Tag: beautiful

20 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.S.

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What makes a town beautiful? The answer is, naturally, subjective. Perhaps you have a penchant for windswept coasts. Or, maybe you love historic architecture. Do you favor human-made elements or natural scenery? To offer a glimpse at a variety of gorgeous places around the U.S., we considered destinations from coast to coast. Here are 20 of the most beautiful small towns in America, all with a population under 20,000.

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Girdwood, Alaska

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For epic views of Turnagain Arm — a narrow waterway in the northwestern part of the Gulf of Alaska — glaciers (seven, to be specific), and snow-capped peaks, look no further than Girdwood, a resort town south of Anchorage. Visit Alyeska Resort to ski in the winter and hike during summer. No matter when you visit, you can take the aerial tram to the Bore Tide Deli and Bar and award-winning Seven Glaciers restaurant for majestic vistas.



Sedona, Arizona

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Here’s the thing about Sedona: It’s objectively stunning. And that’s especially true of its red rocks. The buildings that sit in the middle of these formations tend to blend into their surroundings and let the red sandstone buttes and spires do the work. Also located in Verde Valley, nearby Clarkdale is surrounded by green with red rocks hemming the horizon, giving Sedona a run for its money, with the added bonus of a delightful downtown.



Avalon, California

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Picture this: colorful homes rising into the hills above a stunning blue bay banded with bright white boats. That’s Avalon, the only incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island, though you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a destination in the middle of the Mediterranean. Home to Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens, Lovers Cove (a marine sanctuary), and the iconic Catalina Casino and Avalon Theatre, this resort community will make you feel like you’re a continent away while still remaining firmly in Los Angeles County.



Palisade, Colorado

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The town of Palisade in Colorado’s Grand Valley is an agricultural haven (think blossoming orchards, lavender fields,

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23 Most Beautiful Small Towns Around the World

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The world is big and beautiful. Gorgeous small towns aren’t particularly hard to find (though many do require quite a bit of effort to reach). Of all the lovely locales in every corner of the globe, some spots have a picturesque quality and presence that make them truly unmissable. It’s about that inimitable blend of scenic landscapes, striking architecture, and the way that culture permeates visually.

Many pint-sized destinations dazzle, but the little gems that take your breath away don’t come around as often. Popular picks like Portofino and Gordes draw tourists from around the globe, while others such as Shirakawa-go and Ilulissat fall into the unsung heroes category. Regardless of where these small towns sit on the notoriety scale, all are worth traveling even great distances to see with your own eyes.


Gordes, France

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Gordes tends to be swarming with tourists during the summer months. But can you really blame visitors for wanting to soak in the magic of one of the most beautiful villages in France, if not the world? Perched high on a cliff above the valley, it’s a must-see destination with cobbled lanes, churches, and a monastery punctuated by lavender fields that look like they’ve been plucked from the pages of a storybook. 



Shirakawa-go, Japan

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The dreamy village of Shirakawa-go, located in Japan’s Ōno District, ranks among the snowiest places on the planet — an average of 400 inches of powder falls each year. All this frosting gives its UNESCO-listed thatched-roof gasshō-zukuri structures an extra layer of sparkle. After the winter wonderland vibes dissipate and the weather warms up, this traditional and tranquil hamlet turns on the woodland charm as the hillsides turn a deep, rich green and colorful, fragrant wildflowers bloom.



Giethoorn, Netherlands

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Approximaely 2,800 people call Giethoorn (a.k.a. the “Venice of the Netherlands”) home. This idyllic village in the northeastern Dutch province of Overijssel is lauded for its hand-dug canals, 176 bridges that connect the small island to the mainland, foot and bike paths, and thatched-roof houses dating back to the 18th century. Because such

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Sangita Patel shares ‘beautiful’ photos from her tropical holiday

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Sangita Patel gave supporters an within look into her tropical holiday. (Photo by GP Pictures/Getty Visuals for TIFF)

Sangita Patel is using some perfectly-deserved time off.

More than the weekend, the “ET Canada” host took to Instagram to share a series of shots from her relaxing family vacation in Mexico.

The television persona just wrapped up her holiday break with her spouse, Sam Patel, at Haven Resorts in Cancún.

In the first snap, the 43-yr-old stood on the seashore in a blue and beige bikini, which confirmed off her flat stomach muscles.

In the remaining snaps, the mother-of-two shared pictures of the food stuff and drinks she loved in paradise — this kind of as mouthwatering tacos and crème brûlée — as perfectly as photographs of her lounging at the pool and a cherished-up selfie with her husband.

In the caption, Patel opened up about what she did on getaway, and reminded fans to “permit it go” and unwind.

“Exhale. Previous few times with my ideal pal — I cried a tiny, I talked a large amount, laughed a good deal, stressed a very little and smiled. Oh and cursed a large amount! S—, I genuinely have a potty mouth, thanks to Samuel L. Jackson training me how to say MF,” she penned along with the laughing emoji for her 145,000 followers. “Effin allow it go…found some internal peace.”

“Happy Saturday, I hope to convey back the warm climate,” she included.

In the responses, enthusiasts thanked the Toronto, Ont.-native for having time for herself.

“Indeed love Sangita! Appears to be like exciting! You deserve this time off and to unwind!” commented a follower.

“1. Please do provide back again the heat weather conditions 2. Also some of all those tacos!” shared an individual else alongside the laughing emoji.

“You’re my every day commitment to exercise session and be my better self,” penned a enthusiast.

“These shots are so gorgeous!” added one more. “And I like your powerful ab muscles, you are fire!’

Patel often shows admirers her vigorous workout regime on social media, and just lately,

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