Arguably the last truly off-the-beaten track destination in Europe, Kosovo is a land still waiting to be discovered and, for those that do, a fascinating destination awaits. Independent from Serbia since 2008, this mountainous country is full of ancient monasteries, sweeping snow-capped peaks and historic old towns.
The capital, Pristina, was once voted the ugliest in Europe, but for those willing to scratch below the surface it’s a city full of history and some distinctive architecture. By contrast, the charming city of Prizren is considered to be Kosovo’s cultural capital, with its castle, ancient mosque and buzzing cafes that line its riverbanks. Away from the towns, Kosovo offers the Unesco-listed Serbian Orthodox monastery of Decani, the largest medieval church in the Balkans, and some lovely boutique wineries.