Some of the best places to visit are always right on your doorstep! The sheer magnitude of exhilarating experiences, absolutely stunning coastlines and natural scenery, combined with a rich tapestry of history and eclectic cultures is all wrapped into one magnificent continent, Europe. The fantastic thing is that all these countries are easily accessible by train, plane, boat and coach, so however you want to get around, the choice is yours.
Estonia is often likened to a fairytale country with its medieval charm, resplendent castles and dense verdant forests. Luckily, it is a compact country and therefore it is easy to get around using public transport, which is well developed and extremely cost effective. During the summer, experience white nights, a period of constant ‘daytime’ while you make the most of the extended daylight hours. A midnight picnic in the park anyone?
Typically, Portugal is considered to be the most economical western European country boasting a diverse range of fabulous activities, top notch scenery and food that is out of this world. Peruse the stalls around the local food markets for flavoursome delicacies and tantalise your tastebuds by trying a variety of the delectable sharing dishes. With plenty of incredible more remote areas, as well as the more iconic cities, all easily accessible by reasonably priced public transport, you can’t go wrong!
A fantastic country to visit when on a budget, especially with all the free walking tours available in many cities! Combine that with an incredible national public transport system (and economically priced), amazing food options, an abundance of splendid landscapes and mind-boggling museums and you are on to a winner!
Slovenia offers spectacular scenery, elegant architecture and a relaxed way of life with friendly locals. Travel using public transport for efficient and good value journeys around the country and there are loads of inexpensive accommodation options, especially off the beaten track. There are so many thrilling activities to do while surrounded by remarkable views. Head over to Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj for mountainous activities in Triglav National Park.
.jpg "Sunrise over Lake Bled, Julian Alps, Slovenia")
Croatia has an abundance of captivating, cultured gems combined with absolutely breathtaking scenery. So many of the best activities are outdoors – sunbathing on beaches, swimming in clear azure waters, admiring the roaring waterfalls in the ethereal national parks dotted around the country and strolling through the quaint coastal villages. Dubrovnik is also renowned for being one of the primary filming locations for Game of Thrones – walk down the Jesuit staircase in the city, look out over ‘King’s Landing’ and even sit on the Iron Throne.
Who wouldn’t want to travel to Greece? Not only is it the land of Ancient Greek mythology, but it is also known for its world class food, idyllic beaches and beautiful turquoise waters. With most museums and historical sites open to the public free of charge on certain days, plenty of places to explore which are less well known and great value options to traverse the territory, this fantastic destination is not one to be missed.
When you first think of Norway, cruising through epic fjords will spring to mind, but there is so much more to the country than this. If seeing the Northern Lights outside of the UK is on your bucket list, Norway is definitely one of the best value places to admire this ethereal phenomenon. Live life to the full and experience a range of exhilarating outdoor activities in Voss, known as the country’s adventure capital offering skiing, paragliding, mountain biking… you name it, you can do it there! Have you ever thought about doing yoga on a mountain top under the midnight sun? Those floating saunas that you may have heard about are actually a thing in Norway. Another major plus is that travelling around this enchanting country by rail, ferry and bus is incredibly good value.
/sarajo/$FILE/sarajo-lg.jpg)
Sarah Johns
Content Executive
Sarah Johns is a Content Executive based in our Kensington office. Sarah has worked at TF since 2023 and has travelled to 49 countries. Her favourite destinations include the Maldives, Costa Rica and Vietnam.
©2026 Trailfinders Ltd. | Reg No. 1004502 | Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy
