7 Lesser Visited European Cities and Towns

1. Trier, Germany


Porta Nigra

Located in the West of Germany on the banks of the Moselle in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, close to the French and Luxembourg borders. It is easily reached by train from many German cities.
The city and surrounding region is full of many well preserved Roman buildings and monuments as well as a well stocked archaeological museum featuring many of the finds from the local area.
http://redaktion.trier.de/praefectus/trier?tourist_en
Best free site: The Basilika (Constantine's Throne Room)


2. Amiens, France


Circus Jules Verne

Located 120kms North of Paris. Easily reached by train from Paris.
Largely rebuilt since WWII the city is dominated by the classic Gothic world heritage listed 13th century cathedral or Our Lady of Amiens. It remains the Tallest standing cathedral in France. Australian visitors may wish to visit the Australian war memorial located here.
http://www.visit-amiens.com/
Best Free Site: Eglise Saint-Leu (Church of St Leu) free daily 4pm-6pm



3. Parthenay, France

The Citadel

Located 350km South West of Paris. Somewhat difficult to get to at any time of year. Best option is take a train to Nantes then take a bus 120kms to Parthenay. The long trip to Parthenay is definitely worth it, almost as much as the visit to the city itself.
An ancient fortified town surrounded on two sides by the river Thouet. The old medieval walls and churches dating from the 11th to 13th centuries are certainly worth wandering around.
http://web.cc-parthenay.fr/Pages/homepage.aspx/ (only in french, google Parthenay and translate page)
Best free Site: Porte Jacques and Pont St Jacques (Northern entry gate and bridge)


4. Maribor, Slovenia

Water tower in Lent

Located 123kms North East of Ljubljana and just 11kms from the Austrian border. Easily reached by train from Ljubljana-Slovenia, Graz-Austria and also Budapest-Hungary.
The oldest part of the city 'Lent' offers numerous sights as they were 100 years ago in city still mainly undiscovered by mass tourism. There are also many old cellars to explore in Maribor and the wine from the region is well worth trying.
http://www.maribor-slovenia-travel-guide.com/
Best free site: The Old Vine House


5. Szczecin, Poland


Mini Parisian Streets

Located in North Western Poland, in West Pomerania on the banks of the Oder river. Easily reached by train from Berlin. and Poznan-Poland.
This city is completely undiscovered by tourists at this stage, and with a great deal of on-going restoration, it wont be long before it may become a mini Paris of the north. The ultra cheap bars and restaurants of Szczecin (Stettin) make this an awesome city to party in and spend a week.
http://www.szczecin.eu/en/odwiedz_szczecin
Best Free Site: The many entry gates turned into bars and restaurants. (Check out Brahma Gate)


6. Sighisoara, Romania

Covered Stairs

Located in central Romania. Access by train from Budapest-Hungary, Prague-Czech Republic and also Vienna-Austria. An extremely well preserved walled medieval old town is the highlight of Sighisoara, famous for having Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler, Dracula) as one of its residents. Although some tacky tourist sites and shops have sprung up over the past few years, Sighisoara is still very much a medieval town as you'd want to see it.
http://www.romaniatourism.com/sighisoara.html
Best Free Site: The wooden covered staircase leading up to the citadel.


7. Kutna Hora, Czech Republic


Inside the ossuary

Located about 70kms east from Prague. Kutna Hora can be reached by train  in 45 minutes from Prague.The town of Kutna Hora was built on its rich deposits of silver and is dominated by the Gothic cathedral of St Barbara. The most unusual site is the Gothic Church of All Saints located in the suburb of Sedlec. The ossuary beneath the church is decorated with the bones of 40-70000 people. A site not to be missed.
http://www.kutnahora.cz/index.php?lns=en
Best free Site: The Medieval Street 'Ruthadka', runs along the towns original ramparts connecting the castle with St James Church and the Italian court.

Get off the beaten path and find the places no other tourist goes, explore!