Twelve countries into their European leg, Ben and Claire pick the five that have stood out the most, and the reasons that made each one earn its place.

1. Poland. Our favourite of the entire trip. Two completely different experiences, mountain charm in Zakopane and rich history in Krakow, in one stop, and it’s stuck with us the most since.

2. Bosnia. The cheapest, most recommended country on our route, and home to the single best laugh of the trip on that mountain coaster. We almost didn’t give the accommodation a fair chance, and we’re so glad we did.

3. Switzerland. Only a short stay, but Engelberg was one of the most beautiful, welcoming places we’ve been anywhere in Europe. We’re already planning to go back, ideally with more time and a proper budget for it.

4. Albania. Warm people, genuinely stunning beaches, and a place we’d recommend and revisit without hesitation, exactly as we said when we first wrote about it.

5. Austria. After a run of hostels and resort stays, Mittersill gave us exactly what we needed: space, a kitchen, and a base that felt like actually living somewhere rather than just passing through.

What else is possible when you let a country truly earn its place on a list like this, rather than picking the obvious ones?

FAQ

Which country would you go back to first? Switzerland, without hesitation, this time with more time and a proper budget for it.

Was this list decided before or after you’d visited everywhere? After. This is a genuine reflection on everywhere we’ve actually stayed, not a list we set out expecting to fill.

Did any country surprise you by making, or missing, this list? Bosnia surprised us the most, in a good way. First impressions nearly put us off entirely, and it ended up second on this list.

Related reading:

• Our Best Bits, Worst Bits, and What We Learned
• Every Stop So Far, With What It Actually Cost
• What It Actually Costs: Family Travel Across Twelve European Countries