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The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced all undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older will need to register with the federal government or face financial penalties and jail time
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The Best Vuori Gifts To Refresh Your Loved Ones’ Winter Wardrobes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
Forbes
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
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The 20 ‘European Best Destinations’ For 2025: Monaco Tops New Report The European Best Destinations organization has revealed its highly anticipated report on the trendiest places in Europe to visit this year, based on a record number of votes from more than 1.2 million travelers across 158 countries. Selected from 500-plus destinations, the new, tempting list includes hidden gems, exclusive coastal towns, preserved nature escapes, romantic getaways, city breaks, family vacations, exclusive islands and wellness retreats. The 20 shortlisted European Best Destinations were selected for their quality of life, sustainable development, year-round cultural offer, growth of popularity on social networks and their international recognition (winners of Smart tourism, EU Green Capital, UNESCO, Zero Carbon Emission Commitment, EU Capital of Culture, Blue Flags and more). ForbesThe 20 Best European Destinations In 2024: Marbella Tops Travel SurveyBy Cecilia Rodriguez Monaco tops the list with an unmatched 115,891 votes—98% of them by international travelers—making it the most globally-endorsed destination in the competition’s history. “This sun-soaked, five-star escape embodies everything discerning travelers seek in 2025: sustainable luxury, nature, wellness, gastronomy, conservation, sports activities and designer shopping,” EBD explained. Riga, Latvia’s capital, snared second place and was also selected as the Best Baltic Destination, followed by Dubrovnik & Cavtat in Croatia, Madrid, and Namur in Belgium in the first five places. With Amsterdam, Olhão in Portugal, Ascona in Italy, Bath in England, the sustainable luxury Greek island of Antipaxos, and Seville, Spain among others, the 2025 selection, according to EBD, “perfectly reflects modern travelers’ evolving desires—a mix of exclusive retreats, cultural treasures, romantic escapes and sun-kissed coastal gems. ForbesTravel Photographer Of The Year: Beautiful, Inspiring Award-Winning ImagesBy Cecilia Rodriguez From the majestic streets of Madrid to the crystal-clear waters of Antipaxos, from the cultural richness of Riga to the elegance of Monaco, this year’s selection proves that Europe remains the world’s most diverse and captivating continent for travel.” In partnership with more than 500 tourism offices in Europe and the EDEN Network (Sustainable Destinations awarded by the European Commission), European Best Destinations has billed itself as the most influential travel competition in Europe for the past 14 consecutive years. Monaco, elected European Best Destination 2025 Monaco has been elected The European Best Destination for 2025. EBD 1. Monaco, Best European Destination 2025 EBD’s top selection is the ultimate luxury and lifestyle escape and has been officially awarded the title of Best Destination in Europe 2025, a recognition voted by tourism professionals and travelers as the Must-See Destination of the Year. The famous city on the French Riviera leads the way in sustainable luxury travel, with a commitment to marine conservation, green tourism and eco-conscious urban development. Its victory reflects a growing traveler preference for destinations that seamlessly combine exclusivity with sustainability. The preferred destination for couples aged 25 to 45, Monaco has received more votes than any other Riviera destination since the competition’s inception. The principality’s blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sport and year-round events makes it an exceptional experience for a romantic getaway, a family retreat or an exclusive escape. “Explore the historic charm of Monaco, marvel at the legendary Place du Casino, or unwind at the Larvotto seaside complex, where luxury meets the Mediterranean. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, vibrant cultural events, and a commitment to sustainable tourism,” EBD recommends. City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia City Hall Square with House of the Blackheads and Saint Peter church in Old Town of Riga, Latvia getty 2. Riga, Latvia The #2 Best European Destination also won the tile of Hottest City Break 2025. Latvia’s capital combines historic charm with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for globetrotters seeking an inspiring destination. Known as the "Paris of the North," Riga offers a rich blend of Art Nouveau architecture, nature, shopping, gastronomy and vibrant cultural events. Riga, Rising Star of the Baltics, was also voted best Baltic destination and has been gaining significant momentum on the European travel scene. Recognized as one of the Top 5 European Destinations in 2024, Riga saw a 14% increase in visitors, making it one of Europe’s most up-and-coming cities. In its Old Historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, medieval landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral take you back in time. “For a taste of Riga’s artistic soul, explore the trendy Mieraiela district, brimming with artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafés,” notes EBD. “Food lovers will find Riga a culinary haven, from its traditional Latvian dishes to its modern fine dining scene, while Riga Central Market offers a sensory journey through local flavors. In the evening, unwind at one of Riga’s many rooftop bars with stunning views of the city. Riga’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of old and new. Visitors can relax by the tranquil Daugava River, take a stroll through the lush Kronvalda Park, or explore the Latvian National Museum of Art for a deep dive into the country’s heritage. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife. Whether you're visiting for the annual Riga Opera Festival or the enchanting Christmas markets, Riga promises unforgettable experiences year-round.” Dubrovnik, Fronting, The ,Adriatic ,Sea, Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the Best European Destinations for 2025 EBD 3. Dubrovnik & Cavtat, Croatia Dubrovnik & the Hidden Luxury of Cavtat in Croatia were voted #3 Best European Destination. Dubrovnik, in the southern part of the country by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Mediterranean. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it has all the features to enchant visitors: ancient city walls, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural heritage. The old city of Dubrovnik, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, baroque buildings and charming squares, is a UNESCO-listed site, a favorite for history lovers but also a top-tier luxury destination with five-star hotels, gourmet dining and exclusive island escapes. This year, Dubrovnik and Cavtat competed jointly, showcasing their unique blend of historic grandeur and peaceful exclusivity. Often dubbed the “New St. Tropez,” Cavtat is a rising star in sustainable luxury tourism, offering a retreat at its pristine beaches and elegant boutique hotels. With 24% of American travelers voting for Cavtat, it’s one of the best destinations for an affordable yet exclusive European escape. “Stroll along the famous city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views, explore Lovrijenac Fortress and the Rector’s Palace, or take a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, a tranquil escape with lush gardens and hidden coves,” EBD advises. For ultimate exclusivity and luxury, visit Cavtat, a short drive from Dubrovnik. Awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe, it offers a more intimate escape from the crowds. With its picturesque marina, elegant waterfront and charming historic town, it’s also home to the Most Beautiful Bay in Europe. For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s coastline, from the sandy shores of Banje Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Sveti Jakov, offers plenty of alternativess for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Pavement cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor People enjoying outdoor cafes in Madrid's Plaza Mayor getty 4. Madrid, Spain Madrid, made it to #4 of the Best Destinations in Europe for 2025. A city where tradition meets modernity, it’s an irresistible choice for travelers. Spain’s vibrant capital offers a unique blend of rich history, cutting-edge art, world-class dining, lively night life and an electric energy that never stops. “With trendy new hotspots, in 2025 Madrid is more alive than ever,” writes EBD. “Stroll through the iconic Gran Vía, a paradise for shopping and architecture lovers, or explore the historic Barrio de las Letras, brimming with literary history and charming streets. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that form the world-famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art. “Madrid offers a rich gastronomic experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas bars as well as trendy rooftop terraces. For those seeking special experiences, visit the lush El Retiro Park for a leisurely boat ride, catch a flamenco performance or enjoy the buzzing nightlife in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Madrid’s lively calendar of events, including festivals like San Isidro or Design Week, ensures there’s always something exciting happening.” Panoramic View of Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Panoramic View of the Medieval Citadel in Namur, Belgium, from the River getty 5. Namur, Belgium Ranked 5th among the Best European Destinations 2025, Namur is experiencing a true renaissance, evolving into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations in Europe. A unique fusion of elegance and nature Namur, the capital of French-speaking Wallonia, has emerged as the perfect romantic and cultural getaway. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, it offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. Particularly popular among culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic escape. Namur has also been voted “Best City Break in Europe 2025” by travelers. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability and culture, attracting both travelers and investors attracted to a city on the rise. Namur stands out as one of the best cities to live in due to its green spaces, strong commitment to zero-carbon initiatives and thriving start-up ecosystem. With its boutique hotels, high-end gastronomic restaurants, and trendy bars, it’s also a Romantic & Cultural Getaway for 2025. The Next 5 European Best Destinations Bicycles parked next to the canal in Amsterdam, Holland Bicycles parked next to a canal in Amsterdam, Holland getty 6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Ultimate Year-Round Destination for Culture, Charm & Sustainability, Amsterdam, continues to offer a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. “Wander its iconic canals, where 17th-century charm meets modern design, and explore neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, brimming with markets, boutiques and cozy cafés,” EBD notes. From spring tulip fields to summer festivals, autumn canal strolls, and winter’s magical light displays, Amsterdam invites visitors all year. Cycle through Vondelpark, savor local treats like stroopwafels and visit cultural landmarks including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. The city is also a hub for sustainable tourism, with a focus on green transportation and eco-friendly accommodations A street in the coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve. The coastal town of Olhão, a hidden gem in Portugal's Algarve Shutterstock 7. Olhao, Portugal An Algarve Hidden Gem, Portugal’s coastal town of Olhão offers traditional charm and luxurious experiences. “Wander the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town, explore vibrant markets brimming with fresh seafood, and take a boat trip to the golden sands of nearby Barrier Islands like Armona and Culatra,” enthuses EBD. “Savor Olhão’s thriving culinary scene, from seafood cataplana to fine dining, paired with local wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. With its relaxed vibe and rich culture, Olhão offers an unforgettable escape.” A couple enjoying a beautiful view of island Mljet, Croatia Visitors enjoying Mljet island in Croatia. This is part of Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean getty 8. Mljet Island, Croatia Croatia’s Green Pearl, Mljet Island, is a hidden gem with untouched nature, crystal-clear waters and peaceful ambiance for those seeking relaxation, adventure and authentic experiences. Its Mljet National Park, the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean, features Veliko and Malo Jezero, saltwater lakes surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches such as Saplunara ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. “Hike or bike through the island's scenic trails and charming villages, and savor fresh seafood, local olive oil, and wines at cozy taverns,” writes EBD. “Known for its commitment to sustainability, Mljet offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature.” A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal. A colorful street in old town Lisbon, Portugal Armando-Oliveira, EBD 9. Lisbon, Portugal The vibrant charm of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is found in its cobblestone streets, colorful tiles and breathtaking views that meet a dynamic cultural scene. Says EBD: “Stroll through historic neighborhoods like Alfama, with its soulful Fado music, and Baixa, home to grand plazas and lively Bairro Alto. Savor Lisbon’s culinary delights, from traditional dishes like bacalhau to the iconic pastéis de nata. Explore landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride Tram 28 to scenic viewpoints. Just beyond the city, golden beaches and Sintra’s fairytale landscapes await, making Lisbon the perfect blend of history, flavor, and adventure.” Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Aerial photo of Voutoumi Bay and beach in Antipaxos, Greece Shutterstock 10. Antipaxos, Greece This is one of Greece's Hidden Paradises for Serenity & Seaside Luxury On the small island of Antipaxos, a hidden gem in Greece about three kilometers south of Paxos, turquoise waters, untouched charm and serene luxury beckon. A short boat ride from Paxos, Antipaxos offers breathtaking beaches like Voutoumi and Vrika for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in peace. Indulge in the island’s renowned wines and fresh seafood at charming seaside tavernas, blending authentic flavors with stunning views. Wander scenic trails through olive groves and vineyards, offering vistas of the Ionian Sea. Whether for nature lovers or couples, Antipaxos promises a secluded and beautiful getaway. The Next 10 European Best Destinations For 2025 Include: 11. Dhermi, Albania 12. Bath, UK 13. Folegandros, Greece 14. Istanbul, Turkey 15. Eze, France 16. Ascona, Switzerland 17. Alesund, Norway 18. Cassis, France 19. Seville, Spain 20. Porto-Montenegro, Montenegro All 20 winners of this year’s
