Europe's 9 most charming towns (plus the bike tours to take you there!)

Winding cobblestone streets. Dark and romantic medieval castles. A rich and storied history that has stretched for centuries. And a modern culture that is vibrant and engaging. It's no secret that Europe oozes with charm. Paris, London, Bruges, Copenhagen. The cities offer so much. But it's often the small towns and villages that dot the countryside that steal our hearts. Here are 9 of Europe's most charming towns and villages, and the bike tours that will take you there. Click the blue square button on the right (below) to launch the slideshow. // Powered by Cincopa <a href='http://www.cincopa.com/media-platform/podcast-player'>Podcast Hosting</a> for Business solution.<span>9 of Europe's most charming villages and towns</span><span>1. Ohrid, Macedonia</span><span>"At dawn, before the cycling begins, I love to walk in the dappled sunlight past ancient ruins, medieval monasteries, traditional red-tile-roofed houses, and many of the nearly 365 churches that once graced the town." - Jim, president and founder</p><br /><br /> <p>(Click on the photo to see a tour that goes through here!)</span><span>flash</span><span> 31</span><span>cameramake</span><span> NIKON CORPORATION</span><span>height</span><span> 3264</span><span>orientation</span><span> 1</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> ACD Systems Digital </span><span>originaldate</span><span> 8/9/2013 7:11:38 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 4928</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> NIKON D5100</span><span>2. Rothenburg, Germany</span><span>"It's a medieval town with half-timbered houses and looks straight from a fairy tale. The town wall still stands, with a walkway on top so you can promenade above the streets to get a higher vantage point on the quaint town." - Natalie, Vice President<br /><br /><br /> (Click on the photo to see a tour that goes through here!)</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AM</span><span>width</span><span> 1920</span><span>height</span><span> 1542</span><span>3. Bern, Switzerland</span><span>"It's the capital city, but it's delightfully lacking in the concrete and hustle of Zurich and Geneva. It has a quaint, small-town feel and is infinitely walkable, with hallmark arcades over sidewalks throughout the old town lining cobblestoned streets." - Natalie<br /><br /><br /> (Click on the photo to see a tour that goes through here!)</span><span>flash</span><span> 24</span><span>cameramake</span><span> Nokia</span><span>height</span><span> 899</span><span>alt</span>:<span> 567</span><span>lat</span>:<span> 46.948333</span><span>long</span>:<span> 7.446111</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Picasa</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 8/16/2010 7:38:06 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 1600</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> N79</span><span>4. Zell am See, Austria</span><span>"This little mountain town is so beautiful because you have the blue-green waters of the lake and the beauty of the Alps all rolled up into one little stop." - Brittany, tour advisor<br /><br /><br /> </span><span>cameramake</span><span> Canon</span><span>height</span><span> 3456</span><span>orientation</span><span> 1</span><span>flash</span><span> 24</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 5/31/2015 10:41:11 AM</span><span>width</span><span> 3456</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> Canon PowerShot ELPH</span><span>5. Dubrovnik, Croatia</span><span>"The sun-burnt orange roofs shimmer beside the sea in this beautiful ancient walled town, also the film location of Game of Thrones. History, architecture, charm, and the sea. It's a must-stop on your way to the Dalmation Islands." - Richie, client services manager</p><br /><br /> <p>(Click on the photo to see a tour that goes through here!)</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AM</span><span>width</span><span> 2048</span><span>height</span><span> 1536</span><span>6. Girona, Spain</span><span>"Vibrant, old, and charming, all at the same time. This Catalonian town boasts a walled Old Quarter that begs for you to take a promenade to soak in all the beautiful medieval architecture." - Richie, client services manager<br /><br /><br /> (Click on the photo to see a tour that goes through here!)</span><span>flash</span><span> 24</span><span>cameramake</span><span> PENTAX Corporation </span><span>height</span><span> 1920</span><span>orientation</span><span> 1</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Optio S5i Ver 1.00 </span><span>originaldate</span><span> 5/15/2011 6:38:21 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 2560</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> PENTAX Optio S5i </span><span>7. Sienna, Italy</span><span>"Siena's vast Piazza del Campo is the heart of the medieval city, and also the setting for the famed Palio horse race. It's a great place to refresh yourself with a gelato and scanning the comings and goings of the Sienese through the heart of their city." - Natalie, vice president (Click on photo to see a tour that goes through here!)</span><span>flash</span><span> 24</span><span>cameramake</span><span> SONY</span><span>height</span><span> 1329</span><span>orientation</span><span> 1</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Adobe Photoshop CS4 </span><span>originaldate</span><span> 2/5/2006 4:19:43 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 1772</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> DSC-S90</span><span>8. Carcassonne, France</span><span>This hilltop medieval fortress will make you feel like you're walking through a castled city. Amble through this UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore this beautiful old fortress. (Click on photo to view a tour that goes through here!)</span><span>cameramake</span><span> OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,</span><span>height</span><span> 1200</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> 83-1054 </span><span>originaldate</span><span> 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AM</span><span>width</span><span> 1600</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> C2Z,D520Z,C220Z </span><span>9. Clifden, Ireland</span><span>"This de facto capital of the stunning Connemara region is a gem of a jumping off point for cycling the region. It's a tiny town with a big heart. Hear some music, dance a jig, explore some ruins, and then head pedal off to explore more of pretty, pretty Connemara." - Lindsay, marketing coordinator<br /><br /><br /> </span><span>originaldate</span><span> 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AM</span><span>width</span><span> 720</span><span>height</span><span> 478</span>

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