Bergen, Tallinn, Bruges: Top Most Charming Cities in World!!??

From USA Today on Thursday, they have this headline: "10 irresistibly charming World Heritage cities" with these highlights: "Ancient monuments. Preserved town centers. Superlative art and architecture. While UNESCO has its World Heritage criteria, what makes a place "charming" is a bit more subjective. Perhaps it comes down to winding cobbled lanes and fairy-tale castles or colorful old houses surrounded by outdoor cafes. Maybe it's just a certain je ne sais quoi. While charm, like beauty, rests in the eye of the beholder, these 10 cities from around the world impress with rich culture and history and are sure to captivate your imagination."

We have only been to four of these "TOP TEN" in the world locations, with these three are in northern Europe. We have also visited Arles/France that is on this listing. We super loved each of these locations. Below are some of the story highlights. Plus a couple of my pictures from each location. More details in the full story from the newspaper. Brings back nice memories and/or maybe this can offer ideas if any of these are on your future potential to-do listing. The other six sound like good options for us to consider in the future.

Bergen, Norway: In Norway's "Gateway to the Fjords," painted wooden houses with gabled fronts lean along the harbor, where market sellers entice shoppers with wild smoked salmon, caramelized brown cheese, and jars of orange-red cloudberry jam. Bergen is colorful, even on rainy days. It's also historical. Not only is it designated a World Heritage city, but its old wharf, Bryggen, is listed as a UNESCO site. Originally established for the dried codfish trade by German Hanseatic merchants in the 14th century, this medieval settlement of long, slender dockside homes has been plagued by fires over the years but has been rebuilt each time using traditional methods. Today, some 62 buildings, including the Hanseatic Museum, remain. Explore Bryggen via narrow passageways leading to old warehouses, where the floorboards creak and the walls smell of aged salted wood. Don't miss: Dining at Enhjorningen (The Unicorn), set in one of the restored wharf buildings and known for its seafood menu, and Tracteursted, the oldest restaurant in town, serving classic Bergen food in an old assembly room with slanted floors.

Bruges, Belgium: With rippling canals and old whitewashed almshouses, Bruges is picture-postcard-perfect. From an 18th-century bridge, watch swans paddle around the peaceful Minnewater, or "Lake of Love," which once served as a mooring place for barges. Or, meander along the often photographed Rozenhoedkaai and gaze at the medieval belfry that glows at night. This northern city in Flanders may resemble a living fairy tale, but its historic center, showcased by Lego-like brick Gothic architecture, qualifies it as World Heritage. It's also the birthplace of the school of the Flemish Primitives, which, thanks to the patronage of rich 15th-century merchants, fostered the artistic talents of painters such as Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling. In summer, Bruges attracts tourists in droves, so come during the winter months when you can curl up under a woolen blanket on an open carriage ride and pretty much have the cobblestone streets all to yourself. Don't miss: Climbing the 366 steps to the top of Belfort, Bruges' belfry that towers over Market Square, and taking in a panoramic view of the city while listening to a free concert from its carillon's silver-toned bells.

Tallinn, Estonia: With opulent church spires, a castle, and winding streets still using names from the Middle Ages, Tallinn is more than the capital of Estonia. In 2011, it was designated a European Capital of Culture, and according to UNESCO, it's "an exceptionally complete and well-preserved" medieval trading city on the Baltic coast. Part of the Hanseatic League, the city was a bustling urban and commercial center in the 13th through 16th centuries. Walk through Old Town and see old hooks and pulleys used to move salt, tea, and flour up to former warehouses. In Town Hall Square, grab a table at one of the cafes surrounded by multicolored merchant houses, or witness glassblowing and pottery making using traditional techniques at the open-craft studios in St. Catherine's Passage. Just be sure to stop at Raeapteek, the oldest continuously working pharmacy in Europe, for a wooden jug of claret made with the original 1467 recipe and panis martius, a type of marzipan said to cure lovesickness. Don't miss: Christmastime in Tallinn, when the Old Town enchants with an old-fashioned Christmas market, an outdoor ice-skating rink, and a large lit tree, a tradition that dates back to 1441 when Europe's first-ever public Christmas tree was displayed here.

Full story at:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/10/31/unesco-world-heritage-site-city/3315957/

This story is from SmarterTravel.com. See more pictures, details at:

http://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/10-irresistibly-charming-world-heritage-cities.html?id=576&source=41718

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 122,419 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

In Bergen’s historic Hanseatic warehouse area, this folk music group is entertaining as people sit outside, drink beer (at $13.25 each) and enjoy the great weather day.:

Right near the Hanseatic merchant warehouse area is the Bergen Fish Market with lots of options to buy food to eat on site or just watch, enjoying the “show” as people ask questions and buy the various fresh fish items.:

Dancers marching in Tallinn’s festival parade near the stone towers of the famous Viru Gate. So much charm, character and history in this somewhat hidden treasure of a town!! Tallinn's Old Town is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its history goes back to the 1100's and it was an important port for trade between Russia and Scandinavia. In 1285, the city became the northern-most member of the Hanseatic League, a famed trading and military alliance of German-dominated cities.:

Tallinn’s rooftops in this charming Estonia Capital from the Toompea/upper town with docked cruise ships shown in the more distant background:

The historic and scenic main town square in Bruges is super scenic and has lots outdoor dining options, activity, etc. When Bruges was at its peak, it was considered the top commercial city in the world! Like Amsterdam, Bruges is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North". Bruges was already included in the circuit of the Flemish cloth fairs at the beginning of the 13th century. The city's entrepreneurs reached out to make economic colonies of England and Scotland's wool-producing districts. The statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, the leaders of the uprising against the French in 1302, can be seen on the central market square. Starting around 1500, the ship channel, which had given the city its prosperity, started silting. The city soon fell behind Antwerp as the economic flagship of the Low Countries. Its power and wealth faded after that point until tourism came to revive and bring back its past glories. The historic center of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.:

Waterways and buildings in Bruges:

I have been to five of the cities on the list. Those mentioned above, plus Arles and Oaxchaca in Mexico. Yes, they are all charming places, but it is very difficult to list the ten best in the world.

Just to name but a few, I would have to add Alborobello in Italy, Mont St Michel in France, The Cotswolds in England, Sintra in Portugal etc, etc. It all depends what you like and what interests you.

I understand why you posted this here, to give people an idea what to expect from northern European towns.

Unfortunately, when we visited Bergen it rained and so hard that we weren't able to appreciate it. We did a Baltic cruise this last September and were pleasantly surprised how nice Gdansk is.

We are going to Bergen next September, can't wait.

Have been to Tallinn and Brugges. Certainly, they are among the most charming cities in the World.

I have a list of favorites:

Toledo, Spain

Seville, Spain

Obidos, Portugal

Jerusalem, Israel

Rothenberg on Tauber, Germany

Lucerne, Switzerland

St. Paul de Vence, France

Sienna, Italy

Florence, Italy

(sorry, I could name more in Italy)

Edinburgh, Scotland