15 Beautiful Endangered Species

1. Snow Leopard

The snow leopard (Uncia uncia or Panthera uncia) is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia. It is estimated that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild



2. Flamingos

Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus and family Phoenicopteridae. There are four flamingo species in the Americas and two species in the Old World.



3. Giant Panda

Estimate shows that there are about 1,590 individuals living in the wild



4. Polar Bear

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a bear native largely within the Arctic circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean. Of the 19 recognized polar bear subpopulations, 8 are declining, 3 are stable, 1 is increasing, and 7 have insufficient data.



5. Arowana

Arowanas are freshwater bony fish of the family Osteoglossidae, sometimes known as “bonytongues”.



6. Markhor

The Markhor (Capra falconeri), is the largest member of the goat family and is found in northeastern Afghanistan, northern India (southwest Jammu and Kashmir), northern and central Pakistan. There are less than 2,500 mature individuals which continued to decline by an estimated 20% over 2 generations.



7. Leopard

The leopard, Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four “big cats” in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion and jaguar.



8. Bengal Tiger

The Bengal tiger, or Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris or Panthera tigris bengalensis) is a subspecies of tiger primarily found in India. According to WWF there are about 2,000 Royal Bengal tigers in the wild today, including 1,411 in India, 450 in Bangladesh, 150 in Nepal, 100 in Bhutan, as well as a number in Myanmar and China



9. Hirola

The Hirola (Beatragus hunteri, sometimes Damaliscus hunteri also known as Hunter’s Hartebeest) is an antelope species found in arid grassy plains in a pocket on the border between Kenya and Somalia. Hirola are critically endangered. There are between 500 and 1200 animals in the wild and none currently in captivity.



10. Dhole

The Dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog, or Red Dog, is a endangered species of Asian canid, and the only member of the genus Cuon. Their range is severely fragmented and reduced and there are little over 2,000 individuals left in the wild.



11. Red Fox

The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a small canid native to much of North America and Eurasia, as well as northern Africa.



12. Magellanic penguin

The Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, is a South American penguin, breeding in coastal Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands, with some migrating to Brazil.



13. Namdapha Flying Squirrel

The Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi), the sole species placed in the genus Biswamoyopterus, is an arboreal, nocturnal flying squirrel endemic to India



14. Himalayan Wolf

The Himalayan Wolf (Canis himalayensis) represent a critically endangered canid species. he Himalayan Wolf only has a small population of 350 animals



15. Narcondam Hornbill

The Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami) is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family. It is endemic to the Indian island of Narcondam in the Andamans.






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10 Classic Bond Girls

The name James Bond seems familiar and we can all agree on one thing, he gets to kill the terrorists and is rewarded with hot girls every time there is a threat. The bad bosses keep such toned and worthy women at their disposal of which usually most of them finally land in bed with Bond. Is it the tuxedo that makes them draw closer on-screen and show us the glimpse of the outstanding biology underneath the revealing bikinis? Or is it the thrilling sensitivity of Bond’s skin? Whatever is the reason; I couldn’t help but share with you my personal list of bond girls



10. Daniela Bianchi

Oh my God she is still alive! Yes this Former Miss Rome is probably best known to us as the sexy clerk that goes by the name of Tatiana Romanova in the bond film From Russia with Love. She had difficulty speaking in English so the film crew hired another hot blond to record her lines, but then who cares, we didn’t watch the film to see her utter British Intelligence notes, we wanted to see all that 19th century glory in bed with bond. She was born on January 31 1942.



9. Mie Hama

I will die and be born again for this beauty in the bush. She is such a stunner, so natural and a perfect liability. She is from Tokyo and we all recall her as “Kissy Suzuki” from the bond film You Only Live Twice, where she wore the two piece garment to make sure we all flocked to the cinemas on time. She also appeared in other films and dramas but all those magazine photo shoots and this role along Sean Connery is all we need for the moment. This is thus a heavy-duty confirmation that the Japanese land also produces sexy women on the side. Birth date = November 20 1943



8. Britt Ekland

Where should I begin? This lady has it all; from her high-profile public presence to her high-profile marriage to Peter Sellers, she was the most talked celebrity in the 1960s. She is a Swedish asset but resides in the UK currently, she may not seem that attractive to Mr. Seller but to us she is all the skin color on our popular magazines and life-size photo wallpapers. She was rocketed to fame with her role as the bond girl in the film The Man with the Golden Gun in 1974. She also released her bestselling autobiography called True Britt in 1980. Birth date = 6 October 1942



7. Jill St John

Her bursting full name is Jill Arlyn Oppenheim, she was born on August 19, 1940 and she will drive you bonkers just by looking at her toned posterior. Not every bond girl is so good-looking, in her prime she was a looker and when she landed a role in the bond film Diamonds are forever as the lead girl Tiffany Case in 1971, things changed and she was shot to fame because of her bikini look and pulsating persona. Take a look, Oh yeah don’t let the white dots fool you!