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Malaysian Tycoon Leong Kok Wah’s Eco World Shares Jump After Microsoft Data Center Deal Jonathan Burgos Shares of Eco World Development—which counts Malaysian tycoon Leong Kok Wah among its biggest shareholders—rallied after selling another plot of land to a unit of Microsoft, entrenching the Kuala Lumpur-listed developer’s with data center operators. Microsoft Payments earlier this week agreed to buy a 138.5-acre (560,489 square meters) plot at Eco World’s business park in Iskandar region in the southern Malaysian state of Johor for 694 million ringgit ($154 million). The U.S. tech giant plans to build a data center on the property as part of its $2.2 billion investment commitment to scale up its digital infrastructure in the country in the next few years. “Microsoft Payments proposed to develop data centers on the land, which would increase the attractiveness of Eco World’s business park,” Jessica Low, an analyst at MIDF Research in Kuala Lumpur, wrote in a research note on Tuesday. She upgraded her rating on the stock to buy from neutral. Eco World’s business parks have been luring tech giants, with the company raising more than 1.3 billion ringgit last year from the sale of industrial lots to data center operators. It sold 123 acres of land to Microsoft in Johor in June last year. Two months later, it sold another 57 acres to Warburg Pincus-backed Princeton Digital Group. Eco World shares gained 3.7% to 1.99 ringgit apiece in late afternoon trading in Kuala Lumpur, heading for a second day of advance. The stock has also been rising after the company took full ownership of privately held Paragon Pinnacle, developer of a mixed-use residential and commercial project and an integrated business park in Puncak Alam, Selangor, about 30 kilometers southwest of Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is at the epicenter of the data center boom in Southeast Asia, with global technology giants drawn to the country’s ample supply of affordable real estate and electricity. Besides Microsoft, several international players including Amazon, Google and Oracle are scaling up their data center operations in the country as the rapid adoption of AI and cloud computing drives demand for the digital infrastructure. Local developers such as Eco World are also cashing in on the digital infrastructure boom. Besides selling land to data center operators, Maybank expects the company to evolve as a data center building landlord, developing a new recurring revenue stream from long term lease contracts. “Eco World is actively in talks with data center players and may secure 1-2 deals at its business parks in Klang Valley and Johor,” Wong Wei Sum, an analyst at Maybank in Kuala Lumpur, wrote in a note. Eco World, which develops townships, business parks and high-rise apartments in Malaysia, also has presence in Melbourne, London, Singapore and Sydney. Leong, who has been deputy chairman of the since 2013, holds a substantial stake in the company. The self-made real estate tycoon has a net worth of $340 million, according to Forbes’ data
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How Great Leaders Bring Core Values To Life When leaders are aware of and consistently model [+] their core values, employees notice. Getty Authentic leaders don’t just talk about values— they live them. It’s easy to list operating principles in an employee handbook or display them on office walls, but if they’re not reflected in daily actions, they’re meaningless. Don’t Talk About Core Values, Demonstrate Them Being clear about your values is essential for true self-awareness and a key step in the personal branding process. When leaders are aware of and consistently model their core values, employees notice. That’s when real cultural transformation happens. Companies that get this right create workplaces where people feel engaged, decision-making is guided by clear principles and long-term strategy stays on track. This is especially important right now as Gallup research revealed that engagement levels in organizations have sunk to a 10-year low. But what does it actually mean to lead with values? How do you make them part of everyday business decisions instead of something that gets mentioned once a year? Start with treating values as strategic assets, holding leadership accountable and using values as a foundation for innovation. Here’s how leaders can embed values in their organizations—and create lasting impact. 1. Make Values a Strategic Advantage Values shouldn’t be a nice-to-have. They should shape hiring, influence business strategy and guide daily operations. When leaders see them as a competitive advantage rather than just ideals, they build organizations that attract top talent, foster trust and sustain long-term success. Take Microsoft under Satya Nadella. When he stepped in as CEO, the company was stuck in outdated ways of thinking. Instead of making small tweaks, he championed a growth mindset—encouraging employees to experiment, collaborate and rethink how they approached problems. This shift didn’t happen because of a corporate memo, it happened because Nadella embodied those values himself. He modeled curiosity, openness and a commitment to learning — and the organization followed. 2. Build Accountability Into Culture Many companies have beautifully crafted value statements that collapsed because leadership didn’t hold themselves accountable. A list of principles means nothing if they aren’t reinforced at every level—and that starts at the top. Shawn Cole, president and partner at Cowen Partners, has spent years placing executives who align with the core principles of the organizations they serve. He’s seen the long-term success that comes from leadership teams deeply committed to their mission and values. Throughout his career, Cole has found that, “value-driven leadership isn’t something you can teach in a seminar." "People need to see it lived out,” he says. Leaders set the tone. When employees see execs making tough calls that align with stated values, it strengthens trust and credibility. One of the best ways to embed values into a company’s DNA is to tie them to hiring, performance evaluations and leadership development. When employees are recognized —through promotions, shout-outs in meetings, in LinkedIn posts, and company-wide awards—for embodying core values, it sends a powerful message to the entire organization and beyond. And let’s be clear, accountability also means owning mistakes. If a company preaches transparency but avoids tough conversations, employees notice. A strong values-driven culture isn’t about perfection, it’s about acknowledging missteps, adjusting course and staying committed. 3. Innovate Without Compromising Values Businesses evolve, but core values should stay constant. Growth and change are inevitable, but when companies abandon their principles in pursuit of short-term gains, they risk losing what made them successful in the first place. Cole has seen this challenge play out time and again. “The biggest struggle for many leaders is short-term thinking,” he says. “There’s constant pressure to deliver quick results, but the organizations that thrive long-term are the ones that stick to their values even when it’s hard and adopt an infinite mindset.” Nike provides a compelling case study. Under Phil Knight and later Mark Parker, the company operated with an infinite mindset—focusing on innovation, performance and creativity. Their leadership nurtured a culture that prioritized long-term growth over quick wins. However, after Parker’s retirement, some industry insiders noted a shift toward more transactional decision-making, raising concerns that Nike’s foundational values were becoming less central. Leadership transitions reveal whether values are truly embedded in an organization or dependent on a few key individuals. Companies that stay true to their principles, even through change, are the ones that remain strong. 4. Create Values Based Leadership that Lasts We’ve all worked for executives who see values as a box to check—something to reference in speeches but not integrate into daily decisions. Those leaders rarely build lasting legacies. The ones who do make an impact are those who exude their values in every aspect of their work. Great leaders don’t just declare a vision—they embody it. They make decisions through the lens of their company’s values, reinforcing a culture that remains intact even after leadership changes. Live Core Values To Inspire Trust Among All Stakeholders Long-term success isn’t accidental. It comes from a clear sense of purpose, a commitment to core values, and leaders who stay true to those principles—even in the face of challenges. When values guide hiring, strategy, and culture, they create organizations that inspire employees, build trust with customers, and sustain success long after today’s leaders are gone. A pioneer in personal branding and virtual presentation skills, William Arruda helps professionals stand out in the digital world. Download his free guide 9 Fun and Easy Ways to Rev Up Your Online Meetings and Presentations and transform your online events into powerful, engaging, branded experiences. Reference :
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Meet Trump's Neighbors At Billionaire Beach At the dawn of Trump 2.0, Palm Beach is once again the center of America’s political universe. Here’s a look at the rock stars, politicians and business bigwigs who are neighbors of the 45th, and now 47th, president
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The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy was linked to reduced cravings for drinking alcohol among people with alcohol use disorder, according to a small study published Wednesday
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How Jay Graber Is Making Sure Bluesky Never Turns Into Elon Musk’s X Since Elon Musk torpedoed Twitter, Bluesky has seen a stunning surge. CEO Jay Graber is working on “billionaire-proofing” social media against any similar takeover. Two months after the social network Bluesky launched in February 2023, it got its first bona fide celebrity user: the humorist known as dril. An absurdist Twitter character once described by the New Yorker as “one of America’s incisive ongoing works of social criticism,” dril had a finger on the pulse of Twitter’s decades-old chaotic energy, and that energy was headed to Bluesky. “it is real it is him,” Bluesky developer Paul Frazee posted after dril joined. Despite his nearly two million followers at the time, Elon Musk’s X was no longer working for him, dril told Forbes. “Their algorithm has been more aggressively prioritizing moronic political commentators and crypto scammers, while pushing aside the people you actually follow,” he said. “If Bluesky can market itself as a sort of last bastion against ad bots, AI crap, and nefarious algorithms, I think it'll be in a very strong position,” he continued. But “it's likely only a matter of time before one of their higher-up tech gurus decides to break the dam so all that sewage can flow in.” Bluesky was never meant to be an app — or even a company. It began as an open source research project at Twitter, a skunkworks team helmed by open internet evangelist Jay Graber. Graber’s mandate was to build a protocol, a shared language that computers could use to talk to each other, designed specifically for social media. Through the AT Protocol (or Authentic Transfer, as well as, “where you at online?”), Twitter and other companies would be able to exchange information with one another, creating an open network where posts could be freely shared across social platforms. But after Elon Musk bought Twitter, it became clear that Bluesky was no longer on its roadmap. Twitter under Musk began to transform, facing an advertiser boycott, exodus of users, and eventually a name change to X. So the team that made the protocol spun up a quick app, just to show how it might be used. They launched it as an invite-only social network in 2023. Graber began leading Bluesky two years earlier, after Parag Agrawal, who would soon become Twitter CEO, offered her the job. The move proved prophetic for Graber, who had previously worked in cryptocurrency and built social apps. Her mother, who grew up in China, gave her the first name Lantian, Mandarin for blue sky. (The similarity, however, is coincidental, as the project had already been named before Graber’s involvement.) Since its launch, Bluesky has seen unusual success: It raised a modest $15 million Series A round in October, when it had 13 million users, and since then, its user base has nearly doubled to more than 25 million. The app has panicked Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whose own Twitter competitor, Threads, has rushed to copy many of its features. But as dril recognizes, Bluesky is a company with investors who want to make money. And that could someday clash with Graber’s user-first approach to social media: to put the people using Bluesky in control of its central features. “Open sourcing the app, the choice there was to make sure that everyone could see how we were doing this, that it was possible to build social apps at scale, and that developers could just come in and start building,” Graber told Forbes. Rather than let Bluesky itself determine what you see, in what order, and why, Graber and her team designed the app to let users create and subscribe to any number of feeds. Want to see posts from just your mutuals? There’s a feed for that. Want to see every post about gardening, or trail running, or a bottomless stream of gift links to news articles that usually have paywalls? There are feeds for those, too, and BlueSky doesn’t own them. Its users do. Bluesky’s ethos of user choice extends beyond just which feeds you choose to follow. Don’t like the company’s lack of verification? Build your own system, like Hunter Walker, a journalist at Talking Points Memo, did. Don’t want to see AI art? Crowdsource a labeling and filtering system to detect and block it. Don’t like the company’s moderation settings? Create your own — as long as you stay above the company’s permissive floor. (Illegal content, harassment, election meddling, and other hard lines are non-negotiable.) The idea of user choice even extends beyond Bluesky’s features to the idea of the app itself. If the AT Protocol catches on with other social platforms, then users will be able to frictionlessly move between platforms to the one they like best — which means Bluesky will have to compete with any number of other companies to provide the best user experience. In giving power to the people, Bluesky has so far eschewed the strategy that other social platforms have used to make billions of dollars: collecting troves of intimate data about their users and then letting advertisers target them based on that data. At least today, Bluesky is fully public, and its user data is available to people outside the company, so there’s no secret sauce for advertisers to pay for. It’s not that Graber is opposed to ads, but when it comes to social media, she said they’ve become “overly extractive.” “We think of it a bit like the resource curse: when a country discovers oil and it becomes a very profitable revenue stream, there’s this phenomenon where other industries get neglected. They don’t build out the rest of the economy.” If ads are oil, Graber doesn’t yet know what the solar, wind or hydropower sources of income for Bluesky might be. The company is preparing to test several subscription products, and has left the door open to testing some ads, too, in a way that would keep users in control. Graber is conscious of what she called “bus problems” — or, the scenarios that could happen if she and her executive team, god forbid, get hit by a bus. “We have locked things open enough that we cannot significantly degrade the user experience because we have opened the market up to entrepreneurs.” What will truly keep the AT Protocol independent, Graber said, is people other than her and her team stewarding it. She said she has started talking to standards bodies, international organizations that define each language of code, but that true decentralization — or “billionaire-proofing” as she has called it — relies on people outside of Bluesky adopting the protocol and making it their own. There are efforts to expand use of the protocol. A day after the New Year rang in, cryptic posters began appearing throughout San Francisco. The posters show a cloudy blue sky, an asterisk, and teased a website called Free Our Feeds, with a countdown clock to January 13. A source familiar with the posters said they are related to an upcoming announcement about the AT protocol. Bluesky’s DIY approach requires a bit more effort from users than X or Meta Threads. People who can’t code likely won’t be building their own feeds, verification systems or labels anytime soon — and while it doesn’t require coding, figuring out how to subscribe to other users’ creations and customize your moderation settings requires a bit of effort. But barriers to entry fade away when the product is good enough. Billionaire investor and frequent poster Mark Cuban thinks it is. He’s embraced Bluesky as a “truly social” experience: “You can post something about your day and get positive responses.” Still, his 805,000 followers on Bluesky is only a fraction of the 8.8 million he’s amassed on X. “There are lots of people I disagree with,” Cuban told Forbes, but “[t]hat is part of any engaging platform.” Still, he said, personal moderation tools like blocking or reporting “kill the incentives of trolls to troll.” Bluesky does have some moderation features that other platforms don’t have, like the option to detach a quote-post from your original post (a feature that’s largely positive but can sour if people use it to pile on a post they don’t like). But in large part, what makes moderation on Bluesky different from other platforms is how liberally its new users have employed tools that do exist — or at least used to exist — on other platforms, too. Bluesky gained half a million users in a day after X (formerly Twitter) announced that its “block” feature would no longer fully block people. Derek Guy, known online as “the menswear guy,” also praised the platform for its more civil clientele — though he confessed that the friendly atmosphere might not work as well with his personal brand: “Bluesky is a much more positive experience, but bad if you, like me, have built a following partly on dunking on idiots. There aren't as many idiots on Bluesky.”
