Yangshou, China
Jiufan, Taiwan
In the early 1600s, this village was founded to house nine
families. When shipments arrived from a nearby town, they would request
“jiufan” which translates to “nine portions.” This quickly became the
name of the village. With the discovery of gold in 1893, the village
quickly transformed into a town.
Riomaggiore, Italy
Cinque Terre is a rugged area of the coast on the Italian
Riviera, together with its five villages, the area is a National Park
and World Heritage Site. Terraces were built to overcome the rough
terrain that this area offers.
Gasadalur Village, Faroe Islands
The Faroes are an easily missed but mystifying chain of
islands north of Scotland. For many years, the islands were difficult to
access, with sheer cliffs rising from the beaches and a single
staircase built during the British occupation of the islands in World
War II. The undeniably lucky 18 people that live in the village are
nestled between two 2,300 foot tall mountains.
Cala Dogana, Levanzo
Levanzo is the smallest of the Egadi islands with only 220
inhabitants and can sometimes feel like a time machine, transporting its
guests to a bygone age where motorized transport is rare, nature
dictates the local diet and fresh water is hard to come by.
Manarola, Italy
Manarola is a charming rainbow of brightly colored houses
carved into an impenetrable wall of stone. The church dates back to
1338, making this town one of the oldest in the region, most likely
being built for its strong natural defenses. Now, the town is more
famous for its delightful wine and the paintings of Antonio Discovolos,
who adored the town.
Mosel, Germany
Halstatt, Austria
Hallstat is a medieval village which is home to less than
1,000 people. High in the mountains of Hallstat, you can explore
prehistoric mines that were some of the first in the entire world.
Positano
The local church of Santa Maria Assunta features a Byzantine
icon of a black Madonna. It is believed that the icon was stolen from
Byzantium from pirates who, during a storm, heard a strange voice
onboard saying “Posa, posa!” (“Put down” Put down!”). The pirates
unloaded the icon at the fishing village and the storm abated.
Farming Village in Vang Vieng, Laos
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt lies at the upper end of the picturesque Matter
Valley at an elevation of over 5,000 feet and in the shadow of
Switzerland’s highest peaks.
Molyvos, Greece
Bled, Slovenia
Sheltered by picturesque mountains, Bled was founded in 1004
and considered so beautiful by the Holy Roman Emperor that it was gifted
to the Bishop of Brixen. The castle at Bled sits in the center of the
enchanting Lake Bled which borders the town. The town of 5,000 is now
notable for having some of the most beautiful health spas in the area.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest in Italy and surrounded by monumental mountains and valleys.
Reine, Norway
Reine is a quaint fishing village that can be found on the
beautiful arctic island of Moskenesøya. The port has a population of
only 329, but was rightfully voted the most beautiful village in all of
Norway
Shirakawa-go, Japan
Shirakawa-go is a small, traditional village known for its
incredibly steep roofs that were made to withstand some of the heaviest
snowfall in the world.
Burano, Venetian Lagoon, Italy
Around 4 miles off the coast of Venice is an equally
beautiful small town. Burano is most iconic for its brightly colored
houses, which follow a set pattern hundreds of years old. If you want to
repaint your home, you have to get Government permission to do so and
even then, you have the choice of a few colors dictated by your
location.
Scilla, Italy
Scilla, on the tip of Italy’s boot, is the home of Scylla in
Greek mythology. This monster guarded the narrow channel between
mainland Italy and Sicily. That was before Heracles slew her.
Portofino, Italy
Founded by the Romans, the town was named Portus Delphini, or
Port of the Dolphin, because of the large numbers of dolphins that
inhabit the surrounding waters.
San Quirico d’Orcia, Italy
Qaqortoq, Greenland
This area has been inhabited for around 4,300 years, when the Saqqaq first settled the land.
Livno, Bosnia & Hercegovina
The plains of Livno have been populated since 2000 BC. The
magnificently lush land has played host to an Iron Age tribe known as
the Delmatae and the Romans.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is best known for its unique moon-like landscape,
underground cities and cave towns. All of which is best seen from the
sky, with dozens of hot air balloons offering amazing bird eye views.
Dazhai, China
The farming techniques in Xiyang County have created a
landscape which is truly amazing from the air. Dazhai is a small
community of several hundred farmers tucked away in the middle of this
bizarre environment.
Verona, Italy
Cemoro Lawang, Indonesia
Cemoro Lawang can be found over 7200 feet above sea level.
Both Mount Batok and Mount Bromo are visible from the town, making it a
climbers paradise.
Tucked away Chinese village
Damuls Austria
San Marino, Italy
San Marino is a micro-republic of just 24 square miles in the
beautiful landscape of Northern Italy. Founded in 301 AD, it is one of
the oldest surviving sovereign states and constitutional republics in
the world.
Xitang, China
Xitang is an ancient town which is crisscrossed by nine
rivers. The town itself is divided into 8 parts with 104 bridges
connecting them.
Tuscany, Italy
Village in the Himalayas, Tibet
This is one of many towns built to support monasteries hidden
in the Himalaya mountains that are only accessible by foot or horse.
Colmar, France
The town was first founded in the 1200s, during the height of
the Holy Roman Empire, which ruled much of Europe. Since then, the town
has earned the nickname “Little Venice” because of the waterways that
twist through the Medieval streets.
Goreme, Turkey
Göreme was first built during the Roman era, amongst the
exquisite rock formations that dominate the area. The hard natural rock
served as foundations and fortifications for those that built the town,
and to this day, much of the ancient architecture still stands.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Hidden Mountain Village - Jiuzhaigou, China
Not much is known about these reclusive villages scattered
around China other that they once served as strongholds for the
military. They are now are only reachable by horseback and offer a
unique look at the culture of classical China.
Morro de São Paulo, Brazil
Morro de São Paulo is so tranquil that the only way to get to
the village is by boat or charter flight because no cars are allowed on
the island. In the past, the island acted as both a cove for pirates
and a stronghold for the Portuguese.
Tenby, Wales
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