Post from 09/03/2016

The best holiday resorts 2016 – these are the winners

All the votes have been counted and this year’s winners have been determined. Wernigerode, Rome, Mayrhofen, Pollença, Dubrovnik and Enkhuizen have obtained the atraveo award for the best holiday resort 2016.

The customer reviews of the holiday resorts that were submitted in the previous year form the basis for the award. In addition to reviewing the accommodation, each customer on atraveo can also rate the visited holiday resort on a scale of one (not recommended) to five (highly recommended). From all the resorts that have received a minimum number of reviews, we then calculate which places have obtained the best ratings on average each year - for Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Croatia and Spain. As a new addition, we have expanded the winners’ circle this year and, for the first time, also determined the best holiday resort in Austria.

A short introduction to this year’s winners will follow below. Furthermore, in the coming weeks, we will deal with each of the winning resorts in detail in our regular newsletter.

Best holiday resort in Germany: Wernigerode, 4.95 points

The old quarter bedecked with half-timbered houses and the castle enthroned above the town have won you over, making Wernigerode the best German holiday resort. Holidaymakers appreciate both the sights in the town and its proximity to many excursion destinations in the Harz district. A trip up to the Brocken via the Harz narrow-gauge railway should definitely be included on the itinerary during your holiday in Wernigerode.

The old Town Hall of Wernigerode

Customers on Wernigerode:

“Wernigerode is a beautiful, very vibrant and multifaceted town of half-timbered houses, in a good location for excursions in every direction.”

“Wernigerode is worth a trip at any time of the year and offers a lot of variety.”

“We were really surprised by what was on offer in Wernigerode. There’s nothing there that can’t be found. The free town rally that we undertook on our own initiative and with the guidance of tourist information was especially great.”

“Wernigerode Castle is definitely worth a trip – regardless of whether you go by coach, narrow-gauge railway or on foot. Furthermore, there are many interesting destinations and hiking trails in the nearby surrounding area.”

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Further placings in Germany:

2. Stralsund, 4.86 points

3. Inzell, 4.82 points

4. Warnemünde, 4.82 points

5. Quedlinburg, 4.8 points

Best holiday resort in Italy: Rome, 4.87 points

The list of sights is almost endless and the flair that Rome exudes is unique – there could scarcely be a more prominent winner in Italy! The “Eternal City” has obtained the best reviews on average and is therefore this year’s Italian award winner. The voting shows that it doesn’t always have to be the "classic" travel destinations by the sea or in the countryside that win the holidaymakers over. More and more travellers are discovering that city apartments located in middle of the town offer a particularly authentic alternative to a hotel.

View of the Ponte Sant'Angelo and St Peter’s Basilica

Customers on Rome:

“Rome is super! There is so much to see.”

“It’s unnecessary to review a city like Rome. This was the fifth time that we’ve been here and we’ll definitely be back more often.”

“Rome is simply worth the trip. I can only say that Rome is a beautiful city that everyone just has to see.”

“The city speaks for itself.”

“Rome itself deserves more than five possible points!”

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Further placings in Italy:

2. Monopoli, 4.78 points

3. Tropea, 4.71 points

4. Venice, 4.69 points

5. Riva del Garda, 4.67 points

Best holiday resort in Austria: Mayrhofen, 4.75 points

This year, for the first time, we have also determined the best holiday resort in Austria. Mayrhofen in the Zillertal obtained the best customer reviews in the previous year and is therefore our first award winner in the Alpine region. Ski areas in a class of their own await you in winter and in summer, it is the ideal place to discover the Alpine landscape.

View of Mayrhofen and the Zillertal

Customers on Mayrhofen:

“Great ski area, beautiful place, nothing was lacking.”

“Mayrhofen is a fantastic holiday resort – both in terms of excursion options and entertainment possibilities for families with children. Plus the shopping possibilities and the gastronomic range are second to none!”

“Mayrhofen is a beautiful place to go skiing. Good pistes and well-equipped. Highly recommended!”

“The ski area is very diverse. There’s something for everyone and it’s very spacious.”

