Venice – Italy
Instead of Venice – try Trieste – full of history with gorgeous Austro-Hungarian architecture a coffee culture, grand canal and waterfront. For wonderful architecture and local cuisine try the historic cities of Padova (Padua) and Mantova (Mantua). Both are just a short trip from Venice and worthy of a visit.
Padova has many cultural treasures and is one of the oldest cities in Italy – founded by a Trojan prince.
Mantova has a rich Renaissance history dating back to the Middle Ages and powerful Gonzaga family. The old city has UNESCO status and the Ducal palace is the 6th largest in Europe with over 500 rooms.
Or inland try the city of Udine – once part of the Venetian republic with Venetian style architecture and surrounded by the lush Friulian countryside.
We offer tailor made Italian Tours to suit your style and interests.
Bali – Indonesia
In recent years Bali has become overwhelmed by mass tourism in certain areas. Therefore, to escape the crowds and mass tourism in the south we suggest you visit the remote northern, west and East Bali. Here you can meet with villagers in an authentic way, walk through paddy fields and experience empty beaches. Secret Bali.
Or why not visit nearby Lombok instead which has quieter beaches and is much less crowded. It doesn’t have the unique Hindu culture but could be combined with northern Bali for the best of both worlds. Alternatively, for an authentic Indonesian experience visit other less visited yet equally beautiful parts of Indonesia. For example: Flores and Komodo, Java and Sumatra. For ideas click here.
Machu Picchu – Peru
One of the worst places for mass tourism is Machu Picchu. Indeed from January 2024 the authorities will allow up to 4,500 visitors a day. And in some holiday periods numbers will reach 5,600 a day. How to avoid the crowds? It is hard but… If hiking the Inca Trail you can have sunrise and early morning before the day trippers arrive. And, despite the numbers of visitors, it is a world wonder for a reason, with 8 km2 to explore.
A fantastic alternative (for serious hikers) is the ‘sacred sister’ city of Choquequirao 50 km (31 miles) south of Machu Picchu. Due to the lack of road access Choquequirao usually has around 10 – 20 people visiting per day. Perhaps 60 in high season! Both sites are similar in Incan architecture and are in equally dramatic mountainside locations. The 4 – 5 day hike in and out in to a height of 3,050 metres above sea level is challenging. However, once there you’ll feel like Indiana Jones and have the whole run of the site to yourself. Just like the early explorers.
Non hikers however, may have to wait until a proposed teleferico is built. (So it may not be crowd free for long!) Or plan a tailor made peru itinerary. That way you can stay near the ruins and enter very early or late to stay head of the day trippers.
Kyoto Japan
Instead of the tourist hotspot Kyoto, Japan visit Kanazawa. It has far less crowds in its beautifully preserved Edo era districts, castle, gardens and traditional tea houses. And like Kyoto particularly beautiful with the blossoms blooming in the spring.
Or as an alternative to the first time visitor’s route of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, we have plenty of suggestions for a quieter, wilder side to Japan…
Why not visit less visited western Honshu Island? Or gently hike along one of the historic ancient postal trails where small towns and villages have been beautifully preserved.
Other less visited areas include wild Hokkaido in the north – with bears, whales, indiginous people and stunning scenery. And the less visited rural island of Shikoku where you can hike the 99 Pilgrim Trail or visit a traditional Ryokan to bathe in the famous hot springs.
Or even a relaxing beach stay in Okinawa and the balmy southern islands.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Amalfi Coast is full or traffic jams and crowds during the warmer months in particular. Instead, for a far less crowded alternative consider Puglia’s Salento peninsula to experience what Amalfi was like several decades ago. This is the tip of Italy’s heel. Or for one of the world’s most spectacular secret coastal drives try the ‘toe’ of Italy, Costa Viola, which overlooks the live volcanoes of Stromboli and Etna. In fact, the seaside town of Reggio has one of Italy’s most beautiful seafront promenades.
Or perhaps try Sardinia’s vastly underrated wild west coast from Carbonia in the south to the seaside town of Alghero in the north. This journey has it all. You’ll have dramatic golden cliff side roads, turquoise seas, dreamy beaches, Amalfi style coastal villages, a national park, Costa Verde and Piscinas beach. Not to mention the only desert in Europe, and the ancient Phoenician city of Tharros.
We offer tailor made tours of Italy. And water lovers should consider our sailing, food and wellness week. Delicious food, hiking and yoga as you explore the remote islands and coast of Sardinia and Corsica.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s west coast is sadly one of the worst examples of over-tourism. It’s over-priced with noisy streets and bars and over-crowded beaches. And in the Gulf of Thailand Koh Samui is starting to feel equally overwhelmed. There are stories of over development, drought conditions and infrastructure unable to cope with too many visitors.
So, for peace and quiet and a far more sustainable authentic Thai experience you couldn’t go wrong with some of the more off the beaten track islands such as Koh Lipe. Also in the Andaman sea, this island is far smaller, quieter and without the commercial atmosphere of Phuket. Or for somewhere completely untouched by tourism there is nearby Koh Tarutao. As it lies inside Taratao National Park, no development is permitted. But you can stay the night in the parks basic hut type accommodation and a couple of 2 and 3 star options on nearby Koh Lipe.
Or further south is the jewel Kho Mook (Muk) – with hardly any tourists, no 7-Elevens and cars with 2 incredible beaches and hiking through the jungle.
Or in the Gulf of Thailand there is Koh Tao which is the quietest of the main tourist islands near to lively Koh Samui and furthest away from the mainland. Once a secret known to divers, it now offers relaxed beach stays far from big developments and the loud beach parties of Koh Phangan.
The Great Wall of China
As a tour leader I have visited the Great Wall of China just north of Beijing at Badaling many times. And although the reconstructed section is spectacular, the experience is sadly marred by huge numbers of tour groups and tacky souvenir shops.
Those with more time, and a spirit of adventure who want a more authentic experience should visit the west end of the Great Wall at Jiayuguan in north west Gansu Province, in the Gobi desert.
With a handful of visitors compared to Badaling the old city is a spectacular and impressive defensive fortress with a well preserved section of the great wall. The fortress was built near an oasis and guarded the mountain pass. For this was a vital Northern Silk Road trading point – the main way to enter China from Central and West Asia.
Masai Mara, Kenya
Was there ever a better expose of unregulated tourism on safari than footage shown in the New York Times in January 2023? This showed two cheetahs totally surrounded by dozens of jostling safari vehicles. Unfortunately, each trying to earn higher tips by getting their clients the best pictures.
I have had clients shaken and distressed who have witnessed similar scenes – with animals surrounded and stressed. The answer? They now ask me to only stay in private conservancy areas. These protected areas strictly regulate the numbers of visitