10 Amazing European Towns (You've Probably Never Heard Of)

5/28/2018 10 Amazing European Towns (You've Probably Never Heard Of)

10 AmazingEuropean Towns

(Youve Probably Never Heard Of)

By Gigi Griffis


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Rogac, Croatia

Located on the island of Solta just off the coast near Split, Rogac is

a quiet fishing village that rarely sees a tourist, even in Croatias

high season.

If youre interested in an easy seaside hike, fresh air, and a day

away from the Dalmatian Coasts throngs of tourists, Rogac

which is a convenient 2-hour ferry ride from Splitis the answer.

Rogac is perfect fora peaceful day trip from Split, a very quiet

getaway just off the Croatian coast.

While there, eatanything from Konoba Momcin Dvor, about 20

minutes up the hill (on foot) in Grohote.


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Tavernelle Val di Pesa, Italy

A 45-minute bus ride from Florence through fields of sunflowers and

endless vineyards will take you to this tiny, charming wine town.

Wander around vineyards, past the ancient church, and, if youre

lucky enough to be there in summer, into the big white tent that

hosts the annual food and wine festival where you can find fresh,

handmade pastas and pizzas and local wine at prices you wont

believe.

Tavernelle is perfect fora day trip from Florence, an overnight in

the countryside, a home base for exploring Tuscany.

While there, eathand-made pasta and pizza at the summer

food festival. Local Chianti wines.


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Thun, Switzerland

With its regal castle overlooking well-kept Swiss canals, winding

alleyways, and breathtaking lake Thun, ever dotted with sailboats,

kayaks, and ferries, Thun is a less touristy (yet still bustling), prettier

version of nearby popular Interlaken.

While youre there, make sure to take a stroll down the pretty, car-

free shopping streets, visit the Zartbitter chocolate shop for an in-

depth education on European chocolates (and maybe a taste of

chocolate with absinth inside!), watch young men surf the waves

created by the dams along the canals in the summer, and visit the

imposing castle on top of a hill at the center of town, which has

now been turned into a fascinating museum of local history.

Thun is perfect foran urban home base near the Swiss Alps, a

taste of the architecture, culture, and people of this region of

Switzerland, a day trip from one of the mountain towns.

While there, eatchocolates with absinth from Zartbitterchocolate shop, traditional cheese fondue.


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Freiburg, Germany

This pretty university town is the perfect merger of charming

German architecture, brilliant street food, and endlessly beautiful

forest.

While youre there, dont forget to wander the stalls of the open

market in the square by the main church and hike into the BlackForest (so-named because its thick growth of conifer trees blocks

out the light, creating a spooky, fantasy-novel ambiance) on a

well-marked trail.

Freiburg is perfect forhiking and nature vacations, a week-long

(or longer) retreat.

While there, eatthe rote (red) sausages from the open market,

schnitzel with lemon, and soft pretzels.


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Mnnlichen, Switzerland

Located at the top of a cable car, Mnnlichen is more of a

mountaintop lookout point than an actual town. In the winter,

youll find it dotted with skiers. In the summer, its a quiet haven for

hikers who want an unrestricted view of the regions highest peaks.

To visit, take a cable car from Grindelwald or Wengen, or hike the

steep trails up either side of the mountain.

Mnnlichen is perfect forlunch or dinner after a tough but

beautiful hike up, a cup of hot chocolate on a winter day.

While there, eatOvalmaltine (Swiss powdered hot chocolate).


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Assisi, Italy

Made famous by Saint Francis of Assisi, who founded the

Franciscan Order of monks, this beautiful city on a hill in Italys

Umbrian countryside is one of the prettiest places youll ever see

full of warm, white stone buildings, strong wooden shutters and

doors, the breathtaking, bright-white church, and wooded hiking

trails that lead down the hill and offer mystical distant views of thechurch.

Assisi is more on-the-beaten-path than some of the other towns in

this guide, so visit in fall, winter, or spring if possible to avoid the

summer crowds.

Assisi is perfect fora quiet countryside vacation in the fall, a day

trip from Perugia (the capitol of Umbria, just 30 minutes away by

train) or Rome.

While there, eatanything from the little brick restaurant behind

the former nunnery (which you can find by taking the hiking path

down the hill beside the entrance to the main church).


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Brela, Croatia

Located about 45 minutes south of Croatias second largest city

(Split), Brela is a tiny beach town known for its mini-islands, bright

blue Adriatic waters, and one of the top beaches in the world.

Brela has been discovered and fills up with tourists in the summer,

but empties out quickly come fall, which means you can findperfect sunshiny weather without the crowds starting in September

or October.

Brela is perfect fora beach day-trip from Split (whose beaches

leave something to be desired), a quiet fall getaway with views of

the Adriatic.

While there, eatseafood dishes, including calamari.


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Ghent, Belgium

Less touristy and crowded than its fairytale neighbor, Brugge,

Ghent offers a special, gritty charm all its own (along with much

better accommodation prices).

Take a walk along the sunny canals, attend the wild and crazy

Ghentse Feesten (a free outdoor festival held in July each year),visit the graffiti street (which changes every day), and join the

local swing dance scene (just Google Gentse Hoppers) for live

music and dancing.

Ghent is perfect fora home base for exploring Belgiums Flemish

north, inspiration for artists and creative types, a day trip from

Brussels or Brugge.

While there, eata make-your-own style soup from Soup Lounge,

pancakes (better than the famed Belgian waffles!), mussels and

fries, and a variety of local beers.


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Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

The valley that inspired Tolkeins Rivendell (the beautiful mountain

home of the immortal elves) is also a haven for hikers, BASE

jumpers, paragliders, and mountain-lovers of all shapes and sizes.

While there, make sure to walk along the valley floor with its famed

72 waterfalls, visit the roaring Trmmelbach Falls as it winds its waythrough caves inside the cliffs, and visit the Horner Pub, where

extreme sports athletes end their days with beers and crazy stories.

Lauterbrunnen is perfect forsports enthusiasts, hiking and nature

vacations, soul-healing getaways, ski vacations, a home base for

exploring the Swiss Alps.

While there, eatrsti (hash browns), traditional fondue, the

chicken sandwich (with garlic sauce) at the Horner Pub.


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Looking for more charming towns, beautifullandscapes, and travel tips?Stop by www.gigigriffis.com for free travel stories and tips, and an

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10 Amazing European Towns (You've Probably Never Heard Of)

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