Europe's Best Calmcations for 2026: Discover the Most Stress-Free Destinations for a Relaxing Escape

Tallinn, Estonia

As modern life becomes increasingly fast-paced, travellers are looking for holidays that offer more than sightseeing. They want peace, quiet and genuine opportunities to recharge. The latest travel trend for 2026 is the rise of the "calmcation" – holidays focused on relaxation, wellbeing and escaping the pressures of everyday life.

With one in six people reporting they feel stressed every day, and 76 per cent of travellers saying stress reduction is now their primary reason for taking a holiday, Europe's quieter cities are emerging as some of the world's most desirable destinations.

A comprehensive study by Vape and Go analysed almost 70 European cities, examining factors including walkability, green space, air quality, crime rates and noise pollution to identify the continent's most stress-free destinations.

The results reveal a fascinating collection of cities where tranquillity takes centre stage.

Why Calmcations Are the Biggest Travel Trend of 2026

Trondheim, Norway

Unlike traditional city breaks packed with busy sightseeing schedules, calmcations encourage travellers to slow down and reconnect with nature, local culture and themselves.

Instead of rushing between attractions, visitors spend time strolling through leafy parks, enjoying quiet waterfronts, relaxing in cafés, discovering local history and embracing a slower pace of life.

Many of Europe's smaller cities are perfectly suited to this style of travel, offering beautiful architecture, excellent public spaces and welcoming communities without the crowds found in many major capitals.

Tallinn, Estonia Tops Europe's Most Relaxing Destinations

Leading the rankings is Estonia's charming capital, Tallinn, with an impressive stress-free score of 92.8 out of 100.

Tallinn's beautifully preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers visitors cobbled streets, historic churches, boutique cafés and centuries of fascinating history within an exceptionally peaceful environment.

One of the city's biggest advantages is its remarkably low noise levels. Less than one per cent of residents experience significant road or rail noise during the night, making Tallinn one of Europe's quietest capitals.

Combined with low crime, good air quality and a relaxed atmosphere, Tallinn offers the ideal destination for travellers seeking genuine peace of mind.

Switzerland and Estonia Continue to Shine

Zurich

Zurich claims second place with its outstanding pedestrian-friendly streets and generous green spaces.

Visitors can explore much of the city on foot while enjoying lakeside promenades, beautifully maintained parks and spectacular alpine scenery nearby. Although Zurich recorded slightly higher air pollution than some other leading cities, its low noise levels and exceptional walkability make it one of Europe's finest urban escapes.

Estonia appears again in third place with Tartu, a vibrant university city known for its quiet streets, rich cultural heritage and relaxed lifestyle.

Tartu recorded the lowest daytime noise exposure among all cities ranked in the top ten, making it particularly attractive for travellers seeking uninterrupted tranquillity.

Scandinavia Offers Nature and Serenity

Trondheim

Norway's Trondheim ranks fourth, combining outstanding safety with more than 40 per cent green space coverage.

Although its walkability score is lower than some competitors, visitors enjoy beautiful riverside scenery, colourful historic buildings and easy access to spectacular Norwegian landscapes.

Finland's Tampere also makes the top ten, boasting the cleanest air of any city in the entire study.

Its pristine lakes, forests and relaxed Nordic atmosphere create an environment that naturally encourages visitors to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Hidden European Gems Worth Discovering

Rijeka 

Several lesser-known destinations performed exceptionally well in the rankings.

Lithuania's capital Vilnius offers impressive green spaces, attractive historic streets and relatively low noise levels, making it an increasingly popular alternative to Europe's busier capitals.

The Hague in the Netherlands achieved the highest safety rating of every city included in the research, making it particularly attractive for solo travellers and families seeking a worry-free holiday.

Croatia's coastal city of Rijeka combines Adriatic Sea views with generous green spaces and a laid-back waterfront atmosphere, while Slovenia's picturesque capital Ljubljana boasts the highest percentage of green space of any destination analysed.

Geneva, meanwhile, offers visitors one of Europe's most walkable cities, allowing tourists to explore lakeside parks, museums and elegant streets entirely on foot.

The Top 10 Most Stress-Free European Cities for 2026

1. Tallinn, Estonia – 92.8
2. Zurich, Switzerland – 88.1
3. Tartu, Estonia – 86.6
4. Trondheim, Norway – 84.8
5. Vilnius, Lithuania – 82.7
6. The Hague, Netherlands – 82.5
7. Rijeka, Croatia – 82.4
8. Geneva, Switzerland – 81.6
9. Tampere, Finland – 81.5
10. Ljubljana, Slovenia – 80.8

Europe's Most Stressful Cities

While many destinations excelled in creating peaceful urban environments, others scored considerably lower due to higher crime rates, heavier traffic, increased noise pollution and poorer air quality.

According to the study, the ten most stressful European destinations for travellers in 2026 are:

• Naples, Italy
• Antwerp, Belgium
• Bucharest, Romania
• Lyon, France
• Athens, Greece
• Thessaloniki, Greece
• Marseille, France
• Malmö, Sweden
• Birmingham, United Kingdom
• Milan, Italy

Naples ranked as Europe's most stressful city, primarily due to lower safety scores, higher crime levels and limited green space. Antwerp followed because of significant daytime noise, while Bucharest's combination of heavy traffic noise and poor air quality contributed to its low ranking.

Choosing a Holiday That Improves Your Wellbeing

Geneva

The growing popularity of calmcations reflects a changing attitude towards travel.

Increasingly, travellers are prioritising mental wellbeing alongside sightseeing, choosing destinations where they can walk peacefully, breathe cleaner air, enjoy beautiful parks and experience authentic local culture without overwhelming crowds.

Europe's highest-ranked calmcation destinations demonstrate that memorable holidays don't always require packed itineraries. Sometimes the greatest luxury is simply slowing down, enjoying beautiful surroundings and returning home feeling refreshed.

For travellers planning a European holiday in 2026, these peaceful cities offer the perfect opportunity to escape the pressures of everyday life while discovering some of the continent's most beautiful and underrated destinations.

Web Contact Details

Vape and Go Website: https://vapeandgo.co.uk/
Visit Estonia Website: https://visitestonia.com/
My Switzerland Website: https://www.myswitzerland.com/
Visit Norway Website: https://www.visitnorway.com/
Lithuania Travel Website: https://lithuania.travel/
Holland.com (The Hague) Website: https://www.holland.com/
Croatia Full of Life Website: https://croatia.hr/
Visit Finland Website: https://www.visitfinland.com/
I Feel Slovenia Website: https://www.slovenia.info/

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/

Christmas in Vilnius

The Vilnius Christmas tree

Vilnius, the capital city of the Baltic State of Lithuania, has a range of events and attractions during the festive season. 

The Vilnius Christmas tree 

The Vilnius Christmas tree is a popular gathering spot and the centrepiece of the city’s Christmas celebrations. 

Located in Cathedral Square, the annual Christmas market operates around the tree. 

The Christmas trees of Vilnius are famous for their original themes, and unique decorations. 

The 2022 tree was in the shape of a cake and 2023’s design will be kept secret until its unveiling on1 December 2023 

www.govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius/latesttips/the-mystery-of-vilnius-christmastree

A Christmas Market behind bars 

In addition to the main Christmas market, visitors can take in a Christmas Market in the former Lukiskes Prison. 

The Prison complex survived both World Wars and the Soviet occupation, operating from 1904 to 2019. 

The complex now hosts cultural, music and art events, with the gastronomy based Christmas markets being held 7 to 10 and 14 to 17 December 2023. 

www.govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius/former-lukiskesprison-a-space-for-art-and-creativity 

Ice skating 

An ice skating rink will be erected in the inner courtyard of Valdovu Rumai, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. 

Previously, the palace was a political, diplomatic, administrative and cultural centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. 

Liepkalnis Water Storage 

The historical underground water storage in the city is now a visitor attraction and for Christmas it’s set to feature a fire installations exhibition. 

Best Christmas decorations 

In Vilnius there’s a tradition where all the local businesses compete in a contest of the best Christmas decorations. 

www.govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius/latesttips/instagrammable-locations-in-vilniusduring-christmas

Vilnius is known for its baroque architecture, especially in its medieval Old Town. The buildings lining this district’s partially cobblestoned streets reflect diverse styles and eras, from the neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral to Gothic St. Anne's Church. 

* www.govilnius.lt/christmas-in-vilnius-2023 

* Leia Gill at leia@welcometoama.com

Vilnius launches Touch and Hear Vilnius Route

Vilnius

GoVilnius has launched sensory experiences for blind and visually impaired people living in and visiting Lithuania’s capital. 

A new city audio tour, the Touch and Hear Vilnius Route, with an audio guide has been devised for blind and visually impaired people, while available to all. 

It talks about the city’s history with descriptions to follow the route and where to find specific items of interest. 

Residents and visitors are also being encouraged volunteer on the Be My Eyes App, which works by alerting volunteers when a blind or visually impaired person needs assistance via video call. 

* www.govilnius.lt

* Leia Gill at leia@welcometoama.com

Booking.com Unveils the Traveller Review Awards 2023 Recipients and This Year’s Most Welcoming Destinations in Australia

Grampians Eco YHA

Booking.com today announced the recipients of its 11th annual Traveller Review Awards for 2023, with the Gold Coast placing 10th on the top 10 ‘Most Welcoming Cities on Earth’. Victorian towns, Port Campbell and Halls Gap took out first and second place in the top ten Most Welcoming Towns in Australia

This year’s Traveller Review Awards are based on a pool of over 240 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com with 1.36 million accommodation partners, 230 car rental providers and 58 airport taxi suppliers receiving an award in 2023, including 19,238 of these from Australia.

The ‘Most Welcoming Cities on Earth’ list spans across five continents and features hidden coastal gems, rural destinations surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. They have all been identified based on the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023 and provide even the most seasoned traveler with bucket list inspiration for their future trips.

2023’s Most Welcoming Cities On Earth:

1. Polignano a Mare, Italy
2. Hualien City, Taiwan
3. San Sebastián, Spain
4. Dresden, Germany
5. Klaipeda, Lithuania
6. York, UK
7. Ushuaia, Argentina
8. Porto De Galinhas, Brazil
9. Mexico City, Mexico
10. Gold Coast, Australia

For more about exploring and experiencing all these welcoming cities have to offer, check out this destination guide.

Booking.com has also revealed the ‘Most Welcoming Towns’ in the country based on the share of properties in each location receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2023.The awarded spots are spread across the country so, no matter where Aussies are planning their next holiday, they’re sure to receive a warm welcome.

2023’s Most Welcoming Towns in Australia:

1. Port Campbell, Victoria
2. Halls Gap, Victoria
3. Port Lincoln, South Australia
4. Toowoomba, Queensland
5. Montville, Queensland
6. Maleny, Queensland
7. Coles Bay, Tasmania
8. Denmark, Western Australia
9. Mildura, New South Wales
10. Margaret River Town, Western Australia

Melissa Ellison, Area Manager Australia for Booking.com said Australia’s achievements in this year’s awards highlight our country’s welcoming nature as borders opened and travel returned last year:

“It’s that personal attention to detail when checking in or sharing helpful recommendations to explore the destination like a local that demonstrates how our partners show up and shine for travelers in a multitude of ways each and every day. These awards are our way of thanking them for their dedication to making everyone feel welcome and to going out of their way to create incredible experiences for our customers.

Whether it’s a friendly greeting from a taxi driver at the airport, sharing some local driving tips at the car rental counter or a thoughtful note waiting in the room, our passionate partners help make every trip more special.”

“And, of course, a huge congrats to the GC for being highlighted as one of the most welcoming cities in the world, an outstanding achievement for our tourism industry,” says Ellison.

A more sustainable traveler experience

Nearly one in ten accommodation award recipients globally (122,095) have also been recognized with a Travel Sustainable badge for their efforts to operate more sustainably. In fact, Travel Sustainable accommodations were three times more likely to receive a Traveller Review Award 2023, compared to those not being recognized with a Travel Sustainable badge. Out of all accommodation types, hotels had the highest share of Travel Sustainable accommodations (15%) receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023.

Apartments and homes continue to shine as the most-awarded property type globally, apartments take the top spot for the sixth year in a row, with a grand total of 629,421 partners being recognized for their efforts in the 2023 edition of the Traveller Review Awards. For the very first time in the history of the awards, holiday homes (177,795) have claimed the second spot from hotels (172,036), with guest houses (91,635) and bed and breakfasts (78,247) rounding out the top five. In Australia, holiday homes took out the number one spot closely followed by apartments, with motels coming in third.

*Source: Holly Betts, Account Executive, Red Havas
t +61299637880  a 121 Harrington Street, Sydney NSW 2000  w redhavas.com.au

Water based destinations in Lithuania

Lithuania

Lithuania is one of three European Baltic states along with Estonia and Latvia. Located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea Lithuania has over 3,000 lakes and around 60,000 km of winding streams and rivers. 

