Cochem is one of the most charming towns in all of Germany, with legend, folklore and a rich history found in every nook and corner. Smogen, located on the west coast of Sweden, is known as one of the country’s most beautiful towns with a relaxed maritime atmosphere along with picturesque fisherman’s cottages and boats dotting the landing stage near the water. Read the story of the area, according to the parallel world, and learn about the celestial body of Bepela that sits in green pastoral lands. Tucked into the middle of northwest Arkansas' Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs boasts everything from luxurious spas to the jaw-dropping Thorncrown Chapel to a nearby river ripe for canoeing, as well as one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Sitting in the shadow of the Karbonkelberg Mountain, the exquisite red-brick castle somehow seems to suit its scenic surroundings. But what travelers really fall in love with are the city's quaint cafes, vibrant markets, trendy shopping districts and unmistakable je ne sais quoi charm. The wealth of street art is a major draw to the area. All rights reserved. Ocracoke is also home to wild ponies—the descendants of horses that shipwrecked explorers cast overboard—that reside in a protected pasture up Highway 12. A post shared by Courtney Fischer Uhrick (@courtneyfischerjewelry) on Jun 27, 2019 at 8:56am PDT. In 1809, Lord Byron penned a letter to his friend Francis Hodgson, writing, “I must just observe that the village of Cintra in Estremadura is the most beautiful in the world.” This fairytale Portugal town sitting at the edge of Europe has charmed countless visitors for centuries. In the summer, it’s the site of obstacle courses and other athletic events. Each annual season kicks off with a June Turtle Fest, complete with a (human) half-marathon and grand parade. This Indiana town is really all about its location along the Tippecanoe River. At Australia's Great Barrier Reef, you'll find more than 600 islands and 1,500-plus species of fish. The church is also part of the newly launched, self-guided Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Trail, chronicling Georgia’s role in the Civil Rights Movement in 28 distinct stops statewide. The apartment comes equipped with a balcony for sipping drinks as needed. This year, we’re not only highlighting towns that embrace all these qualities, but those that are also celebrating a milestone anniversary, marking a major historic event, or unveiling a new museum or festival (there’s even one town on the list that’s been completely transformed by a television show) that make visiting in 2018 particularly special. Kodiak Island Brewing Brewing Co. is the place for imbibing pints of Snowshoe, a hoppy IPA with a smooth finish. This well-preserved Alsatian village is also considered the capital of wine in the district, known for its exquisite aromas. Laurel is home to A Street Car Named Desire’s fictional Blanche DuBois, as well as the Lindsey Eight-Wheeled Wagon, which native Mississippian John Lindsey manufactured at the town’s Lindsey Log Wagon Company during the turn-of-the-20th century (one is on display inside the Laurel Welcome Center). Santorini may be more well-known, but its neighbor Folegandros features similar architecture, including whitewashed buildings decorated with brightly colored flowers, streets paved in slates, and even Greek Orthodox churches with brilliant blue domes. Vestmannaeyjar sits on the island of Heimaey, the largest of the 14 islands in the Westman Islands archipelago, just off the southwest coast of Iceland’s mainland. Cesky Krumlov is a small medieval town found in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. Smithsonian Institution, (Photo by Pancho Valladolid/Discover Kodiak), (National Geographic Creative / Alamy Stock Photo), (Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism), (Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society). Fuel up with a frozen Kona mocha or Virginia’s own Old Hill Hard Cider at Gathering Grounds, also serving breakfast, lunch and weekend dinner. Required fields are marked *. Their baked goods—along with a selection of local craft brews—are also on the menu at Showhegan's riverside Old Mill Pub, a former-mill-turned-restaurant. Why it’s awesome: The World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park is an excellent Cape Town attraction for fans of nature, wildlife, and feathered creatures. The point itself is a premier bird migration hot-spot, most notably for rough-legged hawks, and the incredibly preserved ships lost below its frigid waters are a boon for divers. From there, we compiled a list of 20 that combine historic elements with distinct cultural offerings, natural beauty and everything from the country’s oldest whitewater rafting festival to legendary pirate lore. It is also a valuable reality check for impressionable young locals. The difference is, you won’t have to battle the crowds. It’s also home to “The Hill,” believed to be the country’s oldest continuously-inhabited free African American settlement. There’s still a rich sense of history and plenty to see as you walk around the area. If you want to delve more into the automobile industry, just outside of the city in Dearborn is the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, and you can also tour the Ford Rouge Factory nearby. Toss a Frisbee around, build a sandcastle, and take a bracing dip in the refreshing waters. Why it’s awesome: Kcymaerxthaere is an imaginary, parallel universe that often intersects with Earth.

To experience the best it has to offer, consider visiting some of these standout places. Maybe you need to soak up some nature on a calm, beautiful hiking trail? Talk with local fishers, get to know the area’s best fly fishing spots and secluded campgrounds, or book a guided kayaking tour along protected inlets with a chance to see up-close migrating whales, with June through August being the best months. Named by “Good Morning America” as the “Most Beautiful Place in America,” you’ll find lush forests, picturesque beaches and giant sand dunes.

Stargazers have much to be happy about in Idaho, where Ketchum recently became the state’s first city to earn the moniker of International Dark Sky Community—a designation that the International Dark-Sky Association gives to communities dedicated to curbing their own light pollution.

Locals and tourists flock here in abundance to soak up some sun and gaze upon stunning views, and there are a few amazing guesthouses in Cape Town that are only a stone’s throw away from Clifton’s sandy shores. The boardwalk leads around Foxy Beach, passing through dunes and wild patches of vegetation. Intersection between the “real” world and an imaginary world; Only Kcymaerxthaere site in South Africa; Get up close and personal with squirrel monkeys. Albarracín is a beautifully preserved medieval village in Northern Spain with roots dating back to the 11th century. Its diverse array of wildlife includes moose, wolves and a wide variety of other mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Wonder how to spend a weekend in Cape Town? Other must-sees include Wat Chalong Temple and the Big Buddha. It’s an impressive piece of architecture and the crypt is today a funky jazz restaurant! The greater Trinidad coast is also a notable California Coastal National Monument Gateway for its remarkable ocean sea stacks, home to one of the state’s most diverse seabird colonies—approximately 11 species such as tufted puffin, fork-tailed storm-petral and common murre. Maybe it's the charming main streets lined with century-old structures, now filled with artisan shops and cozy family-owned breakfast eateries, or the meandering rivers that run through downtown centers and majestic mountains that rise in the not-too-far distance, offering access to a world of activity. You can also walk around the now derelict District Six to see firsthand how the area changed from a flourishing community to essentially a wasteland. With a population close to 3 million, the hum and hustle of Chicago can be invigorating—until it’s not. From national forests to quaint towns, Pennsylvania offers a variety of vacations perfect for couples.