In the Fassa Valley, in the Dolomites in Trentino, northern Italy.

 “If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” -– Anatole France

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(in the in the eastern section of the northern Italian Alps) The Dolomites are widely regarded as being among the most attractive mountain landscapes in the world. Their intrinsic beauty derives from a variety of spectacular vertical forms such as pinnacles, spires and towers, with contrasting horizontal surfaces including ledges, crags and plateaus, all of which rise abruptly above extensive talus deposits and more gentle foothills. A great diversity of colors is provided by the contrasts between the bare pale colored rock surfaces and the forests and meadows below. The mountains rise as peaks with intervening ravines, in some places standing isolated but in others forming sweeping panoramas. Some of the rock cliffs here rise more than 1,500 meters and are among the highest limestone walls found anywhere in the world.
+ Featured here is the Fassa Valley (Val di Fassa), which is found in the Dolomiti Superski area on the famous Sellaronda circuit --enabling pectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The Fassa Valley lies in Trentino-Alto Adige, made up of two provinces, the Italian-leaning Trento (or Trentino) in the south and the Germanic-leaning Alto Adige (or Südtirol (also called Bolzano-Bozen) in the north. Home to numerous lovely towns, castles, and historic sights, the main attraction here is the Dolomites. Surrounded by some of the most famous and impressive peaks of the Dolomites, like Catinaccio, Sella Group, Marmolada and Sassolungo, to list just a few (and some characteristic villages, like Moena and Canazei), outdoor adventure opportunities abound year-round, with skiing, climbing, and hiking among the most popular pursuits.

+ Depicted here is Canazei, a well-known tourist destination for winter and summer holidays that is one of the most renowned resorts in the Val di Fassa. It is part of the Sellaronda, the ski tour that connects the valleys around the Sella. Nestled between some of the most beautiful ranges in the Dolomites, the Sassolungo, the Sella Group, and the Marmolada, it is located near some famous passes: the Fedaia Pass that connects it to Rocca Pietore, the Pordoi Pass that connects it to Arabba and to Badia, and the Sella Pass that connects it to Val Gardena. With marvelous landscapes, painted houses, and exclusive hotels, it is a destination for holidays all-year-round. (Indeed, the most attractive ski slopes of the Val di Fassa (with fairytale hiking routes, traditional festivals, and tasty cuisine) as found here -- not to mention many international events.

+ Canazei consists of several hamlets, including Alba di Canazei, directly connected to the Ciampac-Buffaure ski area, and Penia di Canazei, where the traditional Carnival takes place.

In the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England

 "Go where we may, rest where we will,

Eternal London haunts us still." -- Thomas Moore
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(in the heart of London, England) Kensington and Chelsea, the royal borough in inner London, is part of the historic county of Middlesex. It occupies the north bank of the Thames River west of the City of Westminster. Forming part of London’s fashionable West End district, it is predominantly residential in character and includes a royal palace and the embassies of several countries. The borough includes areas such as North Kensington, Notting Hill, Kensington (featured here), part of Knightsbridge, Brompton, Earl’s Court, West Brompton, and Chelsea. (In medieval times the Manor of Chelsea was in the possession of Westminster Abbey.) With the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s, Henry VIII confiscated the manor, together with Sir Thomas More’s estate, and gave it to his last wife, Catherine Parr. Kensington Palace, which is still occupied by members of the royal family, is an originally Jacobean construction. Queen Victoria was born there in 1819. Notable buildings here include Earl’s Court Exhibition Hall, a massive reinforced-concrete structure covering 12 acres (5 hectares) of land, the Chelsea Old Church (which was associated with Sir Thomas More in the 1500s), the surviving wings of the 17th-century Holland House, and the Linley Sambourne House (a Victorian townhouse within which are displayed the 19th-century decor, and furniture of its namesake).