6. Claudine Auger

Too bad she died in 1997, but she sure has left an impression on her fans. She was born on April 26 1941 and we know her as Dominique Derval from the bond film Thunderball. She was seen on the sea-shore in a white bikini holding a sea shell and a bottle in a scene where Bond first meets her and they share a wet kiss. Sean Connery really knows how to the get most out of his girls on missions designed underwater or near an island. Claudine Auger was a French actress who also won the title of Miss France Monde. She died at the age of 70.



5. Honor Blackman

One of the highest grossing bond films the Goldfinger was a hit partially because it was a bond film with a great story and also due to Blackman’s sizzling presence on-screen. It’s almost impossible to not notice this beauty, I have imagined her in every outfit and I still don’t get enough of it. If you think she didn’t satisfy your urge in the Goldfinger, you can see her in full glory in the TV series The Avengers that ran from 1962 to 1964. She is the oldest (38) actor ever to play a bond girl (Pussy Galore), but we didn’t know that while we were watching the film.



4. Barbara Bach
Born on August 27, 1947, this skinny babe is an American model and a Bond girl. She appeared in the film The Spy Who Loved Me and it was really good watching her seduce James Bond. She is also remembered for her marriage to Ringo Starr, the former drummer for the Beatles band. Born in Rosedale, Queens she is a sexy one, her calculated diet and regular visits to the gym made her an international sex symbol and a Playboy model.



3. Diana Rigg

Well, to sum it up this babe isn’t much of a bond girl if you ask me, but when it comes to seducing and getting her in bed you will know where you went wrong. She is an English actress and an image for women rights all over the world. She is best known for her role in the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as Teresa di Vicenzo and in The Avengers as Emma Peel. Back then in the 1960s sexy women like Diana Rigg rewrote the idea of sex, don’t try to compare this with the 21st century bond girls; it was a different comparison back then. Birth date = July 20 1938



2. Jane Seymour

There is a reason for getting married four times, either you are too hot to handle or you have a bit of a problem, whatever it may be one thing is totally accurate, you are one hot bombshell the world needs to hear about, so to get yourself noticed you have to show up on TV and that is exactly what Jane Seymour did, she landed a role along Bond in the film Live and Let Die. Not only a looker, she also made a career as a writer for books such as Jane Seymour’s Guide to Romantic Living and Two at a Time- Having Twins. Now thats what I call a hard-working woman. Age 61



1. Ursula Andress

This ultimate babe on our countdown raised eyebrows when she came ashore in a famous sea-shore scene in the Bond film Dr. No in 1962. She was chosen for her sex appeal in the film and played as Honey Rider as to help James Bond during his mission to kill Dr, No and save the world from destruction, we can’t confirm about the movie gossip that much but we sure know our way around Ursula’s beachwear secret cupboard. She is from Switzerland and was born on 19-Mar-1936.






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Top 10 Dragon Species

Dragons are legendary flying or swimming reptilian and the word dragon originated from the Latin word draconem and the Greek word drakon meaning “Huge Serpent ” and “Serpent or Giant Seafish” respectively.These serpents posses the reptilian traits and are about 200,000,000 years old. The mythical prehistoric dragon descended from a group of aquatic or semi-aquatic dragons which gave rise to both marine and terrestrial species. The following list is based on 10 valuable and legendary species of dragons, famous in folklore and featured in myths of many religions.



10. Lung Yin Dragon – The Imperial Dragon

Lung Yin Dragon-Imperial Dragon

These huge and heavyweight Chinese dragons are known for their intelligence. Lung Yin dragons have blue to black distinctive marking and weigh around 20–25 tons, and are not expected to fight. Imperials are virtually identical to Lung Tien (Celestial) in appearance with the only difference of a frill of horns around the head and tendrils above the mouth.



