Orta San Giulio, Italy
While Lake Como and Lake Maggiore may get all the attention, Lake Orta has equally enchanting scenery without the crowds. The main town on this overlooked lake is Orta San Giulio, a quaint hillside village set on a peninsula.
Frigiliana, Spain
Frigiliana in southern Spain is often called one of the prettiest of the Pueblos Blancos—or White Villages—in Andalucia, and it’s easy to see why. The picturesque whitewashed town is nestled on a mountain ridge overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
Taxco de Alarcon, Mexico
If you’re planning a Mexican getaway, skip San Miguel de Allende and head to Taxco de Alarcon instead. Located about three hours from Mexico City, Taxco was once a major mining center and is still known for its silverwork.
Gordes, France
The commune of Gordes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France has a rich history, beginning as a fort of the Vordenses, a Celtic tribe. Stone houses and buildings line the hillside and narrow cobblestone streets wind up to the medieval castle
Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England
The charming village of Castle Combe in the Cotswolds feels like something out of a fairy tale—though its Norman castle is long gone. The town’s three main streets converge at the medieval Market Cross, a freestanding stone and wood structure
Guatapé, Colombia
Located a few hours west of Medellín, the village of Guatapé is bursting with color. Each building features vivid zócalos, fresco-like panels that brighten the lower façades. Dazzling designs decorate every street and square
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco
Spread over two hills near Mount Zerhoun, the whitewashed village of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun was the first Muslim city in North Africa and is now an important pilgrimage site. The mausoleum of the town’s founder, Moulay Idris I
Ogimachi, Shirakawa-Go, Japan
Ogimachi is the largest village in the Shirakawa-Go region, which along with Gokayama, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. The area is known for its collections of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses.