You probably grew up listening to stories about how Western Europe is the pinnacle of human development: safe and clean streets, an abundance of resources, beautiful architecture, and, of course, a fascinating culture. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe was the ‘bad cousin’, always fighting wars, decades behind in growth, and in a permanent communist chokehold—but oh, how …

When it comes to choosing a destination, every traveler has a unique set of criteria they base their decision on, be it sightseeing opportunities, cultural events, or even just a particular dish or attraction that seems too good not to experience at least once in a lifetime. However, while most of these requirements tend to …