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In these times of excessive tourism stress, tips for underrated (and therefore less crowded) getaway spots have never been more important.
So travel blogger Anna Merabishvili deserves recognition for choosing seven European cities that she believes are the most underrated.
He posted descriptions and photographs of each on his Instagram profile. @nospaceinmypassport – and more details about them are revealed here, including how friendly the locals are and their top three activities and sights.
Anna, 27, from London, also reveals what surprised her most about each city.
She says: “I have traveled to many cities in Europe and these are the cities that I honestly fell in love with, but they are not necessarily the most popular to visit.”
Read on to learn more.
What city would you like to include on your wish list?
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
“What surprised me the most was how vibrant the city of Bordeaux was,” says travel blogger Anna Merabishvili, who named seven European cities that she believes are the most underrated.
What did you expect Bordeaux to be like before you arrived?
Anna tells MailOnline Travel: ‘I expected it to be a quiet city, not as cool as Paris. We stayed in a hotel on a vineyard and I definitely didn’t expect the hotel to be so big and luxurious.
‘It was called Les Sources de Caudalie. It feels like you’re in a fairy tale, full of swans and horses everywhere.’
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna says: ‘What surprised me most was how vibrant the city of Bordeaux was. It quickly became one of my favorite cities in Europe as the shopping is incredible and there are so many food and drink options. Walking around, you can find many hidden gems: there is a street with colorful umbrellas and some buildings look like castles. There are also many wine bars and cafes with outdoor seating, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the city.
What were the locals like?
Anna says: “I didn’t interact much with the locals, but the ones I met were very friendly and helpful.”
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore the old town. The old town of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can get lost in the narrow streets and discover unique shops, wine bars and many hidden gems.
‘Explore La Cité du Vin. This is the only place you can’t miss. The immersive wine museum will test your smells, sights and tastes as you tour and learn about the history of wine production from around the world. At the end, you can also do a wine tasting.
‘Take a day trip to Saint-Emilion. This is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. This small town is surrounded by vineyards and medieval buildings, making it the perfect day trip.’
GDANSK, POLAND
Anna calls Gdansk (above) “one of the most beautiful and cool European cities” she’s ever been to
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
She says: ‘I expected Gdansk to be pretty, but not particularly impressive. I thought it was just a small town in Poland, but I still really wanted to explore it.’
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna tells MailOnline: ‘My expectations were completely wrong! It was one of the most beautiful and beautiful European cities I had ever been to. I couldn’t believe I had never heard of it. The city also has a lot of history and many influences from Dutch and German cultures, which is reflected in the architecture. It was also a very young city, full of students and great places to have a drink.’
What were the locals like?
Anna says: ‘The locals were so friendly! We had a local tour guide who showed us around and she was very friendly.
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Take a walk through the old town and admire the architecture. The old town is very pretty, with the Neptune Fountain and colorful buildings. You’ll get great views of the city walking along the river.
‘Also, visit the World War II Museum. It’s super fascinating and offers a comprehensive view of World War II from a Polish perspective, with well-designed exhibits that are both informative and moving.
And dance all night at 100cznia. This warehouse-turned-food court is ideal for visiting both day and night. “It has a unique industrial and street party atmosphere.”
Stockholm, Sweden
Anna admires Drottningholm Palace: a “highlight” of her visit to Stockholm
Anna was “surprised at how beautiful” Stockholm was
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: ‘To be honest, I was expecting it to be very cold and not very pleasant. I didn’t know much about the city before going.
What surprised you the most about Stockholm?
Anna comments: ‘I was surprised by how beautiful the city was. “It was sunny the whole time and people were having lunch by the river – it was a vibe.”
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore Gamla Stan, one of the best preserved medieval town centers in Europe, with charming cobbled streets, colorful buildings and cozy cafes. The area is also full of small boutiques, making it ideal for shopping.
‘Plus, visit the fascinating Vasa Museum, home of the Vasa Ship, a nearly intact 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage. The ship is located in the middle of the museum and people can visit it to learn about its history and the people who sailed it.
