Top 10 European Destinations for 2019
According to Lonely Planet
Is Europe on your travel bucket list?
If so, check out the top 10 best places to visit in Europe in 2019, according to Lonely Planet’s travel experts. I highlight their top 3, High Tatras in Slovakia, Madrid, Spain and the Actic Coast Way in North Iceland, but you can see all 10 in brief in the slider at the bottom of this post.
Number 1: High Tatras, Slovakia
Top of the list is High Tatras in Slovakia. In this remote area, visitors “can see mountains, waterfalls and even brown bears, which have been eradicated from most other regions of Europe.”
The High Tatras or High Tatra Mountains, which are part of the Tatra Mountains chain, are located in the Prešov Region, along Slovakia’s northern border with southern Poland.
There are 5 airports that service the High Tatras area of Slovakia, including Bratislava and Košice in Slovakia and Kraków Balice in southern Poland. However, there are no direct flights from Canada. That shouldn’t stop you from visiting this region, with a stop in either Vienna, Austria or Prague, Czechia. You could even take a road trip from either of these beautiful cities.
Number 2: Madrid, Spain
Second on Lonely Planet’s list is Madrid, Spain, which “earns its place for its emphasis on sustainable living, bicycle lanes and rental schemes, wide footpaths and so much more.”
Madrid, as you probably know, is Spain’s capital, and is located in the centre of the country. The third largest city in the European Union, Madrid is an elegant city famous for its manicured parks and abudant art galleries.
Madrid is served by Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) with regular international non-stop flights from Toronto (YYZ) and connecting flights from other Canadian gateways.
Number 3: Arctic Coast Way, North Iceland
Taking the third spot is the new Arctic Coast Way, in North Iceland. This remote area of Iceland is the road less travelled and unexplored. The Actic Coast Way was “launched this year to bring travellers to the undiscovered coastline of North Iceland.”
Known as the land of fire and ice,” you’ll discover some of the world’s most active volcanos and Europe’s largest glaciers. In Iceland’s north, you’ll find a region of contrasts that includes fjords, long valleys and peninsulas, mountain ranges, lava fields and smooth hills, rivers and lakes, including the stunning Lake Mývatn. In the summer, you’ll also find lush vegetation as well as barren landscapes.
The area is rich in culture and history, with charming old towns, such as Akureyri, with its wooden houses more than a century old. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit museums that show Iceland’s appreciation for its fishing heritage and marine life as well as go whale watching.
Summer is a great time to visit Iceland especially the north when the midnight sun is awe-inspiring.
Iceland is served by Reykjavík–Keflavík International Airport (KEF) with non-stop flights from Toronto (YYZ) as well as Edmonton (YEG), Montreal (YUL) and Vancouver (YVR) and connecting flights from other Canadian gateways. To reach the north you can choose to rent a car or fly to one of the northern domestic airlines.
Another area of Iceland you might like that are off the beaten track is Látrabjarg, in the West Fjords area. You might also be interested in visiting Kirkjufell in Snaefellsness National Park, West Iceland, where you can see a mountain that looks like a church spire as well as a stunning waterfall.
The rest of Lonely Planet’s top 10 list are:
4. Hercegovina, Bosnia and Hercegovina
5. Bari, Italy
6. Shetland, Scotland
7. Lyon, France
8. Liechtenstein
9. Vevey, Switzerland
10. Istria, Croatia
Read the original article here.
Want to visit Europe this summer?
See all of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 European Destinations for 2019 below.
