Europe’s 10 hottest destinations for 2013
Thanks to a slew of new galleries, hotels and museums paired with festivals, fairs and more, there’s plenty to keep you busy across the Continent in the coming year.
Liverpool, England
“This way to Anfield, lads …”
If you’ve heard Liverpool mentioned only in reference to its football club, you’re missing out.
Besides London, it’s arguably the most exciting destination in England at the moment, offering plenty of reasons to party well into the New Year.
Having just celebrated the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ first record — the Fab Four formed here in 1960 — Liverpudlians are looking forward to another installment of International Beatle Week in August, commemorating the music and lives of one of the most influential pop groups of all time.
The festivities continue at the freshly minted Museum of Liverpool, where a new theater (opening in early 2013) will host music and drama events alongside insightful exhibitions and film screenings, many of them free.
Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, England; 
+44 (0) 151 478 4545; www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Corsica, France
The calm before the cycling storm hits Corsica in 2013.
It’s France, but not as we know it.
A petite island a couple of hundred kilometers from the French mainland, Corsica flies under the radar for the most part — and that’s part of its appeal.
Hillside Mediterranean towns are blissfully crowd-free compared to the streets of tourist hot spots like Cannes and Nice, and you’ll have most beaches entirely to yourself.
Still, the real draw in 2013 will be thousands of men clad in Lycra.
For the first time in history, Corsica will host a leg of the Tour de France (June 29-July 21).
More than that, it will hold the opening of the event, celebrating its 100th year with pomp and ceremony — and some serious cycling.
The 3,360-kilometer race weaves across the country until it reaches Paris, where the pedaling culminates against the backdrop of a floodlit Arc de Triomphe.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland — Björk with everything.
The fact that it’s one of the most affordable destinations in Europe aside, Iceland’s capital is cool on many levels.
Kissing latitude 67 degrees north, the isolated island of volcanoes and glaciers is home to equal urban drama: the Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre opened here not long ago and is now the official home of the Icelandic Opera and Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
Local favorite Björk has also been known to belt out a tune or two in the shimmering glass-clad building, embedded with colored LED strips.
While the glowing hall is pretty, it’s hard to beat the lights in the night sky. Until April, Reykjavik and much of northern Europe are forecast to be treated to some of the best showings of the Aurora Borealis in history.
The Winter Lights Festival (February 7-10) will bring music, performances and food to help you get in the mood.
Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Ingólfsgarður Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland; +354 (0) 528 5050; en.harpa.is
Istanbul, Turkey
A city on the edge — Turkey.
The Turkish capital delights visitors with some of Europe’s hippest hotels and boutiques, not to mention a booming contemporary arts scene.
In 2013, Istanbul will host a handful of forward-thinking fetes, including the inaugural edition of Art Istanbul International at the Haskoy Yarn Factory (September 14-17), showcasing exciting new works from Turkey, the Middle East and beyond.
September also heralds the larger Istanbul Biennial (September 14-November 10), curated by renowned critic Fulya Erdemci.
Creative hoteliers are flocking to the city in response, which means that visitors can look forward to 2013 outposts from the likes of Shangri-La, Raffles and Hilton, among others.
Haskoy Yarn Factory, Kırmızı Minare Sokak 7-11, Sütlüce, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey; no tel; no website.
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