Destinations

Is it a dream or is it for real? These places will make you wonder whether you step into the land of magic
and fantasy or still firmly stand on the ground. With unearthly nature, unreal landscapes or fairy tale
architecture, these destinations will take you far away from your humdrum reality.

COLMAR, FRANCE
By Fr Antunes Picturesque

Colmar in France, considered the most

beautiful city in Europe, looks like it
came straight out of a fairy tale. This
tiny town in Alsace is famous not only
for its magically colourful old town.
Colmar, situated along the Alsatian
Wine Route, is called the "Capital of
Alsatian Wine" - it boasts a sunny
microclimate and is the second driest
city in France, making it ideal for wine
growing.
As if being the wine capital was not
enough, Colmar, with its pretty squares,
fountains and canals, is also called the
"little Venice" (la Petite Venise). It is also the home town of Frédéric Bartholdi, who designed the Statue
of Liberty, and the painter Martin Schongauer.

Colmar, France. By Nikkodem

FAROE ISLANDS

Faroe Islands. By webax.it

The Lord of the Rings' scenery of Faroe Islands truly makes you believe the archipelago is inhabited by
hobbits and elves. Located halfway between Iceland and Norway, in the heart of the Gulf Stream in the
North Atlantic, the 18-island archipelago is home to beautiful dramatic landscapes of volcanic peaks and
oceanic waves hitting against the rocky shoreline. The islands' magical and mysterious scenery seems to
be much closer to the fantasy world than to reality.

Saksun, Faroe
Islands. By T.K.V
NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, GERMANY

Castle Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, Germany in autumn. By gerdragon

It is not a sugary Disneyland construction, although it looks like a fairy tale palace occupied by some
capricious princess. In fact, despite its magical look, the Neuschwanstein Castle is more firmly rooted in
reality than one could imagine. Constructed on a rugged hill in the 19th century for Ludwig II, the
castle's fixtures were revolutionary at that time: the building had running water and toilets with
automatic flushing on every floor as well as a heating system. Today, the Neuschwanstein is the main
stop on the Romantic Road, the Bavarian trail of ancient towns and castles.
Dramatic look of Neuschwanstein. By Nataraj Metz
CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY

Cappadocia. By Emre Ersahin

If there was a fairy tale about the enchanted land of clay, its setting would look like Cappadocia. This
fabulous region located in central Turkey is famed for its pottery and unique rock formation in which the
ancient people carved out their houses and churches. The region is also home to the odd-looking rock
formations called "fairy chimneys" that can be found in various shapes such as cones, mushroom-like
forms, columns and pointed rocks. The tradition of pottery and ceramics in Turkey is one of the world's
oldest crafts, dating back to the 8th century.

By Emre Ersahin
HOI AN, VIETNAM
Hoi An. By jmhullot
Hoi An is a place that cannot be missed while in Vietnam. This colourful, magical and beautiful little
town is home to more silk lanterns than people. Situated on the coast of the South China Sea, the town
used to be an important port and trading centre. Today it is a fairy tale spot visited by thousands of
travellers and backpackers that cannot resist its charm. Hoi An's fabulous atmosphere blended with
captivating hospitality and fairytale architecture make the town one of the most rewarding destination
in South-East Asia.

Lattern shop. By Nikkodem

GREENLAND

Tasiilaq Greenland. By chrissy575

Unspoiled, remote and untraveled, Greenland is a land of wilderness, unbeaten tracks, raw landscapes
and jaw-dropping vistas. With virtually no trees, no roads and almost no people, the island seems to be
inhabited by mythological dwarves rather than humans. Though cold and rugged, Greenland is a place
of unforgettable atmosphere warmed up by the magical aurora borealis and colourfully painted houses.

Winter in Greenland. By noukorama

VENICE, ITALY

Venice. By MorBCN
Venice is hard to rival. Its admirable architecture, unique canals, the abundance of fantastic sights and
extraordinary atmosphere are one of a kind. Venice seems to be imported from another dimension,
though the New York Times described it as "undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man".
Stretched across 117 small islands, Venice boasts 455 bridges, hundreds of canals where romantic
gondolas wind their way through the city, and is home to the famed Carnival of Venice, Venice Biennale
and the Venice Film Festival.
Venice. By MorBCN
KATHMANDU, NEPAL

Kathmandu. Nepal. By dwrawwlinson

Beautiful and spiritual, Nepal's vibrant capital, Kathmandu, is truly a magical place. Surrounded by
mighty mountains, the city is filled with enchanting atmosphere, exotic sounds, smells and fascinating
temples. Although Kathmandu is the largest city in the country, it has preserved its fantasy-like charm
of ancient temples, shrines and traditional architecture. Called "the Land of Gods", Kathmandu seems
to be a slightly unearthly destination.

Inside Tharlam Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, Kathamndu. By Wonderlane

BAMBOO FOREST, JAPAN

Kyoto's Bamboo Forest. By Stuck in Customs

Though located in Kyoto, Japan and unrelated with the movies, the landscape of the Bamboo Forest
resembles the scenery of the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or House of Flying Daggers. Is only one
example of hundreds of amazing forests covering the region of South-East Asia. Bamboo plays a
significant role in many Asian cultures- it is a symbol of longevity in China, a symbol of friendship in
India, and in Japan many Shinto shrines are surrounded by a bamboo forest which is considered a
sacred barrier against the evil.

Bamboo Forest. By ebergcanada

SINTRA, PORTUGAL

Palacio de Sintra. By szeke

No wonder Sintra inspired Lord Byron to write Childe Harold's Pilgrimage that celebrates the beauty of
the town. Anyone visiting this magical spot, located not far from Lisbon, could feel encouraged to create
a sublime poem in honour of Sintra's graces. Pena Palace, the Castelo dos Mouros, and Palácio Nacional
de Sintra are the town's three amazing palaces, and the Sintra Mountain Range, one of the largest parks
in the Lisbon area, only adds more charm and enigma.
Castelo dos Mouros (Mourish Castle), Sintra. By WaveCult

And the best thing about those places, notwithstanding their magical qualities, is that they're all as real
as it gets. Accessible, safe and inviting, they're just waiting for you to pack your bags and reach for that
bit of fantasy on Earth. Been there? Seen that?