Forget the overpriced Parisian bistros and clichéd macaroons. Europe hides culinary capitals where you'll eat incomparably better, more authentically for your money, and without endless lines of tourists.
Destinations
Forget the tourist crowds of Rome, Venice and Florence. Italy hides small towns by the lakes, the sea and among the hills where time slows down, espresso tastes better and the views are almost shamelessly photogenic.
Tired of searching for that mythical "quiet corner" on the Adriatic where you won't be run over by hordes of tourists with selfie sticks? The year 2026 calls for a smarter approach. Forget the commercial beaches and indulge in places where the pine trees still smell, where the sea is absurdly turquoise, and where you can actually relax. Here are 10 hidden villages that will restore your faith in that true Mediterranean fairy tale.
Admit it: those generic infinity pool cocktail photos are getting a little... 2019, aren't they? In 2026, the definition of true luxury is changing drastically. It's no longer about how expensive your five-star resort is, but how high you climbed to catch that perfect sunrise, and, let's face it, how much you sweated. The "gorpcore" aesthetic has not only taken over the runways from Milan to New York, but has finally invaded our travel plans. If you don't have at least one mountaintop photo where you look simultaneously exhausted, muddy, and euphoric, have you even traveled? The travel industry is undergoing a tectonic shift—literally.
Forget the stuffy Alpine villages where you get sidetracked if you don't have the latest ski gear. Livigno is the cool, laid-back cousin of European ski resorts, one that doesn't try too hard but still steals the show. Nestled in the embrace of Lombardy, cut off from the world by long tunnels, yet at the heart of everything the modern traveler wants: top-notch snow, duty-free shopping and Italian charm that melts even the most stubborn ice.
Forget the overcrowded and overly expensive Alps. This year, true hedonists are heading further east. Slovakia offers the perfect compromise: the Jasná ski resort for adrenaline junkies and the Bešeňová thermal park for those who prefer to sip cocktails in warm water. Add a luxury hotel and you have the recipe for a perfect winter break. Get your skis and your best swimsuits ready, because an unforgettable adventure awaits you!
Let's face it, camping is romantic in theory. In practice, it often means sleeping on a tree stump, battling mosquitoes with vampire appetites, and smelling like a damp dog. But then there's the Airstream. It's not camping. It's the land-based equivalent of flying in a private jet. And their new model, the Airstream World Traveler 2026, just solved the biggest problem with American trailers—they're no longer fat.
Forget Agatha Christie and the dark intrigues of sleeping cars; the Orient Express is taking to the seas and, let’s face it, Hercule Poirot would happily wet his waxed moustache with this luxury. Introducing the Corinthian, a sea monster of sophistication that promises to completely shatter your previous notion of a cruise – the one with the bad buffet and the crowded pool. Is it a sailboat? Is it a superyacht? Is it a floating hotel that’s more chic than your apartment? Is it all of these. Get your sunglasses and credit cards ready.
Rome is an eternal city, but the time to visit it is anything but eternal – especially if you enter it without a plan, like we did. We naively believed that while having coffee in the sun, we would just casually pop into a museum, stop for pizza in the Vatican on the way, and in the evening spontaneously choose a romantic restaurant with a view. Spoiler: we didn't. Hence this entry – for all of you who haven't been to Rome (yet) and would like to enjoy it there, not just cruise wearily through the mistakes we made.
Ah, Sorrento – here I am now, in this October time of 2025, as autumn slowly turns to winter, and I say to myself: “Why would I ever go home?” It’s not just another seaside village in southern Italy; it’s like an old love that surprises you with a new trick, now without the summer madness. I came for the view of Vesuvius, and I’ll leave with the taste of lemons and memories that smell of salt. If you’re looking for a place where time moves slowly but the heart beats faster – especially now, when the crowds are bearable and the weather is still lovely – you’ve found the right one.
The Maltese capital, Valletta, has been crowned the best place to live in Europe by Condé Nast Traveller magazine for 2025. But is life in this sunny Mediterranean gem really like a postcard – or does it come at a price (hint: it does, and it’s a real one)?
Rome – a city where history whispers from every street, where classical ruins and Renaissance masterpieces intertwine with Vespa and the smell of espresso. And if you only have 48 hours? No worries, we have prepared the perfect must-see tour that will reveal the greatest charms of Rome and the Vatican - without unnecessary stress, but with plenty of “Mamma mia!” moments.