Secret European Villages You Have to Visit
We will always have Paris and Rome, and Barcelona. But sometimes you should skip Europe’s hotspots in search of the continent’s lesser explored destinations. JS contributors Emma Sloley and Chelsea Stuart have set their sights on a range of magical villages and cities, from Montenegro to the Arctic Circle. Let find out The Secret European Villages You Have to Visit below.
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Secret European Villages You Have to Visit
GORDES, FRANCE
We’re not the only ones who find this Provencal village irresistible it’s officially one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages but somehow it’s still happy under the radar. beyond a certain well known part. Located on the southern edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse, the town consists of a 12th century castle and beige stone houses cascading down a hill, surrounded by lavender fields and forests.
Live spaciously at the Bastide de Gordes, an ultra luxury hideaway with a Sisley spa and award winning restaurant with terraces overlooking the valley and the Luberon mountains. That is once of The Secret European Villages You Have to Visit.
REINE, NORWAY
If the ends of the earth are on your travel list, then this village, located above the Arctic Circle on the island of Moskenesøya in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, might just be your version of paradise. In summer, bask in the beautiful scenery fjords, mountains, lush meadows, lovely red and white cottages in the midnight sun, while winter prepares to recede back and was dazzled by the northern lights.
Get into the Scandinavian spirit by booking one of the Reine Fishing Huts, cool and rustic wooden cabins set over the water: you can cook for yourself or dine on freshly caught fish at home. Gammelbua goods.
HALLSTATT, AUSTRIA
You might have to restrain yourself when you first encounter this alpine village in the Salzkammergut Lake Region: it truly feels like something out of a fairy tale. We’re talking dramatic wooded mountains sloping down to a crystalline lake, baroque churches and pristinely preserved 16th century houses. That is once of The Secret European Villages You Have to Visit.
Hike the Echerntal trail for views that have inspired writers and painters over the centuries, then rest in a cozy room at Hotel Agathawirt, a country inn with since 1517 has been known as a great base for hikers and cyclists.
SAN CASSIANO, ITALY
Italy’s crowded capitals Florence, Rome, Venice give the Dolomites summer tranquility, especially San Cassiano, a hidden gem in the Alta Badia region. Surrounded by majestic mountain scenery, this town retains the feel of a rustic, unassuming Tyrolean village and also houses two Michelin star restaurants.
The family run Rosa Alpina provides a perfect base from which to explore the area in the summer the entire multi generational family ascends the hill, walks through the grasslands of Armentarola and Störes and into the Fanes natural park Senes Braies, home to the impressive Mount Lagazuoi.
Workout involves exercise at the hotel’s excellent spa, which features a Finnish sauna and a mountain view swimming pool. That is once of The Secret European Villages You Have to Visit.
MARVAO, PORTUGAL
This whitewashed fortress town set among the granite peaks of the Serra de São Mamede north of Alentejo is every Instagrammer’s dream come true. The crown jewel, perched atop a 3,000 foot peak, is a 13th century Moorish castle with crumbling stone walls offering sweeping views of the mountains to the nearby Spanish border.
The village itself has all the cobblestone streets, charming terracotta tile roofs any European could ask for, without any of the crowds or bustle of the scenic spots. more trafficked. Bask in solitude at Pousada Marvao, a 13th century guesthouse with panoramic views.
FOLEGANDROS, GREECE
If you’re looking for all the classic shapes of the Greek Island the whitewashed stone houses, gravel roads is cascading bougainvillea but at a less frenetic pace than more famous islands is Mykonos or Santorini, this Cycladic gem is for you. There are glorious Aegean seascapes, charming old wooden windmills and just three villages, with the main center being Folegandros Chora.
Wander up the hill to the cathedral, visit an 11th century Venetian fortress or just sit under a tree in the square, order a glass of ouzo and indulge in home cooked Mediterranean food. Rest your head at the stylish boutique accommodation Anemi, a haven of clean design with a stunning infinity pool and a restaurant with a modern twist on traditional Greek classics. Secret European Villages You Have to Visit.
