5 European Destination Overviews for 2023

Are you looking for a new European Destination to add to your travel in 2023? Here are 5 European destinations worth adding to your next itinerary. Each destination opens up the possibility of new regions and countries. The time we spend travelling together is almost as important as the destination, so why not expand your destination list and create even more opportunities to deepen your relationship through shared experiences? Choosing travel destinations can be fun, and taking the time to add a bit of variety or a place neither of you knows a lot about can take your trip to the next level. We all know about those must-see destinations, but often not far down the road are fantastic destinations that give you a glimpse into another way of life and may become the trip highlight.

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Bratislava

Assisi

Chartres

Brighton

Budapest

Our Final thoughts and tips

Each destination has a brief overview, need to know, things to do and our visit with a few sentences about experiences in the destination.

 This post will look at five destinations you may have heard of but never considered exploring. We have visited all of the places on this list and were pleasantly surprised by each and will give you some of our insights from our time there. Some of these places we visited as a day trip or part of a tour; visiting in these ways did not lessen their appeal, and we may have added a few more destinations to our return one-day list.

Destination # 1 Bratislava,Slovakia

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a beautiful compact city. Situated on the Danube and the River Morava banks and bordering Austria and Hungry, it is a capital well placed to include on a trip to the area. Bratislava has been the coronation spot of eleven kings and eight queens of the Kingdom of Hungry.

Getting to Bratislava from Vienna is an easy bus or boat ride, making it a very doable day trip. Bratislava is also a popular stop on Danube river cruises. If you had a night or two to extend your visit to this quaint capital, I am sure you would enjoy exploring.

 What can you expect to see during a visit to Bratislava? Today’s visit to Bratislava is full of history, architecture and fantastic art at nearly every turn.

Need to know

Currency: Euros (€)

A week-long trip to Bratislava for two people costs around €1,363.

Weather: July is the hottest month in Bratislava with an average temperature of 21°C (70°F), and the coldest is January at -1°C (30°F)

The highest daily sunshine hours are 7 hours in July.

The wettest month is June, with an average of 70mm rain.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Bratislava is May through September. You have a warm temperature and almost no precipitation. May could be quieter due to fewer numbers of tourists.

Things to do

1. Bratislava Castle on top of the hill. Walk outside for free and enjoy views over the city and river while relaxing with a picnic, or visit the Slovak National Museum-Museum of History inside the castle.

2. Visit the old town, home to the beautiful main square lined with superb old buildings, where you will find some of the most famous statues to get a pic with.

3. Statue spot, the main square is not the only place you will find pic worthy statues. They are everywhere; there are over 15 beauties to find. Here are a few to get you started Cumil, Schone Naci Statue, Napoleon’s Army Soldier Statue, Statue of Hans Christian Andersen and a fountain with a lady holding a jug (this was the spot our walking tour started).

4. Visit the church of st. Elizabeth of Hungry, known as Blue Church. A Hungarian-Secessionist Catholic church located west of the old town.

5. Walk down Hviezdoslavovo námestie (the Square of Hviezdoslav)

6. St. Martin’s Cathedral coronation church of the Kingdom of Hungry 1530- 1830. Follow the route the newly coronated monarchs took following the disc in the pavement from the church to the river.

7. St Michael’s Gate, one of the original four medieval gates still standing and offering exceptional views over the Slovakian capital from the upper terrace and the Museum of Arms collection of weaponry.

8. The UFO Bridge ride the lift 84.6 metres up to the open-air observation deck, where you get more views of the city or head to the restaurant.

9. Join a tour to explore Bratislava or the rest of Slovakia by joining a day trip tour or focus on the city with a guide.

Our Visit

We visited on a day trip from Vienna. We caught a Flixbus to Bratislava, getting to the old town in time to join a free walking tour. This tour took in many highlights and was very informative. We spent some time wandering around the old town and Hviezdoslavovo námestie snapping some statues we had missed during the walk.

The Hviezdoslavovo námestie was a great place to pick up some Bratislavský rožok, a traditional Slovak pastry from Bratislava. It was easy to drop by the St Elisabeth church on the way back to the bus station. We were so grateful to a friend who told us about Bratislava and glad we added it to our Vienna stay.

Check out our brief video of this lovely city here

You can do the same tour through Viator if you prefer having a third party helping you.

