Posted on Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Explore mediaeval ruins in Poland, enjoy an offbeat festival in the Serbian countryside, climb a mountain in Georgia, or ride the Metro in the Sovietesque Belarussian capital - for 22p!

With an incredible array of historical attractions, beautiful countryside, friendly locals and low prices, only one question remains: Why wouldn’t you have a holiday in Eastern Europe?

Here are four hidden gems in a part of the world that is sometimes overlooked.

Torun, Poland

The UNESCO-listed, mediaeval walled city of Torun mostly avoided the heavy bombing of Poland during World War Two. Packed with superbly preserved Gothic churches, and lots of museums and restaurants, there’s plenty to enjoy whether you’re on a romantic break, a family getaway, or a solo adventure.

Notable highlights include the impressive Town Hall, and the Town Square on which it sits. Then there’s the The Living Museum of Gingerbread (Torun is famed for this spiced treat), where you can watch the Gingerbread Master perform their magic.

While most of Torun’s attractions relate to the mediaeval period, the WWII Bunker at Wisla offers an insight into mid-20th century Poland. Scores of people sheltered here during bombing raids. Small but fascinating and very well-run.

You can reach Torun from Warsaw by train. It takes between 2h 11 and 3h 20.

Novi Bečej, Serbia

Sip potent cherry rakia with the affable locals of Novi Bečej, a town nestled in the countryside close to the Hungarian border.

The main annual event is the Spring Flower Festival (mid-April) - the fourth largest event of its kind in Serbia - offering an eclectic array of live music, traditional dancing and other cultural events. It’s not quite as ‘happening’ as the Exit Festival (10-13 July 2025), which takes place in Novi Sad just to the south, but it’s a fascinating insight into the local culture, which fuses Serbian and Hungarian elements.

Local attractions include the Catholic church of Arača (Aracs), built around 1230, and the wide River Tisa, which is perfect for a dip in summer.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Straddling Eastern Europe and Asia, Georgia is an often-overlooked gem of a country blessed with historical attractions, stunning mountain scenery and friendly locals.

The bustling capital, Tbilisi, has a distinctly European feel, with a cafe culture just as good as Paris - but at a fraction of the cost.

The city was under both Persian and Russian rule, giving its quaint cobbled streets a unique appearance. The Old Town is the main draw, but you can also see the underground hideout where Joseph Stalin printed Communist propaganda (the printing press is still present, and yes, Stalin was Georgian).

Outside Tbilisi there is much to see and do. A highlight is Vardzia, a cave-monastery in the south, excavated from the precipitous slopes of Erusheti Mountain in the 1180s. It’s home to some impressive cave paintings from the same period.

In the north, the Greater Caucasus Mountains offer some excellent hiking opportunities. Stepantsminda, for instance, is a popular location for trekkers and climbers, and is home to the famous Gergeti Trinity Church, which is perched on a lofty hill beneath the even loftier Mount Kazbek.

While in Georgia be sure to try khachapuri - a hearty cheese-filled bread, and lobio, a bean-based stew (which tastes much better than it sounds). Georgian wine is also excellent, and again, much cheaper than similar libations in Western Europe.

Sound like Georgia could be the destination for you? Discover more reasons why Georgia is worth considering for your next holiday.

Minsk, Belarus

If you’re feeling truly adventurous, why not consider a getaway in the Belarusian capital, Minsk?

Probably the most Soviet-looking city outside of Moscow, Minsk is replete with gilt hammer-and-sickle iconography. This includes the impressive Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, where seeing ballet and opera performances cost as little as 8 GBP, and the wonderfully ornate stations on the Minsk Metro, where a ride costs you just 22p!

Obviously, the current political situation means Minsk is not on many people’s bucket lists, but perhaps surprisingly, the Belarusian authorities have permitted British nationals to enter the country visa-free from 19 July 2024 until 31 December 2024 (30 days maximum). So if you fancy a Christmas escape like no other, Minsk is worth a thought.

According to Gov.uk, to enter Belarus you’ll need:

• documentary evidence of medical insurance to the value of 10,000 euros
• funds equivalent to 25 euros per day

You’ll also need to enter overland from either Poland or Lithuania, since there are no direct flights from the UK.

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