Landscapes in Europe

Visitors to the Spit spend their time swimming, boating, on forest walks, exploring the coastal villages or playing in the sand dunes - the tallest of which tower more than 60 meters above the waves. In winter, you can skate or try your luck at ice fishing rather than plunging into the water. While the forest walks, villages, and dunes might be covered in snow, these are just as lovely as during the summer months. The Spit covers 98 km and is just 400 meters wide at its thinnest, roughly divided equally between Lithuania and Russia's Kaliningrad. The Lithuanian half is easily navigated on a bike; boasting a cluster of museums and the port on its northern tip while its only town Nida is 50 km to the south. The Spit is mostly undeveloped nature, which has earned to both the status of National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site. It is assessable by ferry from Klaipeda.

This natural limestone arch was the biggest tourist attraction on Gozo. It was ridicously picturesque and tourists used to flock here. However, all this is past tense as the arch crashed into the sea in 2017 (the photo is pre 2017). Despite the missing arch, tour buses still stop here. Take a dip into the swimable rock pools below the rock plateau, as they are as refreshing as they have always been. If you want to see an unbroken (but less impressive) rock arched, head further north to Wied il-Għasri.

This hidden and pretty cove is one of the best kept "secrets" in Malta. The water passage is narrow, winding, and long with steep rock walls and a small pebble stone beach at the end. A dip into the clear blue water is mandatory, if you have come all this way. If you take a short walk at the top of the cove, you will see another rock window, like the Azure Window. And if continue along the ridge (and is not too afraid of heights) you will get the best view of the coastline of Gozo.

For many, the idea of a coastal holiday will involve drinking some sort of alcoholic drink through a bendy straw while plopping themselves on a sandy beach with 10,000 other people trying to capture paradise. But the coast of the Maltese island of Gozo offers up something rather different. Part of Malta's defensive strategy of the years rested on the dramatic and stunning rock cliffs that line the southern shores. With the Xlendi Tower guarding the entranceway, the tiny natural port of Xlendi was like a little gateway to the south. The walks along the shores include Lord of the Rings-esque bridge, more caves than you can shake a stick at and salt collection pools. This is not your typical beach holiday, and it's a good thing.

The Coastal Highway Fv17 is one of the prettiest road trips you can take in Norway - and that says something. It winds its way along the coast, jumping from island to island, from Bodø to Steinkjer 650 km away. The scenery is just mind-blowing and changes at every bend. Snowcapped mountains, deep fjords, dense forest and even glaciers. There are 6 ferry crossings (and 29 tunnels) and the complete journey can be done in 2 days, but more is recommended, particularly if you want to explore some of the islands (like UNESCO enlisted Vegaøyan). 420 km of the route is one of Norway's 18 National Scenic Routes.

You will be hard pressed to find a more dramatic setting for a beach. Enveloped on both sides by jagged mountains with waterfalls gushing down the sheer walls. The crescent shaped sandy beach is wide with a few houses at both ends. If it wasn't for freaking cold water, it would have been perfect.

With its 2469 m is Galdhøpiggen not only Norway's highest mountain, but also Scandinavia's. It's possible to hike the peak and there are several options. The easiest, but not the shortest, is from Spiterstulen Mountain Lodge. A return hike is estimated to be 9 hours. There is a shorter route from Galdhøpiggen Sommerski Center, but that involves traversing a glacier, which requires a guide. A return hike one this route is estimated to be 7 hours. But even if you are not interested in scaling Galdhøpiggen, a visit to the Sommerski Center is an adventure itself. You zig-zag your way up to 1850 m, where you have amazing views over the surrounding mountains and glaciers (if the clouds permit). There is snow at the ski lift, if you want to fool around.

The road E45 passes the very scenic lake of Trangdalsvatn about 40 km south of Alta, but just a bit north, the scenery changes dramatically. The road follows the river through a narrow gorge. Mountain sides rise high up on both sides, while the river rages below. There are a few parking spots along the way, so you have a chance to take in the majestic landscape without the danger of driving into oncoming traffic.

Hardangerfjord is the world’s third largest, almost 180km long. It is more a collection of destinations than a destination in itself – in it and along its shores you will find glaciers, fruit orchards, salmon farms, powerful waterfalls and some of the best hikes in Norway, including the famous Troll’s Tongue. The soil is more arable along Hardangerfjord than many of its northern neighbours, so in spring and early summer the cherry, plum and apple trees are in bloom. Snow persists in the nearby mountains until quite late, so if hiking (but not trudging through deep snow) is what you are coming here for you would be wise to wait until July. The town of Odda is the place to organize hikes, although much of it can be done independently. As with much of Norway’s nature, its attractiveness changes dramatically with the weather, so be prepared to hang around for a few days in the hope of glimpsing the sun – it really is worth it!

A stunning beach with soft white sand and crystal blue water. It's squeezed in by mountains on one side and there are big boulders in the shallow water. However, the parking lot gets filled quickly, since several hikes start from here.