If travelers are taking a tour of Europe or spending a weekend break from the UK, these destinations are far more accessible than they may think--and are so fascinating that they should be on
every traveler's list. The far northeastern Italian city of Trieste, known for its Hapsburg architecture, is right on the border with Slovenia and has switched back and forth between the two
countries throughout its history, so it has an eastern, wayward feel that has attracted writers (including James Joyce), exiles, and spies for decades. Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, which
joined the EU in May 2004, has just become an easy jet route and is so unspoiled that there aren't even any buses from the airport yet; it has a picture-postcard castle and cathedral. Not far
from the city is idyllic Lake Baikal, where Agatha Christie once vacationed to escape from the paparazzi of the time. Croatia, having taken a beating in the break-up of Yugoslavia, is now
experiencing a renaissance: Dubrovnik has been completely rebuilt with its historic character intact, and is still holding its Dubrovnik Festival every June; Zagreb is still tranquil and
green; and along the coast are hundreds of tiny islands easily reached from either Split, Zadar, or Pula.