The Fish’s Road culinary cruise 

There is now the chance to take trip out of Klaipėda, the country’s largest port city. 

The Fish’s Road culinary cruise sails a route through the Curonian Lagoon, the Nemunas Delta, the Minija River and the King Wilhelm Canal. 

Sailing through four waters guests board an electric catamaran, speedboats and types of ships, switching from one to the other during the journey. 

Classic seaside dishes made from the locally caught fish are served throughout the experience. www.ilzenbergas.lt/en/index.html 

Svencelė ; Lithuania’s kitesurfing capital

Svencelė, which is situated by the Curonian Lagoon attracts international kitesurfing enthusiasts and offers shallow waters and constant winds from April to October with increasing number of kitesurfing schools available. 

www.lithuania.travel/en/place/svencele-1 

Seaside resorts 

Nida is a seaside fisherman’s village turned holiday destination. In Trakai, an historic town, torch-lit night kayaking tours are available, offering views of the Trakai Island Castle at night. 

www.klasikiniailaivai.lt/saules-palydejimas-prie-didziosios-kopos/

www.lithuania.travel/en/place/trakai-1

Waterway routes between cities 

The Žalgiris boat departs from Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, and sails the Nemunas river to the small town of Zapyškis. 

There is also a route to the wellness resort town of Birštonas . 

Throughout the four-hour ride, travellers get can views of Kaunas lagoon regional park and Nemunas river. 

Those based in Vilnius can sail along the Neris river. 

www.visit.kaunas.lt/en/see-and-do/activities/boat-trips/boat-tripzalgiris www.lithuania.travel/en/place/birstonas-1 

www.vilnius-katamaran.lt/en 

Private island for two 

Lithuania is known for its forests, with woodlands covering almost a third of the country. 

There's the opportunity to take a kayak down the river Ūla in the the Dzūkija region with the chance to spot rare birds, such as the black stork or barn owls. 

The town of Molėtai, has a small network of private islands for rent in the surrounding lakes. 

One example is Apple Island where hundreds of apple trees that bloom with soft-pink pastels in late summer. 

On the nearby Bebrusai lake lies the island-camping site called Fisherman's Paradise. www.appleisland.lt 

www.ilankossodyba.lt/other-services/islands-for-rent 

www.lithuania.travel 

Lesser known European Christmas markets

Prague's Christmas markets

Many European towns and cities offer special outdoor Christmas markets during the festive season. 

These run from mid/late November to early January and have stalls selling handmade crafts and gifts with mulled wine,food and live music. 

Prague, Czech Republic 

Prague's Christmas markets are found around the Old Town Square, which is festooned with seasonal decorations and Christmas tree that dominates the centre of the square. 

While in the city, there's the chance to walk over Charles Bridge and up to the castle for views of the city.

www.visitczechrepublic.com/en-US/Things-toDo/Places/Experiences/Entertainment/s-praguewinter-fun 

Brno, Czech Republic 

The festive season in the Czech Republic's second city of Brno finds its cobblestone streets and colourful architecture inits city squares lined with decorations and Christmas markets. 

Zelný Trh, the Vegetable Market focuses on hand made crafts and traditional products. 

The square itself has a Baroque fountain, cathedral’s spires and historic buildings. 

Dominican Square has the city’s nativity scene, while Moravian Square has a large, heated marquee, ferris wheel, and outdoor skating rink. 

www.visitczechrepublic.com/enUS/News/2019/11/n-advent-czech-cities

Radol’ca Market Christmas

Radovljica, Julian Alps, Slovenia  

The northern Slovenian town of Radovljica has architecture dating back to the 16th and 17th century. 

Its festive celebrations start on St. Nicholas Weekend, in December, with the lighting of Linhart Square and the Radol’ca Market. 

www.book.julianalps.com/en/destinations/radovljica and 

www.julian-alps.com/en/p/julianaskitour/62466923/ 

Morzine, France 

Located in the Portes du Soleil with 650km of ski tracks, Morzine is part of the largest ski areas in the world. 

With snow guaranteed, the Christmas lights are switched on early December and, throughout the festive period there are firework displays and live music in the streets. 

www.seemorzine.com 

Kaunas Christmas

Kaunas, Lithuania 

Kaunas is located in south-central Lithuania, at the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas rivers. 