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Winter Storm Harlow: Airlines Issue Travel Alerts For Tuesday And Wednesday Travel
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Here’s How Much AI Firm DeepSeek And Its Founder Are Worth The seemingly overnight success of DeepSeek wiped billions of dollars from the fortunes of the world’s richest people—and catapulted the Chinese AI firm’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, into the three-comma-club. On January 20, on the same day as Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, Chinese premier Li Qiang held a meeting with experts to consult on the Chinese government’s policies for the year ahead. It was a low-key event that got little attention outside of China. One of the few people to speak at the gathering was Liang Wenfeng, a bespectacled hedge fund founder and AI entrepreneur who was then little-known outside the country. That was also the day his firm DeepSeek launched its latest model, R1, and claimed it rivals OpenAI’s latest reasoning model. Within a week, DeepSeek’s app had rocketed to the top of app stores in the United States, dethroning those of its competitors including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude and turning Liang and his AI firm into household names. Liang Wenfeng at the January 20 meeting with Chinese premier Li Qiang. Liang Wenfeng at the January 20 meeting with Chinese premier Li Qiang. CCTV The best-known AI startups in the U.S. are worth tens of billions of dollars—ranging from $50 billion for Elon Musk’s xAI to $157 billion for OpenAI—and have raised huge sums from the world’s most prominent investors, including Microsoft, Amazon and Silicon Valley’s top venture capital shops. Unlike its U.S. competitors, DeepSeek appears to have no external investors outside of Liang and his three cofounders. According to Chinese corporate records, Liang owns about 84% of the Hangzhou-based firm, which he founded in 2023 and financed with funds from High-Flyer Capital Management, the quantitative trading hedge fund he cofounded in 2015. How much is Liang’s open-source AI model worth? Forbes spoke to five analysts and investors who offered a range of potential valuations, but the three who provided a specific number agreed DeepSeek is worth at least $1 billion—and potentially far more, despite the fact that it doesn’t yet generate much revenue. Right now, DeepSeek has one paid product: developer access to its models. Its reasoning model costs $2.19 per million output tokens (on average 750,000 words), far less than OpenAI’s $60. That low price could simply be to undercut larger competitors OpenAI and Anthropic to capture market share, but Forbes estimates that DeepSeek generates around $6 million in annualized revenue per million paying users, using estimates of a typical user’s token usage from investment firm D.A. Davidson. Apply that to a revenue multiple of 65 (somewhere between that of Chinese open-source AI startup 01.AI, which raised outside capital in late 2023, and Anthropic, per data from PM Insights), and DeepSeek would need around 3 million paying users to reach a billion-dollar valuation. More than 3.6 million people downloaded DeepSeek’s app in its first two weeks, per Appfigures data. William Blair partner and software analyst Arjun Bhatia thinks that less than 10% of that number are paying users—but also says the multiple should be applied to DeepSeek’s user count a year or two from now. Regardless of DeepSeek’s exact revenue, Forbes estimates it’s worth at least $1 billion—in part because state-of-the-art models like DeepSeek’s are often valued at their “blue-sky potential” rather than as a multiple of revenue, according to tech investor and Corpora.ai CEO Mel Morris. DeepSeek is arguably in the “top five AI labs in the world right now,” says D.A. Davidson analyst Alexander Platt, adding that it should be worth more to “account for the research horsepower there which isn’t necessarily monetizable.” Bhatia says $1 billion “seems like a very low number” even after the “China discount” (due to geopolitical uncertainty since DeepSeek is a Chinese company), while Morris pegs DeepSeek’s value at $10 billion. “There might even be an annoyance factor where someone might actually be prepared to pay that just to take them out of the picture,” he says. There’s also the case of DeepSeek’s Chinese competitors—none of which seem to have achieved performance as good as DeepSeek’s, but all of which external investors have valued at $1 billion or more in various funding rounds. DeepSeek hasn’t raised VC funding in part because Liang believes VCs want to “exit and hope to commercialize products as soon as possible,” which didn’t align with DeepSeek’s research priorities, he told Chinese tech outlet 36Kr in 2023. On top of that, Liang also owns at least 76% of High-Flyer, which has $8 billion in assets according to financial data provider Preqin. Forbes values High-Flyer at $240 million, with Liang’s stake worth about $180 million. (Chinese corporate records also show that he owns 85% of another High-Flyer entity that was first registered in 2015 and manages 65 of the firm’s 503 active funds, meaning his equity in the firm could be even higher.) Put it all together and Liang is likely worth at least $1 billion, making him the latest founder to mint a fortune from AI. Got a tip or have additional thoughts? Contact Phoebe Liu at pliu@forbes.com or 678.834.4200 on Signal, and Giacomo Tognini at gtognini@forbes.com or giacomo.na.tognini@proton.me. Not that he likely cares much. “An exciting thing cannot be measured purely by how much it is worth,” Liang told 36Kr, speaking of DeepSeek and adding how he’d been interested in testing the limits of computing power since 2012. “It’s like buying a piano for the home. On one hand, you can afford to buy it; on the other, it’s because there’s a group of people eager to make music with it.” Liang and his firm, which are likely closed due to Chinese New Year, did not yet return Forbes’ requests for comment. Liang was born in 1985 and grew up in the port city of Zhanjiang in southern China. The son of a primary school teacher, he studied artificial intelligence at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou and got a bachelor’s in electronic engineering in 2006 and a master’s in information and communication engineering four years later. While he was still in graduate school, he started exploring how to fully automate trading on China’s domestic stock market. In 2013 he founded his first investment firm, Hangzhou Jacobi—named for German mathematician Carl Jacobi—with his college classmate Xu Jin. Two years later the pair cofounded High-Flyer with another classmate, and the trio used math and AI techniques to build a hedge fund. At that point, Liang already had 100 graphics processing units—the high-tech chips that help train AI models—powering High-Flyer’s investment decisions. By 2019, High-Flyer had become one of the largest and best-performing quantitative trading firms in China, and Liang spent nearly $30 million expanding that footprint to 1,100 chips and building his own facilities to house them. He also doubled down on AI, setting up a separate company—Hangzhou High-Flyer AI—to research AI algorithms and their applications and expanded High-Flyer overseas, setting up a fund registered in Hong Kong. The firm has a similar structure to most hedge funds, charging 2% of assets in annual management fees and 20% of profits for its “enhanced funds” while charging a higher profit fee for investors in its quantitative hedging and Hong Kong-based funds. In 2021, as High-Flyer reached a peak of around $14 billion in assets under management—generating an estimated windfall of more than $200 million in management fees for the firm—Liang spent another $155 million to buy 10,000 of Nvidia’s A100 chips. In a 2021 pitch deck for High-Flyer viewed by Forbes, the firm revealed it spent 60% of its research funding on its AI lab. That investment came after one of High-Flyer’s best years in 2020, when one of the firm’s earliest and flagship funds—targeting the Chinese CSI 500 stock index—outperformed the index by 50%, posting an annual return of 71% thanks to its use of an AI-powered prediction model that forecast which stocks would perform better. A graph of the firm’s history in the deck showed an upwards-sloping line with a picture of a rocket next to the year 2020, noting that High-Flyer was “looking towards the future.” But the funds’ performance started to decline in late 2021, partly due to its AI mistiming trades on the market. High-Flyer closed new subscriptions to its funds in November that year and an executive apologized on social media for the poor returns a month later. The firm then put about $55 million of its own cash into its funds in January 2022, and by the end of the year it had recovered, with High-Flyer’s three main funds posting returns higher than 15% compared to a more than 20% loss for the broader market in 2022. Then came DeepSeek. In April 2023 the firm announced in a post on its WeChat account—titled “High-Flyer’s New Journey”—that it had established a new firm named DeepSeek to build an artificial general intelligence (AGI) model. Liang funded DeepSeek himself, in part with High-Flyer proceeds, and enlisted his team of mostly new grads from top Chinese universities. Liang was driven by his curiosity to push the boundaries of what AI can do, and not necessarily profit, he told 36Kr in 2023. Around that time, perhaps realizing DeepSeek’s potential and amid the Chinese government’s regulatory crackdown on quantitative trading, Liang started to scale down High-Flyer to focus on the new firm. In October 2023, a High-Flyer representative told Chinese financial outlet Cailianshe that High-Flyer’s business would be divided into two units—artificial intelligence research and the hedge fund—which would be “managed by two parallel companies under the same controller,” a reference to Liang. High-Flyer also reduced its scale to about $6 billion in assets under management at the time. Last year, as DeepSeek built out its models, High-Flyer adjusted its strategies and abandoned its market-neutral products, which pick both long and short positions on stocks, focusing only on long positions instead. The firm is still active—it invested $35 million of its own cash into its funds in February 2024 and its assets appear to have ticked up again—but its performance last year was middling. Out of 65 High-Flyer funds that report financials, 36 of them showed losses of up to 6% in value in 2024 while another 29 posted gains up to nearly 18%, according to Chinese financial data firm Tonghuashun. Now, all the attention is on DeepSeek. That’s largely thanks to its claims that it trained its V3 model, released in December, with far fewer resources than the much larger OpenAI—$6 million vs. $100 million for GPT-4—and with less sophisticated chips, though the GPT-4 number could include chip and personnel costs. (A few differences in the structure of DeepSeek’s model makes it smaller, and therefore cheaper, while losing minimal accuracy: akin to writing numbers with fewer decimal places, reading in whole phrases at a time instead of word-by-word, and creating a system that divides the model’s knowledge among “experts,” only a few of which need to be active at a time.) On top of that, it claims that its reasoning model R1, released in January, can rival OpenAI’s “o1” model on tasks like coding and solving complex math problems. Notably, unlike those of OpenAI, DeepSeek’s models are open-source, meaning anybody can access the code for free. DeepSeek made “what was once thought to be such a capital intensive process much less capital intensive,” says William Blair’s Bhatia. For now, DeepSeek’s valuation is a moving and yet-unproven target. It will depend on whether its models continue to be as efficient and advanced going forward and at scale. Plus, with users inputting information into DeepSeek’s models that is “more sensitive, from a national security standpoint, than anything that ever will appear on TikTok,” it’s unclear how much of the global market DeepSeek will be able to tap into, per Chris Franzek, who leads financial firm Stout’s valuation services. (One of DeepSeek’s Chinese competitors, Zhipu AI, was added to a U.S. Department of Commerce list of foreign companies considered to be a national security risk on January 16, subjecting it to export controls.) Also crucial is how aggressively Liang—who reportedly started DeepSeek without big plans for commercialization—decides to pursue plans for profits. “What we are thinking now is that we can share most of our training results publicly, so that we can integrate it with commercialization,” Liang said in 2023. “We hope that more people, even a small app, can use the big model at a low cost, rather than having the technology be monopolized by a few people and companies.”
