Best rural European destinations revealed

Some of the most promising rural European holiday locations have been identified as part of an industry awards scheme.

The European Destinations of Excellence (Eden) Awards, first launched in 2006, saw ten countries enter, with national juries selecting the best destinations within each nation.

Among the winners were the Pielachtal valley in the Alpine foothills of Dirndl, Austria, which was commended for its specialty cuisine, culture, natural surroundings and handicrafts, and Durbuy in Belgium, the smallest city in the world.

Elsewhere, the Sveti Martin na Muri district in Croatia was praised for its thermal springs and spas, while Troodos in Cyprus was voted into the top ten for providing a relaxing getaway for those looking to avoid the busier resorts.

The mountainous Florina region in Greece, the Orseg region in Hungary, the Clonakilty district in Ireland and Nadur in Malta were noted for their natural beauty, with the rest of the top ten consisting of the historical sites of Specchia in Italy and Kuldiga in Latvia.

European commission vice-president Gunter Verheugen commented: "The Eden Project supports European tourism and enhances the visibility of several non-traditional destinations."

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