Sydney hotel won't win any beauty awards, but it's all about location
The room is compact but functional enough, though something that bothered me last time – the desk sitting directly under the large TV screen – remains the same. The bathroom is also on the smallish side, with no bathtub, but at least it is an actual room with a door on it, unlike so many other modern hotel bathrooms. Toiletries are from Thankyou in large re-fillable bottles (though there's no moisturiser).
Like many hotels these days, guests are encouraged to forego daily servicing ostensibly for sustainability reasons (though it also saves the hotel money, of course). However, in a nice touch, Rydges actually rewards guests with a $10 credit for food and drink every time they skip servicing.
The food
The restaurant remains the same as it was as the Tank Stream – Le Petit Flot, which features a French menu with Japanese flourishes, such as wagyu tartare, barramundi with seaweed butter or beef cheek with red wine miso jus. A new addition is the wine bar Poco off the lobby, with Italian-influenced share plates. Breakfast at Le Petit Flot is a standard buffet with all the items you'd expect.
Stepping out
You're in the heart of the CBD, with the emphasis on the B, so you won't find many attractions on your doorstep, but there is a multitude within a short walk. One of the closest is the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at Circular Quay.
The verdict
While its original design limits what any brand can do with the building, Rydges has done a decent job of sprucing up the property.
The central location means the best of the city is on your doorstep or at least a short walk or train/tram ride away.
Lowlight
My bed is rather noisy when getting up and down. It doesn't bother me too much but might bother couples (particularly amorous ones).
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West Australian
16 hours ago
- West Australian
Noema, a new Bali resort, marries art with a family focus
It's become truly hard to stand out in Bali's crowded tourist-focused south-western enclave of Canggu, but sometimes it's still possible to find a good surprise. Noema Pererenan Resort, part of Indonesia's own JHL Collection of hotels, is the first resort-style property in the popular namesake beach, set within a 10-minute walk (700m) from the black sand Pererenan Beach and a couple of minutes away from its strip filled with high-brow restaurants, art galleries, and cafes. The 157 rooms are all disabled accessible thanks to large corridors, elevators and ramps. The hotel has two large, attractive swimming pools, and about 11 rooms on the ground floor have secluded verandas with direct access to the second, more private pond. Upon arriving at the lobby, which has a welcoming, large open side strewn with couches, one steps out of the largely concrete-paved surroundings and into a youthful, airy environment. Noema utilises a soothing Mediterranean-type palette of colour, where beige and light sand brown make a relaxing backdrop for splashes of greenery, and walking inside the arch-like ceiling reminded me of stepping into a Middle Eastern caravanserai structure or a Moroccan mansion. A series of couches set below the floor level and hemmed by a pond filled with red fish sets the lobby's farthest perimeter, inviting guests to look right towards the open space where a large free-form pool nestles outside of the wall-to-ceiling windows of Noema's all-day restaurant, Mamaloma. We are served a fruit-infused welcome drink as staff register us in, and soon enough we are ushered in our room, one of Noema's Imagisuite on the third floor — a large, luminous room with a cosy living room space, table and mini-bar and coffee preparing station on the left, separated by a bamboo-covered screen housing a flipping LED television that gives way to the sumptuous bedroom area. The bathroom is impressive — larger than life, with beautiful retro terrazzo tiles and a vintage and artsy vibe, a bathtub to soak in, and, if needed, enough room to accommodate a whole family with children. There's also a balcony that overlooks the swimming pool and — a very nice touch given the speed of development in the area — a relaxing view over Pererenan's last and rare rice terrace fields. Other types of rooms have a private plunge pool and their own rooftop balcony. Their warm, artist home-like feel — each has art books and colourful rugs that set the mood — is the first sign of Noema's commitment to blend hospitality with creativity and art — the rest is all visible as one strolls around the resort's three long floors. One of Noema's characteristic creative features is outside on the second floor: a rock-climbing wall realised by Japanese artist Kanoko Takaya, a mix between adult playground and work of art. A few metres away and set in a vertical open space from the ground to the third floor is another art installation by Jogjakarta-based artist Iwan Yusuf. A giant man and a woman come together in mid-air, cleverly realised using a mix of upcycled materials, most of it sourced from the sea, such as fishing nets, ropes and pieces of driftwood. Just in front of it, on the other side of the corridor on each floor, there is access to Noema's feature dedicated to kids of all ages, the Hoola Playground, which is developed using