Top 7 Places Nature Lovers Should Add to Their Bucket List.
Minimalist Destinations
Hey backpackers, are you prepared for the trip? Where do you think to go next, Prague, Berlin or Madrid? Then, how about less-known destinations that do not usually hit the popular touristic ranks and can be, well, just passed by sitting in the train from one big city to another. The places where nature creates a unique mesmerizing view.
A happy nature lover introvert might be excited to find out and so do you, I hope. Here we go!
1. Hämeenlinna
Would you like to live in a small city surrounded by incredibly beautiful nature? To have a morning jogging next to the lake or river breathing fresh air in pines and fir forest. To know that it takes only some 5–10 min to get to the city center by car even if you live outside the city.
Visiting 4 cities in Finland the most fascinating and very Finnish view I saw right in Hämeenlinna from Aulangon observation deck. The beauty of nature charmed me right at that moment. Daily life looks calm and hasteless. I realized I wouldn’t mind staying there for a week to get refreshed even though there are not that many classic tourist places but thanks to the richness of nature.
Want to have a weekend in a bigger city? Tampere and Helsinki are just one-hour-something away from you.
2. Anyksciai
One more place which main advantage is proximity to nature but this time it’s in Lithuania. Rent a bike, head to Medžių lajų takas (Treetop walking path) first, enjoy the walk from a height of a drone, go down to the riverside.
Coming back to the town take a stroll next to the water, enjoy the silence and tranquility.
Another advantage comparing to alternative places in Europe Anyksciai is a budget destination. It proves the idea the best things in life are free. Or well, if not free at least they are very affordable.
3. Hallstatt
You’ve all seen the magnificent view on Hallstatt with the lake, mountains, church and old buildings of the village, right? That’s the classic postcard. But I’d like to show you a bit different view from the top. Google Dachstein Krippenstein, a bit creepy-stein word, to save the location, this is actually a must when you’re in this area.
As for Hallstatt, besides being a beautiful place, lucky Österreicher, this area is super overcrowded with tourists among whom the wast majority is Chinese people. Strange, they even made a copy of Hallstatt somewhere in their area but still, they come to see original. So, if you want a bit of the rest, I’d recommend staying in Obertraun, 4 km away from Hallstatt. The walk next to the lake will be included in your experience.
4. Kotor
Kotor booked a place in my heart for an unlimited time. The fortified town next to the bay, it has Italian charms and Balkan hospitality. At first, you’ll easily get lost in lanes and alleys but after few days the ability to navigate the terrain will come to you.
It’s a perfect combo for a good vacation—beaches included, full of a story to learn, surrounded by mountains to admire. Want to be even in a smaller place? Go to Perast village nearby.
The daily rituals should also include visiting the market to buy fresh fruits and olives, one of the ways to meet local people openness.
5. Ponta Delgada
Want to feel subtropical vibes flying only a couple of hours from Europe? Here comes a wonderful land—Azores.
Ponta Delgada is the capital of the archipelago and thus, a good point to stay in to observe one of the islands, São Miguel. Come in July-August, see local festivals and do not be afraid of the tourist crowd, you’ll probably meet the same people in different areas and the only queue may occur while waiting for Hop On Hop Off bus in the midday.
Hydrangea flowers blossom everywhere, observation decks to see constantly changing sky, rich juicy greenery, lakes, mountains, and ocean—what else do you need to be overwhelmed with emotions of wonder?
One more advice that works for all islands experience—do not stay in the hotels, better choose Airbnb options to be able to live like a local and, most important, to meet locals.
6. Torshavn
The same story as with Ponta Delgada—Torshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands. And when you read capital you might think it’s a big city.
Nah, not when you’re on 50k habitants archipelago.
Houses with grass on the rooftop, prime minister’s office also located in such a traditional building, high chance to be surrounded by fog due to a specific location, Torshavn has the best transport connection with most of the places on Faroe. So it would be a perfect place to stay, at least, for 5 nights as you should also see the city itself.
In between the hikes around the islands choose the place in a city like a Viðarlundin í Havn park, then Listasavn Føroya—the art gallery with the works of local artists, The Nordic House—to see exceptional modern architecture that presents all Nordic countries and culture, or open-air museum with another name you hardly remember—Hoyvíksgarður.
To read more about the Faroe Islands, check my previous stories:
Fly Me to the Faroe Islands: the land of wonder and trust and
Faroe tale: stories about road trips of a lifetime, Faroese people and culture
7. Bled
Looks like I want to hit a strike in visiting beautiful places next to the lakes and here is one more well deserved to be mentioned—a Slovenian resort town Bled.
I’ve visited this place in March and I’m absolutely sure it’s beautiful any time of the year. But possibly, I’d also like to see it in autumn when trees create different shades of the warm autumn palette and you can see them mirrored in the water.
A must experience is to walk around the lake in the morning hours. You’ll almost be the only one on the path while meeting several locals walking with their dogs. At that moment, I couldn’t not to think about how lucky these people might be and how, probably, they do not think about this exceptional beauty each day. The paradox as usually, we take our surroundings for granted.
Writing this article I was happy to recall once again all the destinations. They brought me peace and joy at the moment I’ve been there and smile remembering those days.
In such places, I usually come up with the idea that a nature beauty has that high level of perfection people hardly can reach creating architecture. Still, I’m a fan of unique architectural solutions as well but Earth wonder is something we should take care of and treat with love. And I wish every traveler coming to the mentioned places be conscious and leave them the way they were before his visit.
So, have you already booked your next trip?
All sketches presented here are made by me on the mentioned locations.
You can see more of them on my website and Instagram art page.
