Travel writer at City Voyager
Léa Brunet
Léa hunts down the places that aren't yet on the lists — quiet villages, overlooked neighbourhoods, side-streets that locals keep to themselves. She's drawn to anywhere a guidebook gives less than half a page.
Articles by Léa Brunet
Hidden Gems of Eastern Europe: A 12-City Tour
Twelve underrated cities from the Baltics to the Adriatic — UNESCO old towns, Habsburg cafés, Ottoman bazaars and Soviet-era curiosities. Concrete fares, named neighborhoods, EUR prices.
July 17, 2026
Tirana: Why Albania's Capital is Europe's Coolest Underrated City
Communist bunkers, vibrant street art, and the best cafe culture you've never heard of. Welcome to the Balkans' most surprising capital.
July 16, 2026
Skopje: North Macedonia's Quirky Capital
A practical, upbeat travel guide to Skopje — a small capital with a big personality: Ottoman bazaars, kitsch monuments, lively neighborhoods, and easy access to Matka Canyon and Ohrid.
July 16, 2026
Luxembourg City: Europe's Most Underrated Capital
Discover why Luxembourg City — with its UNESCO old town, cliff-side casemates, riverside Grund, and world-class food — is Europe’s most underrated capital.
July 16, 2026
Hidden Gems of Iberia: Portugal, Galicia, Asturias
Atlantic Iberia at half the Barcelona price — Braga's UNESCO sanctuary, Santiago's cathedral, Oviedo's pre-Romanesque monuments, Roman walls in Lugo. Concrete fares, named towns, EUR prices.
July 16, 2026
Marseille: France's Most Underrated Major City
Raw, diverse, and utterly captivating. Discover why France's oldest city is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
July 15, 2026
Plovdiv: Europe's Best-Kept Secret for Culture Lovers
8,000 years of history, a thriving creative scene, and barely any tourists. Discover why Plovdiv is Europe's most exciting hidden gem.
July 15, 2026
Lviv: Ukraine's Most European City
Discover Lviv's Austro‑European charm, top sights, coffee culture and practical safety advice. Learn when it's wise to visit and how to travel responsibly.
July 15, 2026
Evora: Portugal's Museum City
Explore Évora, the UNESCO-listed 'Museum City' of Portugal: Roman ruins, a bone chapel, baroque museums, Alentejo cuisine and easy day-trip access from Lisbon.
July 15, 2026
Kotor: Montenegro’s Medieval Bay Escape
Walled medieval streets, a dramatic bay and steep fortress trails: Kotor is Montenegro’s most atmospheric coastal town. Practical tips, where to stay, prices and must-dos.
July 15, 2026
Otranto: Where Italy Meets the Orient
Discover Otranto, Puglia’s easternmost gem where Italy faces the Adriatic and the Orient: a living crossroads of history, mosaics, sunlit harbors, and unforgettable seafood.
July 15, 2026
Bruges vs Ghent: Belgium's Tale of Two Cities
A side-by-side guide to Bruges and Ghent—history, canals, food, nightlife and practical tips to help you choose which Flemish city best fits your trip.
July 15, 2026
Aarhus: Denmark's Second City, First in Culture
Discover Aarhus — a youthful, design-driven Danish city where Viking history meets cutting-edge art, world-class food and effortless coastal living. Practical tips included.
July 15, 2026
5 Underrated European Cities to Visit Before They Go Mainstream
Skip the crowds. Discover these hidden gems before everyone else does.
July 15, 2026
Szeged — Hungary's Sunshine City
Discover Szeged, Hungary’s City of Sunshine: sun-drenched squares, Art Nouveau architecture, paprika-rich cuisine, open-air festivals, thermal baths, and smart travel tips.
July 15, 2026
Šiauliai: Hill of Crosses and Beyond
Discover Šiauliai’s iconic Hill of Crosses and the surprising cultural highlights of Lithuania’s north: museums, local flavours, practical tips and how to plan your visit.
July 15, 2026
Sarajevo: Europe's Jerusalem You've Never Visited
Discover Sarajevo — a compact, soulful capital where mosques, churches and synagogues stand within earshot, Ottoman bazaars meet Austro-Hungarian boulevards, and history hums in every street.
July 15, 2026
Ohrid: Europe's Hidden Lake Paradise
Discover Ohrid, North Macedonia — a UNESCO lakeside jewel. From crystal-clear Lake Ohrid and ancient churches to hidden beaches and local food, this practical guide covers what to see, do and how t...
July 15, 2026
Aix-en-Provence: The Elegant Heart of Provence
Fountain-lined boulevards, Cézanne's light, and the best markets in southern France. Discover why Aix is Provence's most refined secret.
July 15, 2026
Lille: Northern France's Cultural Powerhouse
Discover Lille — a lively northern French city where Flemish brick facades, world-class museums, buzzing markets and year-round festivals make culture part of daily life.
