Why is the Western side of Europe significantly more popular than the Eastern side? The truth is that Eastern Europe is considerably underrated for all that is has to offer. Countries like Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, and Lithuania all feel neglect from Western travelers.

For mountain trekking travelers, a great place to visit is Slovenia. One of the most scenic sites anyone could witness is the Triglav National Park in Slovenia including the Vršič Pass. The National Park includes almost all of the Alps lying within Slovenia's borders and offers great views for trekkers.

For water-loving sightseers, one of the hidden gems of Europe is Croatia where there is a multitude of natural beauty to see. Mljet Island is a gorgeous place to visit where the saltwater lakes offer a majestic spot for boating, and viewing the lush vegetation covering the island. From exotic beaches to national parks to waterfalls, Croatia is an impeccable place for outdoorsy travelers.

For the travelers who are mainly interested in a culture infusing experience, Estonia is a place to look into. The cultural capital of Estonia is Tallinn, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Tallinn's fusion of medieval and modern architecture teaches people about the country's past and present. The charm of this city is the perfect representation of Estonian culture.

For large city-dwelling explorers, Istanbul, Turkey, is a city with endless things to do and character to boot. This huge city is as far east as Europe goes, which only covers half of it, while the other half is in Asia. But that makes the culture, museums, and activities even more unique than any large city in Western Europe.

While most Americans have an idea of what cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, etc., are like, a majority of people most likely have no idea what some of these amazing Eastern European countries have to offer.