Our 5 Favorite Small Towns Overseas

10/21/08

Quaint, quiet and completely breathtaking. We've compiled a list of our top five favorite small town destinations overseas. These treasured destination encompass beauty and charm like no big-time city can capture. And although we love our Paris, London and Romes, there's something extra special about visiting the less discovered towns overseas that keep us coming back for more.

Honfleur, France

Seaside charm with a blend of Paris' je ne sais quoi. Travel & Company Area Administrator, Marlene Moscowitz raves, "The town of Honfleur has a magical beauty as you sit along the harbor at a café and think of Samuel de Champlain leaving from that very site to travel to the New World." Just to give you an idea of its brilliance—this Norman harbor town was a frequent subject of Monet's paintings. See the majestic Honfleur for yourself on the Paris Neighborhoods tour.

Cuzco, Peru

Rich in Spanish and Incan culture, Travel & Company Area Administrator, Art Bloom, loves this destination. Also known as The Lost City of the Incas, the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu is about 50 miles northwest of Cuzco. There are also several ancient ruins to conquer while visiting like Puca Pucara and the Sacsayhuaman fortress. Visit Cuzco on the Incan Empire tour.

 

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Imagine a place with mediterranean architecture, oceanside cliffs and sparkling waters. Amalfi sounds a lot like paradise. Travel & Company Regional Director, Julie Fratarcangeli quips, "The natural beauty is breathtaking, the people are so friendly and the food is to die for." This region is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it's easy to see why with its striking scenery and historical preservations. Visit Amalfi on the At Home in Campania tour.

Lucerne, Switzerland

"I fell in love with Lucerne this past summer," swoons Tour Consultant Cara Solle. "It’s a picturesque Swiss town located on the edge of the clear blue Lake Lucerne and in the shadow of the majestic Mt. Pilatus.  Its famed wooden Chapel Bridge was built in the 14th century and spans the Reuss River connecting the old and new sides of the town.  Lucerne is the perfect place to relax for a day while strolling through the historic cobblestone streets and taking in the beauty of the town’s natural surroundings." How perfectly quaint and romantic. Experience Lucerne on the At Home in Lucerne tour.

Toledo, Spain

A favorite destination, compliments of Tour Consultant, Elizabeth Tyrrell is the walled-in town of Toledo, Spain. "First of all, Toledo has an amazing amount of history—it used to be the capital of Spain, it used to be the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Spain, and it boasts famous former occupants like the painter El Greco. The streets are narrow and the buildings are ancient; it feels like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s very walkable, so it’s a great place to wander around and just explore." We couldn't have described it better ourselves. Visit Toledo on the Spanish Gems and Secrets tour.