‘And take a boat trip through the archipelago. One of the best ways to see the surroundings of Stockholm is by taking a boat trip. There are many fjords surrounding the city and you can take many interesting day trips, such as to Drottningholm Palace.’
Any memorable individual moments?
Anna says: “Visiting Drottningholm Palace was definitely one of the highlights for me here.”
What were the locals like? Friendly environment?
Anna says: “The atmosphere was very friendly and the locals were friendly.”
San Sebastian, Spain
Anna in San Sebastian, Spain, where the food was “amazing”
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: “I hadn’t really heard anything about San Sebastian and didn’t know the food would be as amazing as it is.”
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna recalls: ‘San Sebastián is known above all for its food, so the food is definitely what blew me away the most. I loved the tapas bars, the pintxos (sandwiches) and of course the Basque cheesecake.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Skipping pintxos. The best thing to do in San Sebastián is go from bar to bar and try the best pintxos that each place has to offer.
‘Plus, take the cable car up Mount Igueldo for the best views of the city and ride a really fun roller coaster with views.
‘Finally, enjoy a Michelin-starred meal. San Sebastián has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in the world. It’s definitely the place to have one of the best meals of your life!’
Tbilisi, Georgia
Anna outside the Orbeliani Baths in Tbilisi, Georgia. She calls the city “historic and beautiful.”
Anna outside the Gabriadze Theater in Tbilisi
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: ‘My whole family is from Tbilisi, so I’ve been going there since I was very young!’
Tell us what might surprise visitors
Anna comments: ‘Something that may surprise visitors to Tbilisi is how European it feels. The old town is very historic and beautiful, and there are photo spots throughout the city. You can easily walk to the city center and taxis are also very cheap.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Visit the old town. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Cross the Peace Bridge and visit Abanotubani, home to the traditional Georgian sulfur baths.
‘Also, climb the Narikala Fort to see the best views of the city. It is the perfect place to take photographs of the city.
‘Finally, you have to try Georgian food. Be sure to try khinkali (meat balls), khachapuri (cheese bread) and pkhali (spinach and walnut sauce). Georgia is also the birthplace of wine, so you can bet the wine will be good!’
Are the locals friendly?
Anna says: ‘Georgia is one of the most hospitable countries in the world! So yes, the locals are very friendly.’
Bergamo, Italy
Bergamo (above) has an old town that Anna describes as “absolutely stunning.”
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna tells MailOnline: “I thought it would be an uninteresting city with not much to do or see as I had never heard of it.”
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna remembers: ‘Bergamo’s old town was absolutely stunning! I loved how lively it was and the little shops, restaurants and bars there were everywhere. “The vibes in the city were just incredible.”
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore the Citta Alta (old town), definitely one of the highlights of the city. It is very different from the new city and is located at an altitude, accessible via the funicular. You can also enjoy incredible views of the city from up here.
‘You should also visit the Accademia Carrara, one of the oldest and most famous art galleries in Italy with an impressive collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art.
‘Lastly, try the local dishes. Visit a local trattoria to try the best food, such ascasoncelli (pasta filled with a tasty filling) and polenta e osei (a dessert that resembles polenta).
Are the locals friendly?
Anna comments: “The locals are very friendly and were very willing to help and offer advice on the best places to see in the city.”
Brescia, Italy
Anna says of Brescia: “What surprised me was how welcoming the city was and how many hidden gems it had everywhere.”
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: “I knew Brescia is a city full of history and would be a stunning place to visit.”
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna says: “What surprised me was how welcoming the city seemed and how many hidden gems it had everywhere.”
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore the Capitol and the Roman Forum. Brescia is home to one of the most important Roman ruins. It is truly one of the most incredible views and the perfect place for a photo.
‘Then there is the Santa Giulia Museum, located near the Capitol. Inside, you can learn about the city’s history and discover impressive churches with ornate ceilings.
“Finally, enjoy the perfect views of the city from Brescia Castle, which is situated on a hill and is a fun place to take a walk.”
Are the locals friendly?
Anna states: ‘The locals were some of the friendliest people I have ever met. Our tour guide was very friendly and gave us a very interesting tour of the city.’