Latest News
Denmark:
18.04.2024 New hotel in Central Copenhagen
New hotel Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn will act as a blueprint for the Fairfield by Marriott design across Europe. OCCA Design Studio collaborated with Scandinavian-based Mette Fredskild Design and Henning Larsen Architects to amplify the design locally and fully capture the essence of Danish “hygge” for travellers seeking comfort and balance while visiting the city. The design of the hotel’s public spaces and 222 guestrooms, 20 of which offer sea views, draws upon a soothing palette of natural colours and materials, including green tones and wood, alongside a mix of soft organic and simple geometric forms to create a calming atmosphere for guests. Guestrooms feature comfortable beds, a shower, complimentary Wi-Fi and mobile desk spaces to suit both business and leisure travellers.
Scandinavia:
18.04.2024 Travel times cut between Central Europe and Scandinavia
Soon Denmark and Germany will be connected by the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, an 18 kilometre underwater tunnel, the longest combined rail and road tunnel in the world when it is completed in 2029. A €10 billion project, the tunnel crosses the Baltic Sea at a point known as the Fehmarn Belt, it will connect Rødbyhavn on the Danish island of Lolland and Puttgarden in northern Germany. Exciting news for travellers and rail enthusiasts!
Ireland:
18.04.2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024
Dublin (Ireland) has proudly secured the title of the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024. The European Capital of Smart Tourism recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories; sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity. Beating 30 candidates who submitted their proposals to a European Jury, five other cities were shortlisted; Cork (Ireland), Bremerhaven (Germany), Genoa (Italy), Helsingborg (Sweden), and San Sebastián (Spain).
Europe:
27.11.23 European Capitals of Culture
The following will be showcasing their cities in 2024:
Norway – Bodo, known for its breath-taking natural landscape. The city serves as an important transport hub in northern Norway and as an entrance to the Lofoten Islands. The cultural programme starts on 3 February 2024 and includes over 200 events, including music, dance, theatre, art, gastronomy, literature and outdoor activities.
Estonia – Tartu is home to the University of Tartuensis, one of the oldest in Northern Europe, and a cultural centre with theatres, museums and galleries. All planned events and happenings are built around these four central themes: Earth, Humanity, Europe and Universe.
Austria – Bad Ischl hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year. Whether jazz, operetta, poetry, boogie & blues or Irish-Celtic folk – Bad Ischl is a centre for cultural events of all kinds. Local customs are also not neglected and are celebrated several times a year in an incomparable way.
Italy:
01.11.23 Venice: New Hotels
A new 144 room hotel in the Dorsoduro opens its doors, ideal for groups, a contemporary building with impressive glass façade alongside ancient canals and bridges, close to great restaurants, art galleries, the Gallerie dell’Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
The new 43 room (including 13 Suites) Nolinski Venezia by EVOK, will be housed in Venice’s former stock exchange, a historic building close to stores such as Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, and Giorgio Armani. The hotel, just a 5 minute walk from Piazza san Marco, offers a Spa, Cocktail Bar and Restaurant.
The 32 room canal-front boutique hotel Violino D’Oro, considered one of the best new luxury hotels to open in 2023, is housed in a painstakingly restored palazzo not far from the Nolinski Venezia. You’ll find exquisite design – the signature Venetian seminato floors are handmade by a local artisanal family, and the hotel’s vegetarian-friendly restaurant, Il Piccolo, features “enchanted Richard Ginori ceramics and soft Rubelli cushions.” With just nine tables, you must book Il Piccolo ahead.
Murano island will have to wait a few years for the much anticipated 133 room Langham Venice Resort, first expected in 2023 it is now scheduled to start welcoming guests in 2026. To be constructed in a 16th-century casino and former glass factory, serious renovations are required.
Latvia:
18.11.2023 Riga has been named the cheapest destination in Europe for a trip to the Christmas markets for the fifth time in a row.
Iceland:
18.11.2023 Iceland volcano eruption warning forces residents in Grindavik to evacuate as state of emergency declared. Hagafell is considered a prime location for an eruption.
