Lonely Planet has announced its annual Best in Europe (www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-europe) list.

Highlighting the European destinations that should be on travelers’ radars this summer, Lonely Planet’s experts have selected Europe’s best of the best right now.

While meeting up with my daughter in Florence, Italy, we took a wonderful day trip to Lonely Planet’s third choice, Venice.  More about this later.

Here’s the full list:

1.   Peloponnese, Greece

2.   Aarhus, Denmark

3.   Venice, Italy

4.   The Dordogne, France

5.   Lviv, Ukraine

6.   Warwickshire, England

7.   Extremadura, Spain

8.   East Coast Tenerife, Canary Islands

9.   Texel, the Netherlands

10.  Northern Dalmatia, Croatia

This is what Lonely Planet says about their list:

The Peloponnese in Greece takes the crown and is named Europe’s top destination for the summer. This diverse and vibrant region is often forgotten as travelers flock to Greece’s myriad islands or marvel at the iconic Acropolis. However it remains an affordable enclave of magnificent ancient sights such as Olympia, Mycenae and Mystras, as well as now offering travelers the chance to hike the new Menalon trail. For wine lovers, the Nemean wine region offers the perfect tasting spot, as its vintages come to prominence across the globe.

Warwickshire in England also makes the must-see list for this summer thanks to its breadth of offerings. The county is brimming with beauty, including bucolic hills, sublime castles and historic market towns. Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, is currently in the midst of a string of festivities marking the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, while Warwick Castle, which this year restored and relaunched its 22-tonne trebuchet – the world’s largest siege machine – provides a chance to relive medieval warfare.

Also featured in the list are: Denmark’s second city, Aarhus, which boasts cool neighborhoods, head-turning architecture and culinary wizardry; the Dordogne in France – perfect for food lovers on the trail of local produce; East Coast Tenerife, which beyond the rowdy revelry offers extraordinary volcanic moonscapes, slow-paced fishing villages and dramatic cliffs; and Texel – the largest of the Netherlands’ Wadden Sea Islands – which boasts wildlife reserves, deserted white-sand beaches and pine forests.

Lonely Planet’s Editorial Director, Tom Hall, said: “Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe 2016 list offers up our recommendations for travelers seeking an authentic experience in Europe this summer – whether they’re looking for local recommendations, or hoping to absorb some traditional life while away, these destinations should be on any traveler’s wish list this summer.”

Here are some other features:

1. Free Ebook: For travelers already acquainted with the stars of Best in Europe 2016, Lonely Planet’s experts have delved deeper, bringing together even more European recommendations in a free ebook, Secret Europe 2016, also available to download at lonelyplanet.com/best-in-europe
2. Video: Lonely Planet travel expert on why the Peloponnese was named #1 here
3. Quiz: ‘Which Best in Europe destination drink are you?’