Destination #2 Assisi, Italy

Assisi is a hill town in Italy’s Umbria region—the birthplace of St. Francis (1181–1226). The Basilica of St. Francis is a massive, 2-level church, consecrated in 1253, and can be found high on the hill. The Basilica of St Francis is a minor papal basilica.

Another famous resident was St. Clare, one of the first followers of St. Francis. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, now known as the poor Clare nuns. Both these saints have churches in town, along with many others. Assisi is home to the temple of mern

Need to know

Currency: Euros (€)

A week-long trip to Italy for two people costs around €1,852.

Weather: August is the hottest month in Assisi, with an average temperature of 23°C (73°F), and the coldest is January at four °C (39°F).

The daily sunshine hours are 10 in July.

The wettest month is November, with an average of 96mm of rain

Best time to visit: Assisi can be visited year-round, but considering the ideal climate conditions, cost of travel, and peak holiday periods, May is the best time to go.

Things to do

1. Visit The Basilica of St. Francis, a massive, 2-level church consecrated in 1253 and can be found high on the hill. The Basilica of St Francis is a minor papal basilica. Looking for a tour to help you get the most out of your visit? Check out this tour

2. The Basilica di Santa Chiara, also called the Basilica of St. Clare, dedicate to another hometown saint and student of st. Francis. Inside the church is the cross St Francis was praying in front of when he heard his calling. The basilica is free to visit. Photography is not allowed inside the basilica.

3. Explore the streets taking in this wonderful hilltop town and its views.

4. Explore the temple of Minerva dating back to the 1st century and dedicated to the goddess Minerva. The six corinthian pillars are an impressive declaration that you have arrived in the piazza del commune.

5. Visit Castle Rocca Maggiore, do a tour, but make sure you allow time to take in the view. We did not do this, but it is a great location to watch the sunset over the Umbrian valley below.

6. Join a walking tour of the town

 

Our Visit

We visited Assisi as part of a half-day tour from Florence, and yes, we would love to go back and wander the cobbled streets more, but on our quick visit, we saw all the main areas and even had time to explore on our own.

We also headed into the valley and visited Santa Maria degli Angeli, the  Basilica built to preserve “Porziuncola”. This small stone chapel once housed Saint Francis and his followers. One tip I will share is our guide recommended we not buy any takeaway as it would be terrible. We thought he was being dramatic and wondered how they could ruin a panini. They did. It was the worst panini we had ever had. DO NOT BUY FOOD in Assisi without checking reviews; we brought our food across from The Basilica di Santa Chiara. I have to say we love the Nativity we got from a local Olive Woodcarver.

We made a brief video of our visit, full of more Photos of this beautiful hilltop town.

Destination # 3 Chartres, France

Chartres is located south West of Paris, a quick TGV ride from Paris. Like other places on this list, you could make a day trip from the capital (Paris). Chartres is known for its magnificent Gothic  Cathedral, finished in 1220. The Cathedral is known for its blue stained glass window and beautiful labyrinth.

Need to know

Currency: Euros (€)

A week’s trip to Chartres for two people costs around €1,309.

Weather: July is the hottest month in Chartres with an average temperature of 19°C (66°F), and the coldest is January at four °C (39°F)

The most sunshine hours are 8 in August.

The wettest month is March, with an average of 50mm rain.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Chartres is the summer months between June and September. The climate is milder, and there is less chance of rain.

Things to do

1. Visit the Chartres Cathedral, built during the 12th century, one of the most significant pieces of gothic architecture, adorned with unique Romanesque sculpted portals on the exterior. You can climb the north bell tower at 70 metres. Once you go inside, you can walk the labyrinth (on a Friday), marvel at the blue stained glass windows and marvel at the 200 sculpted figures depicting the lives of Christ and the Virgin around the choir.

2. Admire stained glass at Centre international du vitrail. This is a stained glass gallery with a school attached to it. The school is the world leading school for restorers of medieval stained glass, but never fear. According to their website, you can even do beginner classes if you are not looking to become world known.

3. Maison Picassiette, built by local Raymonde Isidore for his family over 30 years. This three-room dwelling is a mosaic masterpiece.

