If you’re searching to visit some unusual and still undiscovered places in Italy, and you’re not a huge lover of crowds, here’re some of the best secret Italian gems to visit.

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A widely famous Italian Almafi Coast attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

If you were searching for something slightly different and a bit chaotic, then the small town of Positano is everything you need. The Almafi Coast in Italy can be a little overwhelming if it’s your first time visiting or your fifth time there. The town of Positano is a mixture of relaxed romance, picturesque architecture, chaotic cliffs and buzzing atmosphere, and it’s certainly worth a visit.

What to do in Positano?

I highly recommend you to rent a boat to get the best impression. When staying in Positano, visiting other cities or islands of Almafi Coast is ’a must’. The island of Capri is highly recommended since you’ll be able to visit the famous Blue Grotto.

Another place to visit is the town nestled between the hills of Almafi Coast called Ravello where you’ll get the best view and sunset in Italy.

Towns like Pompeii and Herculaneum are the witnesses of ancient times where you can get the piece of history by visiting Casa del Menandro, Forum, and other ancient ruins.

Positano is a high-class tourist town where you can enjoy lying on the Marina Grande -300 m long beach and swimming in the endlessly turquoise sea. Its multi-hued buildings look like they’re going to tumble down any second while drinking the best Italian wines will make you experience a real Dolce Vita.

From restaurants, I highly recommend you to have a lunch break in Spiaggia Bar Ristorante La Marinella that will provide you not only a wonderful tasty food, but also a breathtaking view to a sweet little beach.

The higher you climb the Positano streets, the more breathtaking views you’ll get. If you’re a hike – lover this place is a paradise on Earth ’cause you’ll get the unique opportunity to walk through the Footpaths of the Gods.

Montenegrin coast is nestled between Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and Albania and has an unexplained charm and uniqueness. It’s a country of gorgeous sunsets and full of contrast between the mountains and the coastline.  Besides it’s one of the smallest counties in Europe,  this jewel of the Adriatic Sea has many vibrant cities and towns that wait to be visited.

Budva- The town of Budva is surrounded by stunning beaches while the center is ancient looking with stone buildings covered with climbing ivy. It has 2500 years old spirit and during the summer season becomes overcrowded and main Montenegrin party city.

Kotor- The town of Kotor presents the showpiece of Venetian Montenegro and with its narrow streets and squares is the treasure of Montenegrin Coast. Kotor’s ancient city walls stretch for 4,5 km and may be best seen from across the bay.

Herceg Novi– This town stands guard over the Kotor’s Bay and it’s one of the most popular Montenegrin tourist destinations. Its old Bellavista square is the main gathering spot and the perfect place for enjoying late night cocktails.

Tivat- Everyone’s visit to Montenegro wouldn’t be complete without walking through Tivat’s Porto Montenegro. It’s a luxurious platinum-rated marina with countless expensive restaurants and nightclubs.

Petrovac- it’s probably the smallest Montenegrin situated at the end of the Budva Riviera. To be honest, this was the ’quietest’ place among all the places I visited in Montenegro. It has a specific charm and represents a perfect beach holiday destination.

Recent years, the country of Montenegro become a favorite tourist destination for many World famous stars and some of them were David and Victoria Beckham, Naomi Campbell, and many others. It’s a country of 117 beaches, old history, lovely people and definitely deserves to be on your travel list.

