Iconic cities such as London, Paris, and Rome have long inspired travelers, poets, artists, and just about everyone! Widely known for their sensory delights and allure, these European capitals feature on almost every traveler’s itinerary. And that’s why they can get overwhelmingly crowded, particularly during the holiday season.
We invite you to venture slightly off the beaten path and uncover lesser-known treasures that will captivate your heart. After all, there’s so much more to Europe – scenic natural beauty, picturesque towns, legendary cuisines, stunning architecture, exquisite art, lively festivals, and more. Discover the best cities (and towns) to visit in Europe and immerse yourself in authentic, enriching experiences.
Amboise, Loire Valley, France
An extraordinary destination worth exploring when you visit France is Amboise, in the Loire Valley. The erstwhile home of French royalty, this straight-out-of-a-fairytale town is renowned for its castles, markets, lively squares, timber-framed buildings and a surprising connection with the most famous Renaissance personality, Leonardo da Vinci.
The Château Royal d’Amboise enthralls with its grandiose architecture, splendid gardens and views of the river Loire. Le Clos Lucé is a small castle and the last residence of da Vinci. Its gardens, converted into a mini-amusement park, highlight his contributions to science and art through lifesize recreations of his inventions. Amboise still retains its medieval feel and has charming restaurants and cafes where you can sample the local delicacies and fine wines.
If you want a more exclusive experience, you can explore family-owned castles and chateaus in the Loire Valley region where you will be served sumptuous home-cooked lunch by the owners. If you prefer to be part of a small selective group, a group tour will take you around the chateaus in the lively company of fellow travelers.
Madeira, Portugal
A stunning Portuguese getaway, Madeira Island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, between Portugal and Morocco. Floating on an endless blue ocean, Madeira experiences an unending spring and attracts travelers all year round. Green hills, dramatic cliffs, and crashing waterfalls form the backdrop of this beautiful island dotted by terracotta-roofed villages.
Madeira’s wild inland covered in colorful blooms is a haven for nature lovers while plenty of outdoor activities are a big draw for adventure seekers. Pristine black sand beaches, cascading rivers, and Porto Moniz’s natural pools are ideal for cooling off. Madeira’s capital city, Funchal is close to Europe’s highest skywalk at Cabo Girão, where you can get fantastic views of the coastline. It is also the hometown of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo!
Madeira is home to many wineries that offer elaborate tasting sessions paired with some of the best seafood in the world. Fish charcuterie boards, Gambas Ao Alho (garlic prawns), and Bruxas (mini lobsters) are among the highlights of the incredible seafood scene here. Madeirans love a celebration, so no matter what time of year you visit, you are very likely to find yourself in the midst of a party in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
York, United Kingdom
Halfway between London and Edinburgh, York is a fascinating destination for travelers interested in exploring England. It was founded by the Romans in AD 71 and has since witnessed the rise and fall of various civilizations, including the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons. Experience 2,000 years of intriguing history and heritage, and discover one of the world’s most magnificent Gothic cathedrals, the spectacular York Minster.
Dive into its Viking history at the Jorvik Viking Centre and for a glimpse of life in the past, visit the York Castle Museum. A trip in February will let you experience the Jorvik Viking Festival, one of the largest Viking festivals in Europe. It features reenactments, battle demonstrations, and various cultural events celebrating York’s Viking past.
You’ll be delighted to stroll along York’s narrow, cobbled streets and admire the well-preserved medieval buildings with overhanging timber-framed facades. The streets are dotted with boutiques, quaint shops, cafes, and traditional English pubs with the choicest ales.
Train enthusiasts will love the National Railway Museum for its extensive collection of locomotives, carriages, and railway memorabilia dating back to the early 19th century. York has a rich chocolate-making heritage where you can indulge in tasting sessions and learn about famous chocolate brands. The scenic river Ouse runs through York, and boat trips offer enchanting city views.
Thessaloniki, Greece
Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city is a beautiful blend of captivating scenery, fantastic food and a rich cultural heritage. Founded in AD 315, Thessaloniki witnessed the rule of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. It boasts numerous churches and UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Hagia Sophia, the Rotunda of Galerius, and the Church of St. Demetrios. Other sites such as the Roman Forum, the Arch of Galerius, and the Ancient Agora also showcase its glorious ancient past.
Neoclassical buildings, restaurants and shops are ideal spots to relax and soak in the city’s ambience. Stroll across Thessaloniki’s waterfront and enjoy beautiful views, charming cafes, and leisurely promenades. This city is an artist’s delight due to its lively cultural scene with many theaters, music festivals, and art galleries.
Thessaloniki’s gastronomy, influenced by Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, is diverse and delicious, spanning fresh seafood, meze dishes and dainty sweet delights. A blend of history, culture, cuisine and modernity makes Thessaloniki an attractive destination for travelers looking to experience the rich heritage and dynamic spirit of Greece beyond Athens.
San Sebastian, Spain
San Sebastian, a stylish seaside town in Spain’s Basque Country, is another vibrant cultural gem with belle époque architecture and a strong regional character. Its famous golden beaches, quaint old town and balmy weather draw visitors all year round. It is also a perfect winter escape. Located on the Bay of Biscay, San Sebastian has the best seafood and fresh produce in plenty. The large concentration of Michelin-star restaurants also makes it a very popular destination among food connoisseurs!
