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Tired of the same old holiday destinations? Dreading the thought of those long queues at customs and security checks at airports? London-based travel writer Max Wooldridge picks ten of his favourite lesser-known European destinations - hidden gems that keep on shining but don't always get the limelight they deserve. What’s also great about these cities is that they are all accessible by train, which takes you straight into the heart of each location – without any of that airport fuss!
Click on any of the destinations below for more information. Alternatively click here to view or print our interactive guide (in pdf format), of all our hidden gems.
| San Sebastian, Spain |
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"San where?" people ask as they head to Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, leaving the elegant city of San Sebastian on the Basque coast to locals and just a handful of tourists each year.
>>Find out more about San Sebastian, Spain
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| Bologna, Italy |
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Italy's fourth-largest city is the country's unsung masterpiece - a great place for people-watching and taking tips on style.
>>Find out more about Bologna, Italy
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| Ile de Ré, France |
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Cool European tourists with their fingers on the pulse have finally discovered what the French have known for years - Ile de Ré is a special place to write home about.
>>Find out more about Ile de Ré, France
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| Maastricht, Holland |
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It may sound like a dominatrix and is best known for a European Union treaty that bears its name, but Holland’s oldest and southernmost city has a lot more going for it.
>>Find out more about Maastricht, Holland
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| Rennes, France |
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The charming city of Rennes expertly straddles French and Breton cultures.
>>Find out more about Rennes, France
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| Maribor, Slovenia |
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Maribor is renowned for being home to the country’s premier ski resort, but Slovenia's second largest city also has a spectacular hidden secret.
>>Find out more about Maribor, Slovenia
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| Salamanca, Spain |
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Salamanca boasts Spain's oldest university, but if your mind conjures up images of old lecturers and intellectuals wandering around looking earnest, think again because this is living history - and not at all like it was taught at school.
>>Find out more about Salamanca, Spain
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| Cologne, Germany |
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Despite being Germany’s oldest city - founded around 30BC - Cologne seems remarkably fresh-faced and is a very family-friendly city.
>>Find out more about Cologne, Germany
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| Zurich, Switzerland |
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Of course, Zurich is knee-deep in old bankers, right? Actually, you couldn’t be more wrong.
>>Find out more about Zurich, Switzerland
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| Scandinavia - General |
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From the forests and rivers of Sweden and the majestic fjords of Norway, to the stunning lakes of Finland and Denmark’s fairytale castles, Scandinavia is a magical and unpolluted paradise.
>>Find out more about Scandinavia - general
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