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Travelers have often romanticized Europe, especially those from the United States.
Movies like The sound of music And Pursuing freedom Portraying Europe as a beautiful country of history, art and culture. And the movies are not far away.
Countries such as France, Germany and Spain have attracted visitors from all over the world. And recently Europe has broken visitor records.
However, tourists are not all flocking to the Louvre in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome. Three unsuspecting countries are trending when it comes to European travel.
Although countries like Prague, Hungary and Portugal have grown in popularity over the years, these are not the countries that attract the most tourists.
If you’re curious about which countries are in the spotlight by the highest increase in the number of overnight stays, here are the three most popular European countries.
1. Malta
This Mediterranean island offers three amazing things that will make visitors not want to leave: sun, history and hospitable locals.
With an average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, visitors can enjoy the beautiful beaches all year round.
Tourists often flock to the Maltese coast to swim in the crystal blue waters and search beneath the sea for some of the best diving spots in Europe.
But more than just the sexy beaches and beautiful coastlines, Malta brings more than 6,000 years of history to its beautiful exterior. Valletta, the capital, feels like an interactive museum.
The area is of such cultural importance that the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After admiring the city’s cathedral and palace, all of which are above ground, you can head down.
The Valletta Tunnels were initially built as a defensive strategy, but evolved over the years into a more advanced tunnel system for storage, waste disposal and more. Now the tunnels are a way to step into the past and see the city from a new perspective.
Some popular places to explore include:
- The blue lagoon of Comino
- Megalithic temples
- Golden Bay
- Mosta Dome
2. Cyprus
Cyprus is another island in the Mediterranean, a gem of a country that visitors can’t get enough of.
Located near Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, it draws on these neighboring cultures to create a culture and cuisine that is both unique and familiar.
Known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, this country offers tranquil beaches and lush pine forests for visitors who love the land or the sea. Because the island is relatively small, it is possible to travel around the entire island by car. You can visit the less traveled northern part of Cyprus.
Locals are known to host parties all year round. In fact, around 40 festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Some popular events include the Walnut Festival, the Agri Cyprus Fair, Cyrus Rall and the Memetçik Grape Festival. However, one of the biggest festivals is the Limassol Wine Festival.
Some places you won’t want to miss are:
- Larnaca
- Ayia Napa for nightlife
- Troodos Mountains
- Akamas Peninsula for a more remote destination
3. Slovakia
The modest country of Slovakia is located in the middle of Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic.
While this landlocked country doesn’t offer beaches like Malta and Cyprus, it does offer other unique attractions.
If you travel to this European country, you will undoubtedly encounter beautiful castles, blooming nature and an abundance of culture.
From the 9th to the 19th century, Slovakia suffered numerous attacks, during which many castles were destroyed.
However, some ancient buildings are not in ruins and still stand today, making visitors come and admire their strength and beauty.
Besides seemingly impenetrable castles, Slovakia has a soft side when it comes to its vast landscape of lush green mountains. For those who enjoy wandering through nature, there are many hiking trails to explore for inexperienced and experienced hikers.
Some of the best places to explore in Slovakia are:
- Devin, the oldest fortress in Slovakia
- Chichmany, a picturesque mountain village
- The Okhta Cave is one of four aragonite caves in the world
- Bardejov is the oldest town in Slovakia.
If you want to visit these countries before the end of the year, make sure you use the Google Flights tool to know when to buy your ticket at the best price.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
