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Lviv, Ukraine
Start your journey in Lviv's stunning UNESCO-listed old town. Wander Rynok Square, explore the Armenian Cathedral, and don't miss a coffee in one of the famous underground cafés. The city has a wonderfully Central European feel with fantastic local cuisine.
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Chisinau, Moldova
Moldova's capital is an underrated gem with Soviet-era architecture mixed with leafy boulevards. Visit the Central Market and the stunning Cricova or Milestii Mici underground wine cellars nearby — Moldova is one of Europe's top wine producers. The city is affordable and very welcoming to visitors.
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Bran, Romania
Home to the legendary Bran Castle, famously linked to Bram Stoker's Dracula. The castle sits dramatically on a rocky hilltop and is well worth exploring inside. Use nearby Brașov as a base — it's a charming medieval Saxon city with a lively old town and great food scene.
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Sofia, Bulgaria
Bulgaria's capital blends ancient Roman ruins with vibrant café culture and Orthodox churches. Don't miss the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman Serdica ruins underfoot in the metro, and a free walking tour of the city center. The Vitosha mountain looming over the city is perfect for a half-day hike.
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Tirana, Albania
Albania's colorful capital is one of Europe's most exciting emerging destinations. Skanderbeg Square and the Et'hem Bey Mosque are must-sees, while Blloku neighborhood is packed with great cafés and restaurants. Try the local byrek pastry and the excellent Albanian wine.
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Durres, Albania
Albania's main port city and gateway to the Adriatic coast features a fascinating Roman amphitheater right in the city center. The long sandy beaches are popular with locals and make for a relaxing stop. It's a practical transit hub if you're heading north along the coast.
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Kotor, Montenegro
One of the most spectacular walled medieval towns on the Adriatic, nestled between dramatic mountains and a stunning bay. Hike up to the fortress for breathtaking views over the Bay of Kotor. The old town's winding alleys, Venetian architecture, and cat-friendly culture make it utterly charming.
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
The 'Pearl of the Adriatic' is Croatia's most iconic city, with its perfectly preserved medieval walls and terracotta rooftops. Walk the full circuit of the Old City walls for sweeping sea views, and take the cable car up Mount Srđ. Visit early morning to beat the cruise ship crowds and explore the quieter lanes of the old town.
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Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Split, Croatia
Croatia's second city is built literally inside a Roman emperor's retirement palace — Diocletian's Palace. The old town buzzes with life day and night with restaurants, bars, and shops inside ancient walls. It's also a great base for island hopping to Hvar or Brač.
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Zadar, Croatia
Zadar is an underrated gem on the Dalmatian coast with a beautifully restored old town on a peninsula. Don't miss the Sea Organ — a unique architectural sound installation — and the Sun Salutation light display at sunset. Alfred Hitchcock once called it the most beautiful sunset in the world.
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Pula, Croatia
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Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia's fairy-tale capital is compact, walkable, and wonderfully liveable with a car-free old town. Climb Ljubljana Castle for panoramic views, stroll the dragon-adorned bridges, and enjoy the buzzing riverside café scene. Day-trip to nearby Lake Bled for one of Europe's most iconic landscapes.
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Budapest, Hungary
Hungary's grand capital straddles the Danube with Buda's hilltop castle on one side and Pest's lively boulevards on the other. Soak in the famous Széchenyi thermal baths, walk across the Chain Bridge at night, and feast on goulash and chimney cakes. The ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter are legendary for nightlife.
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Kosice, Slovakia
Slovakia's second city and eastern cultural capital has a beautifully restored old town dominated by the stunning St. Elisabeth Cathedral — the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. The main pedestrian street is lined with baroque palaces and excellent restaurants serving Slovak dumplings and local beer. It's a relaxed and authentic stop before the final leg back to Lviv.
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Lviv, Ukraine
Return to Lviv to complete the loop. Use your final day to revisit any favourite spots, pick up Ukrainian crafts and souvenirs at the local market, and enjoy one last meal in the old town before heading home.