From Catalonia to Corsica, Europe’s independence-seeking regions have much to offer the intrepid adventurer
- Sardinia might be a bucket-list favourite, but for the more adventurous, the ‘state’ of Transnistria could do with a little recognition
- The Simpsons cartoon gave the independence movement in Cornwall – the poorest county in England – a shot in the arm in 2004
Independence movements gather momentum for a variety of reasons, from linguistic and cultural differences to geographical isolation – factors that, coincidentally, make such places irresistible to inquisitive tourists. Instead of dwelling on the obstacles faced by regions determined to go it alone, let’s focus on what some of Europe’s secessionist-seeking provinces have to offer sightseers.
Catalonia (reluctantly part of Spain)
Synonymous with separatism, Catalonia is home to Europe’s highest profile independence movement. Barcelona received the lion’s share of the 19.1 million tourists who visited the province in 2017 but there’s a lot more to northeastern Spain than the overcrowded Catalan capital.
North of the city, the Costa Brava is a scenic swathe of cheap and cheerful Mediterranean holiday resorts interspersed with exclusive bolt-holes where second homes change hands for millions of euros. Inland, medieval architecture and Roman ruins draw culture vultures to the riverside towns of Girona and Besalú, the latter rising to importance in the Middle Ages, when it was ruled by a character called Wilfred the Hairy.
Hike high into the Pyrenees during the summer, then come back with your skis in winter; marvel at Tarragona’s Roman amphitheatre and the mountain monastery of Montserrat. In fact, you could quite easily enjoy a Catalan holiday without even setting foot in Barcelona.
Transnistria (reluctantly part of Moldova)
What happens if you declare independence and create a flag, a coat of arms, a constitution and a currency but not a single member of the United Nations decides to recognise you? If you’re Transnistria, you carry on regardless.
The country … sorry, autonomous territorial unit … squeezed between Moldova and Ukraine is cut off from Russia but, despite the break-up of the Soviet Union, citizens still look to the Motherland culturally, linguistically and probably from a Eurovision Song Contest perspective as well. Since Limbo Land lacks embassies or consulates, it would be unwise to wade into political discussions with the locals – assuming you intend to leave the non-existent nation, that is.
Pose for selfies at various hammer- and sickle-themed war memorials, statues of Lenin and busts of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and you’ve pretty much taken Transnistria’s tourist pulse.