Kaunas Castle is a medieval fortress and near to the old town is the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica and the Gothic spires of the Hanseatic House of Perkūnas. 

The festive market celebrations in Kaunas take place in the two main streets of Laisves al and Vilniaus g. 

www.visit.kaunas.lt/en, www.kaunas2022.eu and www.kultura.kaunas.lt/en/events/view/istorijufestivalis-langas-i-zydu-gyvenima-kaune-ikiholokausto/6670 

Portimão, Portugal 

Portimão is a port city in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, known for its old quarter, the 17th century old church Igreja de Colégio, marina and proximity to many beaches. It also stages the Mercadinho de Natal, its Christmas fair. 

www.travel-in-portugal.com/portimao

Kraków, Poland 

The Kraków Christmas Market, located at Main Square, is a festive tradition in what was the former capital of Poland. 

The city offers well preserved, medieval architecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

www.poland.travel/en/travelinspirations/best-christmas-markets-inpoland 

Wrocław Christmas Market

Wrocław, Poland 

Wrocław is a city on the banks of the Oder River, in the southwest province of Lower Silesia. 

It has been influenced by Czech, German, and Polish culture. 

The Wrocław Christmas Market takes ove the four main areas of Market Square, Salt Square, Świdnicka Street, and Oławska Street.

www.poland.travel/en/cities/wroclaw and 

www.poland.travel/en/travel-inspirations/theamazing-winter-land

Leia Gill at Leia@welcometoama.com

Which car brand is tourists' top choice across the world?

Travelling along confusing roads in a brand new country can make driving abroad incredibly stressful, but is your favourite car the one that tourists are most likely to rely on?

DiscoverCars.com found exactly which brand of car tourists hire the most in almost each country across the world by reviewing rental data from 2014 to 2020.

The top car brand

Car Brand       Number of countries
Toyota            20
Volkswagen    20
Hyundai          10
Kia                  10
Renault             9

Speeding ahead at the top of the leaderboard are car brands Volkswagen and Toyota.

68% of people travelling to Lithuania are most likely to trust the German manufacturer to get them around on their holidays, with a fifth of all rentals being the VW Polo.

Norway (57% of rentals) and Latvia (51%) are the other two countries whose tourists choose the Volkswagen the most, with the VW Polo also being the most popular.

The three places whose tourists go for a Toyota most often are Colorado with 59% of people hiring the brand of car, and the Toyota Yaris made up 21% of these rentals.

Georgia (45%) in the USA and Thailand (52%) were the second most likely countries where tourists

The Toyota Corolla was most popular in Thailand (9%) and the Toyota Corolla Sedan was tourist’s top choice (30%).

Kia and Hyundai share second place with people travelling to Aruba, Bahrain and Curacao choosing a Kia.

84% of Aruba’s tourists chose the Kia; similarly, 83% of rentals in Bahrain were made up of Kias, and Curacao’s were 74%.

All three countries tourist’s favoured the Kia Picanto model too.

Hyundai’s popularity lies with tourists in Seychelles (74%), the Philippines (65%) and Panama (55%).

In Seychelles, the Hyundai i10 makes up 49% of all rentals, much like Panama, as 55% of tourists also favour this particular model.

However in the Philippines, the Hyundai Accent is most popular, as a huge 64% of tourists hiring a car were most likely to choose this model.

The car brand that is third most popular with tourists across the world, is the French manufacturer, Renault.

9 out of the 109 countries reviewed have Renault as the car brand most likely to be rented by international tourists!

Belarus (59%), Egypt (49%) and Guadeloupe (49%) were the top three countries whose tourists chose this car brand.

Tourists in Belarus and Egypt favour the Renault Logan the most as 56% of all rentals were made up of the car model in Belarus, and 39% in Egypt.

The Renault Twingo took centre stage in Guadeloupe, making up a third of rentals.

Aleksandrs Buraks from DiscoverCars.com said: “We wanted to see just how popular specific brands of vehicles are across the map, and we’re pleased to see such a variety!

“We like to think this data will perhaps encourage people to choose their rental car more confidently, and maybe branch out and try a new type of vehicle!”

Did your daily driver come up as one of the world’s favourite rental cars, or are you starting to rethink where your loyalty lies?

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
Tags: #ground transportation, #Africa, #Asia, #Pacific, Australia, #NewZealand, #CentralAmerica, #SouthAmerica, #Europe, #MiddleEast, #statistics, #trends, #survey

Ice cream flavours created in Lithuania

Lithuanian chefs are experimenting with natural flavours to create ice cream flavours with a local touch.

