The travel guide Lonely Planet has issued its 2016 list of “best in Europe” locations.
Portugal does not feature among the top ten and the closest destination is Extremadura in Spain which ranked number seven.
Spain was popular with the guide because this year it has two leading destinations. The east coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands was given eighth spot.
Lonely Planet directed people first and foremost to the Greek Peloponnese peninsula which occupies the southern region of the mainland. A land with prehistoric roots and steeped in myth, visitors can find rugged mountains and fascinating scenery as well as historic sites such as Olympia and Mycenae and the Nemean wine region.
The city of Aarhus in Denmark was awarded second best place to visit. It will be European Capital of Culture next year, as well as European Region of Gastronomy and offers visitors an array of museums, restaurants and a Latin Quarter which hugs the harbour front.
Venice, perhaps surprisingly, placed third. Its waterways, squares, palaces and cathedral are already well known and have been on the “must see” list since the days of the Grand Tour and there are times today when tourist numbers are double that of residents
The Dordogne region of France was singled out for “its rich food, heady history, chateau studded countryside and picturesque villages”. Prehistoric cave art and a host of castles, churches and fortresses offer further interest.
Fifth place was given to Lviv, Ukraine for its historic cobbled streets, coffee houses and quaint trams.
The remaining accolades were given to
6 Warwickshire, England
7 Extremadura, Spain
8 East coast Tenerife, Canaries
9 Texel island, the Netherlands
10 Northern Dalmatia, Croatia
