These four remote and naturally beautiful places in Europe are perfect for the intrepid traveller.
It goes without saying that Europe is a traveller’s paradise. There is so much to explore in what many would consider a reasonably small space. It’s easy enough to get around by plane, more likely by train, and one can pack many different kinds of experiences into a single trip. This all sounds wonderful if that’s the kind of trip you’re looking for: so much to take in, so many things to entice and overwhelm the senses. But what if you’re looking for a different kind of experience? Something entirely unique, a place of true natural beauty hard enough to reach that the tourists don’t make it out so far. Leave the crowds behind, ditch the tourist traps, and enjoy the pristine natural beauty of these hard-to-reach European destinations.
The Peaks of the Balkans
Travel isn’t just about getting from place to place; it is also about really traversing those locations, living in them, learning from them, and finding everything they have to offer. Travellers who wish to experience the best that the planet has to offer will find it in the ancient Balkan mountains. The wild mountains that make up the Balkan range are home to a track called The Peaks of the Balkans.
Interestingly, “Balkan” is the Turkish word for mountain — a souvenir of the long Ottoman occupation of Eastern Europe.
The 119 circular route that passes through Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania is a collection of ancient mule paths, shepherd tracks, and some of the most incredible scenery you could ever hope to see. These ancient mountains beckon travellers who love a lonely location because it’s easier to hear nature speak when there are fewer people around.
Balkan folklore tells us that it took the devil only one day to create the Accursed Mountains, where walkers were once forbidden to tread. Regardless of who made them, they’re exquisite! You’ll want to hire out a private plane for the trip to Podgorica, the closest airport, because the flights into the area can be crowded and uncomfortable; then, book a car to drive the 2,5 hours through picturesque green fields and past glittering lakes. Your walk will take you through villages, through seasonal pastures, and up into the crumbling mountains themselves. It’s an experience like none other you’ll ever have.
Vrångö, Sweden
Plan your trip to Vrångö, one of the most unique and beautiful locations in Sweden, for any time other than July and August. If you do this, you’ll find yourself on a nearly empty island famous for the wildest swimming many people will ever do. This southernmost of all the Gothenburg islands offers fresh-caught seafood delicacies, frigid and refreshing waters, and the delight of a post-swim sauna to really liven up the senses. Everything about Vrångö sings of its proximity to untamable nature. One might hunt for “black gold” with the local lobster fishermen and eat one’s catch fresh on the beach.
One might take to walking and tread one of the many paths that crisscross the island, like the Vrångö Runt. There’s a floating sauna to temper the aftermath of a frigid dip off of the Sora Stand beach and a number of local restaurants specialising in Swedish dishes.
Isola di Linosa, Pelagie
If you feel for something a little bit sunnier and slightly more welcoming, you can chart your course to Linosa, located in the Mediterranean between Tunis and Malta. This beautiful little island (5.4 square kilometres) is one that has forbidden all cars during the summer months to eliminate noise pollution – so get ready to ride, pedal, or walk yourself around. The reason for this self-imposed silence is to provide the right kind of environment for the sea turtles who come here to lay their precious eggs. If you wander the beaches (the ones not needed by the turtles) you’ll get to play in warm, bright waters and take in the sight of towering, black volcanic rocks. You’ll be able to get to the island a few times a week by sailing from Porto Empedocle or flying in from Lampedusa.
Prangli, Estonia
Solo travellers find immense joy in isolated places like the island of Prangli. Of the more than 2000 islands rolling in the Baltic waves off the coast of Estonia, this is the only one that has been continuously inhabited for the last 600 years. The history of the island is a fascinating one, as its inhabitants have been every kind of person from pirates and fishermen to bootleggers. A completely unique Estonian dialect is spoken here, and even though the island is so close to Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, it’s off the beaten track as far as the crowds of tourists go.
Exploring this island is like stepping into a happy dream, where medicinal plants grow wild and beautiful, and pine-fresh air overwhelms even the scent of the ocean. You can walk across the island alone or with a tour guide, view the gorgeous coast, pay a visit to the quaint 19th-century church, and experience the strong traditions and culture of this special little place. You’ll fly into Tallinn and take a daily ferry from the capital across the water to this unique island paradise.
Remote Beauty
A destination being more difficult to reach only makes it all the more appealing. Knowing that one has “earned” an experience by travelling a long way can make one appreciate it so much more! These pristine destinations are just begging to be responsibly explored and are unlike any other holiday destinations you’ll ever see anywhere else in the world.