9. Yellow Reaper

Yellow Reaper

These middleweight yellowish golden colored dragons are Yellow Reapers. Yellow Reapers are British dragons. They weigh between 12–15 tons. Dragons are known for their hot temperament and fiery nature but strangely enough these dragons have distinctive even temperament. They are calm and slow in their motions, with a top speed of approximately 20 knots. The larger Regal Coppers capable of faster (though not longer) flight. Yellow Reapers have an average wingspan of 80 feet and are generally around 50 feet long.



8. Lung Shen Dragon

Lung Shen Dragon

Lung Shen Dragons are Chinese dragons with various shades of blue-gray. They sometimes have a spiked spine. These dragons existed in variable sizes. This is one of the most old breed of the dragon parenting many superior Chinese dragons with a design similar to the British Yellow Reaper. Their appearance and size varied greatly, but their blue-grey coloring seemed to be their main common point. They and the other species originating from them have long wings. They served variety of purposes including mass transit for humans, carrying freight, nursemaiding dragonets, and entering the civil service. Shen-lung in the civil service wore colored silk collars indicating their ranks. The wisest among the Lung Shen dragons were granted the privilege of mating with an Imperial.



7. Regal Copper Dragon

Regal Copper

These British dragons are decedents of the the Spanish Cauchador Real mixed with the smaller British breed known as Bright Coppers. They are very large with red to yellow coloring. Their common members are Maximus, Laetificat, Requiescat. It was a successful breeding experiment, as Regal Coppers were both larger than their ancestors and better able to sustain flight over distance. They were not prolific, with only four or five Regal Coppers born in a generation. Adult Regal Coppers weighed as much as 50 tons and were as long as 120 feet and female Regal Coppers tended to be slightly larger than males.



6. Green Dragon

Green Dragon

Of the four chromatic colored dragons, Green Dragons are the weakest. They were considered evil in nature. The green dragon is master of intrigue, politics, and backbiting. Green dragons inhabited forests. The dragon is huge with long neck and legs. It’s head is covered in hornets and it resembles a brontasaurus. Green dragons love to play with their prey. The dragon is good at tracking and breathes poisonous gas, that is, a toxic chlorine gas.



5. Flecha-del-Fuego – Arrow of The Fire

Flecha-del-Fuego

Spanish lightweight breed can breathe fire. It has a black body with white wings and red head shoulders, neck and the front of their wings. They are about 40-50 feet tall and weighs between 8-10 tons. The males have horns and frills like the Kazilik. It can breathe fire up to 50 yards maintaining it for 1½ minutes. They are extremely fast and maneuverable and their streamlined wings help them take fast and sharper turns than most dragons. Yellow Reaper breed is unfairly maligned but they have some good qualities too. They can bear extreme weather conditions and are good humored.



4. Blue Dragon

Blue Dragon

Blue dragons like other dragons have their own distinctive traits. They are thoughtful, vain and lawful. They loved to live in hot, dry areas such as sandy deserts. This particular breed had unique and strange shaped frilled ears and a single horn upon his head. His eyes were smooth, glossy, and without pupils. The blue dragons were large.



3. Aquatic/Marine Dragon

Aquatic-Marine Dragon

Aquatic or marine dragons are also known as sea serpents. Some of the prehistoric dragon species were aquatic or semi-aquatic. These aquatic dragons survived the cataclysmic mass extinction which occurred about 65 million years ago. Some of these new dragons recolonized the land, occupying a world vacated by dinosaurs and earlier dragons. Their supplementary limbs evolved into fully functional wings of flying dragons. As time passed, they adapted to a fully aquatic life and their rudimentary wings became fins. It is also said that sea dragons had a pair of horns a “collar” or neck frill. Loch Ness Monster is an excellent example of the sea dragons.



2. Red Dragon

Red Dragon

The producers of deadly balls of fire, the Red Dragons are greedy and covetous. They were found in warm habitats, such as volcanoes or tropical islands. Their cunning nature and vanity made them more of an enemy than a friend. A red dragon can be identified by is long wings and two long horns. He has a long, red, forked tongue with gleaming eyes. The breed smells of smoke and sulfur. They killed people and loved to drink their blood.



