Some interesting possibilities for future travel.....

Those do look interesting Ken! I would be pleased to spend time in any of them. And it's a different round-up than the "usual suspects." Thanks for sharing !

We spent nearly two weeks in Tisvildeleje in Denmark. Rented a super Hygge beach house, ate licorice sprinkles on ice cream and swam in the sea with naked locals. Super fun vacation. The Saturday flea market was incredibly epic as were the cardamom buns I collected on my morning bike rides.

We lived in Germany four years and have traveled extensively as well. There are towns and villages like the ones listed all over Europe. It is good to get away from the big cities and visit the countryside.

I’ve only been to two of the towns in the list, Getaría and Lavenham. Both were nice and worth visiting, but I agree with geovafriffith that there are interesting towns like those in the article all over Europe.

I've been to 2. Marvão, Portugal was interesting for an afternoon visit. I don't think I'd want to spend more than a full day there though. On the way I visited Castelo de Vide and there was a lot more to see and do there. I could see spending a few days there and daytripping.

The second is Kardamili, Greece and I was horrified to see it on the list! It was a 2-night stop on the RS Greece tour and it was wonderful, maybe the best stop of the tour! If it gets a lot of publicity, it will go the way of the Cinque Terre and Hallstatt.

Out of 25, five are outside of Western Europe. Not much encouragement to explore beyond one's comfort level. But I guess not the intent. Of the 5 I have been to two and one of those Kotor, is a tourist ship port, so not really befitting of the category.

But excellent ideas. Always good to ditch the landmarks for something a bit more real from time to time. Helpful. Thank you.

I’d like to see Rick Steves do a thorough book on Albania. We almost went there this year because for a time it was open to US tourists with zip requirements. We seriously looked into it, and def consider for future.

cchapin100; I went to Albania and Kosovo in September of 2020, yes, during COVID. You should go. Freeking amazing country. Pretty fair Fly Fishing too. And no, I dont want RS to do a book on it. I like it the way I found it. Back Doors stay Back Door as long as they stay out of print.