Travelers looking for a budget break in Europe this year have something to smile about. A new report that surveyed cities on the continent found costs are down in 60% of destinations.
30.04.2024 - 18:27 / lonelyplanet.com
Get back to nature with these incredible treehouses in Europe, perfect for a family adventure in the woodland.
When was the last time you climbed a creaky ladder and found peace amongst the treetops?
If the answer is decades ago, then now could be the perfect time to round up the kids and start planning a tree house getaway. Retreating to a secret den up in the branches is a childhood rite of passage and a yearning that never leaves us. It offers an escape from everyday life and a connection to nature, softening the walls between the wilderness and ourselves.
If you’re tempted to live the high life for a night or two, here’s our pick of Europe’s most spectacular tree house stays, from a spaceship in the woods to a castle in the sky.
Best for sparking imaginations
If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise. Located in the wilds of Swedish Lappland, 45 minutes from the Arctic Circle and an hour’s drive from Luleå airport, lives the Treehotel. The cluster of eight fantastically themed tree houses includes the bird box-covered Biosphere, a giant bird’s nest, a mirrored cube that blends seamlessly with the pine forest surroundings, and perhaps the most spectacular of all, the UFO.
Like a scene from E.T., an electric ladder slowly descends from a hatch, silently beckoning you up into the spaceship. Inside, you’ll find snug beds covered in starry sky textiles, a micro bathroom with eco-toilet, and a compact dining area. Wires connected to nearby trees suspend the sci-fi shack mid-flight, so you’ll be gently swayed to sleep by the breeze.
Local activities include visiting Sámi herders, year-round fishing in the local Lule River, dog sledding, catching a glimpse of the northern lights, or simply relaxing in the onsite sauna which also hangs from the trees. Outdoorsy, creative and just a little bit bonkers, a stay at the Treehotel is the stuff of lifelong memories.
The UFO at Treehotel sleeps five people and prices start from 5500SEK per night, which includes a buffet breakfast.
Best for rewilding
There’s something magical about staying at the Living-Room Treehouse Experience, situated at the foot of Snowdonia in Wales, surrounded by ancient fairy tale woodland and mythical mountains.
Venture up the spiral staircase, trip-trap over the rickety rope bridge and your beautifully crafted treetop hideaway awaits. Floating 12m (40ft) above the ground, the dens are supported by the trees so wave slightly in the wind, which only adds to the excitement.
Inside the decor is rustic-Scandi, with a wood burning stove, cozy Welsh blankets and portholes taking in the dramatic landscape. The great outdoors provides the setting for plenty of Swallows and Amazons adventures, with babbling streams
Travelers looking for a budget break in Europe this year have something to smile about. A new report that surveyed cities on the continent found costs are down in 60% of destinations.
Family vacations are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and strengthen family bonds. One study found 40 percent of parents planned to spend more on international travel with their families this year. There is also a growing trend of multiple generations traveling together.
Today the respected Turkish destination in-bound tour operator Yuppi Group has announced the successful launch of a B2B accommodation booking platform called Pax2Night.
It had been a while since I’d had a vacation vacation—the type where hours blend into nothing and your only responsibilities are to claim a lounge chair, choose a book, and try to remember where you left your sunglasses. A few days at the legendary Rockhouse in Negril, Jamaica, delivered just that and then some: think jerk chicken sandwiches off the grill, party vibes that start way before sundown, and an endless soundtrack of reggae and dancehall. Of course, I also needed to curate a packing list fit for the setting, one that included a swimsuit for making the most of my villa's private ladder into the Caribbean sea, reading material guaranteed to immerse me in Jamaican culture and history, and a versatile tote bag that would look just as appropriate on the way to the spa as it would during a clifftop dinner come nighttime. Below, a few of my favorite items from the trip.
If you are not flying to Europe this summer but still want to experience charming towns, rich history, impressive architecture, cobblestone streets, and natural vineyards, look no further than Ontario.
A forecast from AAA estimates Memorial Day weekend travel will be up from last year with boosts in travelers across modes of transportation — but still shy of the all-time record set in 2005.
It’s been a dazzling spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, since Friday, May 11, across the night sky of the U.S., Canada and Europe, high-energy particles from the sun interacting with the earth's magnetic field to cause dazzling and mesmerizing geomagnetic storms.
The “City of Light” will be abuzz with activity from July 26 to August 11 as the Summer Olympics come to Paris. Officials estimate that 15 million visitors will attend The Games, along with the 10,500 athletes competing for glory.
To some, Atlanta is the urban music center of the world. To others, it’s the Hollywood of the South. To chef Marcus Samuelsson, the Dixie metropolis is a vibrant culinary hotbed that was missing his personal stamp.
Europe’s legendary libraries rank among some of the world’s most famous buildings.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta just broke the news that California still retains the largest market share of tourism in the entire United States. According to new data released today, travel spending in the Golden State reached a record high of $150.4 billion in 2023, outstripping the previous record amount of $144.9 billion seen in 2019.
Walk down the high street of Edinburgh’s Stockbridge borough and you’ll pass a parade of charity shops bursting with vintage treasures. The road is one of the most popular places for second-hand shopping in the Scottish capital and the country.