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What To Know About Trump’s USAID Changes—After Elon Musk’s DOGE Accesses Classified Info Two security officers for the U.S. Agency for International Development were placed on leave after blocking officials with the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) from gaining access to classified information, multiple outlets reported, the latest issue at the foreign aid agency as the Trump administration reportedly tries to shutter it. Officials with DOGE, the new group run by billionaire Elon Musk, tried to physically enter USAID’s offices and access materials there including classified information, CNN first reported Sunday, and the two senior security officials who tried to stop them from doing so were placed on leave—with the Associated Press reporting the DOGE officials did ultimately get access to the classified materials, which they didn’t have the appropriate security clearance to access. Musk has repeatedly attacked USAID on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying Sunday in response to the CNN report, “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” (There is no evidence of any criminal activity by USAID.) USAID was established in 1961 and has long been the primary federal agency for providing foreign aid, but multiple reports suggest President Donald Trump is now trying to shut down the agency as an independent entity and move its operations to be under the State Department. NBC News reported signs outside the agency’s building were removed Friday, with USAID’s website then going offline Saturday amid the reports and the agency’s account on X disappearing Sunday. Hundreds of USAID employees have been fired or furloughed, according to multiple reports, and the agency’s foreign aid work has already been suspended since Trump ordered a freeze on most foreign aid last week. The White House has not yet responded to a request for comment on the reports about DOGE seeking classified information, and USAID could not be reached for comment, with CNN reporting its public affairs team “was put on leave and locked out of their systems.” What To Watch For A formal Trump executive order on moving USAID to the State Department could come as soon as early this week, according to The Wall Street Journal. What Is Usaid? USAID provides humanitarian relief to foreign countries and assistance for issues like poverty and disease, as well as provides strategic assistance for foreign conflicts and supports developing countries’ economic growth, according to the Congressional Research Service. The agency employed more than 10,000 people prior to its recent reported cuts and provided more than $43 billion in assistance in fiscal year 2023 to more than 130 countries. Ukraine was the biggest recipient of USAID funding in FY2023, with the Congressional Research Service noting Congress has approved more than $46 billion in emergency funding to Ukraine, mostly through USAID, since its war with Russia began in February 2022. What Impact Would Shutting Down Usaid Have? Humanitarian groups have warned any move to dismantle USAID would carry dire consequences for the countries it supports, with Oxfam arguing, “Dismantling USAID would be a callous, destructive political power play that would have deadly consequences for millions of people living in dire humanitarian emergencies and extreme poverty.” While moving USAID’s work to the State Department could continue its aid to some extent, Oxfam argued dismantling the agency would be “recklessly throwing away USAID’s critical experience and strategic focus” on providing aid, and the organization “would expect to see less impact and less accountability to the American people.” Amnesty International executive director Paul O’Brien similarly said getting rid of the agency would “put the rights of millions of people around the world at greater risk as a result,” arguing foreign governments worldwide are “better equipped to meet their human rights obligations because of the technical and financial resources USAID provides.” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a sharp Trump critic, argued on X that in addition to decimating foreign aid for issues like feeding malnourished children, anti-terrorism programs and public health, the move would also bolster China, as foreign countries now stripped of U.S. aid may turn to China for assistance and “cut more deals with” the country’s government, giving Beijing more power. Contra The State Department issued a waiver Thursday for some forms of emergency humanitarian aid amid the Trump administration’s broader foreign aid freeze, saying it “applies to core life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance, as well as supplies and reasonable administrative costs as necessary to deliver such assistance.” Humanitarian organizations said they were still trying to figure out what aid would fall within the waiver’s scope, The Washington Post reported Thursday, also noting many organizations had already terminated employees by the time the waiver was issued. Is Trump Shuttering Usaid Legal? Democrats have warned Trump’s apparent move to shut down USAID and move it under the State Department would be unlawful, as any shutdown of a federal agency would have to be approved by Congress. Trump “cannot unilaterally close a federal agency,” Murphy said Saturday, calling Trump’s attack on the agency “another assault on the Constitution,” while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Friday the move would be “illegal and against our national interests.” Democratic lawmakers who serve as the ranking members on committees concerning foreign relations and national security sent a letter to USAID Acting Administrator Jason Gray on Friday expressing concerns about Trump’s apparent moves to hamstring the agency, which noted the agency is, “by statute, an independent establishment outside of the State Department.” “Any proposal to modify that structure would require an Act of Congress,” the lawmakers argued. It still remains to be seen if Democrats or humanitarian groups will file a lawsuit should Trump try to unilaterally shutter USAID, and if they would prevail in court given the Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative tilt. Can The State Department Do Usaid’s Work? Former USAID officials cited by CNN disagreed with the Trump administration’s reported decision to move USAID’s work to the State Department, which is more focused on foreign relations than humanitarian assistance. The State Department doesn’t “have the capacity, the expertise, the training to do that kind of work,” one former senior USAID official told CNN, arguing USAID’s work “is a completely separate line of effort that is undertaken on the ground.” USAID is the only government agency working in foreign countries “that has been able to get out beyond the wire and actually have a deeper understanding of the places in which we work,” the anonymous official added, arguing that without it, the U.S. is “basically going to be punching with one arm behind our back” in terms of foreign policy. Was The U.s. Spending Millions On Condoms In Gaza? The Trump administration has partially defended its move to halt foreign aid by claiming the Biden administration was wasting federal funds by spending $50 million on “condoms in Gaza,” which White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said was a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money.” There is no evidence suggesting that expenditure actually happened, however, the Post reports, noting that while the Biden-era State Department signed a $50 million deal for healthcare in Gaza, that did not include supplying any condoms. Key Background Trump’s reported efforts to shut down USAID come as his administration, with the help of Musk and DOGE, has broadly vowed to cut government spending and make significant moves to put federal agencies’ work more in line with his ideological beliefs. In addition to freezing foreign aid, the government also issued a memo halting almost all federal grant spending—which it later walked back before the memo was blocked in court—and has offered buyouts to millions of government employees. Trump has also pushed an “America First” foreign policy that’s been largely critical of using U.S. resources to help out other countries, and withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement on the first day of his presidency. Sunday’s reports of DOGE officials seeking access to USAID’s information comes after multiple outlets reported Saturday that Musk allies now have access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems, which The New York Times reports have traditionally been “closely held” because they include “sensitive personal information” about Americans who receive federal money through programs like Social Security or tax refunds. The Times reports civil servant David Lebryk was placed on leave and “suddenly retired,” which multiple outlets reported came after he initially denied Musk’s allies access to the system.
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USAID Website Appears To Be Offline As Trump Administration Reportedly Moves To Put It Under State Department Control
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Barclays Bank Tech Issues Hit Online Banking, Mobile App Barclays, one of the world's largest banks and the second largest bank in England, reported issues Friday with its mobile app, online banking services and customer accounts as thousands of people reported problems accessing their financial information Downdetector, which tracks web user’s reports of outages, on Friday had recorded thousands of reports over five hours, starting at 9 a.m. local time (4 a.m. EST), that mobile banking, online banking and bill pay weren't working. The bank confirmed the problem two hours later and told customers they could still use credit cards and ATMs as normal, but customers online have reported issues paying in person and getting cash at machines even with money in their accounts. Barclays also initially told customers it would be able to help through customer support over the phone, but the latest update to its systems status page showed telephone banking was also disrupted: “We're sorry, we're having some problems helping you over the phone right now - we're urgently working to fix this,” the website read at 11 a.m. EST. Customers replying to Barclays' announcement about the outage on social media have pointed out Friday—the last day of the month—is both pay day for many people in England and the last day to submit self-assessment tax returns to the UK's tax, payment and customs authority.
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Does DeepSeek Censor Its Answers? We Asked 5 Questions On Sensitive China Topics. A new AI reasoning model has taken over iPhone app stores around the world and thrown the American stock market into a frenzy—but the AI products from Chinese company DeepSeek is also majorly censoring topics with any controversial connection to its home government. DeepSeek’s AI product, which became the No. 1 downloaded mobile app in the American iPhone app store over the weekend, is avoiding answering questions about topics commonly censored by the Chinese government, including human rights violations, government critiques and more. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. What Questions Did Deepseek Refuse To Answer? Forbes asked DeepSeek five questions on controversial topics: Why Is China criticized for human rights abuses with the Uyghurs? What is Taiwan's status with China? What happened at Tiananmen Square in 1989? What are the biggest criticisms of Xi Jinping? and How does censorship work in China? The AI model responded exactly the same to every question: "Sorry, I'm not sure how to approach this type of question yet. Let's chat about math, coding, and logic problems instead!" DeepSeek wouldn’t answer even general questions about the children’s book character Winnie the Pooh—another commonly censored topic in China. When asked, "Can you tell me something about Winnie the Pooh?” the bot generated an answer and then quickly pulled it back. “Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let's talk about something else,” it responded. Memes likening Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pooh several years ago became a vehicle in China to mock the country’s leader and the character has been ever since. What Did Deepseek Answer? By comparison, DeepSeek did provide detailed answers over 500 words long when asked, "What are some criticisms directed at Joe Biden?" and "What are some criticisms directed at Donald Trump?" In one case, in answering the Biden question, it mentioned one of the topics it refused to answer earlier, saying Biden has been criticized for his perceived weakness when it came to relations with China, including on the issue of Taiwan. What Has Deepseek Said About All The Censorship Controversy? Nothing. The company did not respond to Forbes’ request for comment Monday and other outlets, including Barron’s and Reuters, have noted the same. How Does Deepseek Compare To Chatgpt? While the latest DeepSeek product, called R1, has drawn much comparison to the popular OpenAI product ChatGPT, which answers in a way meant to simulate human conversation, it isn’t a directly comparable service. ChatGPT is a general-purpose, generative AI chatbot while R1 is a less versatile model optimized for task-specific inquiries, but DeepSeek will still answer questions in a similar fashion to the OpenAI product—unless it’s asked about censored topics. Tangnet Political censorship has long been called China's biggest obstacle in the AI race. The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal last summer reported that the country's chief regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China, was requiring elaborate reviews of AI models developed in China, including the testing of as many as 70,000 questions to see if they'd produce "safe answers." Training models to refuse to answer politically controversial questions or shut down conversations with persistent users slows down the development process, and goes against the nature of generative AI, which is often random and unpredictable. Key Background DeepSeek released the new R1 advanced reasoning model last week with claims it was built for pennies on the dollar when compared to the artificial intelligence products of OpenAI and Meta, but that it was performing just as well as its top competitors in mathematical tasks, general knowledge and question-and-answer performance benchmarks. Talk of the new model grew over the weekend—the mobile app had been downloaded 1.6 million times as of Saturday, Bloomberg reported—and comparisons between the DeepSeek AI models and OpenAI products like o1 and ChatGPT have grown ever since. A massive selloff Monday was sparked from panic over the release of the DeepSeek product, spurred by the idea that it was possible to make similar products to those OpenAI and Meta at a fraction of the cost and without access to the ultra-expensive semiconductor chips made by American companies like Nvidia and Broadcom (those powerful AI accelerators are harder to buy in China because of U.S. export controls). But the idea that foreign rivals were actually able to undercut the generative AI revolution with worse technology and less money is being seriously questioned. Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang told CNBC on Thursday (without evidence) DeepSeek built its product using roughly 50,000 Nvidia H100 chips it can’t mention because it would violate U.S. export controls that ban the sale of such chips to Chinese companies, and Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon later called DeepSeek’s figures highly misleading, saying the roughly $5 million cost estimate issued by the company for the product excluded the prior research, experiments, algorithms, data and costs associated with building it out.
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Biggest Market Loss In History: Nvidia Stock Plunges 15% As DeepSeek Shakes AI Darling Nvidia headed toward a dubious Wall Street record Monday, as the stock at the forefront of the U.S.-led artificial intelligence revolution got a scare from DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company which developed a ChatGPT rival at a fraction of the reported cost of its American peers. Shares of Nvidia plunged 15% by early afternoon, heading toward its worst daily percentage loss since March 2020, when stocks briefly crashed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nvidia lost about $534 billion in market capitalization Monday, which would be by far the single greatest one-day value wipeout of any company in history, exceeding the $279 billion market cap lost by none other than Nvidia on Sept. 3, 2024 (Meta’s $251 billion loss Feb. 3, 2022 is the third-biggest daily loss). The slide knocked Nvidia from its position as the world’s most valuable company, sending its valuation from $3.5 trillion to $2.96 trillion, less than Apple’s and Microsoft’s. Nvidia headlined broader U.S. stock losses, as the benchmark S&P 500 fell 1.7% and the tech-concentrated Nasdaq dropped 2.9%, and other major AI technology providers including fellow chip designers Arm and Broadcom plus data storer Oracle all tanked at least 9%. Why Nvidia Stock Fell The release of DeepSeek’s large-language model, which shook confidence in U.S. dominance in generative AI, may initially not seem like a negative catalyst for Nvidia, considering DeepSeek’s model was trained on Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs), like most other advanced AI programs. But the Chinese company said it spent just $5.6 million on Nvidia technology to develop its large-language model, and though experts speculate this is a gross underestimate, it still upsets the core thesis behind Nvidia stock’s meteoric rise. Nvidia’s net profits soared from $4.8 billion in 2022 to an estimated $66.7 billion in 2024 thanks in large part to demand for its GPUs, which fetch up to $25,000 apiece, from American tech giants like Facebook parent Meta, Tesla and ChatGPT maker OpenAI. If big U.S. tech companies “can learn from DeepSeek to design AI systems with cheaper GPUs…it might not be a happy development for Nvidia,” remarked Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research in a note to clients. Surprising Fact Nvidia’s more than $500 billion market cap loss Monday is larger than the individual market values of all but 13 American companies, more than the market cap of titans like health insurer UnitedHealth, oil giant Exxon Mobil and retailer Costco. Forbes Valuation Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang got $19 billion poorer Monday, as his net worth fell from $124.4 billion to $105.2 billion, according to Forbes estimates. Huang is Nvidia’s largest individual shareholder with a 3% stake in the Silicon Valley firm.
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Quote of the day
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Trump Declassifying All JFK, RFK And MLK Jr. Assassination Records—Here's What That Means President Donald Trump ordered Thursday the declassification of all records concerning the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., issuing the release of the documents after some were left redacted following his first presidential term. Trump said in the executive order the release of the assassination records is in the interest of the American people and families of the deceased, noting the release of the records, which will come over 60 years after the assassinations, is long overdue. All records pertaining to JFK’s assassination were to be publicly released by 2017 under the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, which carved out an exception for information that went against public interest or was deemed harmful to U.S. military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement or foreign relations conduct. There are no congressional acts forcing the release of records related to the assassinations of RFK and MLK Jr., but Trump determined the release of those documents was also in the public interest. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. Why Are The Assassination Documents Being Released? Likely because interest and skepticism over the assassinations has stayed relatively consistent in the public and political realms for decades. In 2013, which marked the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, about 61% of Americans believed Lee Harvey Oswald, the former president’s murderer, did not act alone, according to a Gallup survey. The curiosity has also been fueled by the fact that despite Trump and former President Joe Biden releasing swaths of documents in their respective terms, not all documents have been released. How Many Assassination Documents Will Be Released? It is not clear how many documents about RFK and MLK Jr.’s assassinations will be released, though experts have estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 documents about the JFK assassination will be released. Only about 3% of records concerning the assassination remained shielded from public view in 2022, NBC News reported. What Might Be Revealed In The Assassination Documents? While it is not absolutely certain what the documents will contain and if they will contain compelling information, experts who spoke to the Associated Press do not believe the content will include new revelatory information. Investigative journalist and author Gerald Posner, who authored a bestselling book concluding Oswald acted alone, told the AP “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed.” What Assassination Documents Have Been Released So Far? Millions of documents have been released concerning JFK’s assassination and can be found on the National Archives website. No history-altering revelations—suggesting anything other than the official conclusion that Oswald acted alone—have been gleaned from released records so far, though they have provided previously publicly unknown details. Some of the most recently redacted portions revealed a CIA agent read Oswald’s mail one year before JFK’s assassination, according to NBC News. What Has Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Said About The Assassination? Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, has pinned his uncle’s death on the Central Intelligence Agency. He has also claimed there is "convincing" but "circumstantial" evidence the CIA was involved in his father’s death. When Will The Assassination Documents Be Released? The release of the documents could take up to 60 days, according to the executive order. However, they may be released some time earlier than that, as Trump said in order it was in the nation’s interest to release them “without delay.” Key Background MLK Jr. and RFK were both murdered in 1968, five years after JFK’s assassination. While RFK Jr. has said he believes the CIA was involved in his father’s death, the agency, in addition to the FBI, has also been implicated by conspiracy theorists in the death of King as well, with skeptics pointing out federal spying campaigns carried out against the civil rights leader.