rope tunnels and slides across three stories. The area is made with a mix of rattan, bamboo and playground-type games that help kids own an area they can explore while their parents enjoy other parts of the resort. The main piece is an octopus installation made of bamboo and rattan, whose tentacles dominate the structure and become the pillars upon and among which the kids can climb, jump and explore. Adults may find the spot attractive, too — the swings and structures are certainly nice for taking pictures. A dedicated studio space is used for workshops and for exhibiting artworks, where guests can take a stroll and get to know about some contemporary Indonesian and visiting artists. Noema takes the art involvement even further by offering international artists the chance to take up residencies of about a week. The guest artists' works are then exposed at the nearby Sun Contemporary Gallery tucked away along Pererenan's main street, a delightful space funded by a South African artist. When we visited, we saw the incredibly detailed miniature paintings of South African artist Lorraine Loots, who created a series inspired by her time on the island. Noema's annexed restaurant, Mamaloma, is set around the right corner from the lobby, with views of the swimming pool hemmed by greenery and rice fields. Breakfast is a la carte, with a menu of eggs and French toast-type mains, with an additional well-stocked buffet area where the highlights definitely were the Indonesian choices (I loved the tempe and fresh ground spicy sambal on offer), the salad area, fresh cheese, and pastries. The coffee served is barista type, brewed with beans from a Jakarta-based company called Roemah Koffie. My cappuccino was frothy the way I like it. The selection of four different coffees in the rooms, all from the same brand, surprised me with fruity flavour and the high quality of the brews. If one had to try lunch at Mamaloma, the menu leans towards Italian tastes. We tried a mushroom soup, which was good but a little salty, and as an Italian I am, I had to try the sourdough pizzas. Done in a Napoli style, they have a soft and light crust that didn't feel stuffy even after I wolfed down a whole pizza. My wife tried the duck confit ravioli — served in a thick layer of olive oil and butter, it's filled with tender shredded meat to enhance the taste and flavour. Well done. I was positively impressed by Noema. The rooms are perfect for families or couples who need a little bit of extra space or an excuse to snuggle inside a foamy bathtub. The swimming pool area is quiet and hemmed by greenery, which is a rarity in these southern Bali parts, and the breakfast is definitely curated and deserving of the area's reputation for excellent food. Families with kids will enjoy having the Hoola Playground as a space to let their little ones go wild, and if I could pick, I'd say that the rooms with private pool access are definitely the highlight. Pick Noema if you look for a cosy and artsy stay with plenty of good vibes and relaxed colours, secluded and yet set deep into the heart of one of Bali's tourist hot areas. + Marco Ferrarese was a guest of Noema. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Which European destination is best? We rate and rank the key rivals
Travel trends come and go (hello, Japan) but some destinations never fall out of favour. Australians' love affair with Europe is so enduring that each year, hundreds of thousands of us sit inside a plane for 24 hours for the opportunity to experience and explore this beguiling continent. For many, it's the diversity that is addictive. Europe is a place where you can have a sun-soaked summer holiday or throw yourself into an array of snow sports in the winter. It's a place where you can dip in and out of countless cultures, from the design-forward, down-to-earth style of the Scandinavians to the chilled-out charm of the Mediterranean. Spend enough time in Europe, however, and you will realise that some destinations share a lot in common – and that means making some hard choices. If you want some sun-drenched summer fun with a side serve of history, should you go island hopping in Greece or instead spend some time exploring Turkey's Aegean coast? Or perhaps you are hankering for an alpine adventure fuelled by schnitzel and strudel. In that case, obviously Austria is calling – unless, that is, Germany would be a better option? If you are unsure of which European country to tick off next, we have taken the guesswork out of it, with a series of bouts between the continent's travel titans to see which ones qualify as the continent's all-time travel champions. LATIN FLAIR The case for Portugal Lisbon has a way of seducing you with its pastel-painted houses and hand-crafted tiles, its imposing churches and its eye-catching street art. Those lively neighbourhoods made for strolling, from buzzing Chiado to atmospheric Alfama, are difficult to resist, as is all that fabulous food (bring on the custard tarts). But the charisma of Portugal's compact capital often overshadows the country's other attractions. There is the pretty riverside city of Porto, the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the grand gardens and palaces of Sintra, including Palacio da Pena with its golden onion domes. And if you want some seaside action, Portugal takes some beating. Relax on the sandy beaches of Alentejo and the Algarve or head for the islands: either the Atlantic isles of the Azores or far-flung Madeira, floating off the north-west coast of Africa. See The case for Spain What gets your travel motors running? Is it monuments and museums, historic cities and ornate pleasure palaces, fantastic food, long-distance hikes or lively nightlife? Whatever tops your list, Spain delivers in spades. There are wonders such as Barcelona's Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Alhambra in Granada, art galleries filled with masterpieces by Picasso, Miro and more. Madrid has amazing tapas trails, Seville has fiery, flamboyant flamenco, and islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza are perfect for summer getaways. Perhaps Spain's greatest treasure, however, is the endless array of inviting towns and villages scattered across the country. From Merida with its Roman monuments, to Oviedo, where its strong connection to Celtic culture leans towards bagpipes and ciders, you will run out of time before you run out of places to explore. See And the winner is Portugal gets points for being more affordable, but Spain's abundant attractions make it the clear winner. ISLAND DELIGHTS The case for Malta It's difficult to define Malta, a country where English is one of the official languages, where the local cuisine blends Italian and Arabic influences, and where civilisations from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, the Romans to the Arabs, have all left an imprint. In summer, beachgoers flock to the main island of Malta and its smaller neighbours, Gozo and Comino, but Malta is worth visiting all year round. The capital, Valletta, has gorgeous baroque architecture, a stunner of a cathedral (with two Caravaggio canvases inside) and magnificent ramparts, while other settlements such as Mdina and Gozo's capital, Victoria, are also delightful. And if you love prehistory, you will be awed by sites such as the World Heritage-listed necropolis of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, and seven megalithic temples that are older than Egypt's pyramids. See The case for Sicily So you watched season two of The White Lotus and you think you have got a handle on Sicily? Think again. On an island blessed with plenty of spectacular locations, the show managed to miss some of the best. Where were the Greek temples at Agrigento, or the baroque cities such as Ortygia, Catania and Modica? There were glimpses of Palermo's shabby-chic old town and Sicily's lost-in-time mountain villages, but the island's impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics, from the cathedral at Monreale to Palermo's breathtaking Palatine Chapel, were completely absent. And let's not forget the local food and wine. Sicily is Italy's second-largest wine producing region (look for nero d'avola and nerello mascalese), while the island's distinctive cuisine – including delicious street food such as arancini and the Sicilian-style pizza sfincione – is worth diving into. See And the winner is The makers of The White Lotus got one thing right – Sicily is a dream destination, even if you are not staying in the lap of luxury. SCANDIC SENSATIONS The case for Norway One of the reasons we love Norway is its way of defying expectations. If you are not a hike-this, climb-that traveller, you might think Norway, with its endless outdoor adventures, is off the menu. But most of the country's stunning fjords, mountains and islands – not to mention scenic villages and towns such as Bergen – can be explored in a low-impact way. There are jaw-dropping drives such as Trollstigen, a steep, switch-backing road that is a triumph of engineering, and don't miss rail trips such as the incredible Flam railway. As for only being worth visiting in the warmer months, think again. That long dark winter is luring increasing numbers of travellers who want to marvel at the Northern Lights and get stuck into snowy activities of all kinds. And if you lean more towards cultural activities than active adventures? Well, Norway has you covered too, with a wealth of museums and some eye-catching modern architecture, including Oslo's opera house and public library. See The case for Denmark What a difference two decades makes. Back in 2004, when a young Tasmanian married into the Danish royal family, Denmark wasn't on the radar for many Australian travellers. But then a culinary explosion led by Noma chef René Redzepi turned Copenhagen into a global dining hotspot. Not long after, the world fell in love with the convivial Danish concept of hygge, and suddenly, we were all wise to what a great destination Denmark is. The sheer liveability of a country where bikes outnumber cars in the capital, and where design is woven into everyday life, make Denmark an inspiring place to visit. Innovative Copenhagen, with its urban farms and floating student housing, is the obvious place to start but allows time to tick off some of the country's other sights, from the charming city of Aarhus to Jutland's whisky distilleries and oyster farmers. See And the winner is Neither of these countries are budget-friendly, but both of them make for a memorable holiday. We're calling this one a tie. The case for Turkey Let's start – where else? – with