1. Kazilik


Kazilik

Beautiful Scarlet dragons with green black markings are Turkish Kazilik. Their known members are Iskierka, Bezaid and Sherazde. The excellent fire breathing ability of the Kazilik, makes them special and valuable. They are heavyweight dragons when most fire breathers are light to middleweight. Kaziliks are difficult to disguise or decoy, a common tactic used to protect fire breathing dragons, because of their two distinctive horns. The species is known a for strong fighting spirit, which only further increased their military value. A Kazilik egg was worth 500,000 pounds.




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Top 12 Geysers & Hot Springs in the World

Geysers and hot springs are natural features resulting when ground water is heated by geothermal forces and brought to the surface. They provide a spectacular sight of boiling water eruptions, vivid colors and strange formations. However, for the hot spring aficionado, the greatest pleasure comes not from just looking at the spring, but from getting into the water for its therapeutic powers. Find out which of the famous geysers and hot springs on this list are for viewing and which are for bathing.



12. Beppu

Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts with the largest volume of hot water in the world apart from Yellowstone in the United States and the largest number of hot spring sources in Japan. Beppu contains 9 nine spectacular hot springs, which are sometimes referred to as the “nine hells of Beppu”, and are for viewing rather than bathing. The most photogenic of the nine hells is the “Blood Pond Hell” featuring a pond of hot, red water.



11. Rincón de la Vieja

Rincón de la Vieja is an active volcano in north-western Costa Rica. Its name means “The Old Woman’s Corner”, a reference to a local legend about a girl whose lover was thrown into the crater by her father. The last serious eruption was in 1983. Large number of hot springs and areas of bubbling mud are found on the slopes of the volcano. The mud has minerals and medicinal properties used in cosmetology.



10. Valley of Geysers

Situated on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, the Valley of Geysers is the second largest geyser field in the world. The Valley of Geysers was discovered in 1941 by local scientist Tatyana Ustinova. Since then it became a popular tourist attraction in Kamchatka. The Valley of Geysers has suffered significantly from a landslide in 2007 which buried about half of all geysers. Nevertheless, the Valley is still alive and attracts a lot of interest from scientists and tourists.



9. El Tatio

El Tatio is a famous geyser field situated within the Andes Mountains of northern Chile at a height of 4,300 meters (13,780 feet). The climatic conditions and high altitude make the geyser field one of the most extreme environments on Earth. With over 80 active geysers, El Tatio is also the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere and the third largest field in the world. Despite the icy cold weather many visitors take a dip in the hot springs.



8. Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua of New Zealand. It is known as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. There are numerous geysers and hot springs in and around the city. Many of these are in parks and reserves. Natural eruptions of steam, hot water and mud occasionally occur in new locations. Nearby Wai-O-Tapu has many famous hot springs noted for their colourful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser.



7. Huanglong

Huanglong (Yellow Dragon Mountain ) is an area in central China known for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits, as well as diverse forest ecosystems, snowcapped peaks, hot springs and waterfalls. Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the famous Giant Panda. Pearl Boiling Lake, a hot, medical, mineral spring with a temperature of at 21°C is located at the south part of Huanglong. The best time of year to visit the terraced limestone ponds is September and October when blue, yellow, white and green ponds can be seen.



6. Geysers of Haukadalur

Haukadalur is a valley that contains the largest and most famous Geysers in Iceland, including Geysir and Strokkur. Geysir is the earliest geyser known to Europeans and gave rise to the word Geyser. Eruptions at Geysir can hurl boiling water up to 70 meters in the air. Eruptions may be infrequent however, and have in the past stopped altogether for years at a time. At the moment Geysir erupts around 3 times per day. Strokkur, which is less than 50 meters from Geysir erupts every 10 minutes or so.



5. Pamukkale

Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, is an unreal landscape famous for its white terraces. The terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water with a very high mineral content from the hot springs. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years and continue to be one of top attractions in Turkey. The ancient Greek city of Hierapolis was built on top of the hot springs by the kings of Pergamon. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site.



4. Jigokudani Monkey Park

Jigokudani Monkey Park is a famous hot spring area near Nagano, Japan. The name Jigokudani (meaning “Hell’s Valley”), is due to steam and boiling water that bubbles out the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests. It is famous for its large population of wild Snow Monkeys that go to the valley during the winter when snow covers the park. The monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the onsen (hot springs), and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.



