When travellers set off to discover the unknown, they often bypass Western Europe, labelling it as passé. They instead head to the confronting bazaars of the Middle East, the ever-present chaos of Asia, or the colours and smiles of Sub-Saharan Africa. But this is a mistake. Western Europe may operate under a veil of cosmopolitan sophistication, but if you open your mind and let down your guard, you’ll uncover a fascinating mix of charisma, diversity and open-mindedness.