Istanbul. You could argue that this glorious city straddling two continents, with its mighty palaces and its bustling bazaar, is enough to steal the crown for Turkey. But should you need further persuasion, Turkey's arsenal includes plenty of other heavy-hitters. Take Cappadocia, where you can drift over the striking 'fairy chimney' rock formations in a hot air balloon and explore an underground city on the same day, or Ephesus, one of the greatest of all Roman ruins. There are the glittering beauties of Turkey's Aegean shores, the long-distance hike that is the Lycian Way, the surreal stepped pools of Pamukkale and the banquet of delights that is Turkish cuisine. Throw in the indulgence of a traditional hammam, and you have one heck of a holiday. See The case for Greece If you were trying to reduce the appeal of Greece to a simple formula, you might start with two numbers: 227 and 2078. The former is the number of major islands that make up the country, islands that have made Greece a holiday hotspot for luxury and budget travellers alike. And that second number? That's the age of the Parthenon, the signature site of the ancient civilisation that in many ways helped shape how we live today. But there is a lot more to Greece than islands and ruins and eating super-fresh seafood in rustic tavernas. In the north you have the lively city of Thessaloniki and the majestic clifftop monasteries at Meteora; down south you will find the Peloponnese, Greece's most underrated region, with its fortified city of Monemvasia, ruins like ancient Mycenae and medieval Mystras, and the wild Mani Peninsula. See And the winner is Turkey takes the crown for the sheer range of its offerings. The fact that its lighter on your wallet doesn't hurt either. LITTLE WONDERS The case for Belgium If you've never been to Belgium, here's a tip. On landing in Brussels, head straight for the Grand Place, one of Europe's most imposing public squares, and you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't make it here sooner. In fact, the longer you spend here, the more you will fall for the city's manifold delights, from vivid street art to some astounding art nouveau buildings, not to mention culinary treats from waffles to beer, mussels to some of the best chocolate on the planet. And it's not just Brussels. Belgium has a surfeit of cities that you will fall in love with, including stylish Antwerp (home to a jaw-dropping train station), Ghent and Brugge, or Bruges, each one hiding plenty of surprises within its cobblestoned streets. Best of all, each city is just a short ride away from the next on the country's efficient rail network. See The case for the Netherlands Like Santorini and Barcelona, pretty-as-a-picture Amsterdam has been struggling with overtourism, so it's about time we took a hard look at the rest of the country. And it turns out the Netherlands has plenty of other places that will steal your heart. Groningen combines the energy of a university town with cityscapes that include canals, ancient churches and colourful markets, while Maastricht's lovely city centre sits atop a series of underground caves. (Bibliophiles will also want to check out one of the loveliest bookstores in the world, Boekhandel Dominicanen, housed in an old church.) Other picturesque options include the town of Delft and the village of Giethoorn, while the country's rich artistic heritage – which includes painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Bruegel – is felt everywhere. Even Rotterdam, once an eyesore of an industrial port, has reinvented itself as a forward-thinking city with eye-catching architecture and serious sustainability cred. See And the winner is Belgium is simply irresistible, and not just for the chocolate, we promise. TEUTONIC TITANS The case for Austria Some countries are all about the great outdoors; others focus on the finer things in life. Austria delivers epic doses of both. Start in Vienna, with its imperial Habsburg grandeur, its concert halls filled with the strains of Mozart and Bach and Strauss, its old-school coffee houses and its world-class museums. Then head out to the Alps for glaciers and ski slopes (should you be travelling in summer, the hiking is just as memorable). And that's only the start. The cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck are baroque beauties surrounded by soaring peaks, but Austria's lesser-known destinations are just as enchanting. Head south for a stay in Graz, where the architecture has a distinct Italianate slant and where wineries flourish; explore the Wachau Valley, on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its beauty; or dive into the turquoise lakes of the Salzkammergut region. See The case for Germany If Germany were a piece of clothing, it would be the proverbial navy blazer – the one that goes with everything. There is something here to suit every type of traveller, depending on which part of the country you choose to visit. Head to Bavaria for awesome mountains and the regal capital of Munich with its breweries and beer gardens, sample fine wines as you cruise along the Rhine, or head up to the underexplored Baltic coast, with its pine forests, sandy beaches and red-brick Gothic architecture. You might get active hiking the Black Forest; overdose on palaces in Potsdam; discover cutting-edge design in Leipzig; or marvel at the expressionist architecture of Bremen's Bottcherstrasse. And that's before we even get to Berlin, Europe's most unpredictable, and perhaps most intoxicating, city. See And the winner is Given it is four times the size of its neighbour, it's perhaps no surprise that Germany takes the crown. FIVE MORE CLASSIC EURO MATCH-UPS Hungary v Czechia Two countries, one problem: their capital cities are so appealing that few people look beyond them. In Hungary, add a few days onto your Budapest stay to allow a side trip to Lake Balaton; In Czechia, make time to enjoy the medieval charm of Cesky Krumlov. See Loading Croatia v Montenegro Croatia, with its crystal clear waters and historic sights cities such as Dubrovnik and Split, was the first Balkan nation to be discovered by tourists. That's now changing, as tiny Montenegro wins fans with its beautiful beaches and mountains. See Latvia v Lithuania These Baltic belles have much in common, from medieval cities and a complex Cold War history to lush forests, lakes and coasts. The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is this year's European Green Capital, while the memorable architecture of Riga, the Latvian capital, includes some astonishing art nouveau buildings. See Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Two of Europe's smallest (and youngest) countries have fraught histories, but both are also underrated destinations. The Bosnian capital of Sarajevo is a real East-West melting pot, while Kosovo's capital of Pristina makes for a surprisingly lively city break. See
The Age
21 hours ago
- The Age
Which European destination is best? We rate and rank the key rivals
Travel trends come and go (hello, Japan) but some destinations never fall out of favour. Australians' love affair with Europe is so enduring that each year, hundreds of thousands of us sit inside a plane for 24 hours for the opportunity to experience and explore this beguiling continent. For many, it's the diversity that is addictive. Europe is a place where you can have a sun-soaked summer holiday or throw yourself into an array of snow sports in the winter. It's a place where you can dip in and out of countless cultures, from the design-forward, down-to-earth style of the Scandinavians to the chilled-out charm of the Mediterranean. Spend enough time in Europe, however, and you will realise that some destinations share a lot in common – and that means making some hard choices. If you want some sun-drenched summer fun with a side serve of history, should you go island hopping in Greece or instead spend some time exploring Turkey's Aegean coast? Or perhaps you are hankering for an alpine adventure fuelled by schnitzel and strudel. In that case, obviously Austria is calling – unless, that is, Germany would be a better option? If you are unsure of which European country to tick off next, we have taken the guesswork out of it, with a series of bouts between the continent's travel titans to see which ones qualify as the continent's all-time travel champions. LATIN FLAIR The case for Portugal Lisbon has a way of seducing you with its pastel-painted houses and hand-crafted tiles, its imposing churches and its eye-catching street art. Those lively neighbourhoods made for strolling, from buzzing Chiado to atmospheric Alfama, are difficult to resist, as is all that fabulous food (bring on the custard tarts). But the charisma of Portugal's compact capital often overshadows the country's other attractions. There is the pretty riverside city of Porto, the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the grand gardens and palaces of Sintra, including Palacio da Pena with its golden onion domes. And if you want some seaside action, Portugal takes some beating. Relax on the sandy beaches of Alentejo and the Algarve or head for the islands: either the Atlantic isles of the Azores or far-flung Madeira, floating off the north-west coast of Africa. See The case for Spain What gets your travel motors running? Is it monuments and museums, historic cities and ornate pleasure palaces, fantastic food, long-distance hikes or lively nightlife? Whatever tops your list, Spain delivers in spades. There are wonders such as Barcelona's Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Alhambra in Granada, art galleries filled with masterpieces by Picasso, Miro and more. Madrid has amazing tapas trails, Seville has fiery, flamboyant flamenco, and islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza are perfect for summer getaways. Perhaps Spain's greatest treasure, however, is the endless array of inviting towns and villages scattered across the country. From Merida with its Roman monuments, to Oviedo, where its strong connection to Celtic culture leans towards bagpipes and ciders, you will run out of time before you run out of places to explore. See And the winner is Portugal gets points for being more affordable, but Spain's abundant attractions make it the clear winner. ISLAND DELIGHTS The case for Malta It's difficult to define Malta, a country where English is one of the official languages, where the local cuisine blends Italian and Arabic influences, and where civilisations from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, the Romans to the Arabs, have all left an imprint. In summer, beachgoers