Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Top 5 destinations: Europe Put these captivating and sensational cities on your must-visit list
Put these sensational cities and captivating corners of the continent on your must-visit list
1 PIEDMONT, ITALY
Why go there? This area in the northwestern corner of Italy has been picked as the top region to visit in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2019 list. Not only scenic, the area is known for slow food and fine wine.
Must do? Head to the Biblioteca Reale di Torino (Royal Library of Turin) on the ground floor of the Royal Palace to view a self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci. museireali.beniculturali. it/biblioteca-reale/
Dish to try? Piedmont is not only famous for its wines and cheeses (and Nutella) – white truffles are also in abundance. Head to Alba in October and November for the White Truffle Fair. fieradeltartufo.org/en/ Where to stay? Bed down at the NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina in Turin. It’s central, modern and has a restaurant serving delicious Piedmontese cuisine. nh-collection.com/hotel/nhcollection-torino-piazza-carlina
Tell me more italia.it/en/ discover-italy/piedmont.html
2 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Why go there? The Scandinavian capital of style oozes chic, from boutiques to department stores and cool cafes. Plus it’s the home of ABBA The Museum, which is a must-see for an Aussie music fan! Must do? Go directly to ABBA The Museum where you can dance with hologram versions of the Swedish Fab Four, as well as record your own version of one of their hits and see all the associated memorabilia. abbathemuseum.com
Dish to try? Make your way to the rooftop of NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) department store for lunch with a view. Choose from specialties such as meatballs and herring, as well as a great choice of salads.
Where to stay? The centrally located Haymarket by Scandic is housed in an iconic 1920s former department store (where Greta Garbo once worked) and the hotel has recently gone through a refurbishment in the style of the Roaring Twenties. scandichotels.com
Tell me more visitstockholm.com
3 SEVILLE, SPAIN
Why go there? Flamenco dancing, historic cathedrals, tempting tapas at every turn: this city in the south of Spain is bursting with energy.
Must do? Be sure to visit the Real Alcázar. Not only is the architecture incredible, it was a backdrop in the TV show Game of Thrones. It’s popular, so best to book in advance. alcazarsevilla.org/english-version/ Dish to try? Take a guided tour to sample the cuisine at Seville’s tapas bars (you can never get enough jamón!) with Not Just a Tourist. notjustatourist.com Where to stay? Book into the new boutique hotel Triana House. Its three rooms are super stylish with luxurious textures. Think black and white marble floors, boldly patterned fabrics and velvet touches. trianahouse.com Tell me more visitasevilla.es/en
4 EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Why go there? A city of history and heritage, Scotland’s capital is also home to incredible festivals and culture (and Hogmanay and haggis).
Must do? See history up close through Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal in history, as well as a giant T. Rex at Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland. nms.ac.uk/national-museumof-scotland/
Dish to try? Set at the foot of Calton Hill on Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace Gardens, the Gardener’s Cottage is
Soak up the scenery and enjoy the energy of Seville — and eat all of the tapas!
not only a spectacular setting, its fresh, seasonal menu is a revelation. Try Poached Partridge Breast with pancetta and bread sauce. thegardenerscottage.co Where to stay? The Inn on the Mile (that’s the Royal Mile) is as central as you can get, yet also offers a boutique feel. The newly refurbished rooms are light and airy, and bathrooms have deep tubs and rainfall-style showers. Plus, there’s a pub below for a pre-exploring pint. theinnonthemile.co.uk
Tell me more edinburgh.org; visitbritain.com
5 TALLINN, ESTONIA
Why go there? The cobblestoned streets of the Unesco-listed Old Town are not only a delight to walk around, the capital of Estonia also has a renewed energy from an upand-coming creative community.
Must do? Being on the border with Russia and Scandinavia, Tallinn has been through a chequered past. Visit the Great Guild Hall where the Estonian History Museum is housed and see the permanent exhibition Spirit of Survival, which features 11,000 years of Estonian history. visitestonia.com
Dish to try? Try a sprat sandwich: rye bread, sprat (a fish found in the Baltic Sea), a boiled egg and some sauce. It’s delicious.
Where to stay? Stay at the Hotel Telegraaf. Its Restaurant Tchaikovsky has incredible blinis and pavlova. telegraafhotel.com Tell me more visittallinn.ee ■