bluest

Travel experts have shared one of the prettiest European destinations for those looking for some winter sun – as the caves and water are some of the clearest around

With the colder weather approaching, you may be looking to escape the chilly temperatures and rain for warmer climates.

This ‘magical’ island is perfect for those looking for an escape with some of Europe’s clearest waters and fewer crowds of tourists. Malta is the perfect autumn destination, and the Blue Grotto is a natural wonder, allowing visitors to swim, explore the caves and relax in the sun.

According to travel experts at Ski Vertigo, October temperatures in Malta are still around 25C, and the Blue Grotto is made up of several sea caves on Malta’s west coast, surrounded by clear turquoise waters.

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There is a network of six caves on the southern coast, offering some of the clearest waters and most stunning views in the Maltese Islands, making it one of the island’s most popular natural attractions. The experts say the best way to see the caves is by boat from Wied iż-Żurrieq (£7.20 for adults, £3.60 for children).

Visitors can board the traditional fishing boats run from 9am to 4.30pm in summer, and 9am to 4pm in winter, weather permitting and on the way, you can can stop at the panoramic viewpoint, 500m high, for photos.

“The waters are very clear thanks to their unique minerals, and in sunny weather, colourful reflections of pink, orange, turquoise, and green shimmer on the limestone walls. From above, the caves are framed by a majestic arch with views of the island of Filfla – truly breathtaking,” the travel experts add, and shared a list of some of the top activities for visitors:

• Boat tours – Glide through the sea caves and see rock formations.
• Swimming & snorkelling – Explore the clear waters.
• Photography – Capture cliff views and colourful cave reflections.
• Sightseeing from viewpoints – Stop at the roadside or picnic areas for great views.
• Picnicking – Enjoy a snack with a view.

There is plenty of parking at Wied iż-Żurrieq, along with public toilets, cafes, snack bars, and gift shops. On rough sea days, boats may not run, but the viewpoints and picnic areas are still worth a visit.

Tips from Ski Vertigo:

• Book ahead – Tours fill up quickly, even in autumn.
• Wear swim-friendly shoes – Paths and rocks can be tricky.
• Bring snorkel gear – Perfect for exploring the clear waters.
• Visit the viewpoint – Stop for panoramic photos.
• With warm waters, stunning scenery, and plenty to do, the Blue Grotto is the perfect autumn escape for travellers wanting sun, relaxation, and natural beauty.

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Lexie Limitless, real name Lexie Alford, became the youngest person to travel to every country at the age of 21 and has since travelled around the world, sharing her experiences

A globe-trotting traveller who’s visited every country in Europe has claimed one nation on the continent has the bluest water she’s “ever seen”. Lexie Limitless, a US YouTuber who became the youngest person to visit every country at the age of 21, has opened up about her experiences exploring Europe, highlighting some of the continent’s “underrated” nations.

The adventurous traveller, real name Lexie Alford, boasts half a million YouTube subscribers and broke the record after exploring all 196 countries and now boasts the impressive following. In a Europe-themed video, she reveals six less-traditional but breathtaking destinations across Europe.

Lexie, who also goes by Lexie Limitless on Instagram, described one nation as a cultural “melting pot” with a blend of Islamic and European “influences”, and another as having the most stunningly blue river waters she’s ever encountered.

She remarked: “I would say that one of the top underrated places has to be Slovenia. There are some incredible hiking paths and literally the bluest water I’ve ever seen in rivers.”

Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia, is a small nation situated in Central Europe. It is bordered by Austria in the north, Italy to the West, Croatia to the south, and Hungary to the northeast.

In addition to its dazzling waters, Slovenia also boasts many impressive caves. In fact, it’s home to more than 10,000, including the World Heritage-listed Krizna Jama Cave and the 20km Postojna.

She gushed: “I also loved Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Again, incredible river running through this city that really felt like a melting pot between both Islamic and European influences, with a lot of very rich history to learn while you’re there.”

Further sharing her travel tales, Lexie said: “I think also the cutest little village I’ve ever been to, which I actually saw in one of those…while I was on one of those river cruises, was a place called eský Krumlov in the Czech Republic.”

Describing the locale, Lexie spoke of its “crazy bridges” and “aqueduct-looking architecture”, as well as its “beautiful rivers” and “adorable cafes”.

She referred to it as “quintessentially” the European village of everyone’s Disney-inspired dreams.

However, not stopping at just these gems, Lexie also praised Sweden in the summertime, the picturesque Valle Verzasca in Switzerland, and the enchanting Bruges in Belgium, which cinephiles might recall from the 2008 Colin Farrell movie ‘In Bruges’.

Topping her list of favourite countries globally is the secluded mountain kingdom of Bhutan in Asia, which is nestled between India and China. Lexie highlighted Bhutan for its unique distinction of being deemed the “happiest country in the world”.

She also hailed Bhutan as one of the globe’s “best-kept secrets”, insisting that the world has “so much to learn from this tiny country”.