These include:

Pine needle ice cream : freshly harvested pine needles, sugar powder, and cream are the main ingredients, which smells like a Christmas tree. Peony ice cream : peony flowers are made into a syrup and mixed with cream. The petals turn the ice cream pink and make it smell like perfume. Carrot ice cream : when preparing this ice cream, chefs soak carrots in maple syrup, which gives them an caramel aftertaste.

Linden honey and dill oil ice cream : dill oil balances the sweetness of the honey and gives the ice cream a savoury quality. Seaweed and caviar ice cream : the taste is reminiscent of sushi. Spinach and tarragon ice cream : spinach is considered one of the healthiest vegetables and its combination with tarragon pleasantly surprises Beer ice cream : the Lithuanian Beer Academy says beer flavoured ice cream uses only dark beer because of his strong caramel aftertaste along with sugar and lemon juice

Rhubarb ice cream : rhubarb ice cream also contains leaves, sugar, water, orange peel, ginger, and salt. Beetroot ice cream :this has a deep, earthy aroma, purple colour and goes well with dark chocolate. Lavender ice cream : lavender petals are soaked overnight in vanilla ice cream to reveal the aroma. Quark and nettle ice cream : ice cream from these ingredients is fresh, reminiscent of green tea and healthy.

Rhubarb ice cream : rhubarb ice cream also contains leaves, sugar, water, orange peel, ginger, and salt. Beetroot ice cream :this has a deep, earthy aroma, purple colour and goes well with dark chocolate. Lavender ice cream : lavender petals are soaked overnight in vanilla ice cream to reveal the aroma. Quark and nettle ice cream : ice cream from these ingredients is fresh, reminiscent of green tea and healthy.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
• www.lithuania.travel/en/news/frosty-flavours-to-melt-for-ice-cream-map and www.lithuania.travel/en 

Hotels and holiday homes with an emphasis on sustainable practices

Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa, Indonesia
The Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa is located in the western part of Bali, which is relatively unknown as a tourist destination.

It consists of 18 traditional Balinese cottages, a luxury wooden villa ("Pondok Segara") with views of the beach and two suites, one for families and the other for honeymooners. www.dajuma.com and www.greenpearls.com/hotels/puri-dajuma- cottages-spa-resort

The ROMANTIC, Lithuania

The ROMANTIC Boutique Hotel & SPA is located in a building which, in 1841 was the first mechanical mill in the country and today it is one of the most important monuments in Lithuania. 

In 2002 the 4-star ROMANTIC Hotel was opened by Dalia Remeikaitė and her daughter Dovilė Šipelienė.

www.greenpearls.com/hotels/romantic-boutique-hotel-spa

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives 
The Eco-Luxury Resort is located 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport in Malé - the capital of the Republic of Maldives. The resort has 45 overwater villas made of wood and glass.

The nature of Valle Maira in Piedmont attracts hikers, nature lovers and winter sports enthusiasts and the Sagna Rotonda offers holiday apartments in traditional houses.

Gili Lankanfushi is located on a private coral island in the middle of a lagoon. 

www.gili-lankanfushi.com and www.greenpearls.com/hotels/gili-lankanfushi

Sagna Rotonda, Italy 
The nature of Valle Maira in Piedmont attracts hikers, nature lovers and winter sports enthusiasts and the Sagna Rotonda offers holiday apartments in traditional houses.
www.sagnarotonda.com/en and www.greenpearls.com/vacation-rentals/sagna-rotonda

Zeavola Resort, Thailand

Zeavola Resort, Thailand
The Zeavola Resort is located on Koh Phi Phi, in an archipelago of six islands. Phi Phi Island with its hilly landscape and towering cliffs is surrounded by beaches and emerald green sea. Back to simplicity and nature is the motto of the five-star resort, which is built like a typical fishing village and offers ‘barefoot luxury’ directly on the beach. www.zeavola.com and www.greenpearls.com/hotels/zeavola

Green Pearls
These properties are part of the Green Pearls portfolio of sustainable properties worldwide.

Green Pearls places an emphasis on sustainable tourism by looking to balance commercial interests with protecting the environment and local culture and improving the social balance in the regions where its properties are located.

Website: www.greenpearls.com

Vilnius: Amazing Wherever You Think It Is

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has launched a campaign making fun of its own obscurity among travel destinations globally.

