The twenty-two European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) in tourism and the protected areas

The winning destinations, chosen by national juries, are located in protected areas (i.e. area of land and/or sea/internal waters dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means) and areas bordering them, where an economically viable tourism product has been developed using the protected area as an asset, while respecting its protected environment and at the same time meeting the needs of local residents and visitors.

Austria
Grosse Walsertal Biosphere Park
Located in the heart of the Austrian Alps lies the remarkable Grosse Walsertal Biosphere Park. With such a rich landscape, Grosse Walsertal has it all, whether you’re a walking, gardening or food enthusiast. The Alps rise over 2,700 metres high, parted by fertile farming valleys where everything from herbs, berries and flowers are grown.

Belgium
Viroin-Hermeton Nature Park
Located south of Charleroi in Belgium's heartland is the Viroinval Nature Park. This regional jewel offers timeless landscapes and scenery, plant life and wildlife, along with tantalising local cuisine. Perfect for walking, mountain biking, family adventures, cultural festivals or romantic getaways. Marvel at the pristine meadows and farmlands, thick-green forests and rolling hillsides .

Bulgaria
Town of Belitsa
Bulgaria's town of Belitsa, is located in the south-west part of the country within the valley of Razlog. Since it rests on the foothills of the Rila, Pirin and Rhodopes mountains, the town boasts stunning panoramic views, and is home to the largest bear rescue centre in Europe. History lovers can step back into Neolithic times.

Croatia
Northern Velebit National Park
Situated in the north-western part of Croatia is the Northern Velebit National Park. Located just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, the park unites two different locales, the coastal region and the mountainous zone. Predatory animals such as wildcats, bears and wolves, roam the mountainsides, while deep sinkholes and caves give the park an unparalleled sense of multiplicity.

Cyprus
Vouni Panagias
Resting in the eastern boundaries of the Pafos District rises Cyprus' Vouni Panagias. Ancient oak trees fill the dense and beautiful Pafos Forest in the mountainous regions, while closer to sea level age-old vineyards and water springs enhance the landscapes’ natural scenery. Extremely rare species of birds and wildlife inhabit the area, known for its walking and hiking trails.

Czech Republic
Bohemian Switzerland
Resting near the German border just inside the Czech Republic is the Bohemian Switzerland Natural Park. Its unique beauty and unmatched landscapes have inspired many great minds such as Kafka, Dvorak and Fridich, to name a few. Rock towers rise from the Earth, while gorges cut and slash their way through valleys leading to ancient castles and ruins.

Estonia
Soomaa National Park
Located in Transitional Estonia, the Soomaa National Park was established to protect the many large raised bogs, flood plains, forests and meandering rivers. The region is home to Siberian Irises, beavers, cranes, the Ural owl, lynx, wolves and bears. In winter there are snowshoe tours over the bogs and frozen rivers, while in other seasons nighttime canoe tours are available.

France
Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park
Surrounded by regions such as Alsace, Moselle/Lorraine and the Palatinate in Germany, the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park has sandstone, hot springs and many water passages. The region is also home to many of the finest glass and crystal makers in the world, while fine restaurants specializing in the region's unsurpassed tastes are plentiful.

Greece
Prefecture of Lesvos
Located in the Northeast Aegean Sea, Lesvos is Greece's prized possession. The Island combines natural beauty and history in a unique way. An island best known for its beaches, Lesvos is home to some of the most spectacular natural attractions in the world. See fossilized tree-trunks in Lesvos Petrified Forest or go bird watching at the Gulf of Kalloni.

Hungary
Írottkő Nature Park
Situated in the West Transdanubian region of Hungary rests the Irottko Nature Park. Since the Irottko sits on the foothills of the Alps, the region is known for its varied landscapes and rich, fertile soil. The highest peak in the park , Irottko Mountain, rises 882 meters above sea level and overlooks quaint villages, historical landmarks and spectacular hillside vegetation.

Ireland
Sheep's Head Peninsula
Located off Ireland's southwest coast is jagged Sheep's Head Peninsula. Despite its rugged terrain, Sheep's Head is rigged with unrivaled charm and a true hidden gem in Ireland's vast history. Take a walk on the Sheep's Head Way, visit forts and monuments such as Lord Bandon's Folly, and complete your trip by visiting some of the numerous pubs and restaurants.

