The High Tatras mountain range in Slovakia has been named as the best place to visit in Europe in 2019 by a prestigious travel guide.
The region has topped Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe 2019 list, with well-travelled judges praising its ‘mythical landscape of crooked peaks and plunging waterfalls’, as well as the opportunity to spot rare brown bears, which ‘thrive in the wild rugged region’.
The UK’s northernmost point, the Shetland Islands, has also bagged a place on this year’s European hotlist, coming in at number six, with Lonely Planet describing the archipelago as ‘enchanting’.
The High Tatras mountain range in Slovakia has been named as the best place to visit in Europe in 2019. There you can spot the brown bear – a rare creature indeed in Europe
The UK’s northernmost point, the Shetland Islands, comes in at number six, with Lonely Planet describing the archipelago as ‘enchanting’. Pictured is a sandbar that connects St Ninian’s Isle with the mainland of the Shetland Islands
Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe is compiled annually by the travel company’s European experts to reveal their pick of the most exciting and underrated destinations to visit across the continent.
The unheralded High Tatras also impresses thanks to its hiking possibilities – ‘to the summit of Slovakia’s highest peak, Gerlach’ – boating on the glacial Strbske Pleso and traditional hospitality in high-altitude mountain huts (chaty).
Madrid has bagged the No2 spot, with the travel guide adventurers claiming that it is ‘springing back into step with renewed vigour’ and now boasts ‘one of the continent’s coolest nighttime streets’, Calle de Ponzano – a strip of standing-only tapas spots and minimalist cocktails bars.
Madrid has bagged the No2 spot, with the travel guide adventurers claiming that it is ‘springing back into step with renewed vigour’. Pictured is the Catedral de la Almudena and the Royal Palace
The newly founded Arctic Coast Way in Iceland also makes the podium, in third. It winds between 21 villages, explains Lonely Planet, and four islands along Iceland’s elemental north coast, ‘offering the best of Iceland minus the crowds’.
The province of Hercegovina, in the country of Bosnia and Hercegovina, which was hit by a devastating three-year war triggered by the break-up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, takes fourth place thanks to being ‘picture perfect’.
What to do there? Lonely Planet has some suggestions: ‘Potter around the streets of medieval Počitelj, explore the Vjetrenica karst wind tunnels, hike to the traditional mountain village of Lukomir, and take a trip along the Ciro cycling trail – all will provide a new perspective on this picture-perfect region.’
The Arctic Coast Way, a road which winds between 21 villages and four islands on Iceland’s north coast, has come third
Hercegovina, which was hit by a devastating three-year war triggered by the break-up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, takes fourth place thanks to being, in the words of the judges, ‘picture perfect’. Above, the medieval village of Počitelj
Bari in Italy sails in at fifth place. ‘It is enjoying a renaissance that’s been a decade in the making,’ says Lonely Planet
The once down-at-heel port city of Bari, in Italy, sails into fifth place thanks to a newfound ‘spring in its step’.
‘It is enjoying a renaissance that’s been a decade in the making,’ says Lonely Planet.
Sixth-place Shetland Islands, the guide book says, ‘is left largely to the hardiest of adventurers’. But it stresses: ‘Those who make the journey to this enchanting archipelago, which can be reached by plane, or an overnight ferry from Aberdeen, will be rewarded with awesome coastal trails, wicked wildlife watching, and fabled fish and chip shops.’
‘Beautiful’, ‘food-obsessed’ and ‘cultured’ Lyon, in France, takes seventh place.
The historical city, which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers, is set to become the new French darling of international visitors as it steps into the global spotlight as host of the finals of the Fifa Women’s World Cup in July.
The tiny 25km-long principality of Liechtenstein also made a big impression on judges. It walks in at eighth place.
Visitors can ramble around the entire country in a weekend thanks to the Liechtenstein Trail.
Created as part of this year’s celebrations marking 300 years since Liechtenstein became a sovereign nation, this scenic 75km (46 miles) hiking path ‘twists over peak and pasture’ through all 11 municipalities.
Nabbing the ninth spot in the Lonely Planet listing is Vevey, which is situated on Lake Geneva in Switzerland and considered to be one of the ‘Pearls of the Swiss Riviera’.
This June the town is set to host a three-week wine festival, Fête des Vignerons, which is only held once every 20 years.
Attendees are advised to line their stomachs at one of the Old Town’s myriad ‘quality eateries’, which offer everything from 20-course tasting menus to cheap-and-cheerful fondue.
A swim in the lake might be a good way to work it all off, suggest the judges.
‘Beautiful’, ‘food-obsessed’ and ‘cultured’ Lyon, in France, takes seventh place. Pictured is the Saint-Georges church on the banks of the Saone river
The tiny 25km-long principality of Liechtenstein made a big impression on judges. It walks in at eighth place. Above, a view of Vaduz Castle with snow-covered Alpine mountains behind
Nabbing the ninth spot in the Lonely Planet listing is Vevey, which is situated on Lake Geneva in Switzerland and considered to be one of the ‘Pearls of the Swiss Riviera’. This June the town is set to host a three-week wine festival, Fête des Vignerons. It’s held just once every 20 years
Rounding out Lonely Planet’s 2019 Best in Europe list is Istria in Croatia.
The peninsula, which is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf, was lauded by the experts for its historical sites, beaches, gourmet cycle tours, music festivals and truffle-hunting excursions.
Thanks to expanding European flight connections, this heart-shaped landmass is easier to reach than ever.
Beaches, history and great cuisine – Istria has something for everyone. It’s in tenth place on Lonely Planet’s 2019 Best in Europe list
A map showing the top 10 destinations to visit in Europe in 2019 according to prestigious travel guide Lonely Planet
Commenting on the list results, Lonely Planet spokesperson and VP of experience, Tom Hall, said: ‘Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe 2019 list showcases the European destinations which are worth planning a trip around right now.
‘From cultural city breaks to awe-inspiring scenery, buzzing foodie destinations and the best spots to escape the crowds, there are a wealth of experiences to be enjoyed across the continent this summer.
‘Whether they are firm holiday favourites that have something new to offer, or places you may never have come across, these destinations should be on any traveller’s wish list.’