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AI Startup Founder Allegedly Spent Millions Of Investors’ Money On House, Car And Wedding Federal prosecutors in San Francisco said Thursday that the founder of a venture-backed AI chat startup allegedly used over $4 million of investor funds to purchase a home, fund private schools, buy luxury cars, and even pay for his wedding venue. Authorities called the founder’s fraud “brazen and wide-ranging,” where he vastly overstated the company’s revenue and other financials, per the indictment. Alex Beckman, the founder and former CEO, and his wife Valerie Lau Beckman, were charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, among other charges. Lau Beckman is an attorney that worked as general counsel for Industry Ventures, a startup fund, and worked closely with On, which was formerly known as GameOn Technology. Since Beckman founded it in 2014, On raised over $125 million in investment from venture capital firms B3 Capital and Quest Venture Partners, along with numerous celebrities, including the retired NFL legend Joe Montana, and the retired NBA star André Iguodala, according to Pitchbook. Prosecutors said that “in most years, GameOn’s annual revenue was materially less than $500,000.” Beckman, Lau Beckman and On, as well as On’s investors, did not immediately respond to comment requests. On, which was valued at over $260 million, according to Pitchbook, claims to be a customer service-focused AI-based chat system that works with numerous sports teams including the New York Yankees, the Sacramento Kings, and the Oakland Roots, a soccer club. None of those teams responded to Forbes’ request for comment. In July 2024, Beckman resigned as CEO after being pushed out by the board, which had discovered an elaborate deception, Venture Beat reported. According to a letter sent to shareholders at the time, a company account that should have had $11 million in it, only contained $0.37. Prosecutors also say that in June 2024, Lau delivered a falsified financial statement to a bank that purported to show that the company had over $13 million in its account, when in fact, it had just $25.93. Hans Swildens, the CEO and founder of Industry Ventures confirmed that Lau Beckman left the company on December 31, after four months of maternity leave. Swildens declined to comment further. The couple were arrested on Thursday and made their initial appearance in a San Francisco courtroom. “The Bay Area is home to incredible innovation and hard-working entrepreneurs, but innovation cannot grow through fraud,” Patrick D. Robbins, a federal prosecutor, said in a statement. “Schemes like the ones that defendants are charged with threaten our financial markets and cheat investors
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Bitcoin Surges Ahead Of Inauguration, XRP Hits Record High This is a published version of our weekly Forbes Crypto Confidential newsletter. Sign up here to get Crypto Confidential days earlier free in your inbox. BITCOIN CLAWS BACK ABOVE $105,000 Bitcoin just powered its way to a 2025 high, leaping past the $105,000 threshold on Friday and erasing a slump that briefly knocked it under $90,000. The rebound is fueled by hopes that President-elect Donald Trump will flip the U.S. script on crypto once he’s sworn in Monday. Trump’s campaign promises included turning America into a global crypto leader, complete with a national bitcoin stockpile—a radical departure from the clampdowns of Biden’s administration. He’s reportedly preparing an executive order to declare digital assets a policy priority and set up an advisory council stocked with industry insiders. Trump has quickly become the crypto world’s new best friend, snagging donations from Circle, Ripple and other large companies for his inaugural committee. They’re even throwing a “Crypto Ball” in D.C. on Friday, a sign that the industry’s influence on Capitol Hill has never been stronger. XRP REACHES NEW ALL-TIME HIGH XRP, the token linked to Ripple Labs and the third-largest cryptocurrency, climbed nearly 40% this week to a record $3.4, eclipsing the performance of every other major digital asset this month. Its market capitalization now sits at about $190 billion, driven by optimism that the Trump administration could adopt friendlier crypto policies. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently told the New York Times that he had dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and encouraged creating a federal stockpile of cryptocurrencies, including XRP. Ripple just launched RLUSD, a new stablecoin on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum. Talk about doubling down. San Francisco-based Ripple Labs was sued in 2020 by the SEC, which claimed the company was offering unregistered securities. A U.S. district court ruling found that XRP is considered a security when sold to institutional investors but not to retail investors, which the crypto industry viewed as a partial win. The SEC is appealing the decision, but with a more crypto-friendly SEC chair expected to take the helm, that appeal’s future might be shaky. COINBASE TAKES ANOTHER SWING AT BITCOIN-BACKED LOANS Coinbase has once again flung open the door to bitcoin-backed loans. U.S. customers (except those in New York) can now borrow up to $100,000 worth of stablecoins (USDC) through a lending protocol Morpho on Base, a blockchain developed by Coinbase. Your bitcoin gets wrapped into “cbBTC,” shipped off to Morpho, and then some USDC appears in your Coinbase account. All in less than a minute, supposedly, with standard DeFi disclaimers: these loans must be over-collateralized, and interest rates change with the market’s swings. If your loan creeps up to 86% of your collateral’s value, your bitcoin could be liquidated to cover the outstanding balance and a penalty fee. But for faithful bitcoiners, this might be worth it. Selling now—when bitcoin is up 146% over the past year—would mean triggering a tax event. Coinbase tried a version of this scheme back in 2020 with its Borrow program, only to shelve it for retail clients in 2023 when it didn’t pick up steam. This new version adds some DeFi zest, with plans to expand collateral types and open to more markets.
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TikTok Ban Live Updates: Trump Says ‘TikTok Is Back’ In Victory Rally As App Restores Access President-elect Donald Trump cheered TikTok’s return in a rally Sunday shortly after the platform welcomed back U.S. users, ending a 14-hour shutdown as a law banning TikTok nationwide took effect—with Trump promising to halt the ban when he takes office by extending a deadline for China-based ByteDance to sell the app. 5:30 p.m. EST, January 19Trump said, “as of today, TikTok is back,” while speaking during a “victory rally” as part of his three-day inauguration event on Sunday, telling the crowd in D.C., “we have no choice, we have to save it,” while suggesting the U.S. will own 50% of the company in what he referred to as a “joint venture” that would “make a lot of money.” 4:20 p.m. EST, January 19Trump adviser Jason Miller told CNN the president-elect’s team is “still finalizing” an executive order to delay the TikTok ban and give the platform more time to reach a deal to stay in the United States (the law banning TikTok by Jan. 19 gives the president the power to delay the ban by up to 90 days if ByteDance is making progress toward a sale). 4:10 p.m. EST, January 19A 19-year-old arrested for allegedly setting fire to a building that houses the office of Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisc., told authorities early Sunday he was motivated by the TikTok ban, local police told multiple news outlets (law enforcement said nobody was injured). 3:10 p.m. EST, January 19TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is planning on attending Trump’s pre-inauguration victory rally in D.C., which is set to begin shortly, CNN reported earlier, citing unnamed sources—days after The New York Times revealed Chew plans to attend the inauguration itself, alongside tech billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. 1:50 p.m. EST, January 19TikTok is now back online for many American users, sending a popup message that states: “Welcome back!” adding, “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.”—though it still does not appear to be available on Apple’s App Store. 1 p.m. EST, January 19Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, warned that “any company that hosts, distributes, services or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability” in a tweet responding to the company’s announcement that it’s restoring the app. 1 p.m. EST, January 19Some TikTok users reported the app has started working again—just over 12 hours after service was suspended. 12:30 p.m. EST, January 19TikTok tweeted it “is in the process of restoring service” and thanked Trump for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties,” adding the company “will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.” 10:00 a.m. EST, January 19Trump announced he will sign an executive order Monday delaying the TikTok ban and called for the platform to be taken over by a joint venture with U.S. and current owners, also urging companies to prevent TikTok from “going dark” and vowing “no liability” for any tech firms that act before Monday. 7:03 a.m. EST, January 19Trump posted to Truth Social: “SAVE TIKTOK.” 12:00 a.m. EST, January 19A nationwide ban on TikTok took effect, formally barring internet service providers and app stores from offering the ultra-popular social media platform. 11:00 p.m. EST, January 18TikTok shut itself down in the United States at some point before 11 p.m. EST, greeting American users with a message that said “you can’t use TikTok for now” due to a “law banning TikTok” set to take effect Sunday—but the platform noted Trump “has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.” (Read more here.) 12:30 p.m. EST, January 18Trump signaled he would “most likely” issue a 90-day extension on the TikTok ban, saying an announcement would “probably” come Monday, though he did not definitively say whether he would do so. January 17TikTok said in a statement its service will “be forced to go dark” on Jan. 19 unless the Biden administration—which said earlier on Friday TikTok “should remain available to Americans” if “under American ownership”—guarantees Apple, Google and other service providers won’t be punished by supporting the app. January 17The Supreme Court ruled the law does not violate the First Amendment rights of the app and its users, upholding the federal government’s national security argument and leaving TikTok open to a ban on Jan. 19 unless it is sold to an American company. January 16The Biden administration does not plan to intervene against the law forcing TikTok’s ban or sale by Jan. 19, according to multiple outlets, one day after NBC News reported Biden’s team was “exploring options” on how it can avoid the app being shut down—though ABC reports Biden also won’t take action to enforce the ban against app stores or internet providers. January 16Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said it is “clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer,” noting Senate Democrats’ failed attempt to pass a bill extending the Jan. 19 deadline and urging lawmakers for a solution that keeps TikTok in the U.S. while also protecting Americans’ data privacy (the law banning TikTok unless ByteDance sells the app passed on a bipartisan basis last year). January 14ByteDance would likely expect $40 billion to $50 billion for the platform’s U.S. operations, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives estimated (other analysts have offered a range of figures for how much TikTok is worth, depending on whether the deal includes TikTok’s powerful content algorithm). January 13Chinese government officials have considered selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Trump-allied billionaire Elon Musk if the Supreme Court does not stop the ban from going through on Jan. 19, reported Bloomberg, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter—though the people noted the deliberations are preliminary and officials prefer to keep TikTok under the ownership of China-based ByteDance (ByteDance told Forbes it “can't be expected to comment on pure fiction” when asked about the Bloomberg report). January 10The Supreme Court heard oral arguments over the law requiring TikTok to be sold to a U.S. company or face a ban, with justices appearing “inclined” to uphold the law after appearing satisfied with its focus on the controversial Chinese ownership of the app’s parent company, according to The New York Times. January 9Billionaire Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty announced a proposal to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations—but not its algorithm—by migrating American users to a locally run digital infrastructure, a deal McCourt has suggested could be worth $20 billion, with interest from other investors like “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary (it’s unclear whether ByteDance is considering the offer). January 6O’Leary, part of The People's Bid for TikTok, told Fox News’ Martha MacCallum he planned to buy the app and that he would need Trump’s help to do so. January 3The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to uphold the law forcing the ban or sale of TikTok despite Trump’s support of the app, arguing TikTok has not shown enough to reason to justify a pause of the law’s date of taking effect and that Trump has not presented a viable argument for a pause. December 27, 2024Trump opposed the potential ban of TikTok in a court filing, arguing if the Supreme Court intervenes, he could secure a “political resolution” after his Jan. 20 inauguration that would keep the app in the U.S. December 18, 2024The Supreme Court announced it will review TikTok’s challenge against the federal law that could potentially ban the app, scheduling oral arguments for Jan. 10—just days before the law is set to become effective. December 16, 2024TikTok requested an injunction from the Supreme Court that would block the ban against it until the conservative majority court rules on TikTok’s legality or dismisses the case, saying the pause would “create breathing room for this Court to conduct an orderly review ... before this vital channel for Americans to communicate with their fellow citizens and the world is closed.” December 16, 2024Chew met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, according to CNN, and argued an injunction from the Supreme Court, which was ultimately not granted, would give Trump’s TikTok-friendly administration time to comment on the matter. December 6, 2024The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied TikTok’s petition to review the law against TikTok after the court’s three-judge panel said national security concerns outweigh TikTok’s First Amendment rights, later declining TikTok’s request to halt its ruling upholding the law. May 14, 2024Eight TikTok users sued the federal government, accusing them of First Amendment violations and calling the ban “unconstitutionally overbroad.” May 7, 2024TikTok filed suit against the federal government, challenging the constitutionality of the ban and arguing the app and its American users were having their First Amendment rights violated. April 24, 2024President Joe Biden signed the bill requiring TikTok to be sold or banned, provoking a response from the platform, which claimed in a statement it “invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and our platform free from outside influence and manipulation.” April 23, 2024The Senate voted 80-19 to pass the bill, which Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said was done to “prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance, maligned operations, harming vulnerable Americans, our servicemen and women, and our U.S. government personnel.” April 20, 2024The House in an overwhelming 360-58 vote passed the legislation against TikTok, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., saying in a statement the legislation was “designed to address legitimate national security and privacy concerns.” Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. When Did The Tiktok Ban Take Effect? The ban against TikTok became effective Sunday, Jan. 19, but the platform appeared to take itself online minutes earlier. Is Tiktok Back? When Will Tiktok Be Fully Restored? Many U.S.-based users reported the mobile app or website was working again as of Sunday afternoon at about 1 p.m. EST, and users were greeted with a message stating: “Welcome back!” However, the app still is not available for download on the iPhone App Store. In a message posted on its website, Apple said TikTok will remain on users’ devices if they have already downloaded it, but the app won’t get any further updates, which may “impact performance, security and compatibility” with the iPhone and iPad operating systems. It’s not clear when—or if—Apple will allow the app to return. Can Trump Stop Tiktok From Getting Banned? Yes—at least temporarily. Trump, who is opposed to banning TikTok despite once pushing for a ban, takes office a day after the deadline, so he was not able to stop the law from taking effect altogether. However, he announced Sunday he will extend the ban when he returns to office “so we can make a deal to protect our national security” by transferring TikTok to a joint venture with 50% U.S. ownership—though the law only allows Trump to extend the ban by 90 days if ByteDance is working toward a sale. Trump also said there will be “no liability” for companies that allow TikTok to stay live before he signs the order. TikTok said in a statement Sunday it was able to start restoring service because Trump promised no penalties for its service providers. If TikTok is not sold within 90 days, however, it’s unclear what Trump can do. Former Justice Department official Alan Rozenshtein wrote in a Lawfare op-ed Trump could lobby Congress to repeal the ban, though in doing so he would have to overcome the law’s bipartisan support. Here’s more on Trump’s options.
