three Brothers in Maza Pils Street from the 17^th century.

The Central Market Buildings.

Getting recognition as a  UNESCO World Heritage Site the Central Market Buildings that once housed German Zeppelins are to be found beside the Daugava River.

If you trace the route of Daugava River it will take you upstream for some 3 hours by road to the city of Daugavpils.  The country’s second city in the Latgale region.

The fortress in the city is one of the best preserved from the 19^th century. Its huge earth works and stone bastions have survived really well and overall, it’s still in excellent condition.

Home Of Artist Mark Rothko

One of several Mark Rothko works in Daugavpils.

Once inside you can discover artworks by Latvia’s most famous artist Mark Rothko. They have a selection of his works always on display. The Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre not only houses his works.  But many international artists exhibit there all year round.

As well as the art gallery there is a military museum which helps to tell the story of the fort itself.

Riga Motor Museum.

Driving back to Riga perhaps is a chance to sample the Riga Motoring Museum.  This brand new building houses some amazing and rare cars.   It has many interactive displays which do help to entertain any youngsters.

Mig-21BIS – Single-seat multi-role fighter. NATO name Fishbed. Riga Air Museum.

There is also a historical  aircraft collection near to the airport. But one gem worth seeking out is the former airport at Spilve.

Time capsule of Spilve Airport buildings interior.

This former soviet airport terminal building is very striking in that brutal Soviet style. However, if you can get inside it’s a real time capsule from that period.

8. Isle of Man On The Rails

Half way between Northern Ireland and England 33 miles The Isle of Man long maybe not always a number one choice for many. However it certainly should be up there.

If transport on rails is an item to attract you then you cannot go far wrong as there are numerous choices here. Choose your mode? Electric, Steam or Horse!

The first thing you will probably note when in Douglas.

Arriving in the island’s capital Douglas it’s hard to miss the seafront trams. The world’s last remaining horse-drawn passenger tram system.  These horse drawn vehicles have been taking passengers along the 1.6 mile long esplanade  since 1876. The dray horses of The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway take it turns to pull the trams, which can carry up to 42 passengers.

A slightly older rail transport system on the island is the Isle Of Man Steam Railway. This narrow gauge line runs from Douglas to Port Erin a distance around 15 miles through some delightful rural island countryside.

Electric Power Rules Here

Still at least two more rail options.  The first is the Manx Electric Railway this will take you from again Douglas but this time heading north to Ramsey. This 3 foot wide track is the longest narrow gauge vintage railway in Britain. It takes passengers past the Laxey Wheel the giant water wheel. Which is in fact the largest in the world.

World breaker The Laxey Wheel.

Yet another electric powered one is on the island.  The Snaefell Mountain Railway. This is the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles.  Boarding at Laxey the mountain railway will take you 5 miles to the top of Snaefell at ,some 2,036 feet high. And on a clear day it is possible to see to Scotland Ireland, England and Wales.

Snaefell Mountain Railway ready to leave Laxey.

You can take a ferry to the island or indeed fly from a number of UK airports. Therefore, it’s possible on a trip to and from the island to travel by: boat, plane, steam train, electric railway and  horse drawn tram all in one weekend!

9. Lithuania Lie Back And Think Of It

Back to the Baltic area and Lithuania and to start with its number one spa town of Birstonas.

Next to the River Nemunas this small town is a spa haven or perhaps heaven. There are a great number of spa hotels located here.

Pampering heaven if you stay in Birstonas in Lithuania.

With also a never ending number of spa treatments available and often at prices that most in the UK would think cheap.

But don’t think cheap is tacky or un-professional. First class treatments from the more well known types of massage be those Swedish, Indian or Thai. Then perhaps more unusual like a cryotherapy or halotherapy.

Massage at the Vytautas Mineral Spa Birstonas.

First, it’s below freezing cabinet where the body temperature is cooled and on exiting the chamber with blood racing back to the skin it gives a feeling well-being. Secondly, halotherapy or salt therapy spending time in a room of salt. Breathing in the salt laden air is thought to help some.

Birstonas Has It Wrapped

Various wraps one where thick layer of slimy mud is pumped onto a table and you lie on it for 20 minutes. Or another where scented creams with local herbs are spread over your body and then you get wrapped up in a plastic sheet whilst in subdued light.

Ready for the mud wrap.

Certainly, these treatments of which they were really excellent and great value. I would highly recommend the whole resort. They also hold a hot air balloon event each year.  And it is possible to get a balloon flight over the town, forests and river.

Hot air balloon flight at Birstonas makes it one of the 11 European destinations to visit after Covid.

