City break to Europes under the radar gems Bratislava and Kiev

Although many are tempted by the lure of big names such as Rome or Moscow, the real places to see are the likes of Kiev and Bratislava, travel writer Christopher Vourlias has said.

Kiev, he said, is a "vibrant city with a rich heritage dating back to the 10th century…yet the city sees few tourists".

The opportunity to see some of the world's best capital cities while avoiding the crowds is a pull for many travellers, as it means avoiding the usual queues to see attractions and packed tour buses.

Bratislava, he comments, is "the Prague of 15 years ago", and combines "chic boutiques and trendy bistros" that "sit side by side with beautiful Baroque palaces, and the buzz around town has as much to do with the city's proud past as its promising future."

Getting away from the crowds and taking a more unusual city break is an exciting option for many, and with cheap flights to many European capitals now, the opportunity is better now more so than ever.

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