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 organisations, not least …
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.
6 Delightful Towns in Emilia Romagna You’ll Love
If you want to explore Italy off the beaten path, you’ll love these beautiful towns in Emilia Romagna. They’re indeed charming and well worth to spend a day. You’ll discover another, more authentic, side of Italy.
A Dreamy Sunset Walk in Locorotondo, One of Apulia prettiest Towns
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.
A Dreamy Sunset Walk in Locorotondo, One of Apulia prettiest TownsRead More
Beyond the Cinque Terre… Charming Portovenere
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.
5 Things to Do in Brisighella, Fascinating Medieval Town
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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Is Stein am Rhein One of the Most Charming Towns in Switzerland?
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.
Is Stein am Rhein One of the Most Charming Towns in Switzerland?Read More
Picturesque Bellagio, On The Shores of Lake Como
English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Russian and other languages I was not able to distinguish: welcome to picturesque Bellagio, a charming town overlooking Lake Como, where you’ll hear very little Italian in the alleys.
Comacchio, Enchanting Canal Town
Poorly connected by public transport, out-of-the-way from the routes connecting the main towns of Emilia-Romagna, Comacchio is a little-known gem of northern Italy. The cities and towns crossed by canals are charming and picturesque, aren’t they? I’m not thinking of Venice’s uniqueness (don’t believe to characterizations like “the Venice of the north” or south or …
Cervia, The Town of Salt
Unlike many cities and towns in Italy, Cervia, as we see it today, is a rather recent settlement, dating back to the late 17th Century. Well-known as a beach resort of the Emilia-Romagna region for Summer holidays, Cervia actually has a lot of charm apart from its wide beaches. Cervia, the town of salt. Originally …