+ Splendidly well groomed, Kensington is one of London’s most attractive neighborhoods. Visitors find three fine museums here – the Victoria & Albert, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum -- as well as excellent dining and shopping, graceful parklands and elegant streets of grand period architecture. This district's commercial heart is Kensington High Street, running on an east–west axis. The northeast is taken up by Kensington Gardens, containing the Albert Memorial, the Serpentine Gallery, and Speke's monument. South Kensington and Gloucester Road are home to Imperial College London, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Albert Hall, Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Science Museum. (The area is also home to many international embassies and consulates -- and politicians.)

+ Just like double-decker buses, red phone boxes and palace guards with the funny hats, Harrods (dimly depicted here) is a true London icon. First opened in 1824, it has grown to become the largest department store in Europe, and one of Kensington’s biggest tourist attractions. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are tempted to lose many of their "pounds" in this shopper’s paradise -- and, somewhat ironically for a store whose motto translates as "all things for all people, everywhere," still more come to wistfully gawk at the windows. For those who aren’t keen on dropping a princely sum for a new watch, there are other options, like teddy bears and chocolate bars.

In the city of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic

 "Icon of Prague, the medieval bridge crossed the Vltava between Old Town and the Little Quarter. Gothic bridge towers rose on both sides, and the whole span, pedestrian-only, was lined by monumental statues of saints." -- Laini Taylor

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(in the capital city of the Czech Republic) Strolling across Charles Bridge is everybody’s favorite Prague activity. However, by mid-morning it’s a 500 meters-long fairground, with crowds of tourists squeezing through a gauntlet of hawkers and buskers beneath the impassive gaze of the baroque statues that line the parapets. If you want to experience the bridge at its most atmospheric, try to visit it at dawn -- or dusk.
+ In 1357 Charles IV commissioned Peter Parler (the architect of St. Vitus Cathedral) to replace the 12th-century Judith Bridge, which had been washed away by floods in 1342 -- you can see the only surviving arch of the Judith Bridge by taking a boat trip under the bridge. The new bridge was completed in 1390, and took Charles’ name only in the 19th century -- before that it was known as Kamenný most (Stone Bridge). Despite occasional flood damage, it withstood wheeled traffic for some 500 years -– until it was made pedestrian-only after WWII. The first monument erected on the bridge was the crucifix near the eastern end, in 1657. The first statue (the Jesuits’ 1683 tribute to St John of Nepomuk) inspired other Catholic orders, and over the next 30 years twenty more went up, like ecclesiastical billboards. New ones were added in the mid-19th century, and one (plus replacements for some lost to floods) in the 20th. As most of the statues were carved from soft sandstone, several weathered originals have been replaced with copies. Some originals are housed in the Casements at Vyšehrad; others are in the Lapidárium in Holešovice. The most famous figure is the monument to St John of Nepomuk. According to the legend on the base of the statue, Wenceslas IV had him trussed up in armor and thrown off the bridge in 1393 for refusing to divulge the queen’s confessions (he was her priest), though the real reason had to do with the bitter conflict between church and state. The stars in his halo allegedly followed his corpse down the river. Tradition says that if you rub the bronze plaque, you will one day return to Prague. (A bronze cross set in the parapet between statues 17 and 19 marks the point where he was thrown off.)

+ The bohemian allure and fairytale features of Prague make it a perfect destination for culture seekers who want to immerse themselves in history, art, music, and architecture. You could devote an entire day to exploring Prazsky hrad (Prague Castle), then relax over a hearty dinner at a classic Czech tavern. Spend time wandering Old Town Square before heading over to the Astronomical Clock as it performs a mechinical promenade on the hour. Prague’s historic pubs are known as popular places wgere you can spend the better part of a night tipping back central Europe's better beers.

