I am a photographer on a mission to capture the most beautiful corners of Europe. Here are 12 of the most beautiful places I have discovered.

Steven says Idstein (pictured), a small town near Frankfurt, is home to “some of the most beautiful half-timbered houses in Germany”

Here Steven captures the beautiful 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 variety of architecture is incredible’

Both of the photos above were taken in Bavaria, a region that Steven says “has so much to offer.” On the left is a street he describes in an Instagram post as “one of the most beautiful” in Nuremberg – the Weissgerbergasse. However, he adds that his favorite spot in the German region of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a photo taken there. 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 been there several times. The city is charming, the architecture really unique and the vibrant colors mesmerizing.”

Captured here is the quirky market square in the German town of Cochem in the Mosel Valley. Steven writes on Instagram: ‘Look closer and you’ll see that not every facade faces the same way, which makes this market square very unique.’ He adds: ‘You can take a boat trip on the Mosel for a completely different perspective. The local wines are exceptional and of course Cochem Castle is not to be missed. This is a place that never gets old.’

The photo on the left is bursting with colour and shows the town of Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel Valley. Steven says: ‘The Mosel Valley is a dreamlike region where the towns and villages feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.’ On the right is Diez-Lahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, which Steven says has a ‘rich history’, thanks in part to the 13th-century castle on the hill that towers above the houses.

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

Bad Wimpfen (left), a small historic spa town in southern Germany, is a place Steven “must visit,” and he points out the “stunning architecture.” On the right is one of the photographer’s favorite places in Normandy – Rouen. He says: “Rouen has so much to offer, from grand cathedrals to countless medieval half-timbered houses. The Gros-Horloge [shown]a beautiful golden clock that you can walk under is another highlight’

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

See 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 great experience, because the landscapes are diverse and breathtaking’