4Borgomezzavalle, Piedmont

This tiny town with a population under 400 is set in the mountains less than an hour’s drive from beautiful Lake Maggiore (shown here) to the southeast, on the border of Italy and Switzerland.

It also offered homes for one euro, including some vacant homes that date back to the 1600s. Each winter, residents in this area, which is located in the narrowest section of the Antrona Valley, position a mirror to reflect the sun and bring in more sunshine.