Italy
Protected Marine Area Penisola del Sinis, Italy - Isola di Mal di Ventre
Located in the central western coast of Sardinia, the Protected Marine Area Penisola del Sinis is an area of contrasting landscapes ranging from spectacular coastlines to imposing cliff formations. With timeless scenery, a unique wildlife population, an effervescent local community and fine cuisine, the area offers a peek into an indigenous culture and setting steeped in tradition .

Latvia
Tervete Nature Park
With a history that dates back to the first millennium BC, Latvia's Tervete Nature Park, about 75 kilometers to the south of the capital city Riga, is a mystical region filled with a heroic past. A visit to the three castle mounds offers a distinct glimpse into the area's proud past, and visiting the beautiful Swans Lake is a must.

Lithuania
Nemunas River Delta Regional Park
Lithuania's natural wonder known as the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park was formed when massive glaciers melted to conclude the Ice Age. What the glaciers carved out and left behind were a series of flooded meadows, rivers, lakes, bogs and the Curonian Lagoon. In this vast region, covering nearly 2,000-square kilometers, water activities reign supreme .

Luxembourg
Schengen - "Haff Réimech
Situated on the southeastern-most tip of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Commune of Schengen is comprised of three villages: Remerschen, Schengen and Wintrage. It is a region of tremendous wineries with a major attraction being the 42-kilometer long "Wine Road" which starts on the Luxembourg Moselle river, winding its way through gorgeous lands dotted by wineries .

Malta
Mel lieħa and the Hamlet of Manikata
Mellieħa is a rural village situated in the north-western part of the island of Malta. Known for its wonderful sandy beaches, world-class hotels and restaurants, Mellieħa is one of Malta's most pristine regions. The area is rich in important archaeological sites with the magnificent church being one of Malta's most-prized pieces.

The Netherlands
Park Gravenrode
Nestled in the southern part of the Netherlands adjacent to the German border in the province of Limburg is the fully transformed Park Gravenrode. Once a dilapidated mining region with little or no nature, the region is quite a contrast to the rest of Holland with rolling hills and rising landscapes and its beauty is just beginning to be untapped.

Poland
The Bird Republic in the Warta Mouth
Nestled away in the Warta Mouth National Park lies Poland's Bird Republic. This special bird sanctuary draws visitors throughout the year due to the great number of birds that make the park their home at various times throughout the year. The park itself is vast, with wetlands, rolling meadows, grasslands and the Warta River carving its way through .

Romania
Apuseni Nature Park
Tucked away in western Romania, in the Apuseni Mountains, lies the amazing Apuseni Natural Park. The region boasts green forests, blue waters and white limestone as well as ravines, caves, underground lakes and unique carnivorous wildlife. The remarkable sunsets that this region is named after, along with timeless local charm, make Apuseni a mystical place to visit .

Slovenia
Solčavsko
The Solčava district lies at the upper end of the Savinja River and has some of the most beautiful sceneries in the whole of Slovenia. The Alpine scenery is peppered with sites of breathtaking natural beauty, and the three mighty glacial valleys are the highlight of any stay. Hike in Alpine meadows, misty beech forests or banks of wild strawberries.

Spain
The Ebro Delta
In the Southern Dis tricts of Cataluña lies Spain's Ebro Delta Nature Park. Tucked away in the hinterland of three major cities (Barcelona, Valencia and Zaragoza), this region boasts the splendid Terres de L'Ebre, an area of stunning scenery and ecosystems. Hear the wind whistle through the rice paddies, watch rare birds fly by and escape into the tranquility of nature.

Turkey
Kars - Kuyucuk Lake Wild Life Reserve
In the northeastern corner of Turkey, at an altitude of 1,750 meters lies the region of Kars. This historical area, which dates back to the Lithic Ages (13,000-10,000 BC), sits below the Castle of Kars, a magnificent fortress built in the 12th century. Visit Lake Kuyucuk for a spot of stargazing, or enjoy incredible panoramic views from Satan’s Castle .