10 most fabulous cities in the world

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  •  Some cities around the world look like they stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale book or a children's toy catalog. Before that, they are beautiful, clean, elegant. And if you are planning to spend your vacation in a cozy, small, and most importantly, a beautiful city, we are happy to help with the choice. Introducing the top 10 most fabulous cities in the world.

10. Chefchaouen, Morocco

In the north-west of Morocco, in the Rif mountains, 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 mainly of red tiles, create an interesting contrast with the cold tones of the buildings.

  •  The tradition of painting houses blue comes from members of the Jewish community who settled in Chefchaouen long ago to escape Spanish persecution. In Judaism, blue is the color of faith and wisdom, as well as the prayer veil.

  •  Now the city has about 35 thousand inhabitants, and it cannot boast of a large number of attractions. But we can say that Chefchaouen itself is one big attraction. This is a fairly clean and modern city, its only drawback is the long way that a tourist will have to go. After all, the nearest cities – Fes and Tangier – are about five hours away.

9. Zermatt, Switzerland

You may be familiar with Zermatt, even if you've never heard of one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland. After all, the famous pyramidal peak Matterhorn rises above it. Her image was featured in commercials for Ricola, and for many years it was placed on every bar of Toblerone chocolate. There is probably no mountain on Earth with a more picturesque peak.

  •  An interesting fact: in Zermatt, car traffic is prohibited, 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. This place is called the "adventure capital of the southern hemisphere", and it is here that you will find many travelers who want to get a kicking dose of adrenaline. Bungee jumping, paragliding and canyoning are all commonplace in Queenstown.

7. Banff, Canada

Imagine huge mountains, beautiful blue lakes, dense coniferous 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 rocks. In addition to its picturesque views and beautiful old houses, Hallstatt is famous for an interesting tradition associated with the lack of land, including for the burial of the dead.

  •  Previously, every 10 years, the remains of the 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 public display in the local chapel. This freed up space in the cemetery.

  •  Now this tradition is a thing of the past, as cremation has replaced the 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 an atmosphere of antiquity and comfort. After all, it attracts tourists here.

  •  A distinctive feature of Hoi An are red Chinese lanterns, which are hung everywhere. And in the evenings, when they glow, the city seems simply magical.

4. Ples, Russia

One of the smallest and beautiful cities of Russia – a real pearl of the Volga region. Old merchant houses, many churches, nature, quiet comfortable rest and a beautiful view of the Volga – all this can be found in Plyos.

  •  And there is also a monument to a cat and a house-museum of the artist Isaac Levitan. After all, it was in this city that he came up with the idea of ​​creating the painting “Above Eternal Peace”.

3. Longyearbyen, Norway

One of the coldest cities in the world would be ideal for the Snow Queen, if she decides 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 and do not die – this is such a strange ban in Longyearbyen), who regularly observe flashes of the northern lights and withstand extremely cold temperatures.

  •  You may ask: is it like this, 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 interred.

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'll find half-timbered houses, unusual signage, and the lovely (and free) City Garden, which used to be a feast for the eyes of the local aristocrats.

  •  Rothenburg ob der Tauber is known for its long-standing New Year's traditions, which are carefully preserved in the Christmas Museum. These are five houses interconnected and forming a "Christmas Village". The museum is open all year round and stores about 5 exhibits, including Christmas decorations and Christmas pyramids. And for whom these decorations look small, they 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 in one of best children's books – The Hobbit. And all because it was in the vicinity of Matamata that Hobbiton and the Shire were filmed for the most popular film trilogies The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

  •  And the New Zealand government decided to leave the Hobbit houses as a kind of "bait" for tourists. Even on the main road at the entrance to the city, the inscription "Welcome to Hobbiton" flaunts.