Algeria had a long history of colonization by the French. It won its independence in the famous revolution of the First November 1954, quite a bloody war that left scars. In spite of the brutality of the fighting and French attempts to suppress the independence movement, Algeria and France still maintain close ties, with many Algerians and people of Algerian descent in France and French still commonly spoken as a second or third language in Algeria today.
Morocco is a kingdom in North Africa, at the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco has 34 million inhabitants, and a rich heritage from the Islamic Golden Age. For Europeans, Morocco has been, and remains, the gateway to Africa.
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. It has a rich and diverse history, culture and natural beauty. Belarus is known for its medieval castles, ancient forests, picturesque villages and friendly people. Belarus is also a modern and dynamic country, with a strong economy, a vibrant civil society and a thriving IT sector. Belarus is proud of its achievements and its aspirations for the future.
A melting pot of East and West, with beautiful beaches.
This country is much more than the home of Kafka fairytale forests and beautiful mountains are a nice addition to the charming cities that survived both wars and communism and the hearty and filling cuisine is just more reason to stay.
A favourite with Easterners during the Cold War, Hungary today is among the often overlooked gems of Central Europe. Don't make that mistake. An open mind and a curious heart will open the beauty of this country to you.
A pastoral and multi-ethnic country, only considered Balkan due to its cultural ties with Romania.
This beautiful country has a long and brave history spanning thousands of years. With the beautiful Baltic Sea to the north and the Sudetes and Carpathian mountains in the south, Poland is truly a diverse gem.
While it's not entirely Balkan (the region of Transylvania lies in Central Europe), Romania offers a wonderful combination of old and new, mixing dance halls with Dracula.
Often mistaken as simply an appendix of "big brother" Czech Republic, this small ice-hockey crazy nation has made good use of its independence won in 1993 and now offers a unique blend of German, Magyar, Czech and Slovak influences that come together in its capital Bratislava as well as the skiing resorts of Europe's smallest high mountain range, the High Tatra.