More Attractive Towns and Villages

Posted on October 18, 2015 | 58 Comments

Hallstatt, which claims to be the prettiest village in Austria

Santillana del Mar, “Le plus joli village d’Espagne” according to Jean Paul Satre

Skofia Loka, Slovenia

Buchs, Switzerland

Schiltach in the Black Forest, Germany

Primosten, Croatia

Burano, Venice, Italy

Bárcena Mayor, Cantabria, Spain

Which one would you choose?

This entry was posted in Austria, Croatia, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Natural Environment, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Travel and tagged Bárcena Mayor, Buchs Switzerland, Burano, Hallstatt, Primosten, Santillana del Mar, Schiltach Black Forest, Venice, Škofja Loka. Bookmark the permalink.

58 responses to “More Attractive Towns and Villages”

Bec J. H. | October 18, 2015 at 4:24 am | Reply

I visited Hallstatt earlier this year – it is certainly beautiful!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 6:11 am | Reply
  
  Glad you thought so! Thanks for the comment.
  
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Sue Slaght | October 18, 2015 at 4:53 am | Reply

I’ve only been to two but Burano really is hard to beat. I love color. 🙂

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 6:13 am | Reply
  
  I remember Santillana was the other? I put Burano in there but it is rather different to all of the others. Apart from Burano do you have a favourite that you have visited?
  
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  - Sue Slaght | October 19, 2015 at 4:14 am |
    
    You’re right Andrew! Wow so many great places. Lake Bafa in Turkey. Spike had a post last week on that. Most every town in Tuscany and Umbria but I loved Cortona. And the list goes on…
    
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Yvonne | October 18, 2015 at 7:00 am | Reply

Right, I can miss Burano just this once, and go to Schiltack in the winter.

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 7:14 am | Reply
  
  I think Shiltach is probably my favourite – especially in the snow!
  
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masgautsen | October 18, 2015 at 7:55 am | Reply

I would say that I would prefer Burano if I would be going during summer or spring, but Schiltack if I was going late autumn or winter.

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 8:37 am | Reply
  
  perfect choices and let me suggest Hallstatt in the Autumn.
  
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  - masgautsen | October 18, 2015 at 8:39 am |
    
    Sounds perfect
    
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Sue | October 18, 2015 at 8:25 am | Reply

Burano’s already on my list, so I’ll go for Santillana del Mar, Andrew!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 8:38 am | Reply
  
  Excellent choice – a real gem!
  
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abitofculture | October 18, 2015 at 9:55 am | Reply

I loved Burano when I visited. No room for any where in the UK after your summer trips around the country?

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 10:01 am | Reply
  
  I suppose Jedburgh might scrape in. I guess I will have to wait until next year when I go to Cornwall! Have you got any suggestions?
  Another bad day for Villa!
  
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  - abitofculture | October 18, 2015 at 10:15 am |
    
    Have you booked anywhere yet? The Padstow area on North Coast would be a good bet, although Polperro and Fowey are typical pretty fishing villages on the south coast that would make your list.
    Quickly losing interest in football!
    
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  - Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 10:34 am |
    
    I am not in charge of the arrangements, I think we are going to the Lizard.
    
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  - abitofculture | October 18, 2015 at 10:41 am |
    
    Sorry, can’t help as I’ve never been there but Porthcurno is not too far and definitely worth a trip:
    http://abitofculture.net/2014/01/04/porthcurno-the-beach-that-helped-win-wwii/
    
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  - Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 10:45 am |
    
    Thanks Richard. Sorry about the football. Things will improve, Sherwood is 100% confident!
    
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inavukic | October 18, 2015 at 10:17 am | Reply

While I am partial to Primosten – of course – I do like Sofia Loka in Slovenia – a beauty tucked away from the world’s prying eyes 😀 – was there plenty of Black Forest cake in Schiltach? If so, I’ll be there – the place feel quite ideal for winter escapes to warm rooms and lots of cake 😀

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 10:33 am | Reply
  
  For Black Forest Gateaux it has to be nearby Triberg (The Cuckoo Clock capital) because here the son of the apprentice of the chef who invented the cake still makes them to the original secret recipe.
  
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  - inavukic | October 18, 2015 at 10:37 am |
    
    Well, must go and visit Triberg then – just to compare the Aussie Black Forest with the original, mind you 😀
    
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jfwknifton | October 18, 2015 at 11:51 am | Reply

Schiltach, I suppose, but none of them are absolutely stunning. I bet there are nicer ones, say, in Ireland, for example.

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 12:02 pm | Reply
  
  Dingle, I suppose. This year in the North I didn’t stumble across anything that remarkable. I could have included Ilkeston just for a laugh!
  
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joylovestravel | October 18, 2015 at 12:02 pm | Reply

Any, they’re all beauties, I’m not fussy, any one would make me happy!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 12:22 pm | Reply
  
  Have you got a favourite anywhere?
  