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Further placings in Austria:

2. Längenfeld, 4.66 points

3. Sölden, 4.62 points

4. Mittersill, 4.59 points

5. Zell am Ziller, 4.53 points

Best holiday resort in Spain: Pollença, 4.71 points

Spain’s best holiday resort is located in a picturesque bay on Majorca between Cap Formentor and the headland of Avançada. Holidaymakers especially enjoy the beautiful beaches, the colourful hustle and bustle on the promenade, and the numerous water sports possibilities in the district of Port de Pollença, located by the sea. Pollença is also well-regarded because it has remained largely untouched by mass tourism and the associated structural excesses.

View of the bay of Pollença

Customers on Pollença:

“Nice little holiday resort, directly inside a beautiful bay.”

“Port de Pollença is a good base for great hikes. The beach is very close and there are many water sports possibilities.”

“We really like Pollença because there are no skyscrapers, nor party noise. The sailing possibilities are fantastic and there are plenty of options for nice meals in the evenings.”

“Nice yacht harbour. There are ample shopping possibilities, restaurants and bars. The beach is very beautiful and not too crowded.”

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Further placings in Spain:

2. Barcelona, 4.55 points

3. La Cala de Mijas, 4.53 points

4. Tossa de Mar, 4.47 points

5. Calpe, 4.45 points

Best holiday resort in Croatia: Dubrovnik, 4.7 points

With its beautiful old quarter - which is located on a rock, the historic harbour, and the well-preserved town wall, Dubrovnik is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. Our customers also share this view and have chosen the coastal city in Dalmatia as the best Croatian holiday resort. The many great beaches around Dubrovnik will, of course, tempt you - as will the city with its attractions.

Dubrovnik with its harbour and the historic town wall

Customers on Dubrovnik:

“Dubrovnik is a beautiful, clean, and fully-preserved medieval city with a spectacular town wall that is four kilometres long and completely encircles the place. You should definitely walk along it.”

"Dubrovnik is a dream of a city. No wonder Game of Thrones was filmed here.”

“Dubrovnik really is a must. Very nice surrounding area, especially on the islands around the beautiful landscape. The old quarter is full of interesting sights and a walk along the town wall is really worthwhile.”

“Despite the many visitors that descend daily on the old quarter – which is actually pretty small, Dubrovnik always manages to preserve a magic of its own.”

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Further placings in Croatia:

2. Rovinj, 4.68 points

3. Krk, 4.65 points

4. Primosten, 4.61 points

5. Postira, 4.59 points

Best holiday resort in the Netherlands: Enkhuizen, 4.64 points

And, finally, we present one of our rare multi-award winners. Holiday home vacationers seem to really like it here in Enkhuizen, as this is already the second time since 2014 that this picturesque little town at the IJsselmeer has been able to pick up the crown for the best Dutch holiday resort. The difference between the second and third place was, however, very close.

The old fortified tower at the entrance to Enkhuizen’s harbour

Customers on Enkhuizen:

“Enkhuizen is a small place with beautiful old half-timbered houses. It’s located directly by the sea, and has a lot of flair and everything you need.”

“I ate the best Dutch apple cake in Enkhuizen!”

“Enkhuizen is a real gem with its numerous historic buildings.”

“Enkhuizen is a really beautiful place, like something out of a picture book. There are many entertainment possibilities for children (Zuiderzee Museum, a fairytale wonderland, a huge play area, and a swimming pool).”

“Enkhuizen is one of the most agreeable and worthwhile places we’ve ever visited. And we have truly done a lot of travelling around the world.”

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Further placings in the Netherlands:

2. Hollum, 4.63 points

3. Brouwershaven, 4.62 points

4. Aardenburg, 4.54 points

5. Julianadorp, 4.43 points

We say "many congratulations" to all the award winners and also wish a great stay to all the holidaymakers who have booked a trip to one of the winning resorts for this year!

Do you want to know more about the best holiday resorts? You can view previous years’ winners here.

More about the best holiday resorts