4. Pick up an audio guide for a self-guided walk from the tourist information centre in the beautiful Salmon House.

5. Église Saint-Aignan, another 12th Century church, was a real surprise. Inside this modest exterior is a treasure trove of frescos and ornate decor.

6. Chartres Historic preservation area and lower town, with cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, ruins dating back to Roman times and a canal that will enchant you.

7. Chartres en Lumières Light festival has been running for over a decade. Around 20 monuments and bridges are illuminated, enhancing the city’s beauty when the sun goes down. You can catch en Lumières from April till October.

Our Visit

This is the first destination on the list we stayed in for two nights. We included Chartres on a French road trip after we learned about the 13th-century labyrinth on the cathedral floor, but there was so much more to the beautiful french town.

We caught a train from Paris and stayed at the Originals Boutique, Hôtel Les Poèmes de Chartres (Inter-Hotel), a beautiful hotel near the station and a 10-minute walk uphill to the old town. One of the advantages of staying in a place for a few nights is that you can really explore and not make it so rushed.

The Cathedral is home to beautiful blue-coloured stain-glass windows and the stunning labyrinth floor. Unfortunately, when we visited, the Cathedral’s interior was under restoration, and a large portion of the floor was hidden.

Another reason we wanted to see it is that Chartres is home to the Centre International du Vitrail a stained glass restoration centre and school. A whole day to spend in this enchanting town was superb. We got the handset from the tourist information that led us on a beautiful self-guided walking tour and brought so much of the city to life. The lower town was a whole new level of awe and wonder.

To say we were surprised by this town is a huge understatement, and I have no hesitation in recommending the city get some of a french itinerary.

Wanting to learn about this wonderful town, check out our video.

Destination # 4 Brighton, the United Kingdom

Brighton a seaside resort town in England’s southwest. From its action-packed seafront, including the famous palace pier, to the narrow The Lanes full of shops and cafes, to the Royal Pavillion and garden, a palace fit for a king.

 

Need to know

Currency: Pounds Sterling (£)

A two-person week-long trip to the United Kingdom costs around £1,704.

Weather: July is the hottest month in Brighton, with an average temperature of 17.1°C (63°F), and the coldest is January at 4.7°C (40°F).

The most daily sunshine hours are 8 in June.

The wettest month is January, with an average of 78.9mm rain.

Best time to visit: The sunniest and warmest time of the year is from May to September. Due to the weather, it’s the best time to visit Brighton, but  July and August are peak tourist seasons.

Things to do

1. Brighton Palace Pier, built in 1899, this half-a-kilometre-long pier is a must-see destination in Brighton, and the amusement area at the end of the pier will keep you busy for hours. Once at the end, don’t forget to take in the views looking back to the shore.

2. The Lanes, once home to a humble fishing village. The Lanes today is a labyrinth of twisting narrow streets lined with shops and cafes. The lanes are the oldest part of the city.

3. Brighton Beach and Seafront, from the pebbly beach lined with deck chairs and a leisurely pathway to take in the evolving view and announce to your soul you are at a beautiful British seaside resort. Enjoy a pint and some fish and chips while soaking up the scene of rolling waves.

4. The Royal Pavillion

5. British Airways i360 tower, staying on the beachfront, why not venture to new heights, climbing the 162 metres to get a 360-degree view of the area. The ride takes 20-25 mins.

6. Visit South Downs National Park, just 30 mins out of town; you reach the South Downs, home to The Devil’s Dyke, a 100-metre-deep V-shaped cleft created during the ice age.

7. Brighton Fishing Museum, A free exhibition on the seafront showcasing the town’s fishing history.

Our Visit

Brighton is a jewel on the English south coast; we visited with two of our sons on a road trip from Oxford to Dover, where we took them to France. It was also a wonderful place to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary.

Another 2-night stay gave us time to explore the town slowly and gave us lots of time to relax. We stayed at Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel on the waterfront, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the boardwalk, the pier and easy access to explore deeper into the city with the Lanes, a cute maze of shops and cafes and the Royal Pavillion and gardens.

The pebbly beach was a novelty for us Aussies, but the boardwalk was a real surprise. We enjoyed lunch with live music adding to the atmosphere.

Destination #5 Budapest, Hungry

The Hungarian capital has been called the pairs of the east, and it does have a romantic, if not gritty, charm. You can walk around the city and see a modern, fresh history, but many areas still remind you of recent history and the effect of being under the Warsaw Pact.

