Lonely Planet pick for best European holiday destination surprises

Forget the hustle and bustle of Europe’s top holiday destinations, for Lonely Planet the top spot in its list lies in Iceland, on the Arctic circle island’s northern coast, in fact.
The top spot goes to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-biggest urban area, which Lonely Planet describes as blessed for being naturally beautiful and tourist free.
“Akureyri tops the list as the best place in Europe thanks to its easy-going feel combined with an urban buzz, while also providing a great base for exploring north Iceland’s green pastures, fishing villages and waterfalls, not to mention glimpsing awe-inspiring glaciers, volcanoes and lava fields,” according to Lonely Planet’s press release.
Surrounded by mountain peaks, nearby activities for tourists include cross-country skiing, fishing and whale- and bird-watching.