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Who doesn’t like charming towns? Problem is that they’re often lesser known.

Everyone hears or reads about capitals and main cities, their landmarks, must-see, and must-do. Cities like Venice, Rome, Paris, London, and many more, are on every traveler’s wish list. The downside is that these places are often overcrowded and have become so touristy that they lost some of their authenticity.

Charming towns offer a different kind of experience. You often get a taste of the local life, and they may be just as beautiful, in a different way.

Read about some of the towns full of charm I visited so far. And more will be added over time.

Is Stein am Rhein One of the Most Beautiful Towns in Switzerland?

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With little more than 3,000 inhabitants, Stein am Rhein may well be a small village but it is remarkable for the concentration of well preserved medieval buildings within such a compact area. 

The jewel in the crown is the Rathausplatz – the square of the City Hall – whose entire perimeter is lined by old houses with magnificent painted façades. Every house has a different architectural structure, the subjects and colors of the murals vary, but the harmony is such that it is close to perfection.

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How to Discover Gruyères, a Beautiful Village in a Picture-Perfect Landscape

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Considered one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland, Gruyères is a charming village surrounded by picture-perfect scenery. Gruyères is small, but you can easily spend there a full day strolling around, visiting the castle, and hiking in the surroundings. Gruyères, Switzerland: a beautiful medieval village You may have heard about Gruyères, one of the …

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How to Plan Unique Day Trips from Munich

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Are you looking for unique day trips from Munich but not sure where to start? Let me help you discover the most beautiful areas around the Bavarian capital. From fairytale castles to pristine lakes and idyllic mountain sceneries. There are plenty of reasons to spend two days in Munich. The city is charming, Munich Christmas …

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How to Plan 5 Wonderful Day Trips from Geneva

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Thanks to its location at one of the tips of Lake Geneva, a stone-throw from the border with France, there are many wonderful day trips from Geneva that will make for unforgettable experiences. Geneva is known for its charming old town, the lovely lakeshore, and for being home to the main international organizations, not least …

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A Dreamy Sunset Walk in Locorotondo, One of Apulia prettiest Towns

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Less than 10 km from Alberobello, the delightful town of Locorotondo looks very different from the village famous for the trulli, the traditional whitewashed dry stone huts with their typical conic-shaped roofs.
It may not have the UNESCO WHS status of  Alberobello, but Locorotondo is listed as one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy and it’s not hard to see why. A labyrinth of cobblestone alleys flanked by old white houses, some with beautifully decorated small balconies, other simple, square and with the pitched roofs typical of the city.

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Beyond the Cinque Terre… Charming Portovenere

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Pink, yellow, light blue, red, orange. Portovenere, one of the most beautiful towns of the western Ligurian coast, appears from the boat with its colorful houses reflecting in the sea.

I haven’t set foot on the ground yet, and I feel already that many lovely corners are waiting for my eyes to meet and admire them. Only a couple of minutes and my sense of anticipation is fulfilled.

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5 Things to Do in Brisighella, Fascinating Medieval Town

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I briefly visited delightful Brisighella a few years ago during a two-weeks trip in Emilia-Romagna and it was a
love at first sight.

I was bewitched by this fascinating medieval hamlet with its colorful houses, well-kept but not cutesy, and the surrounding rolling hills, where vineyards, olive groves, and other greenery design patches that look like an exquisite crochet.

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