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joylovestravel | October 18, 2015 at 1:19 pm | Reply

Any village in Austria or Switzerland but I also love the villages of the Cinque Terre tourists notwithstanding!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 2:13 pm | Reply
  
  Now that is somewhere that I need to see!
  
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  - joylovestravel | October 18, 2015 at 11:00 pm |
    
    It’s stunning, highly recommend a trip!
    
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Let's CUT the Crap! | October 18, 2015 at 8:32 pm | Reply

Jaw crashing photos, Andrew. Absolutely stunning. I couldn’t choose just one if you paid me. ❤ ❤ ❤

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 9:02 pm | Reply
  
  Then you will have to visit them all Tess!
  
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  - Let's CUT the Crap! | October 20, 2015 at 2:07 am |
    
    Ha ha. All w.o.u.l.d. be fabulous after I win the lottery.
    
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Gunta | October 18, 2015 at 9:33 pm | Reply

Haven’t been to any of them, but I think I’d prefer Croatia for that seascape view. Hoping it doesn’t snow there. I think I’ve had more than my quota of that for this lifetime.

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- Andrew Petcher | October 18, 2015 at 9:46 pm | Reply
  
  I expect they get an occasional snow flurry but nothing too heavy or long lasting.
  
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  - Gunta | October 18, 2015 at 9:59 pm |
    
    Sounds just right for me then! 🙂
    
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Crystal M. Trulove | October 18, 2015 at 11:10 pm | Reply

Skofia Loka is the most interesting one to me. Though I admit they all look worth the visit.

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Inger | October 19, 2015 at 3:39 am | Reply

They all look beautiful and I haven’t been to a single one of them yet. Seems I have to do some more exploring in Europe when I more back. The colourful buildings and the water channels of Burano looks pretty!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 19, 2015 at 5:47 am | Reply
  
  Burano is amazing but also rather touristy! Thanks for stopping by.
  
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The Historical Diaries | October 19, 2015 at 4:33 am | Reply

what lovely cities , want to travel so bad !

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- Andrew Petcher | October 19, 2015 at 5:50 am | Reply
  
  Put them all on your list! Thanks for the comment.
  
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  - The Historical Diaries | October 19, 2015 at 5:57 am |
    
    thanks for the post =)
    
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rosemaylily2014 | October 19, 2015 at 12:35 pm | Reply

I think I’d have to choose Schiltach because of the snow – it’s picturesque but they are all lovely in their own way!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 19, 2015 at 12:35 pm | Reply
  
  Good choice, thanks for taking part!
  
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Bulldog Travels | October 20, 2015 at 1:50 am | Reply

Sheesh you know how to pick a place to visit!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 20, 2015 at 5:44 am | Reply
  
  Just pot luck. I could do a similar post on disappointing places!
  
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Bulldog Travels | October 20, 2015 at 1:50 am | Reply

Switzerland or Germany for me please!

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- Andrew Petcher | October 20, 2015 at 5:45 am | Reply
  
  Have you been to Switzerland? It is the tidiest place that I have ever been to.
  
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  - Bulldog Travels | October 20, 2015 at 6:03 am |
    
    I have. It’s spectacular. I have driven through twice from Germany to Italy. I could easily live there. Gorgeous and nice people with beautiful towns. Lots of snow!
    
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  - Andrew Petcher | October 20, 2015 at 6:21 am |
    
    I drove from Germany to Liechtenstein but it was summer so didn’t see a lot of snow.
    
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  - Bulldog Travels | October 20, 2015 at 6:30 am |
    
    The drive from Germany straight south to Italy is stunning. On the way back we went up over the summit instead of through the tunnel. It was awesome. Also drove up through the Dolamites and in to Austria and over through Germany. It’s very beautiful.
    
    For that matter southern Germany and northern Italy are kind of perfect too.
    
    It’s a great region. 🙂
    
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melissajane14 | October 20, 2015 at 4:03 am | Reply

Tough decision! I’ve been working on my Spanish lately, and how could I argue with Jean Paul Sartre? Me gusta Santillana del Mar 🙂

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- Andrew Petcher | October 20, 2015 at 5:46 am | Reply
  
  Good choice, it has a very special quality!
  
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Curt Mekemson | October 20, 2015 at 4:48 am | Reply

Beautiful photos! –Curt

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- Andrew Petcher | October 20, 2015 at 5:46 am | Reply
  
  Thank you, I appreciate that!
  
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Victor Tribunsky | October 30, 2015 at 7:20 pm | Reply

Unfortunately, I have not been in these places. Well, at least, I have some goals yet.

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margieinitaly | July 22, 2016 at 9:53 pm | Reply

Great compilation, Andrew and the photos are lovely as usual! Glad you’ve provided me with ideas for future European trips!

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quercuscommunity | June 17, 2018 at 10:42 am | Reply

As a man with no passport I would have to suggest Winster – same county as Ilkeston but on a more manageable scale. 🙂

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- Andrew Petcher | June 17, 2018 at 10:53 am | Reply
  
  good choice!
  
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