Viator Travel Blog

While it might seem like a strange thing to add to your vacation to-do list, visiting cemeteries when you travel can be an interesting way to learn about a place’s history – not to mention see some of its most beautiful landscapes. Of course, what constitutes a “beautiful” cemetery will depend on the viewer’s opinion. Some will be painstakingly landscaped, some will be historically meaningful, some will be haunting, and some will have stunning views. But in this selection of final resting places around the world we think everyone will be able to find one that deserves “beautiful” as a descriptor.

Croatia is blessed with one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. There are 1,185 islands dotted in the crystal clear blue sea, from tiny pale rocky outcrops to larger islands of villages, pine forests and beaches. It’s those beaches I love the most, and finding a gorgeous little cove with an old monastery perched on the cliffs above, or with a bay full of fishing boats, or waters teeming with colorful fish.

The beauty of travel is finding those unexpected gems–the places, the festivals, the moments–that translate beyond travel and leave a lasting impression.

Traveling and exploring new places doesn’t mean people have to make the obligatory stops at the historic churches, national museums, and cookie-cutter hotel rooms. How about visiting a church with an interior constructed of bones? Or waking up in a cave?

It can be done.

There are so many places in the world where tourists can visit or experience something beyond the norm. Here are a few to begin with.

You’ve tied the knot, taken the plunge, looked deep into the eyes of your loved one and said “I do”. You do! And now with the love of your life on your arm, all the rice on the ground behind you, where to? Granted, just about anywhere would likely be a blast, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something exotic, to get crazy, forget the budget (well not entirely), and go on that dream trip you said you would, someday, eventually take. So what’s out there?

Despite being the biggest city in Istria, Pula feels like a secret. The city boasts a beautiful coastline, Mediterranean weather and a wealth of history to explore. Unlike more popular destinations in Croatia and the west coast of Italy, Pula remains wonderfully rough around the edges. There are signs that it has been touched by the tourism industry, but it still retains its charm. It wouldn’t be a surprise if it were a tourist hotspot in five year’s time, with large hotels on the coast and franchised restaurants, so it is worth visiting while you can still be served cocktails in a small beach-front bar or enjoy Istrian ham in a quaint café in the narrow roads of the city centre

Move over Spain. Beat it, Italy. There’s some competition over in Europe these days. While Spain, Italy, France and the rest of Western Europe will always remain as some of the best spots for European holidays, Eastern Europe is picking up steam and grabbing the hearts of travelers around the world.

To me, Split, Croatia had always been a ferry terminal, a place to catch a boat over to one of the gorgeous Croatian islands: Hvar, Brač, Vis. But this year I decided to stay for a week, to actually slow down and stop, look around so that when people said: Have you been to Split? I could honestly say yes.

The short story is that I came for a week and I stayed for three.

If you’ve ever wanted to run away from the world, a small Croatian island in winter is the place to do it. Mild weather, hours and hours of peace and quiet, with nothing to do but walk around the peninsula, look at the fishing boats, and read lots of books. There is something very romantic about living on a remote island. It’s like being swept into a time machine.

Forget the South of France. Forget Italy. And Ibiza. These days being glamorous on your yacht, wearing flowing white designer linen, and partying every night is all about – Croatia. Kevin Spacey, Nicky Hilton, Valentino, Gwyneth Paltrow – they’ve all discovered it. And this summer I was right there with them. Sort of. The yacht [...]

If you only ever leave home once more in your life, make it a trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. It’s a big statement, I know. But, as you are all aware by now, I’m a big fan of Croatia, and Dubrovnik is the pride of the country.