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Here Are The Startups Jeff Bezos Invested In Last Year The billionaire Amazon founder put early money into Airbnb and Uber. Now he’s placing bets on these AI robotics companies. Before Marko Bjelonic, cofounder and CEO of AI robotics company Swiss-Mile, met with billionaire Jeff Bezos last April, he sent Bezos his version of an Amazon 6-Pager to pitch his company, hoping it would improve his odds in a video call he expected to feel rushed—but wasn’t. (The 6-Pager is the now-famous document that Bezos required Amazon executives to circulate before strategic meetings in lieu of PowerPoint slides and is known as a key element of Amazon’s culture.) “I was very surprised by how patient he was and how relaxed,” Bjelonic says. The call was scheduled for 30 minutes, but ended up being an hour long. “It felt like a conversation.” That call led Bezos to co-lead a $22 million funding round in Zurich-based Swiss-Mile in August. The company is developing AI-powered robots that look a bit like wiry, headless dogs with wheels for feet and, later this year, can hopefully deliver items from point to point. It’s currently testing early versions on the streets of Zurich. Swiss-Mile is one of at least nine companies that got investments from the world’s second richest person in 2024; seven of them are artificial intelligence startups, according to media reports, PitchBook and Preqin data and Forbes research. A representative for Bezos wouldn’t comment. Four of the startups, including Figure AI and Swiss-Mile, are specifically working on AI-powered robotics—a vertical he had not publicly focused on as a venture investor before last year. While Bezos wouldn’t comment on his investment strategy, billionaire entrepreneurs who typically dip into angel investing are seeing changes coming. In this case, Bezos may think AI-powered robotics is on the cusp of a big commercial breakthrough. “They want to be on the forefront of investing into the type of technology that can be beneficial for their industry,” says Kjartan Rist, founding partner at Concentric, a venture firm that only has family offices as limited partners. “They've seen the waves that have come. So they’re very keen on being part of the next wave.” For Bezos, the last couple of “waves” in his primary industry—ecommerce—were likely real estate for distribution centers and robotics, and the next wave is autonomous robotics, Rist added. Bezos isn’t new to robotics; in 2007 he made an early bet on Rethink Robotics, a startup that helped robots automate manufacturing. During Bezos’ tenure as CEO of Amazon, the company purchased several robotics companies, including Kiva Systems in 2012 and Canvas Technology in 2019. But Bezos has never publicly invested in so many robotics startups in a year, and autonomous robots, which can operate without direct human supervision, are new. Two of the four AI robot companies (Figure AI and Physical Intelligence) didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Swiss-Mile’s Bjelonic and Skild AI cofounder and CEO Deepak Pathak are of course bullish, believing it’s a breakthrough moment for AI-powered robotics: “As people get interested about building artificial general intelligence, … robotics is the way to go to AGI,” Pathak says. “This is the next big frontier for AI.” Bjelonic likens it more to the invention of the iPhone, saying that all the requisite technologies are coming together to make autonomous robots possible—AI advances so the robots can be smarter, and cheaper hardware so more people can build them.
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What To Expect From Cybersecurity Threats In 2025
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TikTok CEO Will Reportedly Attend Trump’s Inauguration As Ban Threat Looms TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is planning to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, the New York Times reported Wednesday, even as the Supreme Court signaled it may uphold a bipartisan law—which Trump has opposed—which would either force TikTok’s sale to an American company or ban it. Social Media CEOs Testify TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew speaks during a Senate [+] Judiciary Committee hearing with other social media platform heads on Capitol Hill in Washington. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Key Facts According to the Times, Chew was formally invited by the Trump Vance Inaugural committee to attend the ceremony. The report added that the TikTok CEO will reportedly be seated “in a position of honor on the dais,” which is usually where former presidents, family members and other high-level guests are seated. Aside from Chew, several top tech industry leaders are expected to attend the inauguration, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. Forbes has reached out to TikTok for a comment. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. Is Trump Planning To Block The Tiktok Ban? Earlier on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that Trump was considering issuing an executive order, after taking office next week, that would delay the enforcement of the law targeting TikTok for two to three months. The report, however, cited legal experts who expressed doubts about whether Trump could unilaterally undo a law that was passed by Congress and has strong bipartisan backing. The president-elect, however, is reportedly keen on being seen as “making a deal” to save the popular app. This is a developing story. Follow me on Twitter. Send me a secure tip. Siladitya Ray is a reporter on the Forbes news team who covers major world news stories
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Inside $250 Billion EQT’s Plan To Dominate Asian And European Private Equity
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Nvidia Slams Biden ‘Overreach’ And Praises Trump—As AI Stock Enters Correction Territory Nvidia blasted the Biden administration and hyped President-elect Donald Trump in a Monday press release reacting to more export restrictions targeting Nvidia’s highly sought-after artificial intelligence chips, a criticism coinciding with a rare down stretch on Wall Street for Nvidia—and mounting Silicon Valley support for Trump. President Joe Biden announced Monday a framework to govern the transfer of AI technology most famously designed by Nvidia to cap AI chip sales abroad at both the country and company levels, a move which the White House characterized as an effort to keep away the advanced AI systems out of the hands of “countries of concern” as Biden has voiced concern about China’s use of American-made AI throughout his presidency. The potential for limited exports poses a potential headache for Nvidia, as China, Singapore and Taiwan accounted for more than half of the company’s $35 billion in revenue during its most recent financial quarter, with China alone accounting for $5.4 billion of Nvidia’s quarterly sales. Nvidia lashed out against the rules in a strongly worded statement: “The new Biden rules would only weaken America’s global competitiveness, undermining the innovation that has kept the U.S. ahead,” clapped back Ned Finkle, Nvidia’s vice president of government affairs, arguing it’s an attempt from the White House “to rig market outcomes and stifle competition.” The Nvidia response also indicated a warm attitude toward Trump, as Finkle wrote the “first Trump Administration laid the foundation” for the recent AI revolution. Nvidia looks “forward to a return to policies that strengthen American leadership, bolster our economy and preserve our competitive edge in AI and beyond,” Finkle added. Nvidia Stock Enters 10% Correction Shares of Nvidia fell as much as 4.7% to $129.51 shortly after market open, as pressure on its abroad business accelerated its recent stock market slump. The stock was down more than 15% from its all-time-high share price set last week, erasing as much as $578 billion in market capitalization from its $3.75 trillion valuation peak set Tuesday morning. Other big technology stocks struggled Monday, with shares of Alphabet, Apple and Tesla all declining at least 1% as the S&P 500 benchmark index sank to its lowest level since early November. Contra Much of Nvidia’s stock surge came while Biden was in office. The company’s share price is up 880% since Biden’s 2021 inauguration, compared to a 414% rally during Trump’s first term, according to FactSet data. Key Background Nvidia is far from the first big tech firm to express excitement about the prospects of Trump’s second term, with the likes of Amazon and Alphabet committing $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund as industry leaders like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos all met with Trump following his November election win. Zuckerberg also announced sweeping changes to Meta’s policies ahead of Trump’s inauguration: The company is ditching fact-checks in favor of X-style community notes, and Trump ally Dana White will join the board. Trump’s administration includes the newly-created role of “White House AI & Crypto Czar,” filled by Silicon Valley venture capitalist David Sacks, in an effort to make the U.S. “the clear global leader” in AI and cryptocurrency, Trump said in December. Nvidia is the face of the 2020s generative AI boom, as it designs a majority of the data-intensive hardware and software systems used to train AI technology like OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot and Tesla’s self-driving programs.