The campaign : Vilnius: Amazing Wherever You Think It Is follows the city’s much remarked upon Vilnius - the G-spot of Europe. 

According to the 2019 study found that very few travellers knew more about the city than its name and an approximate location. 

A campaign-dedicated website will ask visitors to guess where Vilnius is for a chance of winning a trip to the city while being informed of reasons why Vilnius is ‘amazing’. 

Vilnius: Amazing Wherever You Think It Is created by Bechtle and Milzarajs ad agency.

• www.whereisvilnius.com and www.govilnius.lt 

• Gintarė Kavaliūnaitė at gintare.kavaliunaite@vilnius.lt

Definitely Different

If one section of this newsletter would best answer the question, “Do you have something different?” then this grouping of ideas is going to take some beating. From getting involved with your hands to getting up in the air to taking in nature, this mix of activities takes a very different path from the norm.

There is the buzz of working with bees in Copenhagen – becoming a honey thief for the day, learning all about bees, how they work and why we all need them. And sampling different honey tastes from the different districts around the city.

Make sure there are no sticky hands for the glass class of Istanbul. Learn the story of glass and how to make glass as you play with colourful pieces and old craft techniques. Take the piece you made home, as you do with the Batik workshop of Malaysia – enjoy the expression of painting that is both art and craft.

Paint in a very different way in Riga – take cans to the streets of the graffiti workshop and spray away in a safe, relaxed environment (all before taking a street art tour to compare how you did with the pros). Or play it cool and really break the ice, with ice carving (available all year round). You can also get a graffiti lesson in Zurich.

Hands are needed to drink in the Blind Bar of Budapest – only the waiters can see anything, equipped with a special device. The rest of the crowd has to find their way around this truly unique experience – and ignore the dark. All the better to head to the light then afterwards, hopping into a balloon and floating in air.

The experience turns around in Vilnius by starting the day off in a spectacular morning balloon flight – which is allowed to fly over the city itself. On landing, you can take the really very unique experience of commanding a tank and driving it round the Tankodrome tank.

Whether gentle or adrenaline, whether with nature or with art and crafts, light or dark, there is a range of really unusual things to entertain.

These and so many other different ideas are just part of our #euromictags itineraries series.

• BUZZ What’s the buzz about - Copenhagen
• GLASS WORKSHOP: DISCOVER YOUR HAND SKILLS - Istanbul
• BATIK WORKSHOP - Malaysiamal
• GRAFFITI WORKSHOP & STREET ART - Riga
• GRAFFITI WORKSHOP ZURICH SURROUNDINGS - Zurich
• BREAK THE ICE & CREATE YOUR ICE SCULPTURE - Riga
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• ENJOY SPECTACULAR MORNING FLIGHT WITH HOT AIR BALLOON - Vilnius
• TANK DRIVING EXPERIENCE - Vilnius

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Huw Tuckett, Executive Director
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Phone: +44 744 382 6607E-mail: h.tuckett@euromic.com

Thailand extends visa-on-arrival fee waiver

The Government had approved the extension of the visa-on-arrival fee waiver for citizens of 20 countries for another six months, until 31 October 2019. 20 Countries, namely Andora, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China including Taiwan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Top 20 countries for best public WiFi in 2015

Lithuania has emerged as the country providing the best public WiFi services, beating out wealthier nations such as Singapore and the United Kingdom, according to the results of a new survey based on users’ experiences. The speed and quality of public hotspots have been tested in 184 countries.

The Eastern European country has been investing heavily in free public WiFi that’s among the fastest in the world and this year was recorded at an average of 16.1 Mbps, the survey, carried out by UK-based tech watchdog Rotten WiFi, said. It was the second such annual survey and last year Lithuania also scooped the top spot.

Rotten WiFi, which has declared 2-nd December International Public WiFi Day, collates information on countries’ WiFi networks based on the real-life experiences of people travelling through them. Nearby Estonia took the second place for best public WiFi, with an average download speed of 14.8 Mbps, followed by Southeast Asian powerhouse Singapore in third, at 13.1 Mbps on average.

The UK landed in sixth place (11.7 Mbps), the same as last year, where as the US – where the Internet was largely developed and where most of the world’s biggest internet companies are located – dropped of Top 20 list.The majority of countries in the Top 20 are located in Europe, only couple in North America and one in Asia. The survey also recorded clients’ satisfaction with WiFi systems while travelling and this year satisfaction rank in the top list is 4 or 5 out of 10 based on NPS method.

