For every Paris, Rome, and London, there are hundreds of small European towns that offer a peek into the local culture and history with far fewer crowds. In many of these quaint communities, time seems to stand still, allowing travelers to slow down and enjoy each region’s scenic surroundings and less-visited landmarks. From an itty-bitty Icelandic outpost backed by jaw-dropping landscapes to an ancient seaside settlement overlooking the Black Sea, here are 17 of the best small towns in Europe to visit on a trip across the pond.

Bled, Slovenia

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Picturesque Bled looks like a mythical landscape dreamed up by the Brothers Grimm. Its most prominent feature is an ethereal 17th-century church perched on a tear-shaped island in the middle of Lake Bled, which you can get to by boat.…