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Top Ten Pretty Villages

Below we list the prettiest of the villages featured in our various programmes.

Hallstatt, Salzkammergut (Lakes & Mountains Walk). Salzkammergut is Austria's lake district, though the majestic mountains that plunge into the glittering lakes mean that the scenery is more reminiscent of Norway's fjords than our own Lake District. The region has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, with this pretty village the real focal point. Making use of every possible scrap of land, houses clamber up the slopes above the lake of the same name. So tight is space that for decades plots in the cemetery have had a time limit imposed on them: after ten years resting in the graveyard, the bones of deceased villagers are exhumed and transferred to the Beinhaus ('Bone House').

Brousse-le-Château, Tarn Valley (Along the Tarn Valley Walk). Brousse is a charming jumble of medieval houses that tumble down from the castle to the banks of the River Tarn below.

Ainhoa, Basque Country (Pyrenees to Atlantic Walk). Widely considered the most attractive of the Basque villages, Ainhoa’s streets are lined with whitewashed houses, their shutters either dark red or green, the colours of the Basque flag.

Guarda, Engadine (Villages of the Engadine Walk). Like all the villages of the Engadine, Guarda is characterised by stone houses (some of them 500 years old) with large, deep-set windows and delicate pastel murals, which cluster around the ancient main square. As well as being great for walking, it makes an excellent base for snow-shoeing in winter.

Santa Pau, Garrotxa (Pyrenees to Garrotxa Walk). This atmospheric medieval village is a maze of cobbled streets which converge on the 13th-century arcaded square. Flowers hang from baskets at the entrances to houses.

Carennac, Dordogne (Villages of the Dordogne Walk). What makes exploring the Dordogne so magical is that you never know what delight you are going to stumble upon next as you follow the meanders of this great river. Medieval Carennac, with its fine manor houses and ancient priory, is one such treasure.

Laguardia, La Rioja (Rolling Hills & Vineyards Cycle). A medieval, walled town which stands guard over the surrounding vineyards. Not surprisingly, many families are involved in wine production, and a very enjoyable afternoon can be had strolling through the ancient streets and calling in at the various bodegas for tastings!

Peratallada, Catalonia (Catalan Castles & Coves Walk). Set amid a patchwork of fields of wheat and sunflowers, this is a typical medieval Catalan village. With its arcaded streets and crumbling castle, it is very pretty, and it boasts the added attraction of several renowned restaurants.

Bec Hellouin, Normandy (Short Breaks). A delightful village of half-timbered houses surrounded by colourful gardens and with a magnificent abbey. A lovely destination for a romantic weekend break.

Wengen, Bernese Oberland (High Route Walk). Surrounded by high mountains, the views from this idyllic Alpine village are breathtaking. The village is kept traffic-free, and in summer colourful window boxes decorate the wooden houses.

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