In the city of Heidelberg, southwest Germany

 “Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time? That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains everywhere,and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.” ― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

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(in southwest Germany) The city of Heidelberg is found on the Neckar River where it emerges from the forested hills of Odenwald, into the Rhine plain. It was first mentioned in 1196 and was the capital of the Rhenish Palatinate and the residence of the electoral counts palatine until 1720. Surrounded by forest, Germany’s oldest and most famous university town is renowned for its baroque Altstadt (Old Town), beautiful riverside setting and evocative half-ruined hilltop castle, which draw around 12 million visitors, in a "normal" year. They follow in the footsteps of the late 18th- and early 19th-century romantics, most notably the poet Goethe and Britain’s William Turner, who was inspired by Heidelberg to paint some of his greatest landscapes. In 1878, Mark Twain began his European travels with a three-month stay in Heidelberg, recounting his observations in A Tramp Abroad. Heidelberg's rich literary history, along with its thriving contemporary scene, reslted in it being named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2014.

+ Although hit hard during 17th-century wars, Heidelberg was rebuilt in the 18th century with baroque buildings. (The city experienced considerable growth in the 20th century.) For a pleasant walk, stroll through the historic city center's Gothic streets. Be sure to take in Heidelberg Castle, the symbolic heart of the city; Alte Brucke (Old Bridge), an 18th-century bridge; and, the Student Jail. Built as long ago as the 16th century, it was used to keep mischievous students off the streets for three days to a month at a time. The University of Heidelberg (Ruprecht-Karl-Universität), the oldest higher educational institution in Germany, was founded by Rupert I and chartered by Pope Urban VI in 1386. The university's Geological-Paleontological Institute houses the Heidelberg jaw, a fossil jawbone, perhaps 500,000 years old, which was found in the vicinity in 1907. Local structures that were not razed in 1693 are the Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church), the Marstall (formerly the Royal Mews), and the Knight’s House. Other landmarks include the Old (or Karl-Theodor) Bridge (depicted here), the Town Hall, and the Jesuitenkirche.

+ Heidelberg’s Altstadt has a red-roofed townscape of remarkable architectural unity. After having been all but destroyed by French troops under Louis XIV (1690s), it was rebuilt during the 18th century. Unlike many German cities, it emerged from WWII almost unscathed. (Now 925 years old, Heidelberg has a population of around 150,000, with more than 39,000 of them students.)

In the city of Sibiu, in Transilvania, central Romania

 “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” ― John Steinbeck

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(in Transylvania, central Romania) The city of Sibiu is known for Germanic architecture in its Old Town, the legacy of 12th-century Saxon settlers. Around the city are the remains of medieval walls and towers, including the 13th-century Council Tower. In the upper town, Brukenthal Palace now houses the Brukenthal National Museum. The nearby Evangelical Cathedral has gravestones in its walls. Sibiu is found along the Cibin River on the north side of the Turnu Roșu (“Red Tower”) Pass, linking Transylvania with southern Romania across the Southern Carpathians. Initially a Daco-Roman city called Cedonia, Sibiu's later Latin name, Cibinium, was derived from that of the river, a tributary of the Olt, which rises in the Cibin Mountains southwest of the city. Sibiu was refounded by German colonists in the 12th century as Hermannsdorf (later Hermannstadt). The Old Town consists of two parts: the upper town built on a terrace and the lower town on the banks of the Cibin -- which are connected via narrow, cobbled alleys called the Fingerling Stairway. A citadel, built by the Saxon settlers in the 13th century, was destroyed by the Tatars in 1241 and rebuilt in the 14th century. Massive brick walls erected around the upper town gave it the nickname “Red Town,” for the color of the walls, which repelled several Turkish attacks in the 15th and 16th centuries. During that time, Sibiu was an important craft and cultural center of the German communities in Transylvania, boasting 19 guilds in 1376. By 1541, Transylvania had become an autonomous Turkish vassal state; but, as the Turks later withdrew from Hungary, Austria regained Transylvania (after brief Romanian opposition) in 1699. Sibiu then became the military center of Transylvania and, on two occasions (1703–91 and 1849–65), it served as the region's capital. With the rest of Transylvania, it was ceded to Romania in 1918, at the end of World War I.

