Carcassonne

Carcassonne is Europe's greatest Romanesque fortress city — an awe-inspiring world of 13th-century ramparts and turrets. In summer it's also stuffed with tourists, but those who spend the night can claim some medieval magic for themselves. Arrive in the late afternoon, visit the town's castle-within-a-castle, walk atop the city ramparts, then return after dark, when the effect is mesmerizing: The lights embedded in the walls become torches, unfamiliar voices the enemy, and the whole city the fairy-tale fortress of your dreams.