As the year comes to a close, travelers around the world are reflecting on their best and worst experiences. From travel hotspots to hidden gems, the destinations may not be what you would expect.
Europe’s Best Island Destination
Bored with the sun-soaked islands of the Mediterranean, this year’s Wanderlust Travel Awards looked north. A world away from the usual tourist hotspots of Spain and Greece, UK travelers have embraced the cloudy skies of neighboring Ireland.
According to the popular UK travel site Wanderlust, Ireland has got it all. “Marking the western edge of the continent, the Emerald Isle calls out to travelers looking for fantastic natural landscapes, historic cities, and epic road trips to connect it all,” the editor said of the win.
“Its capital Dublin, sitting on the east coast, is known for being the home to Guinness – best experienced in the cobbled riverside neighborhood of Temple Bar,” Wanderlust said. “While the Wild Atlantic Way is a fantastic tourist trail stretching 2,500 km along the entire western coastline of Ireland, linking County Donegal to County Cork.”
Island Hotspots Across Europe
With Ireland ranking as the number one European island destination, who were the runner-ups?
Here’s a quick look at the top ten islands of Europe, starting with the best.
- Ireland
- Malta
- Crete
- Sicily
- Madeira
- Spitsbergen
- Hvar
- Isle of Skye
- Tenerife
- Jersey
Top Destination In Europe
Taking the top spot as Wanderlust’s Most Desirable Country in Europe, Greece reigned supreme. From the historic wonders of Athens and Olympia to the hundreds of tropical islands dotting the Greek Seas, this place is a real crowd-pleaser.
Greece saw a recording-breaking number of international arrivals in July 2022 and they’re gearing up for even bigger numbers in 2023. Not loving the idea of crowded tourist hotspots? On the other side of the spectrum, Moldova and Liechtenstein topped 2022’s list of the least visited places in Europe.
World’s Best Travel Destination
With Ireland as the best European island and Greece as the number one all-around winner from the continent, what about the rest of the world?
Pulling in more votes than any other country in the world, Costa Rica topped the list of Wanderlust readers’ favorite destinations. Leading the way in eco-tourism and boasting 98 percent renewable energy nationwide, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Thanks to its half a million animal species, immaculate beaches, and world-class surfing, voters heralded this Central American country as the perfect name-your-own-adventure spot.