+ The historic center of Sibiu is still partially enclosed by its original 12th-century medieval walls. Begin your visit to the city in its central square, the Piata Mare, home to the Brukenthal Palace, containing the main halls of the Brukenthal National Museum. Descend the Passage of the Stairs down into lower Sibiu, and cross the "Bridge of Lies," -- which is said to creak at any sign of "double-crossing" pedestrians. A trek in the nearby Făgăraș Mountains will lead you past breathtaking ridges and serene glacial lakes. In addition to the parts of the old fortifications that remain, many of the medieval houses within the walls are considered historical monuments. The Brukenthal Museum was founded by Samuel Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania (in the late 1700s), in his own Austrian Baroque residence with his collection of paintings, antiques, engravings, and books; it also houses important collections in ethnography, folk art, and natural science.

At Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, a resort area near the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy

 "... Mont Blanc yet gleams on high: the power is there,

The still and solemn power of many sights...."
-- Mont Blanc: Lines Written in the Vale of Chamouni, by Percy Bysshe Shelly
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(in the Haute-Savoie département, of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes région of France) Chamonix–Mont-Blanc, the internationally known mountain resort in the French Alps, west of Annecy, is found along both sides of the Arve River, which rises in the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”), the largest of Mont Blanc’s glaciers. The peaks of the rugged mountain chain of Brévent and Rouges rise to the northwest above the right bank, while the snow-covered chain that includes Mont Blanc (at 15,771 feet [4,807 meters]), the highest mountain in western Europe, towers on the southeast above the left bank. Chamonix is the starting point for the ascent of Mont Blanc. The resort is connected by the highest cable-car system in the world, almost to the summit of Mount Midi (at 3,842 meters). Chamonix's proximity to Mont Blanc has made it one of Europe's most legendary skiing and climbing centers. But the town itself, with panoramic mountain views, and rows of slant-roofed buildings, is lovely every month of the year. It has a reputation for challenging skiing both on and off-piste. It boasts the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, which takes passengers from the bustling town (at 1,035 meters) in the valley to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 meters. Chamonix has a long history as a winter-sports hub. Rediscovered as a tourist destination by Brits William Windham and Richard Pococke in 1741, Chamonix hosted the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924. Its main attractions are (in addition to Mont-Blanc) the many ski areas that face the Chamonix Valley. Although the steep slopes and extreme weather conditions suit advanced skiers best, there are also runs for beginners. (Just make sure everyone in your party knows a green circle from a black diamond.)

+ Mountains loom large almost everywhere you look in Chamonix. Skiers and sightseers are launched by cable car to the Mont Blanc massif, while the glacial void of La Vallée Blanche -- one of Europe's most fêted off-piste adventures -- beckons the most skilled. Skiers and boarders have a choice of pistes along the valley, while in summer the same lifts access hiking and biking trails. For all the desolate beauty of the mountains, downtown Chamonix hums with life. Streets are lined with Michelin-starred restaurants, sports gear stores and some of the French Alps' fanciest hotels. If you choose to indulge in the the town's busy nightlife, which is also encouraged by locals, it can exhaust you nearly as much, if not a bit more, than the ever-looming mountains.

In the village of Zermatt, in the Valais canton, southern Switzerland

 "The mountains are calling and I must go." -- John Muir

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(in southern Switzerland) The village of Zermatt, in the Valais canton, is found at the head of the Mattervisp Valley and at the foot of the Matterhorn mountain (14,692 feet [4,478 meters]), some 23 miles (~37 km) southeast of the town of Sion -- capital of the canton of Valais, and of the district of Sion. (Its name is derived from its position Zur Matte [“in the Alpine meadow”]. A year-round resort surrounded by mountains and glaciers, Zermatt offers some of the finest views in Switzerland and is also a popular center for Alpine mountaineering and winter sports. When many people think of Zermatt, they think of one thing: The Matterhorn. As visitors arrive in the village, many give little whoops of joy at the pop-up-book effect of the Matterhorn, the hypnotically beautiful, one-of-a-kind peak that rises like a shark's fin above town. This ultimate Swiss icon looms over Zermatt, first drawing visitors here in the 1860s. The village of Zermatt itself is lovely and car-free, with old-fashioned brown chalets and winding alleys. Skiing in the region often lasts through early summer, but when the weather’s warmer, it’s a great time to hike.