3. Dallol

Dallol is a volcanic explosion crater in the Danakil Depression, in Ethiopia. It was formed during a volcanic eruption in 1926, and numerous other similar craters dot the salt flats nearby. This remote area is subject to the highest average temperatures on the planet with an average annual temperature of 34°C (94°F) recorded between the years 1960 and 1966. Dallol resembles the famous hot springs areas of Yellowstone Park but appears to be more wide-stretching.



2. Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is a Geothermal Spa located in a lava field between Keflavik Internation Airport and Reykjavik in southwestern Iceland. The lagoon is a byproduct of the nearby geothermal power plant. Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal hot water heating system and is finally fed into the lagoon. The warm waters are rich in minerals and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help many people suffering from skin diseases. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 40 °C (104 °F) and is enjoyable year round, even in freezing conditions.



1. Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. Yellowstone lies on top of a gigantic hotspot where light, hot, molten mantle rock rises towards the surface. Subsequently, the park contains half of all the world’s known geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples of geysers and hot springs. Over the past 17 million years or so, this hotspot has generated a succession of violent eruptions including a dozen or so super eruptions. The last full-scale eruption of the Yellowstone volcano happened nearly 640,000 years ago.






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Beautiful European Towns & Villages

Towns and villages give you a good, big picture of the soul of a country. Europe boasts breathtakingly beautiful towns and villages, each offering examples of regional architecture. Many towns and villages in Europe are located in a wonderful natural environment and are popular tourist destinations. Below we feature some of the most beautiful towns and villages you can find when you travel around Europe.




1. Reine, Norway

Reine on the Lofoten islands
Population: 342 inhabitants

Reine is the administrative centre of Moskenes municipality, located on the northern coast of Norway, above the Arctic Circle, about 140 miles (225 km) south of Tromsø. As of 2005, its population is of 342 inhabitants. Reine has been a commercial centre since 1743. Today tourism is important, and despite of its remote location, thousands of people visit this neighborhood annually. The largest weekly magazine in Norway (Allers) selected Reine as the most beautiful village in Norway in the late 1970s. A photograph over Reine from the mountain Reinebringen has been used for the front page of several tourist brochures and books.



2. Geiranger, Norway

Geiranger village and Geirangerfjord
Population: 250 inhabitants

Geiranger is a small tourist village in the western part of Norway. It lies at the head of the Geirangerfjord. The nearest city is Ålesund. Geiranger is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and has been named the best travel destination in Scandinavia by Lonely Planet. Since 2005, the Geirangerfjord has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This third biggest cruise ship port receives 140 to 180 ships during the four-month tourist season. Several hundred thousand people pass through every summer, and tourism is the main business for the 250 people who live there permanently.



3. Smögen, Sweden

Population: 1,329 inhabitants

Smögen is a village situated in southwest part of Sweden with 1,329 inhabitants in 2010. It is one of the liveliest "summer towns" of the Swedish West Coast. The community actually straddled several islands that lay so close together that the space in between has since been filled, and is now considered as a single island. Smögen is well known for its long, wooden pier (around 600 m or 1,970 ft), filled with shops in old fishing huts, which are frequented by a multitude of tourists during the summer.



4. Ísafjörður, Iceland

Population: 2,600 inhabitants

Ísafjörður is a town in the north west of Iceland, seat of Ísafjarðarbær municipality. With a population of about 2,600 Ísafjörður is the largest town in the peninsula of Vestfirðir (Westfjords). It is located on a spit of sand in the Skutulsfjörður fjord. Fishing has been the main industry in Ísafjörður, and the town has one of the largest fisheries in Iceland. A severe decline in the fishing industry, for a variety of reasons such as political fishing restrictions in the early 80s and a decline in the fish population, has led the inhabitants to seek work elsewhere, leading to a decline in the town's population.



5. Siglufjörður, Iceland


Population: 1,206 inhabitants

Siglufjörður is a small fishing town in a narrow fjord with the same name on the northern coast of Iceland. Population in January 2011 was 1,206 but the town has been shrinking in size since the 1950s when the town reached its peak with 3,000 inhabitants. Today the town remains dependent on fishing industries although the herring are gone. The government of Iceland is attempting to reverse the population shrinking in the area by improving land transportation.



