Also for the 2018 Lonely Planet has drawn up its ranking ” Best in Europe “, ie the list of the 10 most interesting destinations to organize a trip to the Old Continent. It is a periodically updated classification based on the livability, authenticity, cultural, artistic and gastronomic offer of each destination. Let’s discover together the most beautiful destinations in Europe.
1. Emilia Romagna, Italy
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Bologna from above
Emilia Romagna is the region that has given birth to some of the most delicious gastronomic specialties of Italy: Bolognese meat sauce, Parma ham, traditional balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano and so on. In addition, the region is home to the Osteria Francescana of chef Massimo Bottura, the Michelin-starred restaurant, the second best in the world in 2017. New attractions such as FICO in Bologna (the world’s largest theme park on food wanted by his father Eataly Oscar Farinetti), the National Museum of Italian Jewry and the Shoah in Ferrara and the Cinema Fulgor of Rimini, restored by Oscar Dante Ferretti and which will also host a museum dedicated to the legendary director Federico Fellini, will give the opportunity to also nurture the mind. Furthermore, theLonely Planet UlisseFest , the Lonely Planet travel festival that will transform Rimini into a terrace on the world on the weekend of 8-9-10 June.
2. Cantabria, Spain
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Bay of Santander
Wild land, sandy, with hidden beaches among the rocks, which welcomes enchanting villages like Santillana del Mar and Comillas, churches standing in time set in the sandstones of the Ebro delta, caves rich in the best prehistoric art of Europe, the port of Santander and cultural centers in turmoil. The region is also home to Spain’s oldest national park, Picos de Europa.
3. Friesland, Holland
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Canals of Leeuwarden
The Netherlands is not just Amsterdam: the province of Friesland, with its capital Leeuwarden, presents an eclectic commercial offer and channels on which historic houses overlook. It will be this city the European Capital of Culture 2018. UNESCO World Heritage Site: the perfect place to take refuge among the green, the sand dunes and the endless beaches that enrich the landscape.
4. Kosovo
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Medieval Gracanica monastery in Kosovo
The tiny Kosovo, a destination in progress and growing, stands out among mountain ranges in the heart of the Balkans and this year celebrates 10 years of its independence. With the youngest average population in Europe, it offers majestic peaks and views overlooking spectacular landscapes. Every summer it hosts Dokufest, a film festival that takes place in the Ottoman city of Prizren. When trekking and festivals are over, you have to visit the beautiful vineyards and taste the good wines produced in the region.
5. Provence, France
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Simiane la Rotonde, village of Provence
Between lavender fields and olive groves, you can find relaxation in the villages and turquoise calanche. The chic Aix-en-Provence and bustling Marseille will welcome you with their trendy bars, starred restaurants and local contemporary art. Art that continues to flourish with the opening of the exhibition spaces of the Carmignac Foundation on the island of Porquerolles, of the redeveloped factory of the Fondation Luma trains, in Arles.
6. Dundee, Scotland
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Dundee, Scotland
Dundee is a city facing the future, designed with a concrete corner structure designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site 2014, it houses a beautiful seafront promenade.
7. Small Cyclades, Greece
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Island of Koufonissi, Cyclades
The beauty of the Little Cyclades lies in simplicity, in the taverns on the beach, in the slowness with which one faces life and in the sense of eternity in the air. In particular, the island of Koufonisia grows, with its beaches and the long, whitewashed main street overlooked by restaurants and cafes.
8. Vilnius, Lithuania
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Vilnius, Lithuania
The Lithuanian capital tells a fascinating but tormented story, with its baroque historical center and the painful memories of the Jewish ghetto. However, it is a young and energetic city: the Užupis artists’ quarter has been reborn and boasts new creative spaces, while the thriving microbrewery scene is paired with restaurants inspired by the new Nordic cuisine. In this 2018, moreover, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lithuanian independence with a program that lasts all year and includes an interesting music festival that takes place in July.
9. Vipava Valley, Slovenia
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Landscape of Vipava, Slovenia
With its terracotta villages and its gothic spirals, surrounded by vineyards and hills, the Vipava Valley is reminiscent of rural Tuscany. Homeland of good wine, it is easily explored by bicycle following the quiet paths between vineyards and cellars open for tastings.
10. Tirana, Albania
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Skanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania
With its location between the Adriatic coast and the Albanian Alps, Tirana is a rising and transforming metropolis with its colorful buildings, streets full of bicycles and large green spaces, which can also be enjoyed by cable car. Try the slow food of local taverns and cocktail lounges and high fashion boutiques in the most fashionable areas.