Peace. The Most Cozy Towns Full of Zen
The lack of busy roads and buzzing streets with thousands of people and tall buildings makes an atmosphere quiet and peaceful. Thousands of people involved in the frantic pace of the modern life dream about that. In the world, there are few nooks where you can really enjoy the serene ambience. Those can be founded on secluded islands, in ancient villages and monasteries lost in the high mountains, or in unique nature reserves and architectural objects that store a unique atmosphere of past years. They enable modern humans to abandon the daily routine for some time and feel like an integral part of the wonderful world.
Gasadalur Village, Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands hide a fantastically beautiful area, so it is not surprising that one of the most picturesque and tranquil villages in the world is here. The main feature of the islands is a unique mountain landscape. Gasadalur village is situated in the foothills. The village is on the island of Vagar; constantly less than 20 people live in it. They settle in a beautiful miniature houses built of stone. For many years, fishing has been the main mean of livelihood for locals.
Not long ago, an access to a secluded island was incredibly difficult. However, recently Faroe Islands began to attract tourists. An airport was built on the island of Vagar, so now everyone can easily reach the hidden nooks of the planet, walk through the picturesque island, and get acquainted with its indigenous inhabitants. Literally, the name of the village - Gasadalur - can be translated from one of the local languages as The Valley of Geese. There are really lots of these birds here, as all the locals breed them as a livestock.
Travellers, who visit the picturesque island, will have an opportunity to admire even more amazing sights. In the immediate vicinity of the village, there are three spectacular waterfalls, where you can see a lot of beautiful rocks. You can climb to the top of one of them to admire the panorama of the city. Gasadalur Village is the perfect holiday destination for those who enjoy scenic natural locations. In recent years, the island was upgraded. Several roads and tunnels were constructed, so you can travel on it with virtually no restrictions.
Next - Bishop Rock Island
Bishop Rock Island, United Kingdom
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the island of Bishop Rock is a true champion of the Guinness Book of Records. It is the smallest of the built-up islands in the world. The first lighthouse on the island was built in the mid 19th century. Reliable granite blocks with a total weight of around 6 000 tonnes were used to build the facility. The height of the lighthouse is 49 meters, and there is a helipad on its top. Until 1992, the superintendent lived permanently in the lighthouse of Bishop Rock. After that the lighthouse was automated.
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Chess Pavilion, China
There is the sacred mountain of Hushan in China. Many fans of privacy and unusual sights dream about rising to its top. There, you can find the main and the greatest attraction - the Chess Pavilion. According to one legend, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin has been playing chess with the sage Chen Tuan in that pavilion. The emperor has lost three games to the sage, after which Chen Tuan became a full-fledged master of the mountains.
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Crystal Mill, USA
Modern power plants are associated mainly with large and noisy cities. A pleasant exception is Crystal Mill located on the Crystal River, Colorado. All the fans of solitude dream to live in this tiny wooden power plant. The latter is located in the enchanting natural setting that is surrounded by high mountains and dense forests.
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Oasis de Siwa, Egypt
Even in Egypt, with its desert landscapes and sweltering heat, you can find the amazingly beautiful places that you won’t like to leave. A perfect example is the oasis of Siwa. It has a rather impressive scale. The length of the oasis is about 50 km, and the width is 20 km. At the heart of this beautiful oasis there is a town, whose population is about 7 000 people. Next to it there are lots of smaller settlements, which are home to other 16 000 people.
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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia
In Georgia, fans of spending time in remote places should go to the Katskhi Pillar. This sight is located in the eponymous village. The landmark rises above the ground for 40 meters. The pillar is a limestone monolith with an ancient temple on top of it. The exact date of construction of the temple is unknown. According to rough estimates, it was built no later than the 8th century.
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Tigers Nest Monastery, Bhutan
Fans of stay in the atmosphere of solitude are attracted by the Paro Valley in Bhutan. Here is one of the most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in the world. It owns a proud name - the Tiger's Nest. This monastery is located in a very remote and dangerous area. The shrine was built on the slope of a steep cliff at an altitude of 3 120 meters above sea level. Construction of the monastery was completed in 1692. The history of the place is inextricably linked with the name of Guru Rinpoche, who was honored by many residents of the country as the second Buddha.
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Ellidaey Island, Iceland
Those who want to stay away from the bustling cities and oppressive manifestations of a civilization have to go to Iceland, to the island of Ellidaey. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. The area of this tiny picturesque island is about 0.5 square km. If you look at the island from afar, it resembles a large hill with a steep slope. The place attracts travelers with its peaceful surroundings and picturesque scenery.
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Supai Village, USA
In the United States there are very few places, where you can fully enjoy the serene setting. One of these places is the village of Supai situated in Arizona, in the territory of the Grand Canyon. About 200 people reside in this settlement. You can get there via narrow mountain trails by foot or riding a mule. This amazing village is one of the few places in the country, where cars have never been riding. Many researchers prefer to travel to remote mountain areas by helicopter.
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Lukomir Village, Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the enchanting mountain area, there is the amazing village of Lukomir. Only a few travelers know about its existence. This village is securely hidden from prying eyes among insurmountable Dinaric Alps. It is the most isolated village that is far remote from major cities of the country. The ambience at the countryside remained unchanged for hundreds of years. A trip there becomes a real journey into the medieval Europe for many travelers.
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Reine Village, Norway
Norway is famous for its fabulously picturesque and peaceful scenery. Many fans of walking along the nice quiet places go to the village of Reine. This small fishing settlement is situated on the peninsula of Moskenes. The population is about 330 people. The countryside of Reine is considered the most beautiful in the country. Its landscapes seem fantastic.
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Bibury Town, United Kingdom
Bibury is considered the most beautiful town in England. The place is attractive not only for its historic architecture and a special way of life, but also because of the unique peaceful ambience. The first mention of the town dates back to the second half of the 11th century. Today, the place features a unique atmosphere of past centuries. This is largely due to the well-preserved architecture. You can see old stone houses by the river. The water channel is spanned by a small footbridge.
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Jiuzhaigou National Park, China
The ideal place to explore the culture of China is the Jiuzhaigou National Park. Its name can be translated from Chinese as The Valley of the Nine Villages. This reserve is located in the north of Sichuan. It became known to the whole world for its amazing colored lakes and cascading waterfalls. There are several ancient villages in the reserve. The place is a landmark of world importance.
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Shirakawa-go Village, Japan
The best place to enjoy a relaxing retreat in Japan is the ancient village of Shirakawa-go. This remote village is situated in the mountainous area. The site is surrounded by soaring mountains that protect it from wind and other vagaries of nature. One of the main features of the ancient village are small houses of local residents with unique gabled roofs. This form of the roof is not accidental. In winter the valley is full of snow, and only the roof of this form can withstand the long-time snowfall.
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Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
In Brazil, travelers will have an opportunity to visit the charming island of Morro de Sao Paulo with the eponymous town. The later is considered one of the most quiet and peaceful places in the world. Tourists can get to the island by boat or small one-engine plane, which is a familiar mode of transport to locals. The island has a small airport and several hotels. Fans of beach recreation and scenic beauty like to spend some time there.
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