Buda and Pest are divided by the Danube and form the two halves of Hungary’s capital, linked by the famous Chain Bridge. These two areas have their distinct personalities. Buda’s hills offer sweeping panoramas across the city,  and the Castle District shows off its imperial history. Pest is entirely flat and invites you to enjoy the lively bar scene.

Need to know

Currency: Forint (Ft)

A one-week trip to Budapest for two people will cost around Ft369,325.

Weather: July is the hottest month in Budapest, with an average temperature of 21°C (70°F), and the coldest is January at -1°C (30°F).

The most daily sunshine hours are 10 in July.

The wettest month is May, with an average of 70mm rain.

Best time to visit:  In spring and fall — May, June, September, and early October — travellers enjoy fewer tourist crowds and milder weather, but be aware September is convention time, so that it could get busy.

Things to do

1. Castle Hill, Home to the Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s bastion and Trinity Square, and Matthias Church

2. Check out the chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest. There are numerous ways to take it in, walk over it, drive, pass under it on a bus, take it in from the Fisherman’s Bastion or any vantage point on the river.

3. The Central Market, Budapest’s most famous market. A great place to pick up some Paprika.

4. Do a boat tour up the river at night. Seeing the city from the Danube is impressive, but seeing it lit up is a whole new level.

5. Visit St Stephens Basilica, one of Hungary’s most important religious buildings.

6. Walk along the Danube, taking in the sites. Promenading along the Danube is a great way to see many of the most famous sights in the capital. For an interesting walk, take in the stretch from the Elizabeth Bridge to the Chain Bridge, a short but exciting walk.

7. The Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial to those Jews who were murdered in ww2

8. Visit Margaret Island, a 2.5km long island in the middle of the Danube and covered in parkland and recreational facilities.

9. Spend the day relaxing at a thermal pool.

Our Visit

We had another two-night stay here but planned it, so we had almost three days to explore. Our hotel was the Hotel President, close to St Stephen’s Basilica in Pest and easy walking to most places in the Centre of the city or transport options when needed.

Budapest was one of those destinations I had done minimal research for, and a few things caught us off guard, but all good. I love city cards, but I usually take the time to research whether they are helpful or not. We brought the pass on a whim and probably did not get our value out of it, but we did appreciate the travel pass. One thing the pass did help with was expanding our exploring as we used the guide to help us visit places covered by the pass.

We enjoyed exploring the Fisherman’s Bastion and the castle, walking the streets, a visit Margret Island and the Central Market. A highlight was the evening cruise down the Danube and seeing the city lit up and looking fabulous.

Our only regret was not getting to one of the famous baths, but just a reason to go back sometime.

Final thoughts

I have enjoyed putting this list together. As I reflected on my experiences, I was reminded of some lessons we learned, and I thought they might help you.

1. Day trips can be an undervalued resource but beware, you may add extra places to your we want to return to one day list.

2. Sometimes, we can take what our guides say with a grain of salt, but if an Italian guide says to avoid food places… consider it an actual warning and be it on your head if you go against their advice.

3. If you plan your whole itinerary around a specific thing, double-check that it will be open without restoration work.

4. If you can plan for two-night stays in place, you are rewarded with a more relaxed experience, and we have found that some of our favourite memories are in those smaller places where we have had a whole day to explore.

5. City cards can be great, but I find it worth considering whether you will get value for your money by researching where you plan to visit and what the card covers.

6. Take a moment to see if any special events are happening. Is it worth reworking your itinerary to fit it in and include an experience that is not every day?

7. Double-check the currencies used in the destination you are visiting. I must admit to not doing that and getting caught off guard when we arrived in Budapest.

8. I am a big advocate of free walking tours. These tours often run daily and can be an excellent way to see the highlights in an area and help you plan your time. These often tip-based programs take anywhere from an hour to two hours.

Looking for More

Looking for more countries to consider? Here is our blog about Five of the least visited countries in Europe.

Do you enjoy joining in at local festivals and celebrations? Here is our blog of nine unique festivals to help get you dreaming

No matter where we travel, taking the time to find those unconsidered destinations can, as I keep saying, enhance your trip. I would love to hear about places you have visited that surprised you. What is it you love telling people about that destination?