The Rough Guides travel website has published an article by the Scottish journalist and photographer Robin McKelvie, featuring a list of seven European cities that are not as popular as, for example, Paris, Rome or Amsterdam but are still worth a visit.

McKelvie’s opinion is that less famous cities deserve some time in the limelight, too. If you’re one of those who prefer to keep away from swarms of tourists, the Scot suggests visiting Osijek (Croatia), Utrecht (the Netherlands), or Slovenia’s second largest city, Maribor.

The capital of the Štajerska region is described as a city with a chocolate-box pretty historic town centre and numerous students that bring life to Maribor. “River strolls along the Drava, as well as one of Europe’s oldest synagogues and what is reputed to be the world’s oldest vine await. The best time to visit is during the two week Lent Festival in summer. And if you want to get out of town, nearby Maribor Pohorje offers skiing in winter and superb hiking in summer,” wrote McKelvie.

P. S., MMC; translated by K. Z.