Wild wolves, monastic wine and blissful beaches: Five alternative escapes in 2025
Two years ago I spent a week wandering Montenegro's mountainous hinterland. Quite simply, it was spectacular.
That's the thing about Europe: for all the popular resorts along the Mediterranean there are as many other special places to be discovered tucked a little bit further off the usual tourist routes.
Where Europe's travel hotspots are grappling with the effects of overtourism, these growing destinations have a unique chance to manage increasing visitor numbers so they don't reach the same tipping point.
How we explore Europe now – in a way that works for local people and nature – will help shape its future. Here are five places to try.
'Moments of small pleasure' in Bosnia and Herzegovina
'There's a less hurried way of life in Bosnia,' says Emma Heywood of Balkans-based travel company Undiscovered Balkans. 'Isn't that what holidays are all about? Learning to embrace the 'ćejf' (cheyf) as Bosnians call it: those moments of small pleasures.'
And small pleasures reign here. The thrill of rafting on the icy waters of the Neretva River – some of the best rafting on the planet enthuses Emma – or the blissful silence on a hike through the spectacular Sutjeska National Park. Ottoman-era architecture and a majority-Muslim population mean there's plenty for cultural travellers as well as active ones.
There are poignant reminders of its recent past, too. 2025 marks 30 years since the end of the Bosnian War and its influence lingers. Emma adds, 'It's raw, real and breathtakingly beautiful. You'll leave Bosnia with complete admiration for the overwhelming resilience and humour of its people.'
How to do it: Take the train. A two-week round trip by rail and ferry from London St Pancras takes you to Mostar and Sarajevo via the unique 'city of caves' of Matera in Italy, and Albania on the way. Then on the way back stop off in Montenegro and Zagreb in Croatia.
From wild wolves to its communist history, Romania is a world of contrast
'Wildlife watching and birdwatching are two of my favourite things to do - you could say I am on holiday all the time!' says Simona Muneanu of nature travel company, Absolute Carpathian. Simona's love of her home country is infectious.
'We have the oldest mountains and the newest lands' Simona continues, referring to the Carpathian Mountains and the sandbanks being constantly formed at the mouths of channels in the Danube Delta. The latter is Europe's largest wetland, and with over 300 species, one of the best places to go birdwatching on the continent.
For Simona, the contrast is what makes Romania so special. 'Many of my guests say it's like a magical step back in time combined with high speed internet.'
Expect old versus new: mountains so wild they're a stronghold for wolves and brown bears that act as a backdrop to communist-styled Black Sea resorts.
How to do it: Choose a nature-based trip that helps Romania preserve its unique big predator habitats. Bear watching or wolf-tracking tours with Simona use locally-owned accommodations and work with wildlife researchers in the Carpathian Mountains to assess the impact tourism is having there.
Hear old tales while tucking into traditional cuisine and wine in Georgia
Georgia's appeal goes well beyond the towering Caucasus Mountains – the real draw is how natural beauty and human history intertwine.
Come to learn about the birthplace of wine (monks have been making it here since the 8th Century), to hike in the Svaneti region in the shadow of 9th Century watchtowers, and to sample the trendy bars and restaurants tucked into the backdrop and balconies of Tbilisi Old Town.
Tatev Manucharyan, who runs Caucasus specialist Arara Tour sums it up nicely: 'Sitting at a long table brimming with 'khinkali' (dumplings), 'khachapuri' (cheese-filled bread), and 'mtsvadi' (grilled meat), while a 'tamada' (toastmaster) leads toasts, is truly something special. It's a moment that captures the essence of Georgia - warm, inviting, and deeply rooted in tradition.'
How to do it: With a local guide who can tease out the long-told stories that are woven into the fabric of the land – and who knows the best Georgian sweets and where to find them.
Cycle along quiet coastal paths and quaint towns in the Baltics
Want an alternative beach escape? Lithuania's UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit has sand for miles. Prefer a winter city escape? Tallinn's red-roofed Old Town is positively fairytale-like under a dusting of snow.
Fascinated by Cold War history? Take in the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia in Riga. But what Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are particularly brilliant for is biking.
Miles of – mostly flat – cycling trails and coastal paths take you through a mix of open quiet countryside, old-growth forests, national parks, and historic cities. Low traffic roads and well-maintained cycle paths lend themselves to days of leisurely cycling.
How to do it: Locally-run bike tours connect the three capital cities, via national parks, islands, and picnic lunches with local people.
Find your natural swimming spirit in Slovenia
With some of the cleanest water in the world, Slovenia was made for swimming. And there's plenty of it too. A vast network of lakes and rivers bely Slovenia's relatively small size and make it one of the most water-rich countries in Europe. Travel here, and you're never far from somewhere to take a dip.
Swimming spots like the emerald-green Soča River or Lake Bled are beautiful – as is much of the rest of the country. Designated as one of Europe's biodiversity hotspots, it has more Natura 2000 sites (areas protecting significant species and habitats) than any other EU nation and a government that is seemingly taking environmental stewardship seriously.
How to do it: Local guides will help you find the best and safest places to swim where you won't disturb nature. This short trip includes a swim across Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj as well as a dip in the cavernous Kozjak Waterfall.
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