+ Nothing prepares Zermatt's visitors today, for the allure of the Matterhorn. As soon as they arrive at the timber-chalet-filled village, the mighty mountain looms high above them, mesmerizing all with its majestic peak. They gaze at it from a tranquil street-side cafe, hike in its shadow along the tangle of Alpine paths above town with cowbells clinking in the distance, or pause to admire its sheer size from a ski slope. The resort of Zermatt assures snow throughout the winter season, which helps to make it one of the most popular vacation winter resorts in Switzerland. Ever-looming over the village, the mighty Matterhorn is said to be the most photographed mountain on earth. Unique, iconic and indescribably beautiful, from nearly every place within the village, and even more while on the mountain, the Matterhorn projects quite a mighty presence.

+ Since the mid-19th century, Zermatt has starred among Switzerland’s glitziest resorts. British climber Edward Whymper reached the Matterhorn's summit in 1865 and hardy souls have come here ever since to climb: Theodore Roosevelt climbed the Matterhorn in 1881 and a 20-year-old Winston Churchill scaled nearby Monte Rosa (at 4,634 meters) in 1894. Today, skiers cruise along well-kept pistes, spellbound by the scenery, while style-conscious tourists flash designer threads in the town's swish lounge bars. But all remain smitten with the Matterhorn, an unfathomable monolith they can hardly stop admiring.

+ Depicted here is Zermatt and its village church, with the great Matterhorn looming in the shadowy background. (Known as the St Mauritius Church, it stands at the end of the local main street, Built in 1913, it features a beautiful 18th-century altar.)

In the city of Edinburgh, capital of Scotland

 “The Scots think of it as their capital; they’re too possessive. Edinburgh belongs to the world.” -- Richard Demarco

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(in southeastern Scotland) Known for its beautiful castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur’s seat, the historical city of Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, found near the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, an arm of the North Sea that thrusts westward into the Scottish Lowlands. The city and most of its council area, including the busy port of Leith on the Firth of Forth, lie within the historic county of Midlothian. Edinburgh is a city of somber theatricality, with much of this quality deriving from its setting -- among crags and hills, and from its tall buildings and spires of dark stone. Edinburgh has been a military stronghold, the capital of an independent country, and a center of intellectual activity. Though it has repeatedly experienced the vicissitudes of fortune, the city has always renewed itself. Today. it is the seat of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive, and it remains an important center for finance, law, tourism, education, and cultural affairs. One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, it is draped across a series of rocky hills overlooking the sea. From the Old Town’s jumble of medieval tenements piled high along the Royal Mile, its turreted skyline strung between the bull-nosed Castle Rock and the russet palisade of Salisbury Crags, to the New Town’s neat grid of neoclassical respectability, the city offers a constantly changing perspective. It is here that the world's biggest arts festival rises each year, phoenix-like, from the ashes of last year's rave reviews and broken box-office records to produce yet another string of superlatives. It is here, beneath the Greek temples of Calton Hill -- Edinburgh's acropolis --, that the Scottish parliament sits again after a 300-year absence.

+ Like a favorite book (or movie), Edinburgh is a city you’ll want to dip into again and again, savoring a different experience each time -- the castle silhouetted against a blue spring sky with a yellow haze of daffodils misting the slopes below the esplanade, with only the yawp of seagulls to break the unexpected silence; heading for a cafe on a cold Winter morning with the fog snagging the spires of the Old Town; or, festival fireworks crackling in the night sky as you stand, shiveringly transfixed, amid the crowds in Princes Street Gardens -- on New Year's Eve. While here, be sure to take a stroll around the center to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Pause to fortify yourself with tea and scones at the city’s charming tea rooms, or duck into a traditional pub. Then head out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events -- including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light, and ceilidhs (social events at which there is Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing, and storytelling.)

In the city of Bern, capital of Switzerland

 “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” ― Percy Bysshe Shelley

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(in west-central Switzerland) The city of Bern, capital of Switzerland, is found along a narrow loop of the Aare River. The existence of the ancient castle of Nydegg, guarding a crossing over the Aare, is said to have led Berthold V, duke of Zähringen, to establish Bern in 1191 as a military post on the frontier between the German-speaking Alemanni and the French-speaking inhabitants of Burgundy. After the extinction of the Zähringen dynasty, Bern became a free imperial city. It slowly extended its power by acquiring surrounding territory, becoming an independent state that in 1353 entered the Swiss Confederation, which it soon began to lead. After a huge fire ravaged the (mainly wood-built) town in 1405, Bern was rebuilt with sandstone. Although much of the surrounding metropolis has since been modernized, the center ("Old Bern") still remains intact from that period. (Bern became the political capital of the Swiss Confederation in 1848.)

+ Old Bern, connected by several bridges to newer parts of the city on the right bank, preserves more of its medieval appearance than any other Swiss city. It is characterized by 2.3 square miles (6 square km) of covered arcades, towers, and 16th-century fountains. The Gothic cathedral, with its 100-meter spire (the highest in Switzerland) is the dominant landmark. Also notable are the City Hall (Rathaus) and the Nydegg Church. The Bundeshaus (Federal Palace) houses the Swiss federal parliament -- and the offices of the federal government. The famous Clock Tower (Zeitglockenturm), with a 16th-century clock and mechanical puppets that perform four minutes before every hour, and the Cage Tower (Käfigturm) are the two remaining towers of the old walls that once protected the city. A favorite decorative motif is the bear, which commemorates the legend of the first animal killed by Berthold V in the year the city was founded. Perhaps the most famous landmark is the bear pit, where bears have been kept on display at the city’s expense since 1480. (Old Bern was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.) The University of Bern incorporates the Theological School (founded in 1528). The City (and University) Library contains many manuscripts and rare books. The Swiss National Library is also in Bern, as is the headquarters of the Swiss National Bank. The Museum of Fine Arts (Kunstmuseum), opened in 1879, houses the world’s largest collection of works by the Swiss painter Paul Klee -- a total of more than 2,000 items.

+ Bern’s flag-festooned, cobbled center, rebuilt in distinctive grey-green sandstone after the devastating fire in 1405, is an aesthetic delight, with its six kilometers of covered arcades, cellar shops and bars, and fantastical folk figures, frolicking on 16th-century fountains. (A powerful force since medieval times, the thriving Swiss capital is now quite an appealing city of museums and collections.)

In the city of Lucca in the Tuscany region, north-central Italy

 “Life offers you a thousand chances... all you have to do is take one.”

― Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun
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(in north-central Italy) The city of Lucca in the Tuscany region, is found in the valley of the Serchio River and is almost surrounded by hills, with the Apuan Alps to the north and west. Once a Ligurian and then later an Etruscan town, the rhe Romans established a colony here even earlier than that. The rectangular Roman plan has been preserved in Lucca’s central streets, and remains of the old walls, forum, and amphitheater have also been found in the modern city. Lying at the junction of roads to Parma, Florence, Rome, Pisa, and Luni, the town became an early episcopal see. After 476 it was ruled successively by the Goths, the Byzantines, and the Lombards, becoming the residence of one of the three Lombard dukes in Tuscany. Frankish counts replaced the dukes after 774, but the population remained largely Lombardian. Lucca was the main city in Tuscany in the 9th and 10th centuries, when its counts became the margraves of Tuscany, commanding one of the principal roads between Lombardy and Rome, the Via Francigena. In the late 10th century, Florence replaced Lucca as the Tuscan capital when the house of Canossa succeeded to the margravate. In 1118 the town was granted a charter, and the city of Lucca was established soon thereafter. Despite many conflicts with its powerful neighbors and ambitious noble houses, Lucca maintained its independence for the most part -- until it fell to the French in 1799. From 1805 until 1814, it was ruled as a principality by Élisa Baciocchi, a sister of Napoleon. Assigned by the Congress of Vienna (in 1815) to the Spanish infanta María Luisa, widow of the former king Louis of Etruria, it passed in 1824 to her son Charles Louis, who ceded Lucca to Tuscany in 1847. (It was united to the kingdom of Italy in 1860.)
+ Lovely Lucca now endears itself to nearly everyone who visits the charming city. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas, and shady promenades make it a great place to explore by foot. At the day's end, historic cafes and restaurants tempt its visitors to relax over a glass (or two) of Lucchesi wine -- and a menu of rustic dishes prepared with fresh produce from nearby Garfagnana (a valley to the north of the city). Lucca's array of wonderfully intact historical sites also makes it a must-see stop on any Tuscan itinerary. The medieval city walls still stand -- you can hike or bike on top of them. While here, be sure to visit the Duomo di San Martino, just one of the city's numerous churches, and its Roman amphitheater. Lucca is known for its well-preserved medieval ramparts and has many fine 16th-century palaces, notably the Palazzo Pretorio and the Palazzo della Prefettura, the former grand ducal palace (now housing the National Art Gallery). Long an important musical center, Lucca was the home of the composers Luigi Boccherini and Giacomo Puccini.

Giethoorn - Beutiful village in the Netherlands

 Giethoorn village, is the most beautiful and fairytale village in the Netherlands. The Dutch village where the inhabitants can only sail around, walk or cycle to transport themselves. Every year, 1 million people visit Giethoorn. The village is too quiet, too serene and remote. It is so calm that its nickname of the “Dutch Venice” may give a false impression of size and crowds and commercialism.

The loudest sound you can normally hear in Giethoorn village are the quacking of a duck or the noise made by other birds. It is located in the province of Overijssel in the east of the Netherlands, a green and still area.

Giethoorn is at the centre of Overijssel’s canal system. Indeed, the little village is so dependent on its waterways, many of the houses cannot be reached by road. When the postman delivers the mail he travels by punt. Boating has been a popular tourist attraction here for years, with 90km of canoe trails and scores of motorboats to rent, but now, instead of conventional outboard motors, the hire shops stock so-called ‘whisper boats’ – dinghies driven by electric motor.

Giethoorn’s name originates from the first inhabitants’ discovery of hundreds of goat horns (gietehorens) in the marshland, remnants of a 10th-century flood. Today no goat horns will be found here, but the vegetation is quite distinct still. Here you will find yourself on the edge of vast series of lakes and canals, ideal for boaties, angling and paddle-cycling.

Giethoorn  is one of the cutest villages in the Netherlands. This village in the Netherlands has no roads, only footpaths and canals, which means that you can float through the streets. The village was always quiet until it was featured in a Dutch movie and became famous on the global stage, especially in China. Now, over 800,000 people visit this picturesque Dutch village each year. Although I was concerned that the crowds would take away from it, it quiets down towards the end of the day and you can finally breathe.

One of my favorite parts of visiting this village was renting a boat to float along the canals past the adorable houses, pastures full of sheep, and around the lake behind the village. While boating around the village, you can stop your boat to stop into any of the canal-side businesses for a beer or frites (we did!). Although over-tourism is an issue in Giethoorn, I would still recommend it to tourists who are looking for an adorable Dutch villages. It’s not so easy to get here from Amsterdam by train as it’s in involved travel route, but I’d still recommend it for anyone who has a car.