The global travel company Lonely Planet has released its top picks for the most exciting European destinations to visit this year. Moldova is ranked eighth, being described as a country of secret wine cellars and cliff-perched monasteries, IPN has learned from the Tourism Agency.
According to the company, famously dubbed the world’s least happy place in a bestselling book almost a decade ago, Moldova is increasingly known more for its unspoiled countryside and superb wine tours. As one of Europe’s least visited countries, Moldova retains a certain off-the-beaten-track charm. But even that’s changing as budget flights from London and other European cities make the lively capital, Chisinau, a popular weekend break. Meanwhile, those looking to plant the flag in a land few others have visited still have their Shangri-La in the form of the breakaway republic of Transnistria, where the Soviet Union still reigns supreme.
Lonely Planet’s top 10 features more than a few surprising locations to temp tourists in 2017. Croatia’s Zagreb tops the hotlist of destinations across the continent to visit this summer. Other entries to Best in Europe included Gotland in Sweden, Galicia in Spain, Northern Montenegro, Pafos in Cyprus and La Havre in France.
Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book publisher in the world. Its books are intended for tourists with modest incomes.
