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Hallstatt - Austria - Perched on the shore of Hallstätter See, the beautiful Alpine village of Hallstatt is part of the of the Dachstein-Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Austria.

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Bibury - England - Bibury, in Gloucestershire, sits on both sides of the River Coln. The village's traditional Cotswold stone cottages are an architectural feature of this picturesque destination.

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Colmar - France - The town of Colmar exudes a charming European character, a personality upheld by its colorful half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

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Reine - Norway - The scenic fishing village of Reine is framed by spectacular mountain scenery. The destination is located on the Lofoten archipelago, above the Arctic Circle.

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Bled - Slovenia - Glacial Lake Bled provides a magical setting for the town of Bled, known for its castle and the small offshore island with its church and needle-like bell tower.

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Freudenberg - Germany - Located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Freudenberg enchants visitors with its historic core, built entirely of half-timbered houses.

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Mürren - Switzerland - At an elevation of 1,638 m (5,374 ft) above sea level, the mountain village of Mürren features a jaw-dropping view of three towering peaks: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

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Marsaxlokk - Malta - Some of the island's best fish and seafood restaurants line the quayside of Marsaxlokk fishing village. The colorful boats moored in the harbor are equally attractive.

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Tellaro - Italy - Regularly cited as one of the most attractive villages in the country, Tellaro glows with its brightly painted facades and sunny disposition.

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Telč - Czech Republic - Its town square lined with 16th-century renaissance and baroque houses and 17th-century chateau is why Telč is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Banská Štiavnica - Slovakia - Banská Štiavnica affords visitors a rare opportunity to enjoy a completely preserved medieval town. The town's historical value is such that UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.

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San Gimignano - Italy - The historic center of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, such is the rarity of the town's splendid medieval architecture. It's one of the highlights of any Tuscany sightseeing tour.

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Óbidos - Portugal - The delightful late 12th-century walled town of Óbidos once served as a retreat for Portuguese royalty.

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Kinsale - Ireland - Kinsale's streetscape is enlivened by a collection of colorful shop facades that brighten up this historic County Cork fishing town.

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Pučiśća - Croatia - Located on the island of Brač, Pučiśća shimmers in sunlight when the town's white limestone facades positively sparkle.

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Albarracín - Spain - Seemingly hewn out of mountain rock, sleepy Albarracín sits above the Guadalaviar River. Sturdy medieval walls accentuate the town's long and noble history.

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Chora - Greece - Chora, a whitewashed town on the island of Folegandros, is built on the edge of a 200-m (656-ft) high cliff. Needless to say, the views are incredible.

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Tobermor - Scotland - The Isle of Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides has as its capital Tobermory, a town noted for its brightly colored waterfront.

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Porvoo - Finland - A medieval town first mentioned in the 14th century, Porvoo Old Town draws visitors to its 18th- and 19th-century architecture. The old wooden warehouses sited along the river are of particular note.

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Polperro - England - Notorious for its smuggling activities in the 18th and 19th centuries, the quaint old Cornish fishing village of Polperro is today a major tourist attraction.

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Piódão - Portugal -

Buried deep in the Serra do Açor is a mountain village built entirely out of schist—Piódão. Many of the buildings feature doors and windows painted in vivid blue.

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Matera - Italy - Matera is celebrated for its fascinating ancient town, "Sassi de Matera," and an enviable collection of churches, monasteries, and the landmark Tramontano Castle.

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Kazimierz Dolny - Poland - Brimming with renaissance-era monuments, Kazimierz Dolny is also known for its collections of art. In fact, the destination draws art lovers from all across Europe and beyond.

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Hollókő - Hungary - The old village of Hollókő is an outstanding example of a deliberately preserved traditional settlement that dates back to the late 17th century. Together with the Hollókő castle ruins, the destination is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Beddgelert - Wales - For the most part built of local dark stone, picturesque Beddgelert made national news in 1949 when a meteorite struck a hotel.

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Collonges-la-Rouge - France - Red sandstone defines the village of Collonges-la-Rouge, with every structure built using the copper-colored rock. This is one of the most historically significant villages in the country.

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Giethoorn - Netherlands - The village of Giethoorn is embroidered with canals and can only be accessed by boat. Sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the Netherlands," the destination has over 180 bridges.

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Cochem - Germany - Set on the banks of the meandering Moselle River, Cochem is a town with a heart of gold. The central square is lined with traditional half-timbered houses set over cobblestone lanes. The hilltop castle is another highlight.

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Durbuy - Belgium - Sometimes referred to as "the smallest city in the world," Durbuy is easily explored on foot. Its Old Town, all narrow alleys and cobblestone streets, is lined with well-preserved 17th-century buildings.

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Rättvik - Sweden Lake -

Located on the shores of Lake Siljan, unpretentious Rättvik lies in the authentic heart of Sweden. It's noted for its historic wooden buildings.

See also: Spain's prettiest towns and villages

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