flock to the main island of Malta and its smaller neighbours, Gozo and Comino, but Malta is worth visiting all year round. The capital, Valletta, has gorgeous baroque architecture, a stunner of a cathedral (with two Caravaggio canvases inside) and magnificent ramparts, while other settlements such as Mdina and Gozo's capital, Victoria, are also delightful. And if you love prehistory, you will be awed by sites such as the World Heritage-listed necropolis of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, and seven megalithic temples that are older than Egypt's pyramids. See The case for Sicily So you watched season two of The White Lotus and you think you have got a handle on Sicily? Think again. On an island blessed with plenty of spectacular locations, the show managed to miss some of the best. Where were the Greek temples at Agrigento, or the baroque cities such as Ortygia, Catania and Modica? There were glimpses of Palermo's shabby-chic old town and Sicily's lost-in-time mountain villages, but the island's impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics, from the cathedral at Monreale to Palermo's breathtaking Palatine Chapel, were completely absent. And let's not forget the local food and wine. Sicily is Italy's second-largest wine producing region (look for nero d'avola and nerello mascalese), while the island's distinctive cuisine – including delicious street food such as arancini and the Sicilian-style pizza sfincione – is worth diving into. See And the winner is The makers of The White Lotus got one thing right – Sicily is a dream destination, even if you are not staying in the lap of luxury. SCANDIC SENSATIONS The case for Norway One of the reasons we love Norway is its way of defying expectations. If you are not a hike-this, climb-that traveller, you might think Norway, with its endless outdoor adventures, is off the menu. But most of the country's stunning fjords, mountains and islands – not to mention scenic villages and towns such as Bergen – can be explored in a low-impact way. There are jaw-dropping drives such as Trollstigen, a steep, switch-backing road that is a triumph of engineering, and don't miss rail trips such as the incredible Flam railway. As for only being worth visiting in the warmer months, think again. That long dark winter is luring increasing numbers of travellers who want to marvel at the Northern Lights and get stuck into snowy activities of all kinds. And if you lean more towards cultural activities than active adventures? Well, Norway has you covered too, with a wealth of museums and some eye-catching modern architecture, including Oslo's opera house and public library. See The case for Denmark What a difference two decades makes. Back in 2004, when a young Tasmanian married into the Danish royal family, Denmark wasn't on the radar for many Australian travellers. But then a culinary explosion led by Noma chef René Redzepi turned Copenhagen into a global dining hotspot. Not long after, the world fell in love with the convivial Danish concept of hygge, and suddenly, we were all wise to what a great destination Denmark is. The sheer liveability of a country where bikes outnumber cars in the capital, and where design is woven into everyday life, make Denmark an inspiring place to visit. Innovative Copenhagen, with its urban farms and floating student housing, is the obvious place to start but allows time to tick off some of the country's other sights, from the charming city of Aarhus to Jutland's whisky distilleries and oyster farmers. See And the winner is Neither of these countries are budget-friendly, but both of them make for a memorable holiday. We're calling this one a tie. The case for Turkey Let's start – where else? – with Istanbul. You could argue that this glorious city straddling two continents, with its mighty palaces and its bustling bazaar, is enough to steal the crown for Turkey. But should you need further persuasion, Turkey's arsenal includes plenty of other heavy-hitters. Take Cappadocia, where you can drift over the striking 'fairy chimney' rock formations in a hot air balloon and explore an underground city on the same day, or Ephesus, one of the greatest of all Roman ruins. There are the glittering beauties of Turkey's Aegean shores, the long-distance hike that is the Lycian Way, the surreal stepped pools of Pamukkale and the banquet of delights that is Turkish cuisine. Throw in the indulgence of a traditional hammam, and you have one heck of a holiday. See The case for Greece If you were trying to reduce the appeal of Greece to a simple formula, you might start with two numbers: 227 and 2078. The former is the number of major islands that make up the country, islands that have made Greece a holiday hotspot for luxury and budget travellers alike. And that second number? That's the age of the Parthenon, the signature site of the ancient civilisation that in many ways helped shape how we live today. But there is a lot more to Greece than islands and ruins and eating super-fresh seafood in rustic tavernas. In the north you have the lively city of Thessaloniki and the majestic clifftop monasteries at Meteora; down south you will find the Peloponnese, Greece's most underrated region, with its fortified city of Monemvasia, ruins like ancient Mycenae and medieval Mystras, and the wild