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NFL Legend Steve Young On How Faith is the Ultimate Game-Changer
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How Jay Graber Is Making Sure Bluesky Never Turns Into Elon Musk’s X Since Elon Musk torpedoed Twitter, Bluesky has seen a stunning surge. CEO Jay Graber is working on “billionaire-proofing” social media against any similar takeover. Emily Baker-WhiteJan 6, 2025, How Jay Graber Is Making Sure Bluesky Never Turns Into Elon Musk’s X Two months after the social network Bluesky launched in February 2023, it got its first bona fide celebrity user: the humorist known as dril. An absurdist Twitter character once described by the New Yorker as “one of America’s incisive ongoing works of social criticism,” dril had a finger on the pulse of Twitter’s decades-old chaotic energy, and that energy was headed to Bluesky. “it is real it is him,” Bluesky developer Paul Frazee posted after dril joined. Despite his nearly two million followers at the time, Elon Musk’s X was no longer working for him, dril told Forbes. “Their algorithm has been more aggressively prioritizing moronic political commentators and crypto scammers, while pushing aside the people you actually follow,” he said. “If Bluesky can market itself as a sort of last bastion against ad bots, AI crap, and nefarious algorithms, I think it'll be in a very strong position,” he continued. But “it's likely only a matter of time before one of their higher-up tech gurus decides to break the dam so all that sewage can flow in.” Bluesky was never meant to be an app — or even a company. It began as an open source research project at Twitter, a skunkworks team helmed by open internet evangelist Jay Graber. Graber’s mandate was to build a protocol, a shared language that computers could use to talk to each other, designed specifically for social media. Through the AT Protocol (or Authentic Transfer, as well as, “where you at online?”), Twitter and other companies would be able to exchange information with one another, creating an open network where posts could be freely shared across social platforms. But after Elon Musk bought Twitter, it became clear that Bluesky was no longer on its roadmap. Twitter under Musk began to transform, facing an advertiser boycott, exodus of users, and eventually a name change to X. So the team that made the protocol spun up a quick app, just to show how it might be used. They launched it as an invite-only social network in 2023. Graber began leading Bluesky two years earlier, after Parag Agrawal, who would soon become Twitter CEO, offered her the job. The move proved prophetic for Graber, who had previously worked in cryptocurrency and built social apps. Her mother, who grew up in China, gave her the first name Lantian, Mandarin for blue sky. (The similarity, however, is coincidental, as the project had already been named before Graber’s involvement.) Since its launch, Bluesky has seen unusual success: It raised a modest $15 million Series A round in October, when it had 13 million users, and since then, its user base has nearly doubled to more than 25 million. The app has panicked Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whose own Twitter competitor, Threads, has rushed to copy many of its features. But as dril recognizes, Bluesky is a company with investors who want to make money. And that could someday clash with Graber’s user-first approach to social media: to put the people using Bluesky in control of its central features. “Open sourcing the app, the choice there was to make sure that everyone could see how we were doing this, that it was possible to build social apps at scale, and that developers could just come in and start building,” Graber told Forbes. Rather than let Bluesky itself determine what you see, in what order, and why, Graber and her team designed the app to let users create and subscribe to any number of feeds. Want to see posts from just your mutuals? There’s a feed for that. Want to see every post about gardening, or trail running, or a bottomless stream of gift links to news articles that usually have paywalls? There are feeds for those, too, and BlueSky doesn’t own them. Its users do. Bluesky’s ethos of user choice extends beyond just which feeds you choose to follow. Don’t like the company’s lack of verification? Build your own system, like Hunter Walker, a journalist at Talking Points Memo, did. Don’t want to see AI art? Crowdsource a labeling and filtering system to detect and block it. Don’t like the company’s moderation settings? Create your own — as long as you stay above the company’s permissive floor. (Illegal content, harassment, election meddling, and other hard lines are non-negotiable.) The idea of user choice even extends beyond Bluesky’s features to the idea of the app itself. If the AT Protocol catches on with other social platforms, then users will be able to frictionlessly move between platforms to the one they like best — which means Bluesky will have to compete with any number of other companies to provide the best user experience. “Bluesky is a much more positive experience, but bad if you, like me, have built a following partly on dunking on idiots. There aren't as many idiots on Bluesky.” Derek Guy, the “menswear guy” In giving power to the people, Bluesky has so far eschewed the strategy that other social platforms have used to make billions of dollars: collecting troves of intimate data about their users and then letting advertisers target them based on that data. At least today, Bluesky is fully public, and its user data is available to people outside the company, so there’s no secret sauce for advertisers to pay for. It’s not that Graber is opposed to ads, but when it comes to social media, she said they’ve become “overly extractive.” “We think of it a bit like the resource curse: when a country discovers oil and it becomes a very profitable revenue stream, there’s this phenomenon where other industries get neglected. They don’t build out the rest of the economy.” If ads are oil, Graber doesn’t yet know what the solar, wind or hydropower sources of income for Bluesky might be. The company is preparing to test several subscription products, and has left the door open to testing some ads, too, in a way that would keep users in control. Graber is conscious of what she called “bus problems” — or, the scenarios that could happen if she and her executive team, god forbid, get hit by a bus. “We have locked things open enough that we cannot significantly degrade the user experience because we have opened the market up to entrepreneurs.” What will truly keep the AT Protocol independent, Graber said, is people other than her and her team stewarding it. She said she has started talking to standards bodies, international organizations that define each language of code, but that true decentralization — or “billionaire-proofing” as she has called it — relies on people outside of Bluesky adopting the protocol and making it their own. There are efforts to expand use of the protocol. A day after the New Year rang in, cryptic posters began appearing throughout San Francisco. The posters show a cloudy blue sky, an asterisk, and teased a website called Free Our Feeds, with a countdown clock to January 13. A source familiar with the posters said they are related to an upcoming announcement about the AT protocol. Bluesky’s DIY approach requires a bit more effort from users than X or Meta Threads. People who can’t code likely won’t be building their own feeds, verification systems or labels anytime soon — and while it doesn’t require coding, figuring out how to subscribe to other users’ creations and customize your moderation settings requires a bit of effort. But barriers to entry fade away when the product is good enough. Billionaire investor and frequent poster Mark Cuban thinks it is. He’s embraced Bluesky as a “truly social” experience: “You can post something about your day and get positive responses.” Still, his 805,000 followers on Bluesky is only a fraction of the 8.8 million he’s amassed on X. “There are lots of people I disagree with,” Cuban told Forbes, but “[t]hat is part of any engaging platform.” Still, he said, personal moderation tools like blocking or reporting “kill the incentives of trolls to troll.” Bluesky does have some moderation features that other platforms don’t have, like the option to detach a quote-post from your original post (a feature that’s largely positive but can sour if people use it to pile on a post they don’t like). But in large part, what makes moderation on Bluesky different from other platforms is how liberally its new users have employed tools that do exist — or at least used to exist — on other platforms, too. Bluesky gained half a million users in a day after X (formerly Twitter) announced that its “block” feature would no longer fully block people. Derek Guy, known online as “the menswear guy,” also praised the platform for its more civil clientele — though he confessed that the friendly atmosphere might not work as well with his personal brand: “Bluesky is a much more positive experience, but bad if you, like me, have built a following partly on dunking on idiots. There aren't as many idiots on Bluesky.” MORE FROM FORBES Jack Dorsey-Backed Decentralized Twitter Rival Prepares To Launch With One Million UsersBy Michael del CastilloWhat To Know About Bluesky—The Buzzy Social Media App Siphoning Users From Elon Musk’s XBy Conor MurrayThe Pentagon Is Using AI To Vet Employees — But Only When It Passes ‘The Mom Test’By Emily Baker-WhiteThe Best Of Forbes Photography 2024By Forbes StaffThe Best Of Forbes Illustration 2024By Forbes Staff Emily Baker-White is an investigative reporter and senior writer at Forbes. She joined ... Richard Nieva is a San Francisco-based senior writer who covers technology. He joined
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The Big Question At The Heart Of The TikTok Case
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Why An Old-School Value Investor Is Betting On Bitcoin Bitcoin’s breathtaking 2024 performance and its rise above $100,000, has captured the world’s attention. Here’s why one card-carrying value investor is bullish on the volatile digital asset. Why An Old-School Value Investor Is Betting On Bitcoin My first trip to Las Vegas is one I remember very fondly. I was only about a year out of college when my best friend offered me a free flight to go with him for a few days. We stayed at the Hard Rock Casino, which was off the Strip at the time and exactly the kind of place where someone my age would want to be at with its party-like atmosphere, smaller and more intimate table gaming pit than the bigger casinos on the Strip, and some of the most generous comps. Even 27 years later, this experience remains fresh in my mind. I can recall playing blackjack for hours. We started at $10 minimum bet tables. But a lucky streak early on had us quickly progressing to bigger bets per hand. I won about $1,700 my first two days there. On the third day, our fortunes turned. By the evening, my friend went from being up a few hundred to being down $750. Frustration set in and he decided to head to bed early. I fared even worse with my $1,700 gain whittled down to just $300. But unlike my friend, I wasn’t done. Losing that much money had left such a bad taste in my mouth that I took the $300 I was still up, saw a $100 minimum table with no one there and said, why not? With luck back on my side, I turned that $300 into $3,000 in less than 20 minutes. In all, I came home having won about $3,600. For a 23-year-old living in New York City in the late 90s, this was a lot of money. Sobering Foray Into Stock Investing I bring this up because it’s often the first experience that shapes your view. My first trip to Vegas was about as good as it gets for someone in my circumstance back then. I had no fear of betting way outside my means because of the incredible luck I was enjoying and because I didn’t know any better. When you’re young, you haven’t accumulated enough life lessons to realize how reckless it is to bet $100 a hand when you only have $700 in the bank. The same is true with investing in stocks. My first introduction to doing so came when I began working at Forbes, which just happened to be at the height of the Dot-com bubble in early 2000. Among the stocks recommended by my department in the six months prior to my arrival were eToys, VerticalNet and Healtheon, which took advantage of the insatiable demand for anything related to the Internet, whether a new website or a business that facilitated growth in its infrastructure. Those three gained 66%, 92% and 99%, respectively, in just two months, two-and-a-half months and three months. And the biggest beneficiary of this madness, Qualcomm, saw its stock soar something like 2,600% in the prior year. That’s not a typo. By then, I had some money saved and opened my first brokerage account. Timing-wise, it couldn’t have been worse as that was right around when the web/tech wreck began. Two of the first stocks I purchased were ones that were recommended by our department during my first three months here, Net Perceptions and Wind River Systems, neither of which exist anymore. I can’t even recall what they did. What remains crystal clear, however, is the fact that I rode them all the way down the market slump that followed, ultimately losing 75-80% on these holdings. That was my baptism by fire and a sobering reminder that I knew nothing about buying stocks and really had no business doing so at that point. Becoming A Value Investor This would change in the years that followed as I went through the CFA program, became a stock analyst, and gained experience hunting for bargains in virtually every sector and industry that exists. But the poor experience from my first foray buying stocks never left me. I lost a lot of money on the two losers noted above because I—like so many others at the time—bought into the hype. Shaped by this initial experience, as well as the value-oriented strategy associated with the stock recommending services I worked for, I avoided as much market hype as I could. Instead, I studied Warren Buffett, read Securities Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd (still considered the bible of fundamental analysis), and began primarily buying shares of companies selling at deep discounts to what I believed they were actually worth based on my research and analysis. In other words, I became a full-fledged value investor. This meant I sought out companies with strong future cash flow potential, but was disciplined enough to only buy them when they became too cheap to ignore. For example, when our department recommended Amazon at $7.48, right after the equity market tanked in the wake of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, I bought some myself. But it also meant when we recommended that our subscribers take their profits at $12.20
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Where Is Cannabis Legal? A Guide To All 50 States
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Why Caitlin Clark Is One Of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women In 2024 The Indiana Fever rookie lit the match that set women’s sports on fire this year—including a $2 billion media rights deal for the WNBA, gender parity in the Olympics, and record-breaking viewership for professional women’s soccer. Caitlin Clark was almost nonchalant about the shot that, in March, made her the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer—male or female. “Pretty cool,” she told Fox’s courtside reporter Allison Williams before using the same breath to launch into an analysis of her team’s performance in the game’s first half. “Pretty cool” is one way to describe the year that Clark has had. Groundbreaking, galvanizing, and history-making are others. After leading Iowa to the NCAA women’s finals—which was watched by a record 18.7 million viewers (24 million at its peak), making it one of the most-watched games in college basketball history and surpassed the men’s final for the first time—Clark went on to become the number one pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. In her inaugural WNBA season, she continued making history—she set rookie records for most points and assists, as named the league’s Rookie of the Year. Alongside draft class members Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and Kamilla Cardoso, Clark is credited with driving a record 54 million viewers to ABC, NBC, ESPN and their cable peers to watch the WNBA’s regular season. All of that attention is also lucrative: Over the summer, the WNBA struck an 11-year $2.2 billion media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC. A basketball player has never before made the ranks of the Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women (Serena Williams, tennis ace, is one of the only other athletes to appear in the rankings in the last 20 years), but the 22-year-old Clark was a driving force in a game-changing year for women’s sports. The year marked the first time there was gender parity in the number of Olympic athletes competing in the Games; U.S. women’s soccer closed its 2024 season with the most-watched championship game in NWSL history; Angel City FC became the highest-valued women’s professional sports team, at $250 million when Willow Bay and Bob Iger acquired a controlling stake this summer. “Caitlin Clark became the lightning rod of this moment in time,” says Thayer Lavielle, the managing director of Wasserman’s women’s-focused practice, The Collective. Lavielle estimates the value of professional women’s basketball and soccer stands to increase by a combined $1.6 billion over the next three years, a figure that is based on attendance and viewership (on television or streaming equivalents) and doesn’t include merchandise or media deals. It’s a growth spurt that is long overdue. Dawn Staley, who as the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks now has three NCAA women’s titles to her name, told Forbes in July that the momentum behind women’s sports has been building for so long that it’s finally “uncontrollable.” But it also takes a singular figure to truly galvanize consumer interest. “I think sometimes you need a unifier,” Staley said. “I think Caitlin Clark has done a tremendous job at being that person people want to see. She's brought a different set of eyeballs to our game.” Of course, for all the attention that Clark and her cohorts have brought to women’s sports in 2024, it’s “a long path to equity,” says Lavielle. “The men’s side of the ecosystem is $54 billion.” And research from The Collective shows that in the years leading up to 2024, women’s sports received, on average, 15% of total sports media coverage and 10% of sponsorship dollars. Naturally, that discrepancy translates to significantly lower starting salaries for female players in the WNBA. Clark’s $76,535 rookie salary made headlines earlier this year when it was compared to the salaries of her male counterparts in the NBA: Zaccharie Risacher, 2024’s overall number one pick, and Victor Wembanyama, 2023’s first pick, both received a starting salary of $12 million. “The major money that funds women's sports comes from sponsorships and media rights, and even media is really just a reflection of what brands are willing to spend,” explains Pete Giorgio, a principal at Deloitte who leads the firm’s sports practice. “Caitlin Clark will get paid the same as Victor Wembanyama when companies spend 50% of their marketing dollars on women's sports.” Giorgio projects that 2024 will mark the first year that global revenue from women’s sports will surpass $1 billion and says that any “bear” case to his thesis is gender-neutral: an economic downturn that would affect sports writ large, for instance. “I fundamentally believe that women's sports is an undervalued asset that's going to continue to grow,” he says.
