Distinct architecture, unique landscapes and native wildlife usually make European destinations easy to identify. But we’ve found some locations that might make you second-guess where you are. Think Middle Eastern and Asian-inspired buildings, American animal species and Australian terrain – they might not be in their native continent, but they’re certainly worth a visit.
Read on to discover surprising sights you’d expect to find anywhere but Europe…
Ben Nevis, Highland, Scotland, UKDafinka/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/soI3xr87bBd3qaBFR.swoQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/66b02cbefe1ce23f8eb33a1cf5d3f8ed>
Head to Parc de Laeken in Brussels and you’ll find two Asian architectural masterpieces. The Chinese Pavilion and the Japanese Tower were commissioned by King Leopold II and built between 1901 and 1905. Despite being designed by Parisian architect Alexandre Marcel, the Japanese Tower contains original pieces from the Edo and Meiji eras as well as woodwork from Tokyo. The two buildings together form the Museums of the Far East and are both currently closed for renovation.
Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UKJuergen_Wallstabe/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HUzl01AE3.0Ct0WWxTKwqQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/86f11171627b0d12ee5f46a20cc716a2>
Juergen_Wallstabe/Shutterstock
Vast sand dunes are usually associated with the Middle East and North Africa, but it’s possible to stumble across them in Europe too. Head to Fuerteventura – one of Spain’s Canary Islands – to find the Corralejo Natural Park, which contains the biggest sand dune in the region. Tourists usually come with supplies to trek across the land and take panoramic photos of the island.
Pfahlbauten, Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, GermanyBrastock/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IiTwxqrnlu8EOHAn9kgxxw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/87755806f8d0aee70c7099b75c53bd88>
Australia has several uniquely pink lakes, such as Lake Hillier, Lake Bumbunga and Lake MacDonnell. However, Spain also boasts pink waters that are less well-known. The aptly named Pink Lake, which sits in a nature reserve called Las Salinas de Torrevieja, gains its vivid colour from its high salt content. While swimming isn’t allowed at Pink Lake, it’s still open for travellers to gaze at its unusual rosy palette.
Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales, UKDebu55y/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IoOCURWNYlDyZp4zPyT76A–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/9b1f690c25eb392e27f44cbd9ca05cfa>
The colourful buildings and palm trees of Portmeirion suggest that the town exists in warm climes, but it’s actually a village in Wales. Portmeirion was designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1973, and aimed to emulate Italian architecture. It’s been a popular location for creatives, including famous names such as HG Wells, and it’s also a frequent stopover for those visiting nearby Snowdonia National Park.
Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, ItalyMNStudio/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vXtknk3lcYeX6865k7kzOg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/0e4d72f9c5d76dc71bff84d15ad1a9fc>
Hot springs are typically found in places like Canada, Chile, Japan and the US. Lesser known are those in Europe (although Iceland has become an increasingly popular spot for them). Saturnia in Italy isn’t short of warm sulphurous waters – it was once a bathing spot for the ancient Romans. The waters were believed to be a gift from the gods and possess healing powers. Visitors can still enjoy these waters today, for a fee.
Schwetzingen Mosque, Schwetzingen, Germanytrabantos/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TtYna1twJV4ufG7YytoU2w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/12f0eba0188087b1a34d1b5c0f5633a6>
While the Schwetzingen Mosque looks like a piece of Middle Eastern architecture, it’s actually in Germany. The mosque was built by Nicolas de Pigage between 1779 and 1795 and is the last remaining garden mosque from the 18th century. The tell-tale signs of its German heritage are in the Arabic inscriptions, which are riddled with spelling mistakes.
The Pagoda, Paris, FranceChrisNoe/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BI6aDsk.HvXy82pXZ7h3XA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/d83d32942e7c4b432169e89a48b86324>
Foliage from Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa may fool you into believing you’re walking through a garden in the southern hemisphere, but you’d be wrong. Tresco Abbey Garden is on the Isles of Scilly, just off the coast of Cornwall in mainland England. However, due to its position on the Gulf Stream, it has warm weather which allows exotic species of plants to thrive.
Wat Buddhapadipa, London, England, UKzijin/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgACwgOL4I5yvFobBnoxjw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/b9108acd9e036b3bf0f6ac44e0ba861e>
You’d be forgiven for thinking this photo was taken in Morocco. From the reflecting pool pictured here, to the building’s towering minaret, tiled courtyard and Arabesque architecture, it could easily be one of Marrakech’s madrasas or Moorish palaces. But this is, in fact, the Grand Mosque of Paris, a hidden gem in the city’s Latin Quarter. Built to honour French Muslim soldiers lost during World War I, the Grand Mosque opened for worship in 1926. It is open to the public today, except on Fridays and during Islamic holidays. There is an on-site women’s hammam, restaurant and tearoom too.
Luskentyre Beach, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UKAlanMorris/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/b.Wo7ozuG2Iws0tMQ2HN7g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/26edf9a50f879b864db170e2fde74df3>
It’s not hard to see why Luskentyre has been named among the world’s top beaches. With salt-white shores and turquoise waves that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean or South Pacific, it boasts some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery. It’s certainly worth the expedition to get here – Luskentyre Beach sits on the west coast of South Harris, a remote and rugged corner of the Outer Hebrides. Visitors can go hillwalking, cycling and surfing, or take a boat trip to Taransay, Scotland’s largest uninhabited island.
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Publish date : 2024-10-25 08:35:00
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