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19 charming small villages you've probably never heard of but should definitely visit Monday Apr 18, 2016 at 8:58 AM Talia Avakian Shutterstock/LianeM Sometimes it's worth going far off the beaten track. While these small villages might not be on your travel radar just yet, many of them are home to unparalleled settings, historic attractions, and a tranquility you won't often find in large cities. We've put together a list of 19 villages to add to your bucket list, from the fishing community of Reine, Norway, to a rainbow-clad village in Taiwan. We defined a village as a community with a population of roughly 3,000 or fewer. Reine, located in the Lofoten archipelago of Norway, is a small fishing village where you'll find stunning scenery, beaches, and incredible views of the Northern Lights. Activities include hiking, kayaking, and of course, fishing. Shutterstock/IM_photo Click here to learn more about Reine » The Rainbow Village in Taiwan is the playful creation of Huang Yung-Fu, or "Grandpa Rainbow", as he has become known. Fu began painting designs across the walls and floors of the village when it came under threat of demolition. Today, it's a popular tourist attraction. Shutterstock/Phuong D. Nguyen Click here to learn more about the Rainbow Village » Nestled between the edge of the Hallst�tter See lake and the towering Dachstein mountains is the tiny Austrian village of Hallstatt. Take a ferry ride across the lake to enjoy the village�s sheer beauty, learn about its rich mining history, or walk the Echerntal trail for impeccable views. Shutterstock/leoks Click here to learn more about Hallstatt » Malta's Popeye Village was originally created as a film set for the 1980 film "Popeye" before being repurposed into a theme park. The set was created using tree trunks brought in from Holland and nearly 2,000 gallons of paint. Today, visitors can enjoy boat rides, a winery, and water trampolines. Flickr/Tobias Scheck Click here to learn more about Popeye Village Malta » The charming mountain village of Wengen, Switzerland, is home to cozy timber houses and chalets where you can stay before trying out activities like paragliding, river rafting, or hiking along the area's stunning valleys and meadows. Shutterstock/Sergey Kilin Click here to learn more about Wengen » The Hahoe Folk Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Gyeongsangbuk-do Province of South Korea. The area preserves the architecture of the Joseon period and is organized according to the guidelines of Korean feng shui. It is known for being built in the shape of a lotus flower. Flickr/Jordi Sanchez Teruel Click here to learn more about the Hahoe Folk Village » Nicknamed the "Dutch Venice", Giethoorn is a waterfront village in Holland. Located at the center of Overijssel's canal system, the quaint and picturesque village is home to more than 55 miles of canoe trails, by which houses, canal-side museums, and even restaurants can be accessed via boat. Shutterstock/Littleaom Click here to learn more about Giethoorn » J�zcar is a small village located in the Valle del Genal in Andalusia, Spain. The entire village was painted blue back in 2011 for the "The Smurfs 3D" movie, and it has remained that way ever since. Shutterstock/Tatyana Vyc Click here to learn more about Júzcar » Kalk Bay is a popular seaside village in Cape Town, South Africa, where you can enjoy shopping and prime dining with plenty of fresh seafood. Along its main road, you'll find a variety of antique stores, coffee shops, galleries, and restaurants. Flickr/Wesley Nitsckie Click here to learn more about Kalk Bay » Bremm, located in Germany, is revered for its wine. Visit one its vineyards, explore the culinary treats that await, and enjoy activities like hiking, biking, or taking a boat trip across the river. Shutterstock/LianeM Click here to learn more about Bremm » Head to the charming fishing village of Woods Hole on Cape Cod for some of the best waterfront restaurants on the Upper Cape. Not only does the village host attractions like an aquarium and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, but it's also a favored jumping-off point to Martha's Vineyard. Shutterstock/Gordon Bell Click here to learn more about Woods Hole » The village of Bourtange, located in the municipality of Vlagtwedde in the Netherlands, is famous for its star-shaped fort built in 1593 during the Eighty Years� War. Today, the fort is an open-air museum you can visit before exploring the canals and medieval architecture of the village. Shutterstock/Aerovista Luchtfotografie Click here to learn more about Bourtange » Built in the foothills of the Vaucluse Mountains in France, Gordes is a popular village thanks to its dramatic location and its reputation for being a destination for movie stars and artists. Explore its narrow cobblestone streets or head to the nearby S�nanque Abbey, where you can see honey, lavender essence, and liqueurs being produced. Shutterstock/thieury Click here to learn more about Gordes » China's Xijang Miao Village is the largest Miao village in the country, often referred to as "the thousand household village". The village's setting includes a lush valley surrounded by overlapping mountains and terraced fields. Shutterstock/Grigvovan Click here to learn more about the Xijiang Miao Village » Monsanto, which sits off of a mountaintop overlooking Portugal's countryside in the Idanha-a-Nova municipality, is known for its architecture set among the area's massive boulders. Walk through its tiny streets and you'll come across homes with boulders coming out of their roofs or even fitted as doors. Shutterstock/dinozzaver Click here to learn more about Monsanto » Bibury, located in Gloucestershire, England, is a scenic Cotswold village with honey-colored cottages. Thanks to its setting alongside the River Coln, it is often considered one of the most picturesque destinations in the Cotswolds. iStock/Antonel Click here to learn more about Bibury » Hongcun, located in China's Yi County, has around 150 residences that date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. One of the biggest, the Chenzhi Hall, also contains a small museum where you can learn about the area's history. iStock/hanhanpeggy Click here to learn more about Hongcun Village » Located at the edge of a tall cliff overlooking the ocean in the Faroe Islands, the village of G�sadalur was immensely difficult to access until a tunnel was created back in 2004. Now, adventurers who come here can enjoy the unforgettable landscape it boasts. Shutterstock/Nick Fox Click here to learn more about Gásadalur » The Xidi Village is located in the Yi County of China and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the village of Hongcun. The village still maintains wooden residences from both the Ming and Qing dynasties, many of which are open to the public. Shutterstock/Jun Mu Click here to learn more about the Xidi Village » See Also: 10 things everyone should do in Nepal30 places you should travel to this summerRANKED: The 19 most expensive holiday destinations SEE ALSO: 30 places you should travel to this summer DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on Facebook!