They are in Europe the coolest destinations of the new year. At least according to the European Consumers Choice Awards, which have decreed the five best destinations on the old continent to visit in 2011 and Hotels.com, leader in online hotel bookings, suggests where to stay and enjoy the best value for money.
At the top of the ranking voted by travellers we find Copenhagen, the greenest city in Europe, which in 2025 will become the world’s first low-emission CO2 capital and is its strong eco-friendly connotation to make it the preferred destination for European travellers.
Every aspect of Copenhagen's daily life is characterized by respect for the environment: you turn the city with electric eco-buses or bike-taxis, you shop in shops selling clothes of eco-sustainable commerce and you dine in restaurants that offer organic foods.
Moreover, to contribute directly to the reduction of Co2 emissions, it is enough to pass to the Chester’s Book Café, the first place in Denmark where Co2’s "goods" are sold to the private. A ton costs 250 Danish crowns and, for each ton purchased, contributes directly to decrease the emissions of carbon dioxide generated by companies.
For a truly green city visit, it is essential to stay in one of the many certified eco-hotels that, using green energy sources and respecting the emission limits of carbon dioxide, have managed to become completely ecological. Hotels.com recommends Hotel Alexandra, 3 stars (from 88 euros per night room) furnished with classic Danish finishes.
The silver medal awarded by European travellers goes to the fascinating Barcelona, vibrant metropolis with numerous and contradictory souls.
It is an ancient and modern city at the same time, where the major representations of the Catalan gothic are flanked by spectacular expressions of Modernism and where the combination of an old fishing district and a modern Olympic city does not seem to be distorted.
Every time of the year is the right time to admire the city of Gaudí, to live the irresistible movida and to enjoy tapas and sangria, but in particular until mid-January it is possible to take advantage of one of the many proposals that enrich the cultural calendar: at the Picasso Museum is in fact on display Degas by Picasso, an original selection of works that share the typical features of the two great artists.
Hotels.com suggests staying at the Eurostars Cristal Palace, 4 stars (from 72 euros per room per night), defined by users "Bello and clean. Very comfortable to move to Barcelona."
Always one of the most popular destinations for a city break, Berlin earns the third step of the podium in the ranking of the best destinations for 2011. Fascinating from an architectural point of view, with a harmonious contrast between the historical image of Prussian classicism and the most modern one outlined by the most famous architects such as Libeskind and Piano, it is a living and constantly fermenting city.
The cultural offer is vast, every day you can choose from over a thousand theatrical performances, operas, concerts and festivals. January and August are the right months to visit the German capital and take advantage of an initiative very appreciated by tourists: the Long Night of the Museums.
For the occasion more than one hundred museums hosting the most beautiful art collections open the doors to the public for a whole night. In addition to exhibitions, night visitors can attend concerts, readings, dance shows and theatre.
To fully enjoy the beauties of Berlin from a privileged location, Hotels.com recommends the Park Inn Berlin – Alexanderplatz, 4 stars (from 90 euros per room per night), a skyscraper in a central location that offers a breathtaking view of the city.
Rome is the only city to represent our country in the European Consumers Choice Awards ranking. A complex and wonderful metropolis invites visitors to walk through churches, monuments and alleys to discover a past history, but still so alive and present.
In addition to the tasty gastronomy based on regional specialties and the engaging social life in the many locals and pubs, Rome boasts an artistic-cultural offer without comparison.
From the Vatican Museums to the Roman Forum passing through Galleria Borghese, it is difficult not to remain enchanted. Even art lovers will not be disappointed by the many high-level appointments provided by the museum calendar of the capital. In particular until the end of January at the Victorian Complex you can admire an exhibition dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh: seventy masterpieces among prestigious paintings, precious watercolours and works on paper by the Dutch master, but also thirty works by the great artists who were inspired by him – including Millet, Pissarro, Cézanne, Gauguin and Seurat.
The 4-star Hotel Milton (from 72 euro per room per night) is the right solution to stay in the city in a good structure, in an optimal position to reach the main attractions and with an excellent value for money.
Budapest, in fifth place in the category of preferences, strikes for its majesty and elegance: picturesquely overlooking the Danube, is in fact considered one of the most beautiful capitals of the world. The soul of the city is lively and cosmopolitan and, behind every corner, you can discover interesting views, from the historic Buda hill, to the commercial and chaotic Pest.
Not many know that the Hungarian capital is also a spa town. Those who wish to visit it in the cold winter months can in fact mitigate the rigours taking advantage of the 118 natural sources and artificial wells that punctuate the city, from which every day approximately 70 million litres of thermal water with temperature between 21 and 78 degrees.
Moreover, according to Hotels.com Hotel Price Index, luxury hotels in the city have never been so advantageous. In fact, as a result of a decrease of 8%, in the second quarter 2010 the price per room per night was equal to €111.
An example of the top-level hotels in the city is the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, 5 stars (starting from €109 per room per night), recently renovated, is located in a privileged position to appreciate the beauty of the center.
