Summer is the most popular time to take a vacation, which means if you’re thinking about going to any of the world’s top travel destinations, whether it’s close to home, in Europe, or somewhere else, odds are, there are countless others planning the exact same trip you are. If battling thick crowds is not your idea of fun, it may be time to think outside the box. There are some fantastic places you can go this season to enjoy spectacular scenery and more without having to elbow your way through to get to those views.
Bonaire
Most people visit the Caribbean in the wintertime, with summer the off-season. That means you can enjoy the islands without the crowds along with the same 80-degree temperatures enjoyed year-round, and often at a much lower price too. Of course, summer also falls during hurricane season, but the island of Bonaire’s position on the outer edge of the hurricane belt not far from Venezuela’s north coast means that although it experiences some tropical storm effects, direct hits are uncommon. The island is famous as a premier diving and snorkeling destination, and it’s also home to one of the world’s most beautiful pink sand beaches, a narrow strip of sand on the west coast with its pink hue derived from the presence of millions of tiny crushed shells.
Kefalonia, Greece
One of the best Greek Islands to visit in summer, Kefalonia is a lesser-known destination that doesn’t get the mass tourism famous islands like Mykonos and Santorini do, yet it still offers stunning aquamarine waters framed by soft white sands and impressive Venetian-style architecture. While many do come to enjoy it in July and August, you can almost always find a more secluded spot, including hidden coves and off-the-beaten-path beaches for swimming and relaxing, like Agia Eleni near Petani. Fiskardo is the most well-preserved traditional village and is surrounded by small shady coves while hosting plenty of seaside tavernas serving fresh fish.
Vis Island, Croatia
Dubrovnik has been drawing huge tourist crowds thanks to its frequent appearance in “Game of Thrones,” but Vis Island offers a totally different experience. The furthest island from the central Croatian Coast, it once served as a base for the Yugoslav Army and was closed to foreign visitors for nearly four decades, from 1950 to 1989, deserted by much of its local population. Today, visitors can enjoy an unspoiled Adriatic destination, easily reached via a high-speed ferry ride from Split. Relax in one of its many breathtaking secluded bays, and head out to explore its extensive vineyards to enjoy wine tasting. In the emerald waters of Stiniva Cove, you can even snorkel alongside bottlenose dolphins and loggerhead turtles.
Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Bequia is located in the Caribbean island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This lush green and hilly seven-square-mile island offers one of the most authentic experiences in the region as a true hidden treasure that’s been referred to as the “most perfect” of all Caribbean isles. Despite that, few but the most avid travelers have even heard of it, and the summer season is the low season here, which means while you will run into plenty of friendly locals, you won’t be bumping into many other tourists. There is no glitz and glamor and no rises, but here you’ll find ever-flowing rum punch, stunning clear, cerulean waters for snorkeling, and a picturesque little harbor. At the edge of Admiralty Bay, the tiny town of Port Elizabeth features colorful wooden buildings, a scenic waterside path, a bookshop, and a few beach bars and eateries serving up fresh, delicious seafood. What more do you need?
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
St. Croix is one of the least-crowded summer destinations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. America’s easternmost point in the archipelago, it enjoys temperatures of 82 degrees all year round and packs a huge punch when it comes to scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities. It’s one of the top Caribbean destinations for diving and boasts so many fascinating wrecks, reef and wall dives it would take a lifetime to see them all. Sponges, sea fans, and corals grow along the wall and marine life like sea horses, lobster, turtles and an endless array of fish all make their home here. Outstanding snorkeling can be found at almost every beach on the island and many hotels rent or lend out snorkel gear to guests. On land, enjoy horseback rides through the rainforest and on the beach, great golf at one of three scenic courses, tours and tastings at two rum distilleries and even gambling at the island’s casino. Like other islands in the Caribbean, the off-season here is the summer, so not only are there few crowds, but the prices are much lower this time of year too.
