It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by tourists when travelling in Europe. It is often difficult to catch a glimpse of famous monuments through the crowds, and even the vast expanse of the Alps can start to feel crowded during peak season. For those prepared to stray off the beaten track, however, travelling in Europe can still lead you into unexplored, unspoilt corners.

The key to travelling in Europe is to play the seasons. Paris in the springtime is famous for its charms, but the long, light days and fresh weather in Donegal, Ireland make it an equally good choice. During the peak summer season, head east to the wonderful national parks of Poland and Belarus. With breathtaking scenery and few people, the hiking is particularly good.

Hiking and Trekking: Everything You Need To Know

Travelling Europe by train is a particularly good way to get around; frequent services link up capital cities and take you up into the mountains and down onto the beaches. Interrail passes have long been popular with backpackers, and the network is expanding. Travellers now have access to some of the more remote corners of Europe by train.

Travelling by Train: 10 of the Best Train Journeys in the World

Wherever you go and however you get there, Europe is a rewarding, easy place to travel (although we haven’t quite cracked Belarussian pronunciation). From Andorra to Moldova, here is Mpora’s guide to some of the unexpected gems.