Picturesque Towns in Europe: Your Favorite?
Jun 29th, 2012, 01:44 PM
#123
haven't read every suggestion, but in case it's not been mentioned, Wells in Somerset.
about 15 miles from Bath but much smaller and really lovely with a perfect mediaeval cathedral and a bishop's palace surrounded by gardens and a moat.
Dunster in Somerset too.
Appledore in North Devon, and Clovelley [bet no-one mentioned them].
Mousehole, Boscastle and Polperro in Cornwall.
Tenterden and Sandwich in Kent.
about 15 miles from Bath but much smaller and really lovely with a perfect mediaeval cathedral and a bishop's palace surrounded by gardens and a moat.
Dunster in Somerset too.
Appledore in North Devon, and Clovelley [bet no-one mentioned them].
Mousehole, Boscastle and Polperro in Cornwall.
Tenterden and Sandwich in Kent.
Jun 29th, 2012, 02:34 PM
#124
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OK, not only picturesque and enchanting but also magic in all senses – Matera, with its houses (sassi) built into the rock. Truly medieval, and most magical at dusk. Stay at the Hotel Italia, and get the owner to tell you about the time Mel Gibson checked in, filming his Passion of the Christ, and brought his own priest.
Jun 29th, 2012, 03:02 PM
#126
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Staying with "b" names, just returned this evening to our home base in Cheshire, England, after an overnight in Burnsall up in Wharfedale, in Yorkshire. Don't miss it if going that way.
Sadly returning to USA on Sunday.
Sadly returning to USA on Sunday.
Jun 29th, 2012, 03:55 PM
#127
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I have not been to any of those cities yet ... 
But I would nominate Orvieto, Italy. The moment I stepped off the tram I turned to my wife and told her I want to retire to this city....the subsequent meal only strengthened that thought!
But I would nominate Orvieto, Italy. The moment I stepped off the tram I turned to my wife and told her I want to retire to this city....the subsequent meal only strengthened that thought!
Jul 7th, 2012, 05:12 PM
#134
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Some smaller places that we have found picturesque/charming:
Switzerland: Thun, Gruyere, Neuchatel
France: Vezelay, Chinon, Colmar (the center),Ribeauville, Riquewihr
Sweden: Visby
Germany: Rothenburg (but too overrun and obvious), Trier, Titisee, Aachen
Italy: Perugia, Assissi (also kind of large and obvious)
Belgium: Spa, Liege, Gand
England: bibury, Rye
I'm sure there are a lot more - but these come to mind first
Switzerland: Thun, Gruyere, Neuchatel
France: Vezelay, Chinon, Colmar (the center),Ribeauville, Riquewihr
Sweden: Visby
Germany: Rothenburg (but too overrun and obvious), Trier, Titisee, Aachen
Italy: Perugia, Assissi (also kind of large and obvious)
Belgium: Spa, Liege, Gand
England: bibury, Rye
I'm sure there are a lot more - but these come to mind first
Mar 28th, 2013, 01:41 PM
#136
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We went back yet again in 2012 and so adding to my above:
Monschau--Germany
Oudewater-Netherlands
Haarlem-Netherlands
Cavendish-England
Lavenham-England
Abbotsbury-England
Sherborne-England
The Chilterns, England. -- like the Cotswolds, another area full of many un touristed villages. --Hambleden
Turville
The Lee
Ewelme
We were underwhelmed with Cambridge.
In Summer we will be visiting Burgundy, Alsace, and Rhineland so hope to add more to this list.
Monschau--Germany
Oudewater-Netherlands
Haarlem-Netherlands
Cavendish-England
Lavenham-England
Abbotsbury-England
Sherborne-England
The Chilterns, England. -- like the Cotswolds, another area full of many un touristed villages. --Hambleden
Turville
The Lee
Ewelme
We were underwhelmed with Cambridge.
In Summer we will be visiting Burgundy, Alsace, and Rhineland so hope to add more to this list.
Mar 29th, 2013, 09:38 AM
#139
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the only one on the OP's list i've been to is Sintra. I'll say that i found the views from Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors pretty mesmerizing but didn't think too much of the small town itself otherwise. You take those two castles away and it would pale in comparison to other small towns in Portugal IMO.
i would like to add Gent Belgium to the list as i don't think anyone else has included. Standing on the St. Michael bridge looking towards the "skyline" is like going back in a time machine. It's extremely overlooked in favor of it's more popular Wallonian neighbor to the north: Brugge. Has a charming canal system as well
i would like to add Gent Belgium to the list as i don't think anyone else has included. Standing on the St. Michael bridge looking towards the "skyline" is like going back in a time machine. It's extremely overlooked in favor of it's more popular Wallonian neighbor to the north: Brugge. Has a charming canal system as well
