Unmissable Eastern European getaways

Julian Alps, Slovenia
For years, Eastern Europe was the undiscovered half of the continent, but today the region's diverse highlights are drawing travellers by the trainload. One of the most impressive sights is the Julian Alps – named in honour of Caesar himself – which forms Slovenia's dramatic northwest frontier with Italy. Triglav National Park, established in 1924, includes almost all of these mountains on the Slovenian side, and its centrepiece is Mount Triglav, the country's highest mountain at 2,864m. (John Elk III/LPI)

Riga, Latvia
Riga has the largest and most impressive showing of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe – gargoyles and goddesses adorn more than 750 buildings along the stately boulevards – while the Old Town is a fairy-tale kingdom of winding lanes and gingerbread houses that beats to the sound of a pumping discotheque. (Holger Leue/LPI)

Minsk, Belarus
The capital of Belarus will almost certainly surprise you. Here fashionable cafes, wi-fi-enabled restaurants, crowded bars and art galleries vie for your attention. There are relatively few traditional sights in the city but myriad places of interest for anyone fascinated by the Soviet period – such as the Soviet apartment block pictured here. (Bruce Bi/LPI)

Mljet Island, Croatia
Of all the Adriatic islands, Mljet may be the most seductive. More than 72% of the island is covered by forests and the rest is dotted with fields, vineyards and small villages. Take the ferry from Dubrovnik and spend a few days hiking, cycling and boating. (Andrew Burke/LPI)

Tallinn, Estonia
Today's Tallinn fuses the medieval with the cutting edge. It is an intoxicating mix of ancient spires (such as the traditional onion-domed church pictured here), shiny skyscrapers, cosy wine cellars and sun-dappled town squares, with a few Soviet throwbacks for added spice. (Donald C and Priscilla Alexander Eastman/LPI)

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina
In the 1990s Sarajevo was on the edge of annihilation. Today it is a vibrant capital whose humanity, cafe scene and East-meets-West ambience make it a favourite European summer destination. It is also a great choice for affordable skiing in winter. (Doug McKinlay/LPI)

Loket, Czech Republic
Nestled in a bend of the Oh?e River in the west of the country, Loket is a gorgeous little town with a chocolate-box-style town square. The town centre is a national monument, and as such is preserved from development. Most people visit Loket as a day trip from the nearby city of Karlovy Vary, but it is also a relaxing place to ease off the travel accelerator for a few days. (John Elk III/LPI)

Ždiar, Slovakia
Torun, Poland
Torun, one of the oldest cities in Poland, is full of massive red-brick churches that look more like fortresses than places of worship. Beyond architecture, Torun is best known as the birthplace of the Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 to 1543). His name is all over town, and you can even buy gingerbread shaped in his image. Torun's pierniki (gingerbread) is famous across the country. (John Hay/LPI)

Decorated timber cottages line long and narrow Ždiar, a mountain settlement near the Polish border that has been inhabited since the 16th Century. Several sections of the village are historical reservations, including the Ždiar House Museum, a tiny building with colourful local costumes and furnishings. Pictured here is a traditionally built timber house. (Wayne Walton/LPI)