Mani Peninsula. See And the winner is Turkey takes the crown for the sheer range of its offerings. The fact that its lighter on your wallet doesn't hurt either. LITTLE WONDERS The case for Belgium If you've never been to Belgium, here's a tip. On landing in Brussels, head straight for the Grand Place, one of Europe's most imposing public squares, and you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't make it here sooner. In fact, the longer you spend here, the more you will fall for the city's manifold delights, from vivid street art to some astounding art nouveau buildings, not to mention culinary treats from waffles to beer, mussels to some of the best chocolate on the planet. And it's not just Brussels. Belgium has a surfeit of cities that you will fall in love with, including stylish Antwerp (home to a jaw-dropping train station), Ghent and Brugge, or Bruges, each one hiding plenty of surprises within its cobblestoned streets. Best of all, each city is just a short ride away from the next on the country's efficient rail network. See The case for the Netherlands Like Santorini and Barcelona, pretty-as-a-picture Amsterdam has been struggling with overtourism, so it's about time we took a hard look at the rest of the country. And it turns out the Netherlands has plenty of other places that will steal your heart. Groningen combines the energy of a university town with cityscapes that include canals, ancient churches and colourful markets, while Maastricht's lovely city centre sits atop a series of underground caves. (Bibliophiles will also want to check out one of the loveliest bookstores in the world, Boekhandel Dominicanen, housed in an old church.) Other picturesque options include the town of Delft and the village of Giethoorn, while the country's rich artistic heritage – which includes painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Bruegel – is felt everywhere. Even Rotterdam, once an eyesore of an industrial port, has reinvented itself as a forward-thinking city with eye-catching architecture and serious sustainability cred. See And the winner is Belgium is simply irresistible, and not just for the chocolate, we promise. TEUTONIC TITANS The case for Austria Some countries are all about the great outdoors; others focus on the finer things in life. Austria delivers epic doses of both. Start in Vienna, with its imperial Habsburg grandeur, its concert halls filled with the strains of Mozart and Bach and Strauss, its old-school coffee houses and its world-class museums. Then head out to the Alps for glaciers and ski slopes (should you be travelling in summer, the hiking is just as memorable). And that's only the start. The cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck are baroque beauties surrounded by soaring peaks, but Austria's lesser-known destinations are just as enchanting. Head south for a stay in Graz, where the architecture has a distinct Italianate slant and where wineries flourish; explore the Wachau Valley, on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its beauty; or dive into the turquoise lakes of the Salzkammergut region. See The case for Germany If Germany were a piece of clothing, it would be the proverbial navy blazer – the one that goes with everything. There is something here to suit every type of traveller, depending on which part of the country you choose to visit. Head to Bavaria for awesome mountains and the regal capital of Munich with its breweries and beer gardens, sample fine wines as you cruise along the Rhine, or head up to the underexplored Baltic coast, with its pine forests, sandy beaches and red-brick Gothic architecture. You might get active hiking the Black Forest; overdose on palaces in Potsdam; discover cutting-edge design in Leipzig; or marvel at the expressionist architecture of Bremen's Bottcherstrasse. And that's before we even get to Berlin, Europe's most unpredictable, and perhaps most intoxicating, city. See And the winner is Given it is four times the size of its neighbour, it's perhaps no surprise that Germany takes the crown. FIVE MORE CLASSIC EURO MATCH-UPS Hungary v Czechia Two countries, one problem: their capital cities are so appealing that few people look beyond them. In Hungary, add a few days onto your Budapest stay to allow a side trip to Lake Balaton; In Czechia, make time to enjoy the medieval charm of Cesky Krumlov. See Loading Croatia v Montenegro Croatia, with its crystal clear waters and historic sights cities such as Dubrovnik and Split, was the first Balkan nation to be discovered by tourists. That's now changing, as tiny Montenegro wins fans with its beautiful beaches and mountains. See Latvia v Lithuania These Baltic belles have much in common, from medieval cities and a complex Cold War history to lush forests, lakes and coasts. The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is this year's European Green Capital, while the memorable architecture of Riga, the Latvian capital, includes some astonishing art nouveau buildings. See Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Two of Europe's smallest (and youngest) countries have fraught histories, but both are also underrated destinations. The Bosnian capital of Sarajevo is a real East-West melting pot, while Kosovo's capital of Pristina makes for a surprisingly lively city break. See
