European destinations for your next adventure

Emerald green white water, impressive mountain panorama, pristine pebble beaches - the Soča in southwestern Slovenia is one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. It rises in the Triglav National Park, in the border triangle of Austria, Italy and Slovenia, and from there makes its way to the Mediterranean Sea. Kayakers will get their money's worth on the 138 kilometers. The northern town of Bovec is the perfect starting point for a tour of several days by kayak or canoe. There are easy sections where courses are offered to get acquainted with the water sport. However, some stages are quite demanding and challenge even experienced kayakers.

Sure, Portugal is the surfer's paradise in Europe. But the west coast also offers beautiful hiking routes! Beginning in Sines, the Fishermen's Trail leads a good 200 kilometers south along the cliffs: past the most beautiful Atlantic beaches, always with the sea in view, to Lagos. You should plan a good week for the tour. There are plenty of places to stay and eat in the many fishing villages. After each day's stage, you can look forward to typical Portuguese tapas, fresh fish and the most beautiful sunsets in Europe - and maybe even plan a surf session after work.

Speaking of surfing... How about a really unconventional spot for surfing? Since May 2020, Europe's largest artificial river wave has been running on the Traun, the tributary to Ebensee in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut, attracting surfers from all over the world. In the middle of the mountains, you can take a surfing course on the Riverwave, prove your skills, meet cool people or watch the pros at the Riverwave Surf Open at the end of April.

Whether there really are vampires in Transylvania, we can not answer with certainty. But the fact is that one of the most beautiful roads in Europe is located in the Western Carpathians: the Transfagarasan. Many hairpin bends, many altitude meters, many unforgettable views - on 150 kilometers the pass winds through the beautiful landscape of Transylvania - up to an altitude of 2042 meters. The road was built in the 1970s as a connection to Wallachia and is only open from July to November. In summer, there is a lot of traffic here, especially on weekends, because the pass is also on the bucket list of many car and van life fans. There are also many great hiking areas in the region. Conquering the Transfagarasan by road bike is a real challenge - and guaranteed unforgettable.

It is a must for all passionate road cyclists: the l'Eroica in Gaiole in Chianti. The Vintage Bike Tour through the picturesque Tuscan countryside is not about winning, the best time or the steepest climb. Held annually on the first weekend in October, the tour is a festival for racing bike nerds. Almost 10,000 participants cycle in wool jerseys on their old steel racers over white gravel roads, through vineyards and cypress avenues, through picturesque villages, in whose squares the strength is strengthened with red wine and white bread. The longest route is 200 kilometers via Siena back to Gaiole, but you can also sign up for the shorter tours. Provided there are still tickets available, because they are quickly sold out due to the many fans of this cycling event. It's a good thing that there are now many offshoots of the Vintage Bike Tour besides the original, even beyond the borders of Italy:

Eastern Germany is home to one of the best climbing areas in Europe: the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, which stretch from Saxon Switzerland to the Czech Republic. With more than a thousand free-standing sandstone towers, the mountains are a paradise for climbers amid unique scenery. The nature reserve offers plenty of variety for beginners and professionals alike on around 25,0000 routes.

The Mediterranean island of Corsica is a paradise for active vacationers and is particularly well known for its challenging hiking routes. The GR20 long-distance hiking trail, which runs 180 kilometers across the island, is considered one of the most difficult, but also one of the most beautiful in Europe. A total of 12,000 meters of altitude must be overcome. The route leads over narrow paths, steep climbs and dizzying peaks. For a normal hike you should plan at least two weeks. However, the trail can also be completed in just under six days: some athletes have rediscovered the iconic GR20 as a trail running path. So if you're looking for a new running challenge in 2023, Corsica might be the place to go.