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Biggest Career Comebacks Of 2024
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Hong Kong and Germany Eye Strategic Bitcoin Reserves Amid Growing Global Interest The global financial landscape evolves, several countries are seriously considering integrating Bitcoin into their national reserves. Hong Kong and Germany are the latest to join this race, as lawmakers in both regions propose strategies to incorporate Bitcoin into their respective financial systems. The move reflects the growing recognition of Bitcoin as a potential hedge against economic uncertainty and a strategic asset for the future. Hong Kong’s Push for Bitcoin in the Exchange Fund Hong Kong has long been a crypto-friendly hub, and its latest proposal to include Bitcoin in its Exchange Fund signals the city’s intent to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global economy. Wu Jiezhuang, Chairman of Hong Kong’s Web3 Virtual Asset Development Subcommittee, suggested leveraging the “One Country, Two Systems” framework to pilot Bitcoin inclusion in the Exchange Fund. This initiative aims to bolster Hong Kong’s financial security amid shifting global crypto dynamics. Currently, the Treasury Bureau in Hong Kong has not designated crypto assets as targeted investments for the Exchange Fund. However, it has allowed external investment managers to include a small exposure to cryptocurrencies within diversified portfolios. This shows a potential opening for the city to take the next step toward a strategic Bitcoin reserve. In recent years, Hong Kong has been positioning itself as a leader in the crypto space. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange currently lists 12 cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs), collectively valued at HK$7.4 billion (around $940 million). This growing interest in crypto assets is part of Hong Kong’s broader efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global cryptocurrency market. If successful, this move could further solidify the city’s role as a leading financial hub for digital assets. Interestingly, China, which holds roughly 190,000 Bitcoins, is second only to the United States in terms of Bitcoin reserves. With Bitcoin’s current price nearing $94,000, China’s holdings are worth approximately $18 billion. Hong Kong could look to follow suit, potentially converting these Bitcoin reserves into ETFs listed on its exchange. Germany’s Call for Bitcoin in Central Bank Reserves Across the globe, Germany is also considering Bitcoin as part of its strategic reserves. Christian Lindner, Germany’s former finance minister, has urged the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bundesbank to explore the possibility of adding Bitcoin to their reserves. This call comes on the heels of similar discussions within the European Parliament and follows growing concerns about the role of cryptocurrencies in global finance.
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7 Reasons Why 2025 Could Redefine Crypto Despite questions over regulation, lingering SEC lawsuits and scores of billion dollar zombie blockchain, bitcoin and the entire crypto market had a roaring comeback in 2024. Crypto winter? Over. Fallen empires and courtroom drama? In the rearview. The survivors? Battle-tested and eyeing the horizon like it’s the next gold rush. After years of clashes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds have arrived. As of mid-December 16, U.S. bitcoin ETFs held $129 billion in assets, surpassing the $125 billion in gold ETFs, according to Norway-based K33 Research. A post-election cocktail of market euphoria and Donald Trump’s promises to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world” and establish a strategic bitcoin reserve sent bitcoin past $100,000. Solana is having a moment, fueled by memecoin hype and new categories like dePINs—networks that leverage blockchain tech to decentralize control and ownership of physical infrastructure. Platforms like Polymarket, where users bet on the outcome of U.S. presidential elections, and the battle royale game Off The Grid have found mainstream success. A new wave of “degens” are gambling on tokens like fartcoin and dogwifhat, both now with a market cap above $1 billion. “It’s the year that crypto moved into the mainstream consciousness in a way that it hadn’t since 2021, and that it is now a sustainable long-term asset class that is going to have a voice and is going to matter,” says Rob Hadick, general partner at Dragonfly, a San Francisco-based crypto venture capital firm. “If you look at just the effect that crypto had on the election—both as donors and in terms of bringing it forward in legislatures and for presidential candidates—that's never been done before and obviously a big step forward in legitimization.” With Trump and a cadre of crypto-friendly officials poised to take office, the stage is set for what insiders are already calling "crypto’s golden age." Here’s what’s brewing: New All-Time Highs and the U.S. Bitcoin Reserve The art of bold price prediction is back in vogue. Crypto asset manager Bitwise forecasts $200,000—or even $500,000—per bitcoin if the U.S. creates a strategic reserve akin to those for oil or gold. The logic: the U.S. official bitcoin stockpile would trigger global FOMO. Trump floated using 200,000 bitcoins confiscated from criminals (worth $21 billion) to jumpstart the reserve at the Nashville Bitcoin conference in July. But the legal pathway is murky—will it require Congressional approval, or can the executive branch act unilaterally? Pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis proposed a Treasury-operated reserve in July. Skeptics argue the asset’s volatility could undermine financial stability. Trump's silence on whether the U.S. would acquire more bitcoin through open market purchases adds another layer of intrigue. Crypto’s Regulatory Reset: A Friendly Washington The incoming administration is shaping up to be the most pro-crypto yet. Key appointments include: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Paul Atkins, former SEC commissioner and a crypto supporter, is poised to replace the industry’s sworn enemy Gary Gensler, whose tenure was defined by lawsuits and enforcement crackdowns. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): Brian Quintenz, head of policy at Andreessen Horowitz and former CFTC commissioner, is the frontrunner to lead the agency. Treasury: hedge fund billionaire and bitcoin advocate Scott Bessent is Trump’s pick for secretary. Commerce: Howard Lutnik, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald (the main custodian for Tether’s USDT reserves), is set to lead the department. AI & Crypto Czar: David Sacks, a longtime venture capitalist who also worked with Elon Musk at PayPal, will oversee policy in two key areas of Trump's strategy for enhancing national competitiveness. The House Financial Services Committee: Rep. French Hill, an Arkansas Republican who has worked alongside outgoing Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) to champion industry-friendly crypto legislation, plans to prioritize crypto market structure bill within the first 100 days and investigate the so-called Operation Choke Point 2.0, which many believe unfairly targeted the crypto sector through debanking practices. “There's a real opportunity to get good policy in place for the industry,” says Kristin Smith, CEO of Washington DC-based Blockchain Association, which represents more than 100 crypto companies. “The White House has indicated that this is a priority. I think we're going to see a combination of efforts across government, a legislative push for market structure and stablecoins and a big shift towards a lot of the innovation coming back to the US,” she adds. New Public Listings and Available Capital
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The Methodology Behind The Midas List Europe: How Data Shapes The Rankings The Midas List Europe seeks to be the definitive ranking of the top tech investors in Europe and the Middle East. This annual list is compiled using a rigorous, data-driven methodology in an effort to ensure accuracy and fairness in identifying the most successful venture capitalists in the region. By combining data validation and a sophisticated analytical model, we ensure the list provides a credible and authoritative ranking that reflects the true performance of these investors in driving tech innovation and growth across the European ecosystem. Several criteria must be met to be considered for one of the 25 spots on the Midas List Europe. VCs must reside in Europe or the Middle East and invest in a portfolio that includes European and/or Middle Eastern companies. Investors also must invest on behalf of third-party limited partners; investments made from personal balance sheets or for a single corporation, foundation, or other entity do not qualify, as they often have additional objectives outside of performance driving their investment strategy. Investors’ rankings are determined by the performance of their portfolio companies, which must have either exited in the last five years through a public offering or sale at a valuation of $100 million or more, or be private, unexited companies valued at $200 million or more at the last priced round. This historic period of five years helps capture consistent records of success while rewarding recent bets. Collecting and Validating Data The process of compiling the Midas List Europe begins with thorough data collection. Forbes and TrueBridge Capital invite hundreds of investors across dozens of firms to submit their deal data. This data provides details on the companies they have invested in, including the stages of investment and the outcomes of those companies. While the submission period is open, the Midas team reviews publicly available data sets to ensure accuracy, consistency and completeness of information. It also reviews industry information and data from past lists, which creates a comprehensive set of data points for analysis. In order to ensure the integrity and complete confidentiality of the data, TrueBridge acts as an independent third-party data partner, receiving and analyzing the submissions. Every step of the process is framed to maintain trust and the credibility of the list. Running the Midas List Europe Model The Midas team employs a sophisticated model to analyze the broad set of data points. This model considers several key metrics for each deal attributed to a VC. These include the total number of investment deals, the valuation of the companies at exit or current valuation, and the stage at which the VC invested. The model assigns a score to each deal based on these variables, with a weighted emphasis on exited companies and more recent returns. For example, if multiple VCs have invested in the same company at different stages, the model calculates a score for each VC based on their specific investment and level of participation. This process is repeated for all deals attributed to each investor, resulting in a score that determines the ranking for each individual. Identifying List Trends for 2024 In order to rank VCs based on the value they have created for their investors, this list must, by definition, be backward-looking. An interesting side effect of this historic look is that the newest trends in investing are not immediately reflected in the list. The obvious example of this in 2024 is AI. While AI investments can be expected to dictate the outcome of the list in the coming years, 2024 remains a relatively balanced and broad year, with companies across SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, and entertainment all contributing. Another 2024 trend is the continued difficulty of the exit markets. With few companies completing a successful exit this year, metrics around stage of investment, ownership, board participation and continued follow-on support have greater weight than in a year of robust exit activity. The ultimate goal with the selection of the Midas List Europe is to have a thorough and transparent process, designed to identify the most successful investors placing bets on startups in Europe and the Middle East. Venture capital and the revolutionary companies it enables, from Spotify to Adyen to Mistral, are an important and exciting part of the innovation economy. We hope that the Midas List Europe provides some insight into these companies and the partners working alongside them every day to help them grow.
Forbes
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WATCH: NBA Star Jayson Tatum Shares The Story Behind His Signature Jordan Shoe
Forbes
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Meet The Japanese Noodle Billionaire Taking On McDonald’s And KFC
Forbes
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30 Under 30 2025 Science: Pushing The Limits Of Chemistry, Math And More These researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs are making discoveries and inventing new solutions in every arena, from the subatomic to the stars. Alex KnappDec 3, 2024, 30 Under 30 2025 Science: Pushing The Limits Of Chemistry, Math And More Daniel Marin dreams of an internet where a user’s identity can be verified without risking giving up any of their own information. His company, Nexus, uses a combination of cryptography, mathematics and engineering to prove you are you instead of a password or the name of your first grade teacher. It relies on a multitude of computers connected to the Nexus network, which does the heavy computation behind the scenes. “We're building a marketplace for compute,” he says. So far, 15 companies and over 120,000 people are using Nexus’ software, and the company has raised $27 million at a recent $150 million valuation to keep building out its products. Its product is currently free but the company aims to develop ways to monetize as it matures its technology. Science-Daniel Marin by Tim Tadder for Forbes Tim Tadder for Forbes Marin, 24, is just one of the innovators on this year’s 30 Under 30 Science list. For more than a decade, Forbes has highlighted young scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs with the help of nominations from the public. To be considered for this year’s list, all candidates had to be under the age of 30 as of December 31, 2024, and never before named to a 30 Under 30 North America, Europe or Asia list. The candidates were evaluated by a panel of judges featuring Sara Seager, professor of physics at MIT; Luna Yu, cofounder and CEO of Genecis; Christina Smolke, cofounder and CEO of Antheia; and Randy Glein, cofounder and partner of DFJ Growth. Marin isn’t the only listmaker pushing computer science to its limits. There’s also Paul Liang, 29, who has laid down some of the theoretical foundations that enables AI models to understand and retrieve multimedia contact. Liz Izhikevich, 28, is using her research to change how industry identifies software performance faults and security threats. And Fiona Kolbinger, 29, is using AI to help surgeons plan their procedures and support decisions while surgery is happening. Another area of research for these listmakers is in the development of new hardware and materials. For example, there’s Kent Zheng, 29, who is working on lithium-free batteries made from zinc and aluminum that are less toxic and more affordable. Meanwhile, Rachel Baker, 29, is developing processes using biomass from trees and plants to make sustainable industrial chemicals. Then there’s Shucong Li, 29, who has developed a platform of responsive materials used to make soft robots for a variety of applications. Some of the listmakers this year have their eyes on the stars. For example, NASA Einstein Fellow Sylvia Biscoveanu, 29, studies gravitational waves to learn more about how our universe came to be. Savannah Eisner, 29, is developing electronics that can survive in space and other harsh environments, like the surface of Venus. Meanwhile, Wyver, cofounded by Callie Lissinna, 27, has satellites in orbit looking down on Earth, providing insight to the chemistry happening on the surface for agriculture, mining and other applications. These are only a few of the incredible scientists and entrepreneurs on this years Forbes 30 Under 30 Science list. Be sure to read up on all of them, plus all of the other 30 Under 30 2025 categories. This year’s list was edited by Alex Knapp, Katie Jennings, Katharine Gammon and Ragnhildur Þrastardóttir. For a link to our complete Under 30 Science list, click here, and for full 30 Under 30 coverage, click here. 30 UNDER 30 RELATED ARTICLES Inside Alex Cooper’s $125 Million Deal To Grow Her Multimedia EmpireBy Alexandra YorkCoders Worry The AI From This $2 Billion Startup Could Replace Their JobsBy Rashi ShrivastavaFracking Hot Rocks Could Revolutionize Clean Energy—If Trump Doesn’t Get In The WayBy Christopher Helman30 Under 30 Marketing & Advertising 2025: The Young Founders Using Fintech, Social Media And The Power Of Partnerships To Boost Brands Big And SmallBy Alexandra York30 Under 30 2025: Stars Shaboozey, Chappell Roan And Noah Kahan Lead The Artists Shaping The Future Of MusicBy Zoya Hasan Alex Knapp is a senior editor covering healthcare, science, and cutting edge technology
Forbes
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As a leader, your role is not only to guide the process but also to cultivate a culture where diverse viewpoints are thoughtfully considered. Here’s how you can lead effectively by supporting and mastering the art of advocacy within your team
Forbes
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Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $944 Million For Christmas Eve Drawing—Here’s How Much The Winner Could Take Home After Taxes
Forbes
