There’s no denying the tranquillity of a Spanish beach or splendour of Venetian canals, but, tucked away in the continent’s furthest corners are some of Europe’s best-kept travel secrets.

From fairytale castles to emerald green lakes, it turns out our little continent has far more to it than the Eiffel Tower.

River Soca, Slovenia

Threading from the Julian Alps through the Soca Valley into Northern Italy, the aquamarine waters of Slovenia’s River Soca are something to behold.

From canyoning to hydrospeeding – which is essentially a cross between a float and a body board – there are plenty of watersports for adrenaline junkies.

Tucked away in the mountains are clusters of rustic ski-style chalets to stay in – perfect for holidaymakers looking for a real slice of escapism.

Movie buffs may also recognise a few sights from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Kravice waterfalls, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This stunning mini-Niagara falls is one of Europe’s best kept secrets – but perhaps its seclusion adds to its charm.

The 25-metre cascade pounds into steaming pools, some of which are shallow enough to swim in during the summer months, creating a mist over the water that only adds to the beauty of the scenery.

The falls have been declared a natural phenomenon, and are protected by state law, but there’s still plenty to do there including camping, for those looking for a real back-to-basics experience.

Santorini, Greece

With a handful of islands all boasting their own unique charm, deciding on a Greek holiday destination is no easy feat. But, with its soaring cliffs, famous blue-domed buildings and multi-coloured beaches, Santorini gets our vote.

With ancient ruins to explore and scatterings of Aegean heritage at every turn, it’s a must for history buffs.

Kylemoor Abbey, Ireland

Just across the Irish Sea, about an hour from Galway is the breath-taking Kylemoor Abbey. Perched on the shores of a Connemara lake, its gothic architecture looks like something from a fairytale.

The abbey was built by Mitchell Henry, a wealthy Englishman, who spent his honeymoon in Connemara. The surrounding woodlands house winding nature trails and an impressive walled garden to explore.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia’s impressive towering honeycombed boulders dotted make it little wonder it’s one of the most popular places in the world for hot air balloon rides.

Volcanic eruptions blanketing the area with ash, which was weathered and shaped over time has formed a landscape that needs to be seen to be believed. And it’s not just nature’s handiwork – the rocky playground is also home to several manmade caves and houses.

Visitors should make a trip to the Göreme Open-Air Museum – which explores them all – top of their to-do list.

Accommodation-wise, the region boasts a handful of cosy cave hotels, for travellers in search of a stay that’s steps outside the box.

Bavaria, Germany

Home to the annual Munich Oktoberfest, Germany’s Bavaria region isn’t exactly a secret. But there is far more to it than bratwurst and beer.

Visitors can soak up a slice of royal history with a trip to Munich Residenz or Nymphenburg Palace, former homes of monarchs and rulers.

If you’re more the outdoor type, you may want to check out Lake Königssee. Nestled just before the Austrian border, its emerald waters and panoramic views of the Alps create a beautiful alpine scene that wouldn’t look out of place on a postcard.

Or, if you’re looking for your own fairytale ending, Neuschwanstein Castle is right up your street. Officially, it’s a former home of German monarchy, but its turret-topped towers make it look more like the kind of place you’d expect to find a Disney princess.

Lake Thun, Switzerland

Toboggan runs, paragliding, kayaking – the list of adrenaline-pumping activities on offer around the lake are endless.

But if flinging yourself off a bungee rope isn’t your idea of fun, you may want to head to the slightly less nail-biting, albeit equally impressive Oberhofen Castle. Set against a skyline of Bernese Alps, its grand architecture make it the perfect place for a romantic stroll.

Plus, its medieval chapel is still in use today for baptisms and weddings.

Lisse, Netherlands

It’s nicknamed the Garden of Europe – and we can see why. The nearby Keukenhof garden, otherwise known as 32 rolling hectares and 15km of snaking footpaths, houses hundreds upon hundreds of hydrangeas, lilies and, of course, tulips.

The best time to visit is April or May. Springtime sees the garden begin to wake up and it’s thousands of beautiful flowers bloom.

Trust us, you won’t want to miss it.

Photo credits: Chris Walts/Marcel Oosterwijk/Gervasio Varela/CC.