The year is fresh, and the time is right for dreaming of where to go and what to see in the months to come. Should more travel be on your wish list for 2025, here’s a look at European places promising special events, anniversaries, grand openings or other experiences, along with places the travel press has singled out as destinations on the rise.

Anniversaries

Bath and Hampshire, England, will be marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth with celebrations of her literary legacy throughout the year, starting with a Pride and Prejudice Festival at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire slated for Jan. 23-28. Her Hampshire birthplace, the village of Steventon, plans to host historic exhibits, chamber concerts and a country fair. The city of Bath plans three costumed balls and a festival in September. A statue of Austen will be unveiled in Winchester Cathedral. Online: tinyurl.com/t9vr2zed

Vienna, Austria, celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of its native son, Johann Strauss, the composer known as “the Waltz King” with events slated throughout the year. These range from concerts by renowned orchestras and contemporary artists alike to performances of his works in unexpected venues. On April 6, the date of the Vienna City Marathon, runners will warm up to the strains of the Blue Danube, while 200 individuals costumed as Strauss compete for prizes of their own. Online: johannstrauss2025.at/en/

Rome is braced for up to 30 million pilgrims to visit during what has been designated a “Jubilee,” or “Holy Year.” The tradition was first observed back in 1300, and nowadays such years are organized at least once every 25 years. For the faithful, participation in the Holy Year means the granting of a plenary indulgence. Topping the pilgrim’s to-do list will be a visit to St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Basilica, where he or she can pass through an exceptionally opened Holy Door. “Hope” has been selected as the theme of this year’s observances.

European Capitals of Culture

Each year, the European Union designates two cities as European Capitals of Culture, allowing lesser-known cities the chance to share their cultural heritages and aspirations. In 2025, the cities of Nova Gorica in Slovenia and its Italian neighbor Gorizia serve as an example of successful cross-border cultural collaboration, with a program of events dedicated to art, cinema, fashion, music, photography and theater, including multimedia and performance art set in natural landscapes. Simultaneously holding the title is Chemnitz, Germany, an industrial city reshaping its infrastructure into means of artistic expression. A vast program of events titled “C the Unseen” kicks off Jan. 18.

Sporting moments

Turin, Italy, is preparing to welcome more than 1,500 athletes from 103 countries taking part in the Special Olympics World Winter Games, billed as the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event, March 8-15. Geneva, Switzerland, will host the UEFA Women’s EURO football tournament July 2-27. The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup will play out in England between 22 Aug. 22 and Sept. 27.

Art exhibitions

Daily Art Magazine has compiled a list of the 10 Best Art Exhibitions to See in 2025; among those mentioned is Siena 1300–1350: The Rise of Painting, which can be seen at the National Gallery in London March 8-June 22. Another exhibition, Gothic Modern: From Darkness to Light, combining 250 works by 60 artists, runs Feb. 28-June 15 at the National Museum in Oslo before traveling to the Albertina in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 19-Jan. 11, 2026.

Travel press picks

Each year, a variety of travel publications select destinations around the world as must-see places, and European locales tend to be well represented on their lists.

Conde Nast traveler proposes the Ahr Valley in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate, a red-wine growing region well on its way to recovery following devastating floods in 2021; the Faroe Islands, a sparsely populated archipelago in the North Atlantic that’s now more accessible thanks to a new flight route offered by Icelandair; Marseille, France, for its thriving art scene and as a gateway to Provence; and Sussex, a region along England’s southeast coast, for its bustling creative scene. Online: tinyurl.com/yc9w8yap

Lonely Planet makes its picks according to countries, regions and cities. Making the country list are Lithuania for its unspoiled dunes, lakes and forests along the Baltic Sea and Slovakia for outdoor adventures in the Carpathian Mountains. Regions highlighted in 2025 include Valais in Switzerland, a region boasting glaciers and resorts that serve as great bases for mountain biking; Bavaria in Germany for beer gardens or road tripping along the Romantic Road; and East Anglia in England for charming villages of half-timbered houses. Cities being recognized in 2025 include Toulouse, France, for art galleries in repurposed industrial spaces; Bansko, Bulgaria, for a winter sports destination popular with digital nomads; Genoa, Italy, for stunning seaside views and culinary greatness; and Palma de Mallorca for quirky historical monuments and the debut of a waterfront promenade. Online: tinyurl.com/37fps886

Frommer’s, whose founder Arthur Frommer passed away in 2024, is touting destinations that have changed for the better over the past several years. Slovenia wins mention for majestic castles and modern winegrowing methods. The Greek island of Crete, with its 650-mile-long coastline and rugged interior, is deemed worthy of exploration throughout the year. Ghent, Belgium, with its canals overlooked by medieval guild houses and sumptuous religious art holdings, is the publication’s alternative to Bruges. Brixen, Italy, secures its spot on the list for its spectacular Dolomites setting and the ease of making day trips by bike or local transportation. Online: tinyurl.com/y696bh7r