July 15, 2026
Bergen: Norway Beyond the Fjords
Discover Bergen beyond its fjord postcard: UNESCO-listed Bryggen, vibrant food scene, mountain hikes, museums, island escapes and practical local tips for a memorable visit.
July 15, 2026
Debrecen: Hungary's Reformed Capital
Explore Debrecen — Hungary’s Reformed Capital. From the towering Great Reformed Church and Hortobágy plains to thermal baths, kolbász and student cafés, here’s your practical guide.
July 15, 2026
Porto: Europe's Most Underrated City Break
Azulejo tiles, port wine cellars, and Atlantic sunsets. Discover why Porto is Portugal's most authentic urban escape.
July 15, 2026
Porto's Hidden Corners: Foz, Miragaia & Gardens
Beyond the Ribeira and wine cellars: where to find Porto’s quieter neighborhoods, gardens, galleries and local eateries — with practical tips, prices and timings.
July 15, 2026
Antwerp: Belgium's Diamond in the Rough
Discover Antwerp's glittering history, thriving arts scene, and practical travel tips— from the famed Diamond Quarter to Rubens’ masterpieces and local foodie finds.
July 15, 2026
Sibiu: Transylvania's Most Charming City
Explore Sibiu — a medieval Transylvanian gem. This guide covers top sights, day trips, seasonal highlights, local food and practical tips for a memorable visit.
July 15, 2026
Porto Uncovered: Food, Wine & River Views
Discover Porto's riverside charm, port wine cellars, must-eat dishes and best viewpoints. Practical tips, 48-hour itinerary and local insights for a memorable visit.
July 15, 2026
Ghent: Belgium's Most Underrated Medieval City
Better than Bruges, more authentic than Brussels. Discover why Belgium's secret gem deserves your full attention.
July 15, 2026
Siracusa: Sicily's Most Beautiful Ancient City
Siracusa is Sicily’s most beautiful ancient city: Greek theatres, Baroque Ortigia, seafood markets and sun-drenched alleys. This guide covers highlights, food, itineraries and practical tips.
July 15, 2026
Lecce, Italy — The Florence of the South
Discover Lecce — Salento’s honey‑coloured Baroque gem. This guide covers must‑see architecture, food, day trips, local tips and practical advice for exploring the ‘Florence of the South.’
July 15, 2026
Brasov: Romania's Most Beautiful Mountain Town
Medieval walls, Carpathian peaks, and a charm that rivals anything in the Alps. Discover Transylvania's crown jewel.
July 15, 2026
Gozo: Malta's Quieter Sister Island
Discover Gozo — Malta’s peaceful, green sister island. From ancient temples and dramatic coastlines to sleepy villages, practical tips and local insights for a slow Mediterranean escape.
July 15, 2026
Mostar: Where East Meets West on the Neretva
Mostar straddles the emerald Neretva: Ottoman minarets, Austro-Hungarian facades and the iconic Stari Most rebuilt after the war. A traveler's guide to history, food and tips.
July 15, 2026
Kotor, Montenegro: The Fjord Town That Time Forgot
Tucked into the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, this medieval walled town feels frozen in time—UNESCO streets, Venetian palaces, steep fortress walks, and unspoiled Adriatic charm.
July 15, 2026
Matera: The Ancient Cave City Rising Again
Discover Matera — Europe’s ancient cave city reborn. Explore the Sassi, rupestrian churches, cave hotels, local food, practical tips and the best viewpoints in this UNESCO gem.
July 15, 2026
Pecs: Hungary's Hidden Mediterranean City
Discover Pécs — Hungary’s sunlit southern city with Mediterranean flair: Ottoman monuments, Zsolnay porcelain, vineyards, lively cafés and practical local tips for a perfect visit.
July 15, 2026
Underrated European Capitals: 12 You Should Visit
Twelve European capitals worth picking over London or Paris — Ljubljana, Riga, Tirana, Sarajevo and beyond. EUR daily budgets, named neighborhoods, transport from major hubs.
June 30, 2026
Mechelen: Belgium's Best-Kept Secret
Nestled between Brussels and Antwerp, Mechelen is a compact, medieval city with soaring towers, a vibrant beer scene, peaceful beguinages and river paths — Belgium without the crowds.
June 29, 2026
Liepāja — Latvia's City of Wind & Music
Liepāja, on Latvia’s Baltic coast, is a windswept, music-soaked city of beaches, Soviet-era intrigue and a thriving cultural scene—perfect for curious travelers.
June 29, 2026
Prizren: The Ottoman Jewel of the Balkans
Discover Prizren, Kosovo — a compact, atmospheric city where Ottoman mosques, cobbled lanes, Byzantine churches and lively kafanas blend into a timeless Balkan experience.
June 15, 2026