European Villages straight out of a Fairy Tale

A jumble of pastel buildings clings vertiginously to the sheer cliffs of Tellaro.

The River Coln, which bisects the village, teems with trout, but the most scenic area is Arlington Row, a lane of sepia-hued cottages built in the 17th century to house weavers from the nearby Arlington Mill

A history of salt mining dating back thousands of years has translated into enduring prosperity for the town, which is most evident in the beautiful square ringed with ivy-covered buildings.

For a secluded swim, trek to Katergo, a sheltered stretch of beach where gentle, emerald-blue waves lap the pebbly shore.

A range of architectural styles, from German Gothic to French Neo-Baroque, can be spotted in the old town, which was spared destruction during World War II — thanks in part to the historical beauty of its cobblestoned lanes, quiet canals, and half-timbered houses.

. Settle in for a front-row view of the night sky and its mesmerizing entertainment, from summer's midnight sun to winter's northern lights.

The Baroque- and Renaissance-style façades, featuring high gables painted in pale pastels, now support small shops and cafés. A grand Renaissance-era château and large fish-filled ponds surround the square.

Down Albarracín's narrow alleys and winding lanes await ancient stone towers and ocher-hued castles and chapels. Towering above it all is a cathedral built in the region's typical Mudéjar style with ornamental detailing rooted in Islamic art.