Plitvička Jezera

Croatia is now the youngest member of the European Union and has established itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Its cultural specificities, sports icons and young people who constantly push the boundaries of innovation in business and technology represent its most recognisable signs of progress.

Croatian political leaders gathered on Wednesday in the Plitvice Lakes national park to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Operation Plitvice and the death of Josip Jovic, the first Croatian police officer killed in 1991-95 war for independence.

Put the words 'Europe' and 'adventure' in the same sentence and you're undoubtedly going to think along the lines of Norway's fjords, Croatia's Plitvice Lakes, or the Greek Islands. Well known and annually visited by thousands of tourists, the aforementioned destinations are among Europe's top satisfaction-guaranteed adventure havens.

After publishing an article on the less well-known national parks across Europe, The Guardian received hundreds of responds regarding some other worthwhile destinations.

As a result, the publication issued a reader's edition to the same list, this time featuring Bulgaria's very own Pirin.