Okay, I’ve just about had it with some of these travel lists going around. The other day I noted a list of the nine most beautiful countries in the world that somehow omitted the United States, which might have more amazing scenery than perhaps any country on the planet.
Today I’m taking umbrage, as well as great offence, at a list of the “most romantic countries” in Europe. I found this on MSN.com, courtesy of Icelandair, and I’m stupefied.
The list contains 15 fine European cities. But it’s ridiculous that Paris, perhaps the most beautiful city in the world and one that’s as romantic as all get out, didn’t make the cut. Neither did Venice, which is also is insane. Is it crowded at times? Sure. But name one activity in Europe you would do in public that’s more romantic than being rowed down a canal in Venice by a singing (or not) gondolier.
Also missing: Stockholm (lovely architecture and a dreamy set of islands) and Salzburg (the castle alone makes it top 10).
I know any list can be picked apart, even mine, but leaving out Paris and Venice from the top 15 most romantic cities in Europe is simply ludicrous.
Madrid in the evening. FLORIAN WEHDE PHOTO/UNSPLASH
Anyhow, here is the Icelandair list of most romantic cities in Europe.
- Madrid (somehow never been, so I won’t argue the point)
- Prague (quite handsome; but I wouldn’t say more romantic than Rome, Venice or Paris)
- Lisbon (not as stately as Prague, but nicer vistas and better weather for outdoor canoodling. I can see it being top 15)
- Barcelona (a very beautiful city, so I can see it ranking fourth)
- Zurich (also beautiful. Not sure I’d go as high as fifth, but happy to see it ranked in the top 15)
- Amsterdam (the canals are pretty dreamy. I can see people putting Amsterdam high on their list)
- Helsinki (I haven’t been, but I wouldn’t think so)
- Vienna (very pretty, so okay)
- Copenhagen (also very attractive)
- Rome (the home of such renowned sights as the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain definitely deserves to be higher than this)
- Athens (outdoor cafes at night are nice, and the Parthenon is something to behold. Okay.)
- Geneva (a nice city, but I don’t think the Swiss would even put Geneva in the top 15.)
- Oslo (also never been)
- Berlin (ditto)
- Reykjavik (same)
TRAVEL AND LEISURE EDITOR LISTS FIVE GREAT GETAWAY SPOTS
Now, this wasn’t so much a formal list as a series of suggestions made on a recent TV broadcast, but I quite like the choices made by Travel + Leisure editor Jackie Gifford. Gifford mentioned Burlington, Vermont (a great little city with amazing skiing close by), Austin, Texas (fabulous music and great food), San Juan, Puerto Rico (good to have a colourful, tropical US destination with fab beaches close at hand), Carlsbad, California (a great little downtown, a fine beach and Legoland), and also, just for international flair and a dash of European style, Montreal, a city I briefly profiled the other day in my great Canadian cities feature.
The beach in Carlsbad, California. JIM BYERS PHOTO
NEW AIRLINE RANKINGS: QATAR AIRWAYS TAKES TOP SPOT; WEST JET DOES WELL
AirlineRatings.com came out with its list of top full-service airlines in the world. They also looked at so-called hybrid airlines, which includes most North American carriers.
I wrote the other day about how all the world’s highest-rated airports in the latest Skytrax ratings report were in Asia. I also note that eight of the top ten and the entire top six airlines here are Asian-based, while another (Turkish) is really half Europe and half Asian. Which makes me wonder, again, why North America can’t seem to do things as well as Asia when it comes to certain segments of the travel industry.
Here’s their top 10 for worldwide full-service airlines:
- Qatar Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Singapore Airlines
- Korean Air
- STARLUX Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines (here’s a review I wrote about their business class)
- Emirates (spectacular biz class)
- Air New Zealand (terrific airline, also with amazing business class and premium economy seating)
- Etihad Airways
- EVA Air
- Qantas (I had great flights with them on my last visit to Australia)
- Virgin Atlantic
- Hainan Airlines
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
A chef in Turkish Airlines business class. Meryl Pearlstein photo
The website also listed the top “hybrid” airlines. Here’s their top 15.
- Lufthansa
- WestJet (haven’t flow them in some time but they do a good job)
- Virgin Australia
- Delta Air Lines (seems okay to me)
- United Airlines (decent, never great)
- American Airlines (it’s been years)
- SWISS
- Finnair
- British Airways
- TAP Portugal
- Iberia
- Air Canada (I’d rank AC much, much higher)
- Alaska Airlines
- Avianca
- Air Europa
CRUISE NEWS AND VIEWS
FOUR SEASONS YACHTS SAILS TODAY
Four Seasons Yachts inaugural vessel, Four Seasons I, embarks on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean today, translating Four Seasons hospitality into a new frontier of ultra-luxury travel. Purpose-built from the ground up and shaped entirely around the guest, the Yacht extends Four Seasons legendary service to sea for the first time. Inspired by the romance of the nautical lifestyle, Four Seasons I is reimagining modern yachting by pairing the exclusivity and freedom of a private yacht with Four Seasons personalized service and experiences alongside an exceptional culinary vision, integrative wellness offerings, and curated art and design within an intentionally intimate, refined maritime setting. Residential-style suites, many featuring expansive terraces and private plunge pools, offer space and seclusion, while access to exclusive ports and yacht-only harbours establish a new benchmark for sea travel. Sounds pretty posh!
Luxury Redefined at Sea: The Debut of Four Seasons Yachts
VIKING ROLLS OUT HYDROGEN SHIP
Viking this week announced that the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions, was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the Viking Libra will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DOWN UNDER
Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House, Australia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Royal Caribbean is unveiling its most exciting Australian summer yet with all-in holiday adventures and the debut of Royal Beach Club Lelepa, the Southern Hemisphere’s first Royal Caribbean exclusive cruise destination for a holiday like no other. From October 2027 to April 2028, travellers can look forward to more short getaways, weekend departures and ways to bask in island time on Anthem of the Seas from Sydney and Voyager of the Seas from Brisbane, delivering 2- to 12-night holidays across Australia, the sun-soaked South Pacific – including the ultimate beach day at the all-new Royal Beach Club Lelepa – and breathtaking New Zealand. The new lineup of 2027-28 holidays on two of the boldest ships at sea are now available to book on Royal Caribbean’s website.
