France: Vannes & Brittanny in general
Germany: Regensburg
Belgium: anywhere in the Ardennes, especially Durbuy (nearest train station: Barvaux) and Bouillon (take bus from Libramont train station); De Haan

Hey is Regensburg the city with the torture museum? I think I’ve been there but couldn’t remember what it was called. It was a really cool city.

no wait, I’m thinking of Rothensburg. That is a beautiful city, I’ll put that on my list.

s2cmpugh has some great pictures on his webpage of cinque terre(check his my first trip to Europe post!). I was considering stopping there, due to how often it has been mentioned in other people’s posts, and his pictures sealed the deal with me…maybe his pictures can give you some ideas of the types of places you want to visit!!

The[url=‘http://www.kriminalmuseum.rothenburg.de/’]torture museum[/url] is in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (11.500 inhabitants), northern Bavaria. Regensburg is also in northern Bavaria, but with 150.000 inhabitants. The biggest city in Germany were the medieval core of the city survived WWII.

[url=‘http://www.germany-tourism.de/e/city_kleine-staedte_intro.cfm’]Here[/url] a map of Germany to locate more enchanting towns worth a visit.

In the Czech Republic I highly recommend Olomouc and Teplice nad Metuji Skaly (if you like hiking). I’ve posted in the past on these places…so, so nice…

In Italy,

I can recommend Siena, Assisi, Cefalu’, Amalfi, Ravello, Taormina, and Cinque Terre as my favorite small towns.

Each one has its unique character, but those are the ones I would recommend if you get a chance.

Larry

http://www.italian-l…

For italy I’d add San Marino and San Gimignano

If you are looking for a small towns and you really want to get away from main tourist tracks you could have a look at this website www.italyfarmstay.co…
It is just one hour and a half from Rome,well connected by buses, it is in Abruzzi National Park ( the main national park in central Italy ). There are many very interesting places that you can visit and it will be very very diffucult of you to find a foreigner, (I would say almost impossible). I think that is where you can really enjoy provincial Italy. The town is called Pescosolido.
If you are interested to get more information. I have just seen there are several good, informative websites about the park and all the towns in it.

France:[url=‘http://www.grenoble-isere-tourisme.com/francais/defaulthtml.htm’]Grenoble[/url] & [url=‘http://www.annecytourisme.com’]Annecy[/url]. Both in the Eastern part, among the mountains. Both keeping an old but still relaxing atmosphere. Of course, France is a huge country so if you won’t be in the area, try the Nortern part of Bretagne area: St Malo, Mont St Michel (very nice but very crowded in the same time), or Guerande (southern in the middle of Bretagne).

All best,
Radu
[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com’]Eastern Europe Outdoor Holidays [/url]

I agree Grenoble is really nice. I was there for a month and I had a geat time. It is a very liveable town. It is surronded by beautiful moutains and there is a lot to see and if you like sport that is just a paradise.

In Czech Republic there is a town called Cesky Krumlov. A little out of the way but a great place. I enjoyed it there a lot.

In Italy, Lucca and Ravenna are great to visit.

quote: try the Nortern part of Bretagne area

Why would you say the northern part? I liked the southern part a lot better. I haven’t been to Mt. Saint Michel, but I didn’t think St. Malo was very special.

just pushing it up for more suggestions