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By Julia Pond, Editorial and Content Director
These destinations are all on our list for 2017.
Bucharest
by: Gratian Matache – Courtesy: Trip.com
A Rising Star Award winner for 2017, Bucharest sports cool history like the Romanian Village Museum (an open air exhibition featuring actual houses and traditional ethnographic artefacts) and the 19th century concert hall Romanian Atheneum, plus new hipster culture that paints its own street art, organizes its own protests, and eats its own organic french fries. Insiders know to look for the hidden garden behind Belle Epoque mansions. Its old town is full of atmosphere and its nightlife is lively.
Lisbon
by: Esteban De Sousa flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Known for its relaxed but quintessentially European vibe, Lisbon is also super affordable compared to, say, Madrid – it’s a great place to hole up for a few days without breaking the bank. Barrio Alto neighborhood features open air, relaxed nightlife the way you always imagined it to be (and isn’t anymore in, say, Rome’s Trastevere)
Stay: Lisbon Destination Hostel – it’s right in the Rossio train station but has its own chef cooking up local traditional food.
Play: at Gijinha, the oldest bar in the city
Malta
by: eva papagianni – Courtesy: Trip.com
Malta might just be the hipster Mediterranean island nation you always dreamed of. Here, the UNESCO World Heritage recognized Valletta, ANNIE Mac presents Lost and Found Festival (think raves on boats and parties in castles) and there are awesome spots like the Harbour Club (a former fort turned three-floor bar/jazz lounge). And – try driving on the left!
Stay: Europa Hotel, a beachside budget option.
Play: Terrone for a long boozy meal.
York
by: kalakeli flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
York is a bit of a north star in England – with culture (a huge film festival!) and food (not just fish and chips!) it’s full of ways to have a great time on a backpacking trip – and way more walkable than London.
Stay: The Sidings – where the rooms are made from old train carriages!
Play: Get coffee and send emails at the Perky Peacock, Lendal – a cafe in a medieval tower, and have a pint at the Golden Ball, a cooperatively owned pub.
Dubrovnik
by: Elvira Vanag – Courtesy: Trip.com
This walled city is both a historic marvel and a perfect backpacking bargain. It’s chic, once rivaled Venice in culture and power, and fun nightlife.
Stay: at a cool budget hotel near the beach like Villa Tolja
Play: Down some drinks at Buza Bar and take in the amazing view.
Montenegro
by: Josip Saric – Courtesy: Trip.com
This small nation delivers on beaches, mountains, and moody historic castles. Perfect for the outdoorsy backpacker. Stay in Kotor and splurge on a car to explore the Mediterranean nation. Your Instagram followers will thank you.
Stay: at the old-town-embedded Montenegro Hostel Kotor
Play: Get outdoors as Biogradska Gora National Park, featuring some of Europe’s most untouched forest.
Berlin
by: Dimitris Zazas – Courtesy: Trip.com
Sure, Berlin is big, and famous…but it’s still got a magic mix of avantgarde art, history, and nightlife. Learn about WWII history, and find an incredible club at night, all while munching on some of the best and cheapest international food in Europe.
Moldova
by: Nikoli Afina – Courtesy: Trip.com
Here’s a really new arrival on the backpacking scene…did you know Moldova is great for wine tasting? Plus, the hospitality is off the hook, and you can get visit monasteries and castles just like in any other history-saturated European country. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Moldova’s prices are so deeply affordable.
Stay: Weekend Boutique Hotel, because luxury in Moldova is still cheaper than a budget option in London.
Play: Castel Mimi, where you can taste wine, eat a great meal, and soon, even go to a spa to wash off the road-grime.
Source: gogobot.com