- The hidden gems come courtesy of Instagram traveller Luke Hoogmoed
- READ MORE: The best beaches in the world for 2025 ranked by Tripadvisor
Looking for a European break but keen to avoid the hordes? Traveller Luke Hoogmoed ( @lukepatrickh) - who has built up an Instagram following of 393,000 with his travel content - is here to help.
In a video posted on social media , the 25-year-old adventurer from the Netherlands shared 10 underrated European destinations that he thinks you won't have heard of. And here he reveals more about his choices.
He tells MailOnline Travel: 'Most of the destinations in my video are located in Eastern Europe. When I travel, I like three things: safety, hospitality, and beauty.
'And I think Eastern Europe, despite the prejudices many people have about it, is far ahead in these things compared to the other side of Europe. In all of these destinations I felt completely safe.
'The big Western cities are often more organised in terms of infrastructure and overall facilities, but those are not things I prioritise on my trips.'
Find out which underrated European gems Luke recommends adding to your bucket list below, from a city where locals will 'welcome you with open arms' to a 'fairytale town'...
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