Naxos, Greece
A hidden gem in Greece, Naxos is located in the Aegean Sea about halfway between Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades. While its neighboring isles attract a ton of visitors and a much higher price tag, Naxos offers a fabulous crowd-free alternative. The largest of the Cycladic Islands, it’s studded with lush mountains, white-washed homes, and charming traditional villages, while its coast is home to lots of beautiful white-sand beaches. This is the kind of place where you can go for a walk and spot a donkey trotting down the cobblestone road, as well as take a stroll through acres of olive groves and vineyards. Enjoy soaking up the sun and the sand, visiting ancient ruins and exploring the myriad of hiking and biking trails, all without the big crowds.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Upper Peninsula, Michigan
If you’re looking for a place that doesn’t get too horribly hot or attract the crowds, and enjoy taking quiet strolls along moss-covered paths and scenic landscapes, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula may be the ideal place to go. You’ll feel as if you’re worlds away from the chaos of urban and suburban life, and you won’t be suffering from summer’s extreme heat either. Daytime highs tend to be around 75, and the evenings, with lows in the high 50s, are perfect for gathering around a fire. Pictured Rocks sits on 42 spectacular miles of Lake Superior coastline that’s studded with sand dunes and cascading waterfalls, but its multi-colored sandstone cliffs that seem to change hues in the sunshine are the main attraction.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Isle of Skye is an absolutely mesmerizing destination that some call the most jaw-dropping in the world. Its striking landscape features towering, emerald-covered mountains, dramatic sea cliffs that touch down to seashell-dotted stretches of sand, unique rock formations, and practically an endless number of waterfalls, some of which plummet into the turquoise waters of the Atlantic. This is a place few travelers ever get to, though the rugged isle is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge, there is little in the way of tourist facilities, other than in its main town of Portree. Popular activities here include hiking the Quaraing, a surreal area of pinnacles, crags, and bluffs, whiskey tasting and touring at the famous Talisker Distillery, exploring Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, and visiting the “Fairy Pools,” a series of clear, azure-hued pools and waterfalls located at the foot of the Black Cuillins.
Faroe Islands
Located north of Scotland between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands are famous for their breathtaking scenery, Viking folklore and puffins. This archipelago, made up of 18 islands connected by tunnels, with ferries and helicopters also serving as public transportation, is an ideal destination for those who want to travel off the beaten path, hiking crowd-free paths to take in fantasy-like scenes including the famous Múlafossur Waterfall near Gasadalur Village.
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Although La Paz is just two hours north of popular Cabo San Lucas, it rarely sees big tourist crowds, even in the winter. In the summer, while you’ll have to endure high temperatures, you’ll be able to enjoy its array of exciting attractions, including its lively squares, beautiful Malecon and outstanding eateries with few other tourists around. Less than 30 minutes away is one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches too. Playa Balandra boasts soft white powdery sands in an almost circular bay with calm, crystal-clear turquoise waters that are typically only about waist-high, all surrounded by sand dunes and unique rock formations – jump in for a perfect way to beat the heat.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Basin National Park is one of the least-visited and most remote national parks. It also boasts miles and miles of hiking trails that lead to pristine mountain lakes and through ancient pine forests, where you can walk for hours without seeing another soul. Explore Lehman Caves, ornately decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and more, and some of the darkest night skies in the continental U.S., with meteors, millions of stars, and five planets all coming into view.
Akureyri and Northern Iceland
Iceland has become one of the world’s most coveted travel destinations, but the good news is that most tend to stick to well-worn routes like the Golden Circle and the South Coast. By traveling to the north, you can still enjoy many of its breathtaking wonders, often all to yourself, along with the Midnight Sun bringing plenty of time to take them all in. Instead of piling in with all the rest to places like the Blue Lagoon, visit the Lake Myvatan Nature Baths, soaking in the soothing warm water surrounded by an otherworldly-like, volcanic landscape without bumping elbows with others. You’ll see some of Iceland’s best waterfalls in the north, too, including Dettifoss Waterfall, set deep inside Vatnajökull National Park along the Jokulsa a Fjollum River.
Newfoundland, Canada
Just a few years ago, Newfoundland was rarely talked about among travel destinations, but that’s starting to change as more and more begin to discover its long list of nature-based delights. But for now, it’s still one of the most captivating, uncrowded places to visit this summer. This is the peak time for whale watching, with the opportunity to head out on the boat for a close encounter with humpbacks or even see them right from shore. Enjoying hiking to waterfalls in the dramatic mountains of Gros Morne National Park on the west coast, visiting postcard-perfect villages like Trinity, taking in the live music on George Street in St. John’s, and enjoying plenty of fresh seafood, along with a warm welcome, as Newfies are some of the friendliest people on the planet.
