Once abandoned, this ancient Italian town carved out of a limestone gorge has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to repopulation by artists and hippies. Take a dip in its natural rock springs before touring cave dwellings and other relics of the past.
Matera, Italy —
Once abandoned, this ancient Italian town carved out of a limestone gorge has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to repopulation by artists and hippies. Take a dip in its natural rock springs before touring cave dwellings and other relics of the past.
Michael Ventura / Alamy
Fermanagh, a quiet but beautiful lake district, presents opportunity for flights of Gaelic fancy. Tour storybook castles, misty lakes and imposing mountains while staying at Crom Castle, an ancient estate where many host weddings.
Fermanagh Lakelands, Northern Ireland —
Fermanagh, a quiet but beautiful lake district, presents opportunity for flights of Gaelic fancy. Tour storybook castles, misty lakes and imposing mountains while staying at Crom Castle, an ancient estate where many host weddings.
Design Pics Inc. - RM Content / Alamy
On the tiny island of Muhu -- accessed by an ice road in winter -- you'll find working windmills, thatched cottages, a 13th-century pagan church and 700-year-old Padaste Manor. Despite its age, the manor is suited to modern guests.
Muhu Island, Estonia —
On the tiny island of Muhu -- accessed by an ice road in winter -- you'll find working windmills, thatched cottages, a 13th-century pagan church and 700-year-old Padaste Manor. Despite its age, the manor is suited to modern guests.
Courtesy of Pädaste Manor
The Matarranya region of Spain, the country's answer to Tuscany, sits at the intersection of three ancient kingdoms and offers leisurely and economical escapes like the Hotel Torre del Visco.
Matarranya region, Southern Aragon, Spain —
The Matarranya region of Spain, the country's answer to Tuscany, sits at the intersection of three ancient kingdoms and offers leisurely and economical escapes like the Hotel Torre del Visco.
Sergio Padura
Travelers searching for solitude will relish Lewis Island, a tiny haven where time stands still. Overhear conversations in Gaelic, stroll quiet beaches and enjoy homegrown elegance at five-star restaurant Auberge Carnish when you feel like reentering society.
Lewis Island, Outer Hebrides, Scotland —
Travelers searching for solitude will relish Lewis Island, a tiny haven where time stands still. Overhear conversations in Gaelic, stroll quiet beaches and enjoy homegrown elegance at five-star restaurant Auberge Carnish when you feel like reentering society.
C Ross
If you think quaint village living is still too far from nature, Île de Noirmoutier's marshes, dunes, forests and beaches will suit your tastes.
Île de Noirmoutier, France —
If you think quaint village living is still too far from nature, Île de Noirmoutier's marshes, dunes, forests and beaches will suit your tastes.
Hilke Maunder / Alamy
Poland's third-largest city, with a hodgepodge of religious and ethnic backgrounds, does not dissapoint the budding art critic. Known for being the hub of Polish filmmaking, the city offers heritage cuisine, music, a carousel and plenty of places to throw parties.
Lodz, Poland —
Poland's third-largest city, with a hodgepodge of religious and ethnic backgrounds, does not dissapoint the budding art critic. Known for being the hub of Polish filmmaking, the city offers heritage cuisine, music, a carousel and plenty of places to throw parties.
Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy
How is Bergen described to visitors? The Hamptons, with clogs. Take a bicycle for a spin along cobblestone streets before relaxing on the terrace of your rental villa or the city's sunny beaches.
Bergen, Holland —
How is Bergen described to visitors? The Hamptons, with clogs. Take a bicycle for a spin along cobblestone streets before relaxing on the terrace of your rental villa or the city's sunny beaches.
Prisma Bildagentur AG / Alamy
A six-hour ferry ride from Athens, Ikaria is Greece's isolated wonderland. Indulge in fried seafood, alcohol, a swim in crystal clear waters or a stroll past stone walls from the 5th century B.C.E. before checking into the seaside Cavos Bay Hotel.
Ikaria, Greece —
A six-hour ferry ride from Athens, Ikaria is Greece's isolated wonderland. Indulge in fried seafood, alcohol, a swim in crystal clear waters or a stroll past stone walls from the 5th century B.C.E. before checking into the seaside Cavos Bay Hotel.
Jeff Zoet Photography
Not many do, but if you venture a stone's throw from Cambridge University, you'll happen upon a countryside gem. East Anglia's winding roads are dotted with sheep, thatched villages, churches and gorgeous estates like Sandringham, the queen's holiday mansion.
East Anglia, United Kingdom —
Not many do, but if you venture a stone's throw from Cambridge University, you'll happen upon a countryside gem. East Anglia's winding roads are dotted with sheep, thatched villages, churches and gorgeous estates like Sandringham, the queen's holiday mansion.
NageleStock.com / Alamy
While the Croatian city is busy most of the year, an off-season stay in Rovinj gives a traveler free reign of Istrian beaches, wine-minded restaurants and even a design hotel.
Rovinj, Istria —
While the Croatian city is busy most of the year, an off-season stay in Rovinj gives a traveler free reign of Istrian beaches, wine-minded restaurants and even a design hotel.
Heatheronhertravels.com
Italian in spirit but Swiss in name, Ticino presents travelers with politeness, white-glove service, sunbathing elites and an opportunity to stay in Villa Castagnola, a former residence of the czars.
Ticino, Switzerland —
Italian in spirit but Swiss in name, Ticino presents travelers with politeness, white-glove service, sunbathing elites and an opportunity to stay in Villa Castagnola, a former residence of the czars.
Courtesy of Villa Castagnola
Formentera, Ibiza's quieter counterpart, is a land of unspoiled beaches, palm trees and sunset cocktails. Those looking to rub elbows with big names can let loose at boutique hotel Gecko Beach Club.
Formentera, Spain —
Formentera, Ibiza's quieter counterpart, is a land of unspoiled beaches, palm trees and sunset cocktails. Those looking to rub elbows with big names can let loose at boutique hotel Gecko Beach Club.
Courtesy of Gecko Beach Club