If you want to replace the usual trips to the sea, crowded beaches, and boring hotels with buffets for something new, then we suggest going to the picturesque corners of a more secluded life in the bosom of nature.
The magazine “Lisa” has selected the most beautiful villages in different parts of the world, where every traveler should go. What is it like, a harmonious and peaceful country life surrounded by the beauties of nature?
Bagno Vignoni, Tuscany, Italy
There are many picturesque villages in Tuscany that seem to be made for landscape paintings. At the mention of the most beautiful province of Italy, the textbook pictures of haystacks in the field and winding streets with pine trees become the first association.
One such village is Bagno-Vignoni, surrounded by historical buildings in the natural park of Val d’Orcia. Thermal hotels in this region are considered among the best in the world. The peculiarity of Bagno Vignoni, in addition to the thermal waters, is also its structure, practically untouched since the 16th century, despite the numerous wars, devastation, and fires that covered the territory of the Val d’Orcia in the Middle Ages. On the shore of the pool is the ancient church of St. John the Baptist.
Shirakawa-go, Gifu, Japan
Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the village of Shirakawa-Go, located in the northern part of the Japanese prefecture of Gifu, in the valley of the Sokawa River, consists of only six dozen houses. Previously, the village was isolated from the outside world and was not marked on any geographical map – the dense forests surrounding it were considered impassable.
A special school of architecture has developed here – “gassho-zukuri”. Traditional dwellings in this area are characterized by steep thatched roofs. Today, curious tourists are transported to the famous architecture of the houses by whole buses.
Yvoire, Rhone-Alpes, France
The cozy medieval village of Yvoire, located on the French shores of Lake Geneva, officially bears the name of the most beautiful and most flourishing village in France.
Medieval architecture, Château d’Ivoire, a pier where swans swim among the boats, narrow streets, colorful souvenir shops, local lake fish in restaurants, gardens and on the streets of the city, something blooms all year round, but it is especially beautiful in Yvoire in summer – it is literally immersed in vegetation.
Bilberry, Gloucestershire, England
The artist William Morris called this village in Gloucestershire the most beautiful and most English village in the world. The picturesque cottages built of yellow stone and the water meadow give the unique charm of the village of Bradbury.
A narrow street over the River Colne leads to a picturesque bridge, while St Mary’s Church, lined with pretty 17th century English houses, exemplifies the ideal authentic European village.
Thorgney, Wallonia, Belgium
Torgny is a small Walloon village near the French border. With a population of over 3 million people, the Walloon region is a significant part of French-speaking Belgium by local standards.
The fairy tale village has become a favorite route for those who travel to the country corners of the countries, rather than the standard tourist routes – nearby you can find dozens of hotels of various categories and amazing local restaurants and cafes.
Giethoorn , Overijssel, Netherlands
In the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands, there is a village without roads or “Dutch Venice” – this is the name of this wonderful place, located on water channels with a total length of about 7.5 km. Only water transport functions here today.
Giethoorn was founded in 1230 by a small group of refugees from the south of the country, but gained worldwide fame only in the twentieth century after the Dutch director Bert Haanstra shot his famous comedy Fanfare here in 1958.
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Santorini, or Thira, is an island in the Aegean Sea, and one of the most recognizable places in Greece. This is a volcanic island, in the shape of the moon, which is part of the Cyclades archipelago. You have to climb from the port along winding and dangerous serpentines, but it’s worth it – fantastic views of the sea, the horizon, and typical local buildings open from the residential part of the island.
Iya gained fame due to his appearance. Narrow streets and white-painted houses with globular blue roofs attract many travelers. The town is relatively small – 19.5 square kilometers. The first mention of the town dates back to the travels of the early Venetian era when Marco Sanudo founded the Duchy of Naxos in 1207.