If you were wondering what might be your next travel destination, I want to introduce you to the capital of Serbia-Belgrade. It’s the center of Balkan Culture (Europe), and the place where medieval times merge with ancient history and new age at the same time. The world http://www.aboutbelgrade.com/en/history-of-belgrade.htmlBelgrade means the White City and since it was destroyed and rebuilt many times, you can see different types of architecture on every corner. Maybe you won’t believe me, but this city has been razed to the ground 44 times and fought over 115 times because of its good strategic location. By walking through Belgrade streets you’ll taste a real cultural mix. Since Serbia was under Turkish arm for more than 500 years, you’ll notice their influence on food, architecture and even language. The fact is that Belgrade has tons of history and you will best see it in Kalemegdan Fortress which was first built in the 2nd century by the Romans. Later, it was built over and over for 19 centuries, and still proudly stands above the city. The naked statue called Pobednik or ’’the Victor’’ overlooks to the confluence of Sava and Danube rivers from the Kalemegdan Fortress and represents a symbol of freedom from many past wars and occupations. Other sights that definitely need to be visited are the old Skadarlija street, Ada Lake, the Mountain Avala in the suburbs of Belgrade, Knez Mihajlova Street, and to have a walk next to Sava river in Sava Mala part of the city. The vibrant city of Belgrade also offers a buzzing nightlife which is often compared with Ibiza. Sounds great, isn’t it? With more than 100 kafanas, water floating clubs, bar and restaurants, you will taste a real carpe diem!

If you’re in https://www.budapest.com/Budapest for the first time, these things you definitely need to experience. The gorgeous Capital city of Hungary- Budapest really offers you a lot! From sightseeing, breathtaking views to tasty food-you only need to choose! Maybe you won’t believe me, but in my opinion, Budapest can stay head to head with other European cities in many aspects, and you know what? It’s one of the cleanest cities I’ve ever been. It’s rich in thermal springs and probably one of the most visited capital cities for that kind of purpose.

Budapest has two faces. I call them the old one and the young one. Originally, this city was created by merging 3 towns into one – Buda, Pest, and Obuda (old Buda). Buda/Obuda part of the city is rich in old architecture while the new part that goes across the Danube river has a totally different appearance. –( personally like Buda part of the city more).

Hungary not only has many interesting cities to visit but it’s also a food heaven. Hungarian cuisine will definitely wake up all your senses. If you’re a great gourmet then you definitely shouldn’t miss Langos (I call it Hungarian pizza), goulash, Hungarian Kolbasz (sausage), plum dumplings and Kurtoskalacs.

The buzzing city of Budapest is old in many aspects. It has the second oldest subway after London, the second largest synagogue in the world, and it’s home to the third largest Parliament building in the world.

So what else you can do in Budapest?

-Visit one of the greatest spas in the city center- the Gellert Bath and spa center.

-Walk down the Danube promenade and enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants.

-Visit Margaret island (2.5 km long), and take photos in front of the Musical Fountain.

– Take photos at the Heroes’ square.

– Visit St Stephen’s Basilica and then go to the amazing Fisherman’s Bastion where you’ll get the most beautiful view of the city.

-The last and the most important stop should definitely be the Citadel which was constructed by the Hapsburgs. The list of what to do in Budapest is simply endless, so you’d better provide yourself at least 5-6 days to feel every part of this gorgeous city!

Located 100km west of the city of Malaga, the city of Ronda seduces every visitor with its historic sights and dramatic views. Otherwise called the city of dreams, Ronda definitely has a lot to offer.

What to visit?

Plaza de Toros– Dating from 1785, Plaza de Toros presents one of the oldest bullfighting arenas in Spain. You’ll also have a great opportunity to see not only the artifacts like weapons and attire but also the jackets and hats of famous bullfighters and read about their traditional practices. And here we come to another creepy part- You can also see the mounted heads of famous bulls.

Cono Balconies– Although they look like they’re going to tumble down any second, these hanging balconies still stand over the edge of the Tajo gorge and provide a breathtaking view to Ronda’s sunset.

Puente Nuevo– is definitely the most famous and the most visited Ronda’s attraction that was completed after 40 years of building in 1793. This New Bridge connects The Market with the La Ciudad (The town) and has been a witness of 50 lost lives during the construction process. However, today it’s the location where many of the spectacular tourist shoots are taken from. P.S. Sensible walking shoes and a camera are strongly recommended.

Old city– The old part of Ronda presents a huge contrast from the new part of the city. There’re lots of old Spanish restaurants, shops and picturesque architecture that dates back from Islamic times.

