Discovering Europe's Hidden Gems: How a Spontaneous Road Trip Transformed My Perspective

“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” ― Aldous Huxley

This past summer, my little family and I embarked on a spontaneous road trip across Europe, choosing countries we knew very little about. With no rigid itinerary, we mapped out the main destinations we wanted to explore and let our hearts guide us the rest of the way. We quickly settled into a comfortable rhythm, balancing our travels around our two-year-old’s schedule and limiting our car time to just a few hours every couple of days. Camping outdoors and enjoying the natural beauty of the countryside became our summer’s way of life.

Our journey began in Romania, our current home base, and took us through Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and back through northern Romania. While Austria, Germany, and Hungary were familiar, the other countries were new territory. We had no expectations and didn’t plan for any specific attractions, choosing instead to follow local recommendations and explore on a whim.

To my surprise, this trip turned out to be one of the most eye-opening adventures I’ve ever had—and that’s saying something given the amount of travel I’ve done. Of course, as with every journey, I immersed myself in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of new cultures. But this time, something far deeper shifted in me: my perspective.

Imagine driving through thick fog at night, with nothing but the few meters ahead of you visible. Slowly, shapes begin to materialize, and suddenly, you're in the middle of a whole new landscape. That’s exactly how this trip felt—minus the fog and darkness. What I didn’t expect was how profoundly this journey would challenge my assumptions and preconceived notions about Europe.

I have to admit, my knowledge of many of the countries we visited was embarrassingly limited. Growing up in the Caribbean, I was far removed from Europe’s intricate history and cultural diversity. Though I’d been to a handful of Western and Eastern European countries before, I naively thought that most of Europe would look and feel similar—especially in the east, where I imagined remnants of post-World War II and communist history would dominate.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Despite being geographically close, culturally, these countries were worlds apart from my assumptions. What struck me was not just how different they were from one another but how much they had to offer in terms of culture, history, and modern development. Places like Slovenia, Poland, Czechia, Serbia, and Croatia aren’t exactly top tourist destinations. You don’t hear much about them, and I had feared they might be underdeveloped or stuck in time. Yet, they completely shattered my expectations.

I was particularly struck by how developed and vibrant these countries were, some even more so than Romania. My assumptions about Eastern Europe were upended, and I found myself marveling at how far these nations had come, embracing their modern identities while still holding onto their unique histories.

One of the most pleasant surprises was how welcomed we felt. In countries less frequented by tourists, locals seemed genuinely intrigued by us, eager to share their culture, food, and recommendations. Their warmth was contagious, and we were often treated as guests of honor, experiencing the best of what each destination had to offer. The authenticity of the people and places made the trip even more special, reminding us of the simple joy of human connection.

Of course, communication wasn’t always easy. In one memorable encounter, a receptionist at a B&B was baffled when we didn’t speak Russian, Polish, or Czech. After fumbling through English, Spanish, and French, we all ended up laughing, our shared smiles bridging the language gap. Experiences like these only added to the charm of the trip, as we found ourselves in countries that have fiercely held onto their distinct cultures despite the pressures of globalisation.

In many ways, this trip reminded me of just how little I know—even after years of travel. As someone who’s explored the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, and beyond, I had underestimated the cultural depth of Europe’s less-visited regions. I had fallen into the trap of thinking there wasn’t much left to discover, but this trip was a powerful reminder that the world is vast and endlessly surprising.

Travel is a humbling experience. It challenges the idea that our worldview is the only one, or the most accurate. I realised how easily we center ourselves, assuming our perspectives are universal, when in fact, they’re just a tiny fragment of the larger picture. This road trip taught me that wonder and amazement don’t always require crossing oceans—they can be found in the neighbouring countries we overlook.

In the end, the beauty of travel isn’t just in discovering new places but in expanding our understanding of the world and ourselves. This trip reaffirmed my belief that no matter how many places you’ve been, there’s always more to explore, more to learn, and more perspectives to embrace.

The world is vast, and beauty is everywhere—just waiting to be uncovered.

Sarah the Digital GypSea

Romania, October 2019