Welcome to the 8 stars of 'New Europe' | International Traveller

Have your trip to ‘the Continent’ all planned-out in your daydreams? Think again.

Here are the go-to destinations of New Europe that will soon be re-calibrating your European grand tour.

1. Corsica: France but not

Why you should head here now: While this gorgeous Mediterranean island is no secret to French holidaymakers, it flies under the international radar; but with so much beauty, history – Napoleon Bonaparte was born in the town of Ajaccio in 1769 – and culture, it won’t be long before the rest of the world clues on.

What to expect: Cobblestones, culture and sandy beaches. The island also has quite the reputation as a hiking mecca, with hundreds of scenic trails suiting varying skill levels, and the challenging GR 20, a 180-kilometre trail that stretches along its mountainous interior.

If you do one thing: Visit the medieval clifftop town of Bonifacio, on Corsica’s southern tip, with its imposing citadel, parts of which date back to the 13th century.

2. Cyprus: Best of both worlds

Why you should head here now: While this Mediterranean island has had a turbulent modern history based on its division into the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north, its ancient claim to fame as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love, and its rugged, sunbaked beauty definitely recommend it.

What to expect: Turquoise waters so vivid they look almost unreal and a dramatic coastline to match its history. Beyond offering a chance to travel between the north and south to sample the differences in culture and food, the island has also been conquered by everyone from the Romans to the Byzantines to the Venetians to the Ottomans in its time, many of whom left behind ruins, art and architecture to be explored.

If you do one thing: A hybrid of Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern influences, food on Cyprus is not just something to sustain you, it is something to be celebrated. Meze is the perfect way to sample the diversity of offerings, and don’t leave without trying its halloumi cheese.

3. Slovenia: Trumps its rivals

Why you should head here now: It’s just so incredibly pretty.

What to expect: A green oasis, literally: while much of the country is blanketed with dense forest and emerald green lakes, the people of Slovenia also think green, a fact that has seen the capital of Ljubljana deemed one of Europe’s greenest.

If you do one thing: Take a pletna (wooden row boat) to the island of Lake Bled (pictured) and climb the 99 stairs to ring the Wishing Bell.

4. Finnish Lapland: True winter wonderland

Why you should head here now: With Iceland getting all the press of late, this cold climate stunner is blissfully untrampelled, except maybe by reindeer.

What to expect: Contrasts: in summer the midnight sun means its stunning scenery and outdoor pursuits can be consumed day and night, while at some points during the winter the sun doesn’t put in an appearance at all; all the better to see the fabled Northern Lights.

If you do one thing: Visit the Sami, the only indigenous peoples of the EU, in the northern reaches of Lapland and witness their fascinating yet endangered culture and language.

5. Pantelleria and the Pelagie Islands: the alternative Italian islands

Why you should head here now: With much of Italy’s coastline saturated with visitors (we’re looking at you, Amalfi), these islands, floating in the Mediterranean between Tunisia, Sicily and Malta, offer a more unspoilt alternative.

What to expect: Black rock, sweet wine and blissful solitude: Pantelleria, which stands proud on its own, lays claim to having the most inhabitants, with just over 7500 people at last count, but the total number over all four islands (that Pelagie Islands are a trio: Lampedusa, Linosa and Lampione) is in the vicinity of just over 10,000 (Lampione has none at all).

If you do one thing: Stay in a traditional, stone-built dammuso on Pantelleria. You might find that your neighbour is Giorgio Armani!

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

6. Burgundy: The other wine region

Why you should head here now: With many parts of France well and truly oversubscribed, this region of canals and Renaissance châteaux still offers
up a charming pace at which to live life.

What to expect: Gorgeous everywhere: it is France after all. The regional capital of Dijon sets the tone with its stylish way of life and grand architecture, but the true joy here is setting out with no map and no agenda to discover a lush green countryside that is dotted with charming medieval villages.

If you do one thing: Drink Chablis in Chablis, the impossibly pretty town in the north-west of the region.

8. Serbia: The party starts here

Why you should head here now: Throwing off its former bleakness, Serbia is ready to have some fun.

What to expect: While the capital of Belgrade has a gritty resilience, further exploration of the country will throw up imposing towns and pristine national parks.

If you do one thing: Head to Novi Sad, north of Belgrade for Exit, one of the most famous music festivals in the world.

9. Latvia: Undeveloped beaches

Why you should head here now: It’s slipped under the radar for too long and has a capital to rival the best in Europe.

What to expect: A surprisingly green, forested land this far north, with lakes, woods and lots of space to roam in. But maybe most surprising is the quiet beauty of its beaches, that are blissfully undeveloped: visit Cape Kolka to see for yourself.

If you do one thing: With a farmers’ market every Saturday, Riga’s Kalnciems District, with its lovingly restored 19th-century wooden houses, is a gorgeous place to start any exploration of the Baltic capital.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The eight stars of ‘New Europe’ you need to discover