Some cities in the world look like they have stepped out of the pages of a collection of fairy tales or a catalog of children's toys. Until then, they are beautiful, clean, graceful. And if you are planning to spend your vacation in a cozy, small, and most importantly - a beautiful city, we are happy to help you with your choice. Introducing the top 10 most fabulous cities in the world.
10. Chefchaouen, Morocco
In the northwest of Morocco, in the Rif Mountains, there is Chefchaouen or Chaouen, as the locals call it. It is a small town known for its charming streets and houses painted blue and blue. And the roofs, made mostly of red tiles, provide an interesting contrast to the cold tones of the buildings.
The tradition of painting houses in blue came from the representatives of the Jewish community, who long ago settled in Chefchaouen, fleeing Spanish persecution. In Judaism, blue is the color of faith and wisdom, as well as a prayer veil.
Now the city is home to about 35 thousand inhabitants, and it cannot boast of a large number of attractions. But it can be said that Chefchaouen itself is one big attraction. This is a fairly clean and modern city, its only drawback is the long journey that a tourist will have to travel. After all, the nearest cities - Fez and Tangier - are about five hours away.
9. Zermatt, Switzerland
You may be familiar with Zermatt even if you have never heard of one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland. After all, the famous pyramidal peak of the Matterhorn rises above it. Her image has been featured in Ricola commercials and has been applied to every Toblerone bar for years. There is probably no mountain on Earth with a more picturesque peak.
Interesting fact: car traffic is prohibited in Zermatt, and all movements are carried out using electric vehicles.
8. Queenstown, New Zealand
Another beautiful "toy" city in the world is located in New Zealand. It is located on Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by the Southern Alps. Known as the "Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere," it is where you will find many travelers looking for an adrenaline rush. Bungee jumping, paragliding and canyoning are all common in Queenstown.
7. Banff, Canada
Imagine huge mountains, beautiful blue lakes, dense pine forests and a charming Canadian small town. If this sounds like the perfect place to spend summer, fall, winter and spring, then it is!
Banff is located in the heart of the national park of the same name - the largest in the country. The area of the reserve is 6641 km², and the town itself is 19.4 km². About 8 thousand people live in it.
6. Hallstatt (or Hallstatt), Austria
One of the most beautiful cities on Earth is small (59.8 km²) and is "sandwiched" between Lake Hallstatt and the rocks. In addition to its picturesque views and beautiful old houses, Hallstatt is famous for an interesting tradition associated with a lack of land, including for the burial of the dead.
Previously, every 10 years, the remains of deceased local residents were dug up, and the bones were bleached, the name, profession and date of death of the deceased were written on them. The bones were then put on display to the public at the local chapel. This freed up space in the cemetery.
Now this tradition is a thing of the past, since cremation has replaced burial in the cemetery.
5. Hoi An, Vietnam
There are many unusual and exotic cities in Asia. However, Hoi An stands out against their background with its archaism and colorfulness. According to UNESCO experts, this city has preserved hundreds of cultural and historical buildings, and local residents do their best to maintain the atmosphere of antiquity and comfort. After all, it attracts tourists here.
A distinctive feature of Hoi An are the red Chinese lanterns that are hung everywhere. And in the evenings, when they light up, the city seems just magical.
4. Plyos, Russia
One of the smallest and beautiful cities of Russia - a real pearl of the Volga region. Old merchant houses, many churches, nature, quiet and cozy rest and a beautiful view of the Volga - all this can be found in Plyos.
There is also a cat monument and a house-museum of the artist Isaac Levitan. After all, it was in this city that he got the idea of creating a painting "Above Eternal Peace".
3. Longyearbyen, Norway
One of coldest cities in the world would be perfect for the Snow Queen if she decided to settle in Norway. And her servants could be accommodated in cute multi-colored houses.
In the meantime, ordinary people live there (but they are not born or die - this is such a strange prohibition in Longyearbyen), regularly observing the flashes of the northern lights and withstanding extremely cold temperatures.
You may ask: how is it, ordinary people - and do not die? In fact, they die, only there is no cemetery in Longyearbyen. And on their last journey, the dead go to the mainland, where their bodies are buried.
2. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
If you look at the photo of this provincial city, you can imagine that it is a puppet city for a giant child. It is so pastoral and at the same time ancient and majestic. Here you will find half-timbered houses, unusual signs and the lovely (and free) City Garden, which was previously a delight to the eyes of local aristocrats.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is known for its long-standing New Year traditions, which are carefully preserved in the Christmas Museum. These are five houses connected to each other and forming the "Christmas Village". The museum is open all year round and contains about 5 thousand exhibits, including Christmas tree decorations and Christmas pyramids. And for whom these decorations look small, can admire the five-meter Christmas tree.
1. Matamata, New Zealand
Once in this New Zealand city, it is easy to imagine that you have become a character of one of the best children's books - "The Hobbit". And all because it was in the vicinity of Matamata that the shooting of Hobbiton and the Shire took place for the most popular film trilogies "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit".
And the New Zealand government decided to leave the houses of the hobbits as a kind of "bait" for tourists. Even on the main road at the entrance to the city, the sign "Welcome to Hobbiton" flaunts.