Venice, Italy (Pop.: 70,000)
Ah, Venice. Once you enter this enchanting city, your options for getting around diminish to either walking or boating. In other words, exactly the same as Venetians have done for centuries. The city is Europe's largest urban car-free area and boasts some 400 bridges connecting the 118 small islands on which it is built.
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Helgoland, a German island in the North Sea, fits on this list, too. It's partly a tourist destination, but also a duty-free destination. There are some motorized vehicles-- ambulances and firetrucks, and very small work trucks-- but I saw no personal vehicles.
Most of these places are care free because there is no room for cars or no where for the cars to go (islands). They should have shown a picture of the huge parking lot on the edge of Venice. Its not like no one owns cars. There parking is just further away from the front door.
I'm glad I don't live in any of these places. I love driving around. I don't mind walking if it's more convenient, but I at least want the option.
Wengen, Switzerland can be added to this list. They have golf carts to haul trash, but remain mostly car-free. The town is in the shadow of the Jungfrau peak in the Alps, which is a short hike out of town, or can be accessed by rail. In order to get to Wengen, you either take a cog-rail train, or hike the trail up the mountain, which is a very pretty walk in the woods.
If I am fortunate enough, I am going to visit each of these cities one day! It's amazing that some places almost literally repel modern ideals– I would assume that these towns are quite quaint, and probably have a very nice community, simply because they aren't bothered by the sound of honking horns.
THERE SHOULD BE MORE AND MORE CAR FREE AREAS IN URBAN DWELLINGS. THIS SHALL ENSURE / REDUCE PRESENT DAY MAN-MADE AILMENTS
You've given our production team some great new ideas for places to visit. We film an eco-friendly horse riding travel TV series! We've wanted to do Mackinaw Island for a while.
Thanks!
Chip
Producer of Equitrekking on PBS
Thank you for this informative peek into car-free cities throughout the world! There must be more cities like these worth mentioning?
www.DrLorraine.net
Thank you for this informative peek into car-free cities throughout the world! There must be more cities like these?
One of the most delightful car free cities in America is the Chautauqua institution in upstate New York. The village is generally car free and parking is accommodated at a large lot across the highway. There is a bus service. Cars are permitted to load and unload but must do so within the hour, otherwise the guards come and remove the car with a fine. Without cars its a very relaxing place. .... More
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