Come here to experience its rich heritage, music festivals, Basque folk fests and the International Film Festival. The city’s landscaped parks, ornate buildings, museums and the old town form a beautiful backdrop to the energetic vibes from its beachfront revelry.
The Old Town is dotted with local eateries, markets, shops and historic landmarks. From San Sebastian Cathedral and San Telmo Museoa to La Concha Beach, there is plenty to see, savor and do in San Sebastian, making it one of the best cities in Europe.
Otranto, Italy
Otranto, the easternmost coastal town in Italy, is a stunning destination with impressive architecture, breathtaking vistas, seafront restaurants, and pristine white sandy beaches. Otranto, in the Puglia region, is best known for its UNESCO-listed old town ‘centro storico’ and a medieval castle. It was founded as an early Greek settlement and the historic port has been used since ancient times. A beautiful example of architecture is the Cathedral of Otranto, which was built in the 11th century, and is considered to be one of the largest churches in Italy.
Otranto has fabulous nightlife, several contemporary restaurants and cozy rooftop bars with striking views of the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy city tours and walks along the coast to discover picturesque sea coves. For an even more immersive experience, embark on a boat trip to explore the mesmerizing coastline.
Embrace a slower pace of travel and savor the charm of these underrated yet incredible wonders of Europe.
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Kotishwara Kala Bhairava It was when we reached there, I saw numerous individuals, numerous using the sacred saffron, carrying water from their rivers to do Abishek at Unakoti. It was the Monday of Shravana month. All of a sudden, the meaning of the location changed. It was not a dead archaeological location but a living breathing Tirtha. What is referred to as Kanwar Yatra in North India is followed practically in every part of the country. Young men and even females bring water from far-off places, numerous bring them in pots tied to a rod and pour it on Shiva in the spiritual month of Shravan. 
Anuradha Goyal at Unakoti Another legend states when there was a carver who worshipped Parvati and wished to accompany her and Shiva to Kailash and live with them. When Shiva-Parvati was passing by Unakoti hills, he expressed his desire however Shiva was not in a state of mind to take him along. So, he put a condition that if he can create a Koti sculpture in a night, he will permit him to come to Kailash with him. However, in the morning his sculptures fell short by one and the location got its name as Unakoti. 
< img src ="// www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20427%20640'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="Unakoti Tirtha "width =" 427" height="640"/ >< img src= "https://inditales.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/unakoti-tirtha.jpg"alt ="Unakoti Tirtha"width ="427 "height=" 640"/ > Unakoti Tirtha You can choose the story that appeals more to you. Nobody has counted the sculptures, but it is true that all over you look there are sculptures. Big rocks are sculpted in-situ– as in where they are. Apart from them, there are sculptures in the form of Murtis and lingas. Much of these are still worshipped. On top of the hill, there is a shed like museum where some of the big life-size sculptures are kept. I found Vishnu, Hanuman, Sri Ram and Uma Mahesh here in the forms that tells me that Ramayana was probably shaped together with other 
Huge Shiva Face at Unakoti From here when you look down you see a waterfall that gathers into a pond at regular intervals. The very first one is at the crossway of stairs originating from either side of hill. This is where there is another big bas relief of Shiva, who is also referred as Kotishwara Kala Bhairava in some cases. Surrounding him are a number of Nandi Murtis in various states of decay. In front of the rock sculpting are various lingas in stone that are still worshipped. Given that it was the Shravan Somvar, great deals of people were worshipping, doing abhishek and telling their dreams in the ears of Nandi. A pandit ji was assisting individuals with formal puja. Boy were swimming in the pond while females in their red and white saris lit incense sticks while stating their prayers. 
Ganesha Sculpture at Unakoti The water flows downstream and about 100 meters down; it goes through an enormous Ganesha sculpture that is surrounded by elephants. The circulation is practically like the genes that 
Lajja Gauri at Unakoti Here I found a platform, with temple like steps resulting in it, where the Murtis and lingas was being worshipped. A narrow anxiety on the rock, that was filled with milk, is believed to be the footprint of Vishnu. On the other side was a small Goria Baba temple where a priest informed me that this is the initial Kailasg where Shiva lived. Certainly, the town close by is called Kailashahar. I would later learn that Goria baba is the Kuldevata of some people in Tripura. 
< img src ="https://inditales.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chaturmukhlinga-unakoti-tirtha.jpg"alt="Chaturmukhlinga"width="427"height=" 640 "/ > Chaturmukhlinga As you fluctuate the hills, wherever you look there are sculptures. Some you determine, others keep teasing you. You wonder if this was when the biggest outdoor temple. Was this actually something linked to Kashi or the migrants out of India, probably towards South East Asia, planted and brought stories from Indian Itihasa-Purana. 
Vishnu Foot that is still worshipped Historians date these sculptures to a minimum of 7-9th CE but that is just a guess based upon style. It might be much older. An engraving only points out a see in 11-12th CE showing it existed before that. To me, these sculptures inform us the deep historical roots of our Puranik stories. 
Puranik Tales Sculpted in Stone at Unakoti is excellent 5-6 hours drive from Agartala. You can remain either at Dharamnagar or Kumarghat and go to Unakoti from there. It has to do with 45 minutes from either location.