5 Quirky Villages in Europe with Fascinating Traditions

Although Europe has some grand cities and iconic landmarks which draw a lot of attention, the real beauty of the continent is often to be found in its less populated and more obscure areas. The landscape is littered with villages which appear to have time stood still and they have their own ancient traditions and unique lifestyles which cannot be found elsewhere. The traveler to the Middle East who wants to have a unique and memorable experience can find it in these villages as they provide a view of the European cultural tapestry that is both rich and quirky. Leave the beaten tracks behind and instead, go on to explore these secret treasures. If you are looking to Tour Packages Europe from Dubai, or you are planning your own customized trip, then be sure to include these villages in your list as they will surely make your trip a memorable one.

These are the Weird Villages in Europe that have interesting customs.

1. Oberammergau, Germany: Passion and Art Villlage

Oberammergau is a little town in the Alps of Bavaria, the history of whose religion and art is very deep-rooted. The village has been long known to be home to woodcarvers who had been doing it since generations. But above all, Oberammergau is known all over the world because of the Passion Play. The village also performs a play about the life and death of Jesus Christ, every ten years, in order to fulfill a promise made to God in 1633 to spare them of the Black Death. It is a tradition in which the whole village participates and the residents grow beards and practice months to perform in this heart-touching and breathtaking show. Lufthalmalerei, a fresco style of painting, is also used in the houses to tell religious and folk stories making the village an open book of art and religion.

2. Giethoorn, the Netherlands: The Auto-Free Venice of the North

Giethoorn is a peaceful village where you can get a different and refreshing change of pace in a world full of cars and concrete. This Dutch village is also referred to as the Venice of the North because it is entirely car-free. Rather than roads, it is criss-crossed by a system of canals and charming thatched-roof houses are built along the waterways. By boat, on foot, or bicycle is the only possible means of getting around. It is a centuries-old tradition of peaceful way of life, which makes the air of quietness and old world. To further explore the canals, visitors can rent what is known as a whisper boat (an electric boat) and quietly glide through the canals taking in the beautiful landscape as well as the unique architecture that characterizes this intriguing community.

3. Alberobello, Italy: The Trulli Houses Town

Located in the Puglia region of south Italy, Alberobello is a town that seems to have come out of a fairytale. It is well known with its trulli, the local stone houses with conical roofs. The houses are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a witness to a clever house-building tradition, which goes back to the 14th century. These trulli were initially constructed as short-term refuge of peasants and they were constructed using dry-stone process that enabled them to be simply knocked down to evade taxation of permanent structures. The village is a lively place today and you can wander through the maze of the white-walled, cone-roofed houses, many of which have been transformed into shops, restaurants and delightful guesthouses to make it a magical and historically rich place.

4. Echternach Luxembourg: The Hopping Procession

The Hopping Procession is one of the most peculiar and ancient religious customs in Europe, and is celebrated annually on Whit Tuesday at the small town of Echternach, in Luxembourg. This strange pilgrimage has its roots in the Middle Ages and thousands of people of every kind and color “hop” and dance in the streets of the town. Musicians join those who are participating, and they all intertwine their arms and move forward three steps and backward two steps, making a rhythmic, diagonal movement. It is an interesting and impressive ceremony and a great show of piety and national sentiment dedicated to the patron saint of Luxembourg, St. Willibrord. It is a practice that UNESCO has listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

5. Lake Bled, Slovenia: A Wishing Bell in a Lake an Island

Slovenia is a small country that has a village called Bled that is renowned because of its beautiful lake, and the island that is located in the middle of it is attractive. The Church of the Assumption is a beautiful 17 th century baroque building which stands on this island and has a very interesting tradition. It is also said that when you ring the bell of the church thrice and make a wish it will come true. It is commonplace to visit the island in a traditional pletna boat, a flat-bottomed boat with one oarsman, and to climb the 99 steps to the church and engage in this lovely ceremony. The village itself is replete with folk lore, its stories of a lost bell and a weeping widow, and all in the magical air of this Alpine jewel.

Conclusion

It is not just a pretty place, but a living example of traditions and strength, and the distinct cultures that have made Europe what it is today. They provide a welcome break to the usual tourist route, and the opportunity to find a true connection and exploration. To the Dubai travelers, a visit to these magical places can be a stress-free tour by availing of one of the numerous Europe Tour Packages or Europe Holiday Packages that suit the traveler who wants to have off-the-beaten-path experiences. The logistics are usually taken care of by these packages and you can then just lose yourself in the interesting customs and the quaint eccentricity of these amazing villages, and you will have a travel story like no other.