Cyprus

Known to be one of Europe’s sunniest islands, Cyprus is the perfect yearround destination offering everything from gourmet tourism to natural beauty, heritage and nightlife. Beyond its sun-soaked stretches of sand, the island’s compelling culture and landscapes are steeped in myth and riddled with ancient riches.

Its multilayered past has left ancient treasures strewn across the island. Neolithic dwellings, Bronze Age and Phoenician tombs, remnants of once-mighty kingdoms, Roman mosaics, mountaintop castles and Byzantine churches with their renowned frescos lay scattered through the countryside. While strolling through its cities, visitors can spot the preserved architectural legacy of the Lusignan, Venetian and Ottoman periods.

Travelling around, the island’s landscape changes from its mountainous south to its terraced Limassol vineyards. The quaint city of Limassol offers a truly authentic experience of the island while outdoor adventurers will love the rocky south where hiking, biking and more abound.

Though known for its nightlife, the town of Ayia Napa also boasts a popular underwater sculpture park, set as an underwater forest with over 130 works of art in a protected marine area. Drawing its culinary influences from Greece and Turkey, the country’s tavernas are the best way to soak up the local cuisine, whether meat or fish caught fresh from the sea.

Bulgaria

Ministry of Tourism of The Republic of Bulgaria / EU1835

Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe and in the eastern portion of the Balkan Peninsula. A fascinating country at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, it is now one of the region’s up-andcoming destinations; a mix of old and new; a country with a difference.

Over the centuries, the country has passed through the hands of many an empire, from the Roman to the Russian, and present-day

Bulgaria was the cradle of some of the earliest civilisations in Europe. Ancient cultural monuments include an array of fascinating UNESCOlisted sites. The list features the likes of the Kazanlak Tomb, the Thracian Tomb by the village of Sveshtari near Razgrad, the Madara Horseman, the Boyana Church, the Ivanovo Rock Churches near Ruse, the Rila Monastery and the Old Town in Nessebar.

Natural Beauty

Outdoor Adventure Lovers

around the country offers an insight into this historic legacy of the melting pot nature of Bulgarian heritage.

Its natural beauty is one of its biggest attractions for nature and outdoor adventure lovers. The landscape is as diverse as it is breathtaking, consisting of lowlands, plains, foothills, plateaus, river valleys, basins and mountains of varying elevations.

From hiking or horse riding through the mountains in summer to skiing in winter, or a trip to the country’s healing thermal springs, there is never a shortage of things to do when in Bulgaria.

Lifestyles and cultures in Bulgaria have developed over thousands of years, drawing on diverse influences from Thracians to Greeks and Romans to Slavs, meaning the nation is a rich tapestry of civilisations. Travelling

With its fascinating gastro heritage, the cuisine is another reason to come, while for beach lovers, the Bulgarian Black Sea or many of its dramatic rivers dotted by magical forests offer the perfect escape, with activities such as fishing and water sports also available all around the year.

Croatia

Croatian National Tourist Board / EU1770

Boasting more than 4,000 kilometres of coastline and close to 1200 islands, Croatia’s sun-drenched credentials are impressive. Add to it the troves of Roman and Venetian-era architecture, UNESCO-listed sites of cultural and natural heritage as well as gorgeous nature parks, mountain ranges, lakes and rivers, all of which come together to make Croatia a destination of abundance.

There is such a diversity of landscapes and cultural attractions that a single visit can’t possibly cover them all. Yet, for those seeking the highlights, city hopping is one of the best ways to discover the destination.

The capital city of Zagreb is known for its café culture. Made for strolling, visitors can wander along the tree-lined promenades or stop at the open-air markets for fresh produce.

For a spot of history and culture, Dubrovnik features more than a dozen churches, medieval monasteries, elegant squares of limestone and centuries-old residential quarters.

Historic canals, fashion, decadent chocolate, mussels, waffles and chips, belfries, castles, carnivals and more, Belgium has a lot to offer. The country sits in the heart of Europe and is well connected by air, rail and land. Whether for a weekend break or a longer trip, business or leisure, there is plenty for tourists to discover across the breadth of the country.

For those who enjoy walking, sports and the outdoors, the Ardennes, the green heart of Belgium, is the place to go. To make the most of its coastal beauty, the long stretch of sandy beaches is ideal.

The capital city of Brussels is a trading hub as well as an arts centre. In areas such as Rue des Bouchers, a wide range of museums and galleries as well as live performances and concerts offer visitors the chance to soak up the local culture.

Business travel remains significant, with Antwerp the world’s diamond capital. Outside the city, there are many more places to see, including the unmissable medieval city of Bruges, which offers a slower, more quaint destination for visitors from abroad, where the heritage and culture of Belgium are perhaps best displayed.

Some of the country’s best beaches can be found in the seaside town of Hvar, where visitors flock during the summers to soak up the sun.

Nature lovers will find Plitvice Lakes National Park awe-inspiring. Made up of 16 interconnected lakes, linked by gushing waterfalls in the forested heart of the country and a dozen smaller ones, including reed-fringed ponds, visitors can explore this stunning natural landscape through wooden boardwalks covering the expanse of the park.

There’s also the Mljet region, with a sprawling national park in the west, where visitors will find two sublime cobaltcoloured lakes, an island monastery and the sleepy port of Pomena; while the eastern part of Mljet is home to tranquil bays and brilliant beaches.