Lithuania’s main port of Klaipeda offers a coastal and beach break in the quieter seaside area than the Spanish Costa’s. Palanga a beach resort just along the coast.

Palanga Pier.

With an extensive boardwalk  white sand and gentle Baltic waves from the shallow sea that warms up quickly in spring and summer. What’s not to like?

There is some unusual culture in the country. Cross by ferry to the Curonian Spit and walk on the Hill of Witches some amazing giant wood carvings that you can encounter on a circular walk through the woods.

Hill of Witches found on the Curonian Spitin in Lithuania.

I hired an eBike and found it an excellent way to cycle around the port town quickly.  Even though it was so fairly flat it was fun morning out exploring and relaxing too.

10. Sardinia Under Water Wine

Known for producing a sun loving wine of Vermentino. However, the island has found an inventive way of taking it to a different level. By burying it at sea for six months.

The unique wine that is ages under the sea in Sardinia.

This spumante type sparkling wine is produced pretty well in the normal way.  Until the wine is then packed into sealed bottles loaded into metal crates and lowered 40metres to the bottom of the sea to age for 6 months.

The exterior of bottles take on a natural maritime texture.  As the wine matures at pressure which helps to develop its unique flavour. This is a limited production and bottles can sell at around £30 to £40 each.  Called Akenta Sub its produced near to the capital Alghero.

Under the sea wine is aged and brought up by divers.

Other items harvested from the sea include bright orange coral which is on sale at many shops on the island. To get the perfect and guaranteed product do buy from a licenced store.

Pecorino And Suckling Pig

This Italian island has great history like so many Mediterranean islands do. It has remains from the Mesolithic period. Known too, for its Nuraghe civilization and its buildings are found all over the island.

Rural costumes and a unique style of Nuraghe prehistoric building at Santu Antine.

With some 7,000 examples of constructions in all. Dating from 1800BC to 700BC. The Romans of course were here leaving their ruins and mosaics.  The best to be found at Porto Torres.

Roman ruins with mosaics at Porto Torres.

No shortage of hillside villages often with narrow shady lanes some with castles sitting proudly on top.

Sardinia has many fine beaches and is a haven for water sports like kite surfing and wind surfing.

The island produces excellent food from its many rural farms.

As well as wine it is certainly well known for its Pecorino sheep’s cheese which make a pleasing combination. Meat products like salamis or suckling pig are often found on the menu.  Local crispy bread,  roasted lamb offal or seafood like sea urchin crab or octopus are common too.

Coral for sale in many shops but check for the special quality mark.

There is a marina with some excellent restaurants in the capital Alghero.  The main airport is also near there. Great for general shopping and food is very excellent at the Central Market.

11. Tenerife Not All Beaches And Bars

Most visitors to Tenerife are looking for the two items mentioned above. However, there are many other things to see and do beside those.

For one Tenerife is great for walking. Getting away from the beaches and Mount Teide National Park where you can be walking on the highest mountain in Spain. A times it’s a lunar landscape being in the realms of a volcano.

Lunar landscape but still spectacular walking which makes it one of the 11 European destinations to visit after Covid.

The pine trees provide some foliage and colour other than the blacks and browns of the rocky ground at 8,000 to 10,000 feet.

Pine trees bring some colour to the walk.

 What makes this so special is getting away from the crowds on the beaches and let’s face it after Covid we all will want to still be doing that?

Whilst still being fairly close to the beach Tenerife is really good for Whale and Dolphin spotting. I embarked on a ‘Freebird’ catamaran from the harbour at Los Cristianos.

Dolphin spotting from a catamaran.

The deep waters around Tenerife make it fairly certain that you are going to spot some of these enchanting mammals. Pilot whales, Bottle Nose Dolphins and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins seemed to line up to be spotted. Even being sprayed by them at times.

Sleeping On A Mountain Top

Back to near the top of Teide  and  Alta Vista Refuge offers a chance to go to sleep watching  the sunset and wake for sunrise at the height of 3,260 metres. Basic facilities are there and bedding is supplied if you do not have a sleeping bag with you. Bring some food hot drinks are available.

Your mountain bed for the night a great experience awaits near to the top!

Food and wine but not at a beach bar. How do you fancy this La Bodega Monje at El Sauzal they offer a refined and erotic dinner called ‘Wine & Sex’ that is simply a very different dining experience?

Red light wine at the La BodegaMonje.

Or perhaps a music experience at the Auditorio De Tenerife at Santa Cruz.

An amazing concert hall in Santa Cruz.

This unique concert venue runs season’s, of events.  A whole range of concerts, plays and operas are performed there.