Travel news from around the world

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

The shores of the Continent always beckon. Still, travelers are as discerning as ever when it comes to determining the best resorts in Europe. As usual, Greece and Italy make a strong showing, but a smattering of properties in the U.K., Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal round out the far-reaching list, proving that the countryside is just as adored as the waterfront.

After zero presence on last year’s list, the U.K. captured two spots this year: Chewton Glen in the English countryside at No. 14 and Ireland’s famed Ballyfin at No. 12, which was described by one respondent as having “elegance and luxury, with the feel of a country home.” Portugal managed to nab one spot again, but with a different property this year. Lauded as a “beautiful hotel near Sintra with a great golf course,” Penha Longa Resort secured the eighth spot on the list.

1. Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, Imerovigli, Greece

CREDIT: COURTESY OF GRACE HOTEL, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

2. Il Sereno Lago di Como, Torno, Italy

CREDIT: COURTESY OF IL SERENO LAGO DI COMO

3. Canaves Oia Epitome, Santorini, Greece

CREDIT: CHRISTOS DRAZOS/COURTESY OF CANAVES OIA EPITOME

4. Hotel Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole, Italy

CREDIT: COURTESY OF HOTEL IL PELLICANO

5.  Katikies Mykonos, Mykonos, Greece

CREDIT: COURTESY OF KATIKIES MYKONOS

6. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, Italy

CREDIT: COURTESY OF GRAND HOTEL EXCELSIOR VITTORIA

7. Hotel Crillon le Brave, Crillon-le-Brave, France

CREDIT: MR. TRIPPER/COURTESY OF CRILLON LE BRAVE

8. Penha Longa Resort, Sintra, Portugal

CREDIT: COURTESY OF PENHA LONGA RESORT

9. Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel, Santorini, Greece

CREDIT: CHRISTOS DRAZOS/COURTESY OF CANAVES OIA

10. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. Moritz, Switzerland

CREDIT: COURTESY OF BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL

11. Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa, Málaga, Spain

CREDIT: COURTESY OF FINCA CORTESIN/THE AZALEA GROUP

12. Ballyfin, County Laois, Ireland

CREDIT: COURTESY OF BALLYFIN

13. Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, Lake Como, Italy

CREDIT: COURTESY OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL

14. Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, New Milton, England

CREDIT: COURTESY OF BELMOND

15. Caruso, a Belmond Hotel, Ravello, Italy

CREDIT: COURTESY OF BELMOND

Source

Travel to Europe