I’m a photographer on a mission to capture the cutest corners of Europe – here are 12 of the most beautiful places I’ve discovered

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Come this way – and step into a fairytale.

These 12 spellbinding pictures are courtesy of a photographer ‘on a mission to capture Europe’s most beautiful corners’ – and he’s snapped villages and towns so cute they look like they’ve emerged from a world of make-believe.

The person behind the lens is Steven Van der Hulst, 30, from Huizen, a former fishing village near Amsterdam, who declares that he wants to ‘get people inspired to visit the beautiful old towns in Europe’ through his art.

He began taking photos and editing them ‘for fun’ 11 years ago, and now has a following of more than 64,000 people who admire his images on Instagram, where he posts under the profile name @stevenvanderhulst

The photographer has turned the lens of his Canon 80D camera to cobblestone lanes, quirky ancient dwellings, romantic winding roads and flower-filled marketplaces across the continent, but has an affinity for Germany and France

Steven says he has a ‘desire to continue discovering new locations and inspiring others around the world to explore the hidden beauty of Europe – showing that there’s so much more to see beyond the big cities’. Scroll down and enter Steven’s world of enchantment…

Steven says that Idstein (pictured), a small city near Frankfurt, boasts ‘some of Germany’s most beautiful half-timbered houses’

Here, Steven captures the pretty medieval village of Eguisheim, in Alsace, France. He says: 'France is my specialty when it comes to capturing old towns and I consider it the most beautiful country in Europe. The variation in architecture is incredible'

Here, Steven captures the pretty medieval village of Eguisheim, in Alsace, France. He says: ‘France is my specialty when it comes to capturing old towns and I consider it the most beautiful country in Europe. The variation in architecture is incredible’

Above is a street Steven describes in an Instagram post as 'one of the most beautiful' in Nuremberg - the Weissgerbergasse

Steven's favourite place in the German region of Bavaria is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Above is a photo taken there of a crooked yellow house, fountain and tower collectively known as the Plonlein. Steven says this spot is one of the highlights of the city, adding: 'I’ve visited multiple times. [It's] charming, the architecture truly unique and the vibrant colours captivating'

Both the pictures above were taken in Bavaria, a region that Steven says ‘has so much to offer’. On the left is a street that he describes in an Instagram post as ‘one of the most beautiful’ in Nuremberg – the Weissgerbergasse. However, he adds that his favourite place in the German region is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. On the right is a photo taken there of a crooked yellow house, fountain and tower collectively known as the Plonlein. Steven says this spot is one of the highlights of the city, adding: ‘I’ve visited multiple times. The city is charming, the architecture truly unique and the vibrant colours captivating’ 

Captured here is the quirky market square in the German town of Cochem in the Moselle Valley. Steven notes on Instagram: 'Look closer and you will see that not every facade is facing the same direction, which makes this market square very unique.' He adds: 'You can take a boat trip along the Moselle River for a completely different perspective. The local wines are exceptional, and of course, you can’t miss Cochem Castle. This is a place that never grows old'

Captured here is the quirky market square in the German town of Cochem in the Moselle Valley. Steven notes on Instagram: ‘Look closer and you will see that not every facade is facing the same direction, which makes this market square very unique.’ He adds: ‘You can take a boat trip along the Moselle River for a completely different perspective. The local wines are exceptional, and of course, you can’t miss Cochem Castle. This is a place that never grows old’

Bursting with colour in the photo above is the Moselle Valley town of Bernkastel-Kues. Steven comments: 'The Moselle Valley is a dreamlike region where the towns and villages feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale'

Diez-Lahn, Rheinland-Pfalz, which Steven notes has a 'rich history' in part thanks to the 13th-century hillside castle that can be seen looming over the houses

Bursting with colour in the photo on the left is the Moselle Valley town of Bernkastel-Kues. Steven comments: ‘The Moselle Valley is a dreamlike region where the towns and villages feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale.’ On the right is Diez-Lahn, Rheinland-Pfalz, which Steven notes has a ‘rich history’ in part thanks to the 13th-century hillside castle that can be seen looming over the houses

This eye-catching image captures the Nylic Square gardens in the Normandy seaside resort of Cabourg, which Steven says offers 'beautiful architecture, stunning landscapes and delicious food!' The photographer declares that Normandy is one of his favourite parts of France, describing it as 'an extraordinary region with a rich history'. He adds: 'The landscape is inspiring, and the coastal towns have such unique architecture'

This eye-catching image captures the Nylic Square gardens in the Normandy seaside resort of Cabourg, which Steven says offers ‘beautiful architecture, stunning landscapes and delicious food!’ The photographer declares that Normandy is one of his favourite parts of France, describing it as ‘an extraordinary region with a rich history’. He adds: ‘The landscape is inspiring, and the coastal towns have such unique architecture’ 

Bad Wimpfen (above), a small historic spa town in Southern Germany, is a spot Steven says 'you have to visit', noting its 'stunning architecture'

Above is one of the photographer's favourite places in Normandy - Rouen. He comments: 'Rouen offers so much to see, from grand cathedrals to countless medieval half-timbered house. The Gros-Horloge [shown], a stunning golden clock you can walk beneath, is another highlight'

Bad Wimpfen (left), a small historic spa town in Southern Germany, is a spot Steven says ‘you have to visit’, noting its ‘stunning architecture’. On the right is one of the photographer’s favourite places in Normandy – Rouen. He comments: ‘Rouen offers so much to see, from grand cathedrals to countless medieval half-timbered house. The Gros-Horloge [shown], a stunning golden clock you can walk beneath, is another highlight’

The cherry-red half-timbered houses of Monreal in Eifel, Germany, are captured in this image. Steven says: 'Fairytales are real in Monreal! A small village but such a great beauty. Monreal made it to my [list of] favourite villages in Germany'

The cherry-red half-timbered houses of Monreal in Eifel, Germany, are captured in this image. Steven says: ‘Fairytales are real in Monreal! A small village but such a great beauty. Monreal made it to my [list of] favourite villages in Germany’

Behold Semur-en-Auxois, one of Burgundy's 'most amazing medieval villages', according to Steven. The photographer adds: 'Whether you're in the north, south, east, or west [of France], each region offers something unique. Driving through the country is a wonderful experience, as the landscapes are diverse and breathtaking'

Behold Semur-en-Auxois, one of Burgundy’s ‘most amazing medieval villages’, according to Steven. The photographer adds: ‘Whether you’re in the north, south, east, or west [of France], each region offers something unique. Driving through the country is a wonderful experience, as the landscapes are diverse and breathtaking’



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