Ukraine:
07.11.2024 Ukraine will work with its immediate regional neighbours to kick-start efforts to restore its image as an attractive tourist destination, once its war with Russia, prompted by Russia’s invasion last year, draws to a close. Despite the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine is already actively promoting its tourism credentials and working at a local level to rebuild key tourism infrastructure.
Finland:
15.11.2023 As part of a monumental project, the National Museum of Finland in Helsinki is undergoing its most extensive renovation in a century, marking a significant milestone in the museum’s history. The construction phase, which is due to start immediately, is expected to be completed by 2026.
Finland:
15.11.2023 Helsinki’s world-first computer-themed playground. Helsinki creates a unique play space where children can dive into the world of computers and coding while having a blast. Designed in collaboration with coding author Linda Liukas, this innovative playground is set to open in September 2024
Germany:
Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s busiest flight hubs, will soon be the first in Europe to offer facial recognition services as part of the check-in process for all outgoing air passengers. The official term for the digitalized procedure is ‘biometric check-in’. To access the service, passengers must first register in advance through the Star Alliance biometric app, or alternatively, at the check-in kiosk with their biometric-enabled passports.
Egypt:
04.09.2023 There are plans to construct a new passenger Terminal at Cairo International Airport. As part of the Egyptian government’s strategy to enhance airports and expand their capabilities, the objective is to bring in up to 30
million tourists to Egypt by 2028.
Estonia:
Tartu, Estonia’s historic university town, is awarded European Capital of Culture 2024. A range of events will showcase Estonia’s second-largest town, situated approximately 180 km south of Tallinn. The city has an attractive Bohemian vibe and has been at the forefront of Estonia’s scientific progress across centuries. Events will take place in the large central park ‘Toomemägi’ and visitors will love the quaint cafes and the river Emajõgi that passes through Tartu.
Croatia:
01 Jan 2023 – Croatia is now in the Schengen zone and has joined the Eurozone, adopting the Euro as its official currency.
Estonia:
Michelin Stars : Two restaurants have been awarded a prestigious Michelin Star for their outstanding cuisine.
NOA Chef’s Hall
in Tallinn is set within a striking modern building (where you’ll also find restaurant NOA). Guests are invited to start their evening with an aperitif served in a romantic lounge with a splendid view of Tallinn Bay and the Gulf of Finland.
The stylish yet relaxed 180° by Matthias Diether sits within a modern harbour development a couple of miles outside Tallinn city centre and is named after the 180° view from its U-shaped open kitchen.
Uzbekistan: 2023
Accor to open the first Ibis hotel in Tashkent following the planned opening of Mercure Tashkent in late 2022. being announced recently and scheduled for opening later this year. The six storey hotel with 150 rooms will be a short drive from the airport and in walking distance of the metro.
Croatia opens Peljesac Bridge, bypassing Bosnia to ease Dubrovnik access
26.07.22 Croatia officially opened the Peljesac Bridge, connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic coast divided by Bosnian territory.
Pedestrians showed up early to walk the bridge before it was scheduled to be turned over to vehicular traffic later in the evening.
The 2.4-kilometer-long (1.5 mile) cable-stayed bridge was built at a cost of €526 million ($533 million), and its opening was billed “a historic moment” on HRT state television.
Norway: New National Museum in Oslo
The new National Museum is opening in Oslo in June 2022.
See collections from the National Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Norwegian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, all under one roof!
Norway: Explore the heavy water
From summer 2022, you can join an exclusive tour in the new heavy water cellar visitor centre at Vemork Power Plant, where Norwegian saboteurs carried out one of the best-known sabotage operation of World War II, preventing the development of nuclear weapons.
Poland: British bloggers impressed by the attractions of Kraków and the Tatras
Poland: POLIN MUSEUM IN WARSAW
Museum of the History of Polish Jews is a new, ultramodern cultural museum on the map of Warsaw. It is situated at 6 Mordechaja Danielewicza Street, a former Jewish district and also later on the Warsaw Ghetto. The museum is dedicated to all those who are interested in Jewish heritage and is a symbol of the breakthrough in Polish-Jewish relations during 1000 years of history from Medieval times to now. The museum can be visited by 800 guests at a time. POLIN is an impressive modern museum which you really must see during your visit in Warsaw.