Reseratauro Ronda– is the perfect place for those who adore bullfighting and Andalusian horses. It’s a ranch that breeds fighting bulls (Toro Bravo) and is owned and run by a former Madrid bullfighter Rafael Tejada.

Arab Public Baths– These baths date from the Islamic period and have been later called San Miguel’s Baths. Their location is eminently artisan zone due to the close proximity of the Snake Stream which had provided the baths with water. Although they have been built in the 14^th century, they’re still in a pretty good condition. Before you enter the Baths I highly recommend you to watch the educational 15 min- movie that explains a lot about the history of Ronda and how the baths came to be.

Read other Tanya’s articles on the following link Tanya Milankovic

Although the Greek Island of Skiathos is the size of 46 sq km, many people decide to return for their holidays year after year for one simple reason- It has the most beautiful landscapes and beaches in the world.
This cosmopolitan island lives from tourism as well as from agriculture because locals produce tasty wine, honey, and olive oil. You’ll feel the smell of Olives and Aleppo pine trees from the first step to this Heaven on Earth, and that’s not all- the island of Skiathos has a crystal-clear sea that almost looks unreal. The word Skia in the name Skiathos means ”shadow” and it perfectly describes its nature that is covered by thousands of trees.
Skiathos is a popular summer resort for Scandinavian, Russian, English and many other holidaymakers. The town of Skiathos succeeded to keep the old traditional spirit although it was under the Athenian, Spartan, Roman, Byzantine as well as Turkish rule. If you were wondering what places you can visit on this gorgeous island, I especially want to mention the Kastro Fortress, The Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria (founded in 1794), and numerous small churches.
Since Skiathos is famous for its marvelous beaches, you definitely need to visit the Koukuraries, Lalaria, Troulos, Achiladies, Maratha, Banana, Xanemos and Vromolimnos beach. Each of these beaches has the unique spirit and magical smell of Aleppo pine woods that surround the whole island. And when the sun goes down, you can enjoy traditional Greek cuisine in one of the tavernas next to the sea, that will wake up all your senses.

Let’s continue our trip to Aydin Province of Turkey- the town of Kusadasi. The meaning of the word Kusadasi literally means the Island of Birds since that part of the peninsula resembles the head of a bird. The sunbathed town of Kusadasi has numerous powdery sandy beaches that will provide you with an unforgettable holiday. If you’re the lover of active life, then you’ll definitely enjoy every day spent in this buzzing town. The beach I liked the most is called Ladies Beach, and it was named after the time it was segregated for female bather only. I must admit that this beach is one of the most crowded beaches in Kusadasi, so if you’re not a crowd-lover you should better try to escape it.

Other famous Kusadasi beaches are Diamond beach, Kustur beach, Public beach, Silver sand beach, and Long Beach. It’s easy to reach to any of these beaches by dolmus- Turkish minibus.  Another great thing about Kusadasi is that it offers many restaurants, beach bars, shops, and nightspots. This town definitely doesn’t sleep! If you’re a shopaholic then you’ll love their suq (the Turkish name for a market). There are also three waterparks close by and magnificent historical facilities such as ruins of Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia, and three Ionian settlements of Miletus (55km), Priene (35 km), and Didim (75km).

If you decide to visit Kusadasi, you need to know that it’s a great base for visiting many other places and even the Greek island of Samos that is just a few minutes across the water. Amazing calcified waterfalls of Pamukkale (220 km
) will leave you speechless which mud is used for skin problems. You’ll see thousands of tourists come here and enjoy bathing in hot Pamukkale’s water and mud.

Gorgeous Dalmatian city of Split is a real blend of ancient and modern times. It is located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and it’s Croatia’s second largest city. This buzzing city has a rich culture and marvelous architecture. The tourism of Split is very developed and its visitors can enjoy walking the old streets and having a drink at the famous Riva.