Rotten WiFi co-founder Arturas Jonkus said it was important to identify which countries have the best, and worst, WiFi as it would serve to help develop networks and therefore make the experience better for people traveling around the world who increasingly rely on WiFi to stay connected with friends and family and do work on the go.

“It has become a tradition to announce the top countries with the best public WiFi. We are thankful for the users of our apps as they keep testing public WiFi and sharing it with others. We believe this will help to improve public WiFi services worldwide,” he said.

News from the Baltic States...

Autumn in Baltic countries does not mean cold, rainy or muddy. It means unbelievable beautiful nature, fog all over the grain fields, raising sun through dew drops and of course wide range of cultural events in cities!

Baltic Travel Group provides programs to combine business trips and meetings with cultural events that Baltic States can offer. 

Contact our offices in Vilnius, Riga or Tallinn and we will be happy to surprise you with fresh ideas.
We believe that the Sky is NOT the limit!

“Brodsky/Baryshnikov” in Riga, October - November

Mikhail Baryshnikov (born in Riga, Latvia in 1948) is a Russian-American ballet dancer who choreographed several iconic pieces which have made him one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. This beautiful show will be in Riga in October and November 2015.

Mikhail Baryshnikov will perform in a new solo work based on the poems of Joseph Brodsky, created for him by AlvisHermanis, the director of the New Riga Theater in Riga, Latvia. Called “Brodsky/Baryshnikov,” the piece will have its premiere in Riga on Oct. 15. A tour to the United States, as part of an international tour, is planned for 2016. Hermanis and Baryshnikov will take us into an imagined world to viscerally experience Brodsky’s complicated, lyrical and potent wordplay. Spoken in Mr. Brodsky’s mother tongue, Brodsky/BaryShnikov will try, through spoken word and movement, to reproduce the poet’s versatile spiritual world filled with high meaning and true emotions.

28th International Vilnius Jazz Festival, October 15th – 18th

The Vilnius Jazz Festival represents the city's oldest continued jazz event. Scores of famous jazz artists get clubs swinging, rocking and jiving to classic and novel tunes. The festival has earned itself a reputation as the birthplace of avant-garde jazz, in which the limits of this genre are constantly being pushed. As the city is a hub for academic, ethnic, rock and industrial musicians, such creativity comes as no surprise.

Founded in 1987, Vilnius Jazz is the oldest annual jazz festival held in Vilnius. Attracting an audience of around 7000 each year, Vilnius Jazz has played a formative role for several generations of jazz fans. It is an exceptional event in Lithuania, providing a broad perspective on contemporary trends in jazz from all over the world.

The International Vilnius Jazz Festival is renowned for its creative and ambitious programmes featuring some of the biggest names on the international jazz scene alongside the best of Lithuanian talent.

It has also to its credit helped develop local players who have then moved onto performing in other European venues and international jazz groups. Vilnius Jazz is also inextricably linked with the development of a distinctive Vilnius jazz school. Recognised as one of the most important signposts in Eastern Europe, Vilnius Jazz remains devoted to nurturing and promoting the living tradition of improvised music in Lithuania.

Convene in Vilnius, 10th – 11th February 2016

A live meetings industry market place for the countries of the Baltic Sea region.

CONVENE is an annual business to business two day event for the meetings industry for the countries of the Baltic. It is an international show case for the regional meetings industry which accelerates the interest in, and demand for, holding meetings, incentives and conferences in the region.

Launched by Vilnius Convention Bureau the event every year offers a fully hosted buyer program which accommodates 160+ qualified buyers from whole Europe.

Up to 100 exhibitors including convention bureaus, hotels, conference centers, special venues, DMCs, PCOs, specialist suppliers from Lithuania and seven other countries of the region (Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia Finland, Sweden, Denmark) are showcasing their meeting products and services. There are also guest country exhibitors from Ukraine and Belarus. The event is supported by a major professional education program and a series of high quality business networking events.

CONVENE as well offers a number of fam tours to Lithuania and neighboring destinations that wish to host the international buyers attending the event.

With a strong focus on education and knowledge, CONVENE aims to equip the buyer and supplier communities with the tools to create more effective meetings and events.

Baltic Travel Group is proud to be an organising partner in this business to business event.

For more information, please contact Mr. Vlad Koriagin at baltic@euromic.com