6. Castle Combe, UK

Population: 350 inhabitants

Castle Combe is a small village in Wiltshire, England, with a population of about 350. Situated in a conservation area on the southernmost edge of the Cotswolds and just twelve miles from Bath, this hidden gem has been welcoming visitors for at least a century. It is renowned for its attractiveness and tranquillity, and for fine buildings including the medieval church. Castle Combe is often called 'the prettiest village in England'.



7. Burnsall, UK

Population: 112 inhabitants

Burnsall is a village in district of North Yorkshire, England, and a popular destination for weekend tourists enjoying a sunny afternoon by the river. The delightful bridge which spans the river Wharfe is one of the most photographed of all bridges within the Dales National Park. Burnsall is surrounded by some lovely walks and for those with a little more energy, a walk up onto the fells offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area. A short walk along the river Wharfe takes you to the Hebden suspension bridge from where you can divert in several directions, making Burnsall an ideal location from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales.



8. Giethoorn, Netherland

Population: 2,620 inhabitants

Giethoorn is a village in the Dutch province of Overijssel. This village is called the Venice of the Netherlands for about 7.5 km (4.5 mi) of canals run through the little village. It was founded around 1230 when fugitives coming from the Mediterranian regions settled there. All traffic has to go over the water, and it is done in so-called "punters", they are 'whisper-boats' for they are driven by an electric motor, so they practically do not disturb the peace and quiet in this scenic little village. Many houses have been built on islands and they can only be reached by the wooden bridges. Some 50 little wooden bridges span the canals, which are only 1 meter (3 ft) deep.



9. Naarden, Netherland

Population: 17,174 inhabitants

Naarden is a town in the Gooi region in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. Naarden is an example of a star fort, complete with fortified walls and a moat. The walls and the moat have been restored and are in a very good state. Also, this town is the home of the Netherlands Fortress Museum.



10. Dinant, Belgium

Population: 13,317 inhabitants

Dinant is a Walloon town located on the River Meuse in the Belgian province of Namur. Squeezed between the River Meuse and the high rocks that overlook it, Dinant is a little town indeed. Its main features are the river, the imposing citadel high above the town and the church with its characteristic pear shaped bell tower.



11. Cochem, Germany

Population: 4,929 inhabitants

In the most beautiful part of the Moselle Valley (South West Germany), where the river curves between Eifel and Hunsrück - lies the old town of Cochem. The Reichsburg Castle, situated on a precipitous rock high above the town, dominates the landscape. The many delicate pointed towers, battlements and oriels give the impression of a typical fairy tale castle, particularly as it is one of the few castles in Germany, which was rebuilt in its original style after its complete destruction. As impressive as the castle itself is the view of the Moselle Valley with its beautiful forests, meadows, fields and vineyards, as well as the old part of the town. The town of Cochem itself is a sight worth seeing, not only because of its narrow streets and twisty alleys, the lovingly restored half timbered houses with the typical slate roofs, but also because of its medieval town gates, churches and walls.



12. Lindau, Germany

Population: 24,772 inhabitants

Lindau is a Bavarian town and an island on the eastern side of Lake Constance, the Bodensee. It is the capital of the Landkreis or rural district of Lindau. The historic city of Lindau is located on an 0.68-square-kilometre (0.26 sq mi) island which is connected with the mainland by a road bridge and the causeway of the railway to Lindau station. The unique location of the city in one of the most attractive European cultural landscapes; the historic old part of the city on the island with its magnificent variety of protected historical buildings, which long ago progressed to the most photographed subjects around Lake Constance; the world-famous harbour scenery with its lighthouse and the Bavarian Lions – all this is representative of famous and highly-esteemed Lindau.



13. Dinkelsbühl, Germany

Population: 11,482 inhabitants

Dinkelsbühl is a historic city in Bavaria, Germany. This town is simply enchanting! Every day of every year, guests from all over the world are overwhelmed by the charms of one of Germany’s most beautiful medieval towns. Wherever they look, visitors encounter living history rather than the raucous attractions of a fun park. But Dinkelsbühl is more than just a fairy-tale town bearing witness to the Middle Ages, and it’s more than an important magnet for tourists situated in the heart of the Romantic Road. Dinkelsbühl is an attractive location for business, it has good educational facilities, and it is a popular residential area.



14. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Population: 11,025 inhabitants

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany, well known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a destination for tourists from around the world. This town has preserved the most beautiful medieval facade in Germany. The name "Rothenburg ob der Tauber" means, in German, "Red fortress above the Tauber". This is so because the town is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City.



