The World Travel Awards have announced the winners of this year’s best travel options in Europe.
The categories include best adventure destination, best beach resort, and best city break.
Founded in 1993 World Travel Awards locate the best tourism experiences and guarantee you great tips for your next big trip.
We take a look at some of the most exciting winners from this year’s European categories.
Europe’s leading adventure tourism destination: the Azores
The Azores, an archipelago far off the coast of Portugal, have won the award as the best destination for adventure tourism two years in a row.
In addition, the Azores have been nominated for a number of other exciting awards, including: Leading Dive Destination, Responsible Tourism Award and Leading Island Destination.
It’s not hard to see why. There is something for every adventurer in the Azores.
Whether you want to spend a day outside Whale watching in a boat, hike to find caves and waterfalls, or just sit back and relax in a naturally heated rock pool; The volcanic islands will delight your inner daredevil.
Europe’s leading beach resort: Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, Greece
Also the winner for the Leading Luxury Villa Resort, the Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas in Crete, Greece is the ideal vacation spot for those who love the good life.
With two private sandy beaches, a huge pool with sea views, five restaurants, four bars, nine sports fields and a luxurious spa, you can bathe in luxury around the clock.
Located on the coast of Crete, when guests are not in the 5-star hotel, they are only 7 km from the historic town of Agios Nikolaos, where the Hellenic legend claims that Athens and Artemis bathed.
Europe’s leading city break destination: St. Petersburg, Russia
Russia’s second largest city, St. Petersburg, is the perfect place to bite into a piece of Soviet history with a tasty serving of beef stroganoff.
No visit to St. Petersburg is complete without seeing the Hermitage. The Winter Palace Collection is known worldwide for its fund of fine arts as well as Roman and Greek antiques.
Other top sights include the Church of the Resurrection and a trip to Pushkinskaya 10, a squat home of the city’s independent artists.
Europe’s leading cultural destination: Azerbaijan
Do you fancy something else? A trip to Baku might be fine.
Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea and is a melting pot of the two continents that it spans. Europe and Asia.
As a former Soviet and Muslim country, you’ll find a mix of Islamic culture and remnants of the country’s time under the rule of the USSR. That means delicious tea and a dash of vodka on the side.
The capital Baku is now even hosting an annual Formula 1 race for all adrenaline junkies looking for a front seat for the world’s fastest cars.
Europe’s leading green hotel: Naturhotel Leitlhof, Italy
Are you looking for environmentally conscious accommodation? Look no further than that Nature hotel Leitlhof in the northern Dolomites of Italy.
While enjoying the panoramic mountain views, you can soak up the natural surroundings knowing that the hotel is completely sustainable and climate neutral.
Not only do they generate their own electricity through a combined heat and power plant, which is fed from their sustainable forest, but all of their food comes from the region. Including our own cattle ranch, with delicious dishes prepared by top chef Markus Auer.
