Korcula, Korcula Island, Croatia

Just off the Dalmation Coast near Dubrovnik, the medieval walled city of Korcula hasn’t completely escaped the reaches of tourism—but Old Europe is certainly alive and well here. This traditional blue-collar shipbuilding and fishing town has deep roots in tradition. Korculans are skilled, respected seamen, and most of the island’s traditional songs are about them (and their sweethearts). Such a part of local lives is the sea that even the main ceiling of the city’s St. Mark’s Cathedral was constructed in a shape reminiscent of a boat. Religious ties are also strong here: Three brotherhoods (the oldest dating to 1301) are prominent social groups that still lead processionals through town. And these winding streets flanked with medieval stone fortresses and terracotta-roofed buildings set a picturesque backdrop for the mock sword battle dances that have been performed here since the 17th century.

This traditional Saxon village in Transylvania is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns. Built and inhabited by Germans who immigrated here in the 1100s, Viscri was all but deserted in 1989 after communism collapsed and Germany’s foreign minister invited Eastern Europe’s German-speaking population to return to the homeland. Only a few families stayed behind in Viscri. But, with the help of a foundation, a trust, and an investment by Britain’s Prince Charles, the village and its heritage were saved. A visit to Viscri takes you back hundreds of years to an place where shepherds tend their flocks, a village blacksmith forges horseshoes, horse-drawn carts ramble along dirt roads, and the 12th-century Viscri Fortified Church still stands protectively over the town.

In the frigid waters of the Norwegian Sea, far above the Arctic Circle, sits a tiny fishing village where hardy locals have weathered harsh conditions for generations, and refuse to leave. Summer in Reine (population: 300) brings the midnight sun, while winter heralds the return of abundant spawning cod stocks. Even today, you’ll see hundreds of fish hanging outside in the wind on traditional wooden drying racks every March and April. All done by hand, the grading and drying processes that have been passed down here since the age of the Vikings have made Norway famous for its premium quality stockfish (dried cod). Visitors can stay in a rorbu, the old fishermen’s cabins, and cook their own catch of the day.

In a river valley hemmed by parallel mountain ranges (the Alpi Apuane and Apennines) this isolated region of northwest Tuscany feels cut off from the rest of the world. Cobblestoned pedestrian-only streets meander through many of Garfagnana’s small hilltop villages. Farmers and artisans, some of whom have never travelled farther than the next village, carry on age-old family traditions to produce pecorino cheese and chestnut flower honey. Although they’re producing renowned Tuscan specialties, many of these locals don’t have cell phones, web sites, or even signs on their farms, says Erica Jarman, director of Sapori & Saperi Adventures, a local gastronomic tour operator. This place that time forgot is only an hour from Pisa and 90 minutes from Florence.

This tiny hamlet of 150 residents at the remote eastern edge of Portugal may be the country’s most fascinating place that has hardly been written about. Once an important Roman City with its own garrison, Idanha-a-Velha (then called Egitanea) was home to 200,000 people in the first century. It was so prominent that it became a diocesan seat in 599 AD and had its own bishop for 600 years. In its prime, the city erected a cathedral, baptistery, and bishop’s palace. It even had a center to coin gold. Then the empire collapsed. Chaos followed as the doomed city changed hands from Muslims to Christians to Knights Templar, never returning to its former glory. You can still see evidence of each of these civilizations today. Ruins and marked landmarks make Idanha a national monument today, though few have heard of it.

A 40-minute ferry ride from Rossaveel just outside Galway on Ireland’s west coast transports you to the Aran Islands, one of the last sanctuaries of traditional Irish life. Vast stretches of farmland, sectioned off by ancient stone walls and ruins of 3,000-year-old Bronze Age stone forts, are reminders of the islands’ rich history. Gaelic is still spoken here, and many residents get around by walking or cycling down the narrow grassy lanes. At the end of each day, fishermen on the two smaller islands return to isolated fishing villages in their traditional Curah boats with the day’s catch. Lively pubs bring together this strong-knit community of islanders, who gather for nightly dancing and performances of traditional, unaccompanied Sean Nos songs.

A small, whitewashed village at the edge of Andalucia’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, Canillas de Aceituno was settled 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians. The original settlers brought with them olive and grape cultivation, and today the majority of residents still make a meager living from these crops. It really is a trip back in time—farming is mostly done by hand with mules pulling the plows, locals often have to pause as goats cross the road, and the local Andaluz dialect of Spanish is unintelligible even to many Spaniards. “Though the village is only about a 30-minute drive from the coast, many of the older inhabitants have still never been to the sea,” says Alan Hazel, a local and owner of the Cortijo El Carligto villa. Wander the winding cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways to see Islamic-influenced arches and Moorish motifs from an earlier era. This is one of the villages on the Mudejar Route.

About a 30-minute drive from Innsbruck, the Valley of Sellrain is an unspoiled landscape dotted with mountain villages that have managed to preserve their authentic, rural character. Untouched by commercialism, clusters of traditional Tyrolean chalets are tucked between alpine meadows and rugged mountain slopes. In St. Sigmund-Praxmar (population: 170), there isn’t a single shop, bank, or post office. The area is part of a “quiet zone” that for the last 30 years has been protected by the Austrian Alpine Club’s strong sense of environmental awareness and motto: “Movement under your own steam.” Here mountains are still climbed in the traditional way, without lifts or cable cars. Hikers can follow an extensive network of hut-to-hut trails; or ski and snowshoe pristine, undeveloped areas.

• Explore the eight Royal Parks in London, from pretty St James’s Park to the peaceful Bushy Park.

1. Walk the Thames Path on the South Bank and see some of the major London landmarks: from the Houses of Parliament to Tower Bridge. You can also go beyond the city centre, up to Kew or Hampton Court Palace in West London.
2.  See some world-class art for free at the National Gallery, at Tate Modern and other major galleries.
3. Be next to Big Ben when the bell strikes on the hour.
4. Take in some free entertainment at the annual More London Festival at the The Scoop, or watch street performers in Covent Garden.
5.  Admire the 12,000 roses in Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park. Come on the first two weeks of June to see it in full bloom.
6. See what English homes were once like at The Geffrye, Museum of the Home.
7. Be in the right place at the right time to see Tower Bridge lift up, or watch it from home with our live webcam.

A trip to the capital wouldn’t be complete without seeing the top 10 attractions in London. Make sure to tick these top things to see in London off your list.

From the modern Coca-Cola London Eye, to the historic Tower of London, the top 10 tourist attractions in London are a must-see on any London sightseeing trip. Even better, many London landmarks are free to visit, while others are available with discounted entry or special offers when using a London Pass.
There are also plenty of kid-friendly places to visit in London. Get up close and personal with underwater creatures at SEALIFE London Aquarium or explore the Science Museum, London’s interactive hub of science and technology. Both are perfect for fun family days out in London.
You could also soak up some culture at London museums, visit the Queen at Buckingham Palace, or take the perfect picture with Big Ben; just some of the many iconic places to go in London.
This top 10 London attractions list is based on visitor numbers, so start your sightseeing in London now with these popular spots.