The Best "lesser-known" Sightseeing Stops on a Eurail Vacation

Previously know as Europass, Eurail travels through over 20 beautiful and scenic countries. With a list of destinations that includes France, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Italy and Spain; there are world famous sightseeing stops that are fairly obvious. Many travellers feel that a Eurail vacation would not be complete without stopping at sightseeing hotspots such as the Eiffel Tower in France, the Rhine River in Germany and the Acropolis in Greece.

These incredible sightseeing stops are a great start to a Eurail vacation. However, considering the amount of countries Eurail runs through, each with its own distinct history and landmarks, there are many great sightseeing stops that are overlooked. These nations are often traveled through by Eurail vacationers, but are certainly not explored to the extent that France and Germany are, for example. Eurail vacations offer sightseeing travel through Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern Europe. Throughout this impressive scope of cultures and countries, it’s understandable that certain sightseeing destinations get passed by. If you are considering a Eurail vacation and plan to do some sightseeing, take a look at some of the lesser-know sightseeing areas between visits to the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Cliffs of Moher and Burren.

Bulgaria

This Eastern European nation rests pleasantly on the western side of the Black Sea. Its capitol, Sofia, features many parks, bars and clubs making it a fun place to stop. It also holds over 250 historical landmarks and culturally valued locations such as museums and theaters. While it may not be approached with the same enthusiasm as cities such as London and Venice, it is one of the most commonly visited locations in Bulgaria. Many areas of Bulgaria are absolutely beautiful but are less likely to be visited on many traditional Eurail trips through Europe. The mountainous terrain is accompanied by a wide array of physical traits, and make for a gorgeous and interesting trip as your train winds its ways through the many various landscapes found within the country. This diversity of landscape provides the best places to see in the county. The Black Sea beaches are wildly popular in the summer, and the many mountains provide great skiing. These factors combine with historical monuments to make Bulgaria an excellent place to visit in Europe on a Eurail vacation.

Portugal

Spain’s next door neighbor often gets overlooked by the many tourism powerhouses in its vicinity. Though smaller, Portugal offers many unique opportunities. Within an hour on a train one can travel from lush, green, vine covered mountains, to rocky, sloping mountains, to a terrain that is on the brink of being considered a desert, and finally end up at a sun filled strip of beach. There aren’t too many places where you can enjoy that much variety in just an hour. Eurail’s tracks through this beautiful nation wind along rivers and past the castles that dot the landscape. These natural wonders compliment historical locations older than Roman times and make the nation of Portugal a wonderful place to visit. A final point of attraction is the Portuguese wine economy that provides for many beautiful and fragrant environments. This small country is truly a stunning place to stay.

Slovenia

Picturesque and friendly nations in both Eastern and Western Europe are great places to enjoy sightseeing; however, an investigation of one of Europe’s centrally located gems should be included in any Eurail vacation as well. Slovenia is one nation that fits that mold. Set between the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain this country is able to offer natural attractions such as mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forests, caves, hills, plains and even thermal springs. There is also the Mediterranean Sea, just in case everything else wasn’t enough. Slovenia is a paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors. There are also many small cities and villages throughout the landscape, and make interesting destinations for anybody seeking cultural experiences. Its capitol Ljubljana is known for its Baroque and Art Nouveau monuments, and provides many significant artistic and other attractions.

Finland

Finland can provide a true haven for tourists in Northern Europe. As a nation it is decidedly modern, with well planned cities and small towns. This makes the nation extremely accessible, and simplifies the travelling process greatly. That, however, is not the only aspect which makes Finland worth visiting; it just makes it much more attractive. Among the things to see in Finland are the northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer. The country stretches far enough North that these phenomena are possible to experience firsthand. Another major natural attraction is the nation’s many lakes. Boasting roughly 188,000 lakes, with plenty of corresponding islands, the country is a great place for people who enjoy water sports. It also offers vast expanses of nature outside of its modern cities that have been preserved. This combination of urban and wilderness make Finland a vibrant and diverse place to visit for any Eurail vacationer.