The five most beautiful small towns in Europe...or are they?

Lake cruise on the Lake of Brienz, one of the two lakes of 
Interlaken
(Courtesy: MySwitzerland.com)

EUROPE — Listing the five most beautiful towns in Europe (including the UK for simplicity), is rather like picking the best five of any category be it novels, sports teams, actors, desserts and on and on ad infinitum.

Therefore, for clarification's sake, this story is about five delightfully charming villages among literally hundreds of possible choices throughout the  European continent. Rather than defining them as the BEST, perhaps a better description would be to label them as "European Charmers" that are filled nostalgic character, cobblestone streets, ancient bell towers and/or half-timbered buildings that conjure historic images that appeal to almost every one who visits.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a German favorite
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

With those parameters as a guide, here are five alphabetically listed surefire travel gems filled with storybook romance that is the stuff of traveler's dreams.

Hvar, Croatia is frequently a delightful surprise
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

Hvar, Croatia: Affectionately known as the "Queen of the Croatian Dalmatian Islands," Hvar's important strategic and nautical position brought it ancient fame and riches that live on today in its cultural and literary legacy.

Thanks to warm winters and pleasant summers,  Hvar receives many travelers who are attracted by the dense natural Mediterranean surroundings combined with rich tradition, architecture and rousing nightlife.

Of course it doesn't hurt that the always fickle international jet-set has discovered this marriage of medieval charm and sun drenched beaches in recent  years as well.

Hvar is undiscovered
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

Not that being part of the lifestyles of the rich and famous makes Hvar any more unique than it already was with its fields of lavender, ancient olive trees and vineyards that are a harmonious blend between man and nature, the notoriety doesn't hurt.

Recently ranked among the ten most beautiful islands in the world, Hvar features a beautiful city center, complete with Gothic palaces and marble stone streets, many of  which are car-free.

Sunrise over the Schilthorn and Piz Gloria near Interlaken
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

Interlaken, Switzerland: Deriving its name by being situated between two stunning lakes, the Lake of Thun and the Lake of Brienz, the Swiss town of Interlaken is a mecca for adventure travelers. Aside from sledging and kayaking, the town features one of the world's most epic skydiving experiences: a 20-minute flight over the mountains, followed by a 45-second free fall drop before your instructor deploys the parachute.

Sherlock Holmes statue,
Meiringen
(Photo: Taylor)

For less suicidal travelers, the centrally located town in the heart of the Bernese Oberland is the gateway to the Jungfraujoch and the home of the highest railway station in Europe, the Schilthorn and James Bond's Piz Gloria, the spectacular waterfall road through the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Sherlock Holmes village of Meiringen and nearby Reichenbach Falls where the consulting detective fought to the death with his arch-enemy Moriarity, Grand Hotel Giessbach at Giessbach Falls on Lake Brienz as well as the woodcarver's village of Brienz itself.

Grand Hotel Giessbach 
outside Interlaken 
(Photo: Taylor)

Don't be surprised to serenaded now and then by the mournful sounds of alphorns emanating from the street beneath your hotel window. Chocoholics can even create their own treats at Funky Chocolate.

Interlaken is Switzerland at its quintessential best.

Bell tower overlooks stunning Kotor Bay
(Courtesy: Ggia--licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license)

Kotor, Montenegro: Returning to the former Yugoslavia, Kotor is reminiscent of the fjords of Norway blended to perfection with Italy's Lake Como. All that is needed to provide full credibility is to add the word UNESCO to the Old Town of Kotor and little else needs to be said.

Part of the modern day charm of Kotor is the seemingly wacky layout of its streets. Historically the reason was to provide protection from invasion. Thus, today the city fathers encourage visitors to "lose" themselves as the best way to discover the destination.

Located on the Bay of Kotor, one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea, the old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the days when Venice dominated sea trade.

Cruise ship sails into Kotor Bay
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

The reference to the fjords, which some authorities have even termed the southern-most fjord in Europe, is a submerged river canyon known as a "ria."  Together with the  overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive landscape.

Rothenburg's quintessential photograph
(Courtesy: Bernard Werner -- licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-
Share Alike 4.0 International license)

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany: Even many Germans   believe that Rothenburg obder Tauber, with its medieval Old Town, is the best preserved city in Germany.

CondeNast Traveler says "If you can swing it, plan your visit for December, when the town transforms into a winter wonderland with snow-dusted rooftops, glowing storefronts, and cozy taverns. And don't forget about the Reiterlesmarkt, one of the best Christmas markets in the entire country."

Nowhere else in Germany will you find such an eclectic wealth of original buildings dating from the Middle Ages featuring the secluded squares and tucked-away corners of the old quarter. Here towers, taverns and town gates alternate with fountains, fortifications and former storehouses.

Rothenburg beckons
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

It doesn't really matter where you go in Rothenburg because new and wonderful sights await at every turn. And whichever you choose to visit, there's always a cozy inn waiting afterwards in which you can satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst.

Rye's Mermaid Hotel was built in 1420 and renovated in
the 17th century
(Photo: Public Domain)

Rye, England: Another important shipping center, this one since Roman times, Rye in East Sussex was once entirely surrounded by sea. The best views of the hodge-podge of medieval terra cotta roofs and timbered walls are from St. Mary's Parish Church tower or the Ypres Tower, the two oldest buildings in town.

If you're visiting in late winter/early spring, don't miss the annual Bay Scallop Week.

The Old Bell Inn is Rye's
oldest pub
(Courtesy: Tony Hisgett -- licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution 
2.0 Generic license)  

Said to be the oldest pub in Rye, The Old Bell Inn is located among its cobblestone streets. The 15th century building has a dark wood interior and a bare wooden boarded floor plus a small garden at the front.

There are two hand-pumps on the bar counter and a limited food menu. At lunchtime the entire pub is laid for diners, with signs that read "Diners only 12 to 4." Drinkers are only tolerated if the pub is not busy.

For a day trip, Rye is an easy two-hour train ride ay trip from London's  St. Pancras International Station.

 There you have it, five gems in the "jewel box" of Europe, but remember, as good as they are, you've only just scratched the surface.