Your splendid accommodation can be located in Split’s old or new part of the city. There are plenty of perfect equipped apartments, villas and hotels that are waiting to be chosen. Split weather is very warm in summer and it is one of the sunniest places in Croatia beside Hvar Island.

There are many things you can do in Split. You can visit Marjan’s Hill, art galleries, museums, famous city square, and swim and rest at many beaches of Split.

If you want to get back to 4th century than you should visit Diocletian’s Palace that is the city’s living heart and it is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia (since 1979). The palace has built Roman emperor Diocletian and it’s made from white stone of the island of Brač. Within the palace, there are 220 buildings which are homes for about 4000 people. Each of four walls of this palace has a gate named after a kind of metal (The Golden Gate, the Silver Gate, the Iron Gate and the Brass Gate). Peristil (Peristyle) is the central square of the palace, located next to the Silver Gate and has a unique beauty which is later used for theater scenery, works of ancient literature and opera classics. Every year you can see tourists enjoying drinking coffee on the steps circling Peristyle. That is not only the Roman experience but also the Egyptian because Diocletian was a lover of Egypt and put many granite sphinxes from Luxor.

Another great place to visit in Split is The Marjan’s hill and the forest. It is a place for escaping from the Split’s hustle and bustle. It is situated on the hill of the peninsula, at an only 10min walking distance from the city center. Its rich pine forest and unreal landscapes will everyone leave breathless.

The city of Split definitely has a lot to offer and can meet everyone’s needs.

Let’s admit! The first thing that everyone of us thinks about when wants to experience a real hedonism is definitely a trip to the Mediterranean Coast. There’s nothing better than enjoying the sunshine while drinking the fist morning coffee. The city of Dubrovnik in Croatia was definitely my right choice in choosing my relaxing station. This pearl of the Adriatic (otherwise called Croatian Athens) with its amazing old town has become a Unesco World Heritage site in 1979.

Dubrovnik is a dazzling town with a rich history and breathtaking sights. When Dubrovnik ‘’got the role’’ of The King’s Landing in a world’s famous series Game of Thrones, its popularity has increased. There weren’t special needs for scenery and special effects because Dubrovnik by itself has a historic and glamorous look. It’s Old Town is surrounded by 1970 meters of walls which were used as a protection from occupiers and were built in the 9thcentury. Later, in the 15th century, these walls were rebuilt when the Turks wanted to invade. Nowadays, you can see people walking and taking pictures on this wall from every angle.

The hill of Srđ in Dubrovnik is known as the oldest “protector” of the town. This hill was used as a shelter in many wars. Nowadays, this hill is known as the place with glorious views from the cable car that runs from the old town of Dubrovnik to the top of this hill. The easiest way is to take a cable car from Petra Krešimira Street. When you climb to the top of this hill, there is a beautiful view (height of 512 m above sea level) waiting for you. When you get tired of walking up the hill of Srđ, there are restaurant and café where you can relax and look at unimaginable sights of Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik has a very developed tourism. Besides the monuments, this town is famous for top culinary delights, day trips, and other events.  Dubrovnik Summer Festival is one of the most popular festivals in this town. The Festival includes music, dance, opera and theater events at different open-air venues. You shouldn’t miss the port that dates from 14th century and Maritime Museum also.

Without trying beaches of Dubrovnik, your vacation wouldn’t be complete. The beach Banje is perfectly made for families and you can get there quickly from Ploče Gate. It offers many activities (jet sky, boats, and parachute). The Lapad Beach is a favorite beach for many tourists and has a part on the west made for nudists. St.Jakov Beach has plenty cafes and other facilities. The easiest way to get there is by bus from the city center. From naturists beaches, the most famous are Cava, Sunj and Lokrum Beach.

If you are not sure what else you can do in Dubrovnik, I want to convince you the opposite!  There are plenty activities you can enjoy and relax and other sights that need to be seen and experienced. Let your mantra for the perfect vacation be a fresh air, beautiful landscapes and breathtaking views of Dubrovnik!