15. Èze, France

Population: 2,960 inhabitants

Èze is a village in the Alpes-Maritimes département in southeastern France, not far from the city of Nice. This settlement is a medieval village perched like an eagles nest on a narrow rocky peak overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The ancient fortified village is still crowned with the ruins of its 12th-century fortified castle (torn down in 1706), sitting on a narrow rocky peak. The castle grounds host the well-known Jardin Exotique (botanical garden), and from the top (429 m or 1,400 ft) you'll have an good view of the coast (it will cost you, though).



16. La Roque-Gageac, France

Population: 412 inhabitants

La Roque-Gageac is arguably one the most beautiful places in Périgord Noir, or at least one of the most photographed in south-western France. Listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages, the riverside town is built along the right bank of the Dordogne River against a towering limestone cliff. This unique setting of narrow, peaceful streets and cliff-dwellings also enjoys a subtropical microclimate.



17. La Bastide-Clairence, France

Population: 1,017 inhabitants

In the heart of the Pays Basque (South West France) lies the village of La Bastide Clairence, founded in the 14C by the King of Navarre. During its 700-year history, the village has preserved its original street plan typical of the “bastide” (fortified) construction. Today, classed " the most beautiful villages of France", La Bastide Clairence is an ideal base for holidaying in the French Pays Basque: it offers quality accommodation, lively local life with the village festival and various other animations throughout the summer, not forgetting the numerous artisans and their workshop boutiques.



18. Beynac-et-Cazenac, France

Population: 514 inhabitants

Beynac-et-Cazenac is a little village located south west of France. This town is located in the department of Dordogne of the french region Aquitaine. The medieval Château de Beynac is located in this village, and it is one of the best-preserved and best known in the region. Beynac-et-Cazenac is classified as one of Les plus beaux villages de France (most beautiful villages of France).



19. Najac, France

Population: 752 inhabitants

Najac is a picturesque village set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. In the earlier part of the last century the village had around 2000 people but it suffered marked population decline as workers migrated to towns and cities. The village economy is based largely on tourism and agriculture. Most land in the commune is still used for farming and there are a significant number of long-term inhabitants. During the summer, the population increases significantly due to second home owners and holiday-makers. Most holiday home owners are British, Canadian, Dutch or from the north of France.



20. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Population: 14,056 inhabitants

Český Krumlov is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle. Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was given this status along with the historic Prague castle district. The town is named Český Krumlov ("Bohemian Krumlov") to differentiate it from Moravský Krumlov ("Moravian Krumlov") in the southeast of the country.



21. Čičmany, Slovakia

Population: 204 inhabitants

Čičmany is a village and municipality in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia. It is known as the first folk architecture reserve in the world (founded in 1977). Timbered houses with ridge roofs, galleries and pointed or linear wall decorations have been preserved in Čičmany. Of particular interest are the very specific white patterns which are painted on the exterior walls of the houses to decorate them. The local folk music, special folk costumes and folk dances of the village have been preserved as well.



22. Wengen, Switzerland


Population: 1,300 inhabitants

Wengen is a village in the canton of Bern, located in central Switzerland at an elevation of 1274 m (4180 ft) above sea level. This town has approximately 1,300 year-round residents. This number swells to 5,000 during summer and to 10,000 in the winter tourist season. Wengen is one of the centres for alpine skiing and hub of ski racing as a sport.



23. Mürren, Switzerland

Population: 450 inhabitants

Mürren is a traditional mountain village in Switzerland, at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,413 ft.) above sea level and unreachable by public road. The village is perched on the edge of a steep cliff and the only available option you have to get there is via cable car. Tourism is popular through the summer and winter; the village features a view of the three towering mountains: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Mürren has a population of just 450, but has 2,000 hotel beds.



24. Hallstatt, Austria

Population: 815 inhabitants

Tucked away in the mountains of Austria you’ll find the tiny town of Hallstatt. Hallstatt and its population of less than 1000 residents rest on the southwestern shore of the Hallstätter See (a lake). In addition to the picturesque view of the town on the lake, tourists can see the world’s first salt mine, enjoy nearby skiing, take a trip to the World Heritage Museum, and visit the Dachstein ice cave. Though this village is very small, there are a few different hotels and restaurants to choose from.



25. Gmunden, Austria


Population: 13,073 inhabitants

Gmunden is a small town with 13,000 inhabitants and probably one of the most beautiful places in Austria. This town is situated next to the lake Traunsee on the Traun River and is surrounded by high mountains. It is much frequented as a health and summer resort. It is also an important centre of the salt industry in Salzkammergut. Things you will find only in Gmunden are, among others: lake Traunsee shipping cruises, Gmundner ceramics and ceramic manufacturies, land and lake castle Ort, renaissance city hall with ceramic chime, Grünberg cable car (ski mountain Grünberg), tram of Gmunden and "Traunsee-railways".



26. Piran, Slovenia


Population: 4,143 inhabitants

Piran is a town in the eponymous municipality in southwestern Slovenia on the Gulf of Piran on the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the three major towns of Slovenian Istria. The town resembles a large open-air museum, with medieval architecture and a rich cultural heritage. Narrow streets and compact houses give the town its special charm. Piran is the administrative centre of the local area and one of Slovenia's major tourist attractions.



27. Rovinj, Croatia

Population: 13,562 inhabitants

Rovinj is a town in Croatia situated on the north Adriatic Sea with a population of 13,562. It is located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula and is a popular tourist resort and an active fishing port. The most numerous visitors to the town of Rovinj are Italians, Germans, Austrians, Dutch and British.



28. Kladovo, Serbia


Population: 8,913 inhabitants

Kladovo is a nice little town located in the Bor District of South-East Serbia. It is situated on the right side of the river Danube, surrounded by beautiful hills. Moderate continental climate and a large number of sunny days are characteristic for the region. There are two natural spring lakes in the very centre of Kladovo. A special attraction is a 1km (0.6 mi) long city beach on the river Danube. In this area, the river is very populated with various fish species.



29. Manarola, Italy

Population: 450 inhabitants

Manarola is a small town in northern Italy. It is the second smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists. Manarola is charming, rugged and quiet, with the beauty of a modest fishing village - these are some of the associations of this small village. Colourful fasades stacked high upon one another on a rugged cliff, to the right and left of a hardly noticeable creek, resembling an almost cubist painting. Not all local trains stop here, which makes the peak tourist season less busy.



30. Alberobello, Italy


Population: 11,040 inhabitants

Alberobello is a small town and comune in the province of Bari, in Puglia, Italy. It has about 11,000 inhabitants and is famous for its unique Trulli constructions. The Trulli of Alberobello are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1996. A trullo (plural, trulli) is a traditional Apulian stone dwelling with a conical roof. They traditionally have whitewashed bases, conical rock-slab roofs, and an ornamental crown. The style of construction is specific to Itria Valley, in the Murge area of the Italian region of Apulia. Trulli were generally constructed as dwellings or storehouses. Traditionally they were built without any cement or mortar, thus avoiding taxation. The first trullo was built at least nine centuries ago.



31. Cudillero, Spain

Population: 5,855 inhabitants

Cudillero is a small village in the Principality of Asturias, Spain. Today, Cudillero's main economic activities are related to tourism, but it is also known for its fishing ships. A legend says that it was founded by the Vikings. People from Cudillero speak Spanish and a dialect called Pixueto.



32. Piódão, Portugal

Population: 178 inhabitants

The historical village of Piódão is located in the slope of Serra do Açor (a mountain in central Portugal). The houses are built in the local materials: slate walls, roofs covered with stone slabs and wooden doors and windows, painted blue. The inhabitants work mainly on agriculture (corn, potatoes, beans, vines), raising livestock (sheep and goats) and in some cases on beekeeping. It was considered Portugal’s most typical village in the decade of 1980.



33. Kardamyli, Greece

Population: 6,000 inhabitants

Kardamyli is a impressive village next to the sea located in the region of Mani, southern Greece. The area near Kardamyli is defined in the tourist guides as the new Côte d'Azur. The scenery is impressively theatrical, full of contractions with crystal blue waters, large cypresses, wild olive tree fields and far distant mountains covered with snow, makes Kardamyli one of the most beautiful villages with view to the calm sea and to the wonderful sunsets of the Messinian gulf. Kardamyli is one of the most well guarded secrets of south Mediterranean. One exclusive, small, untouchable shelter, pride for his villas, the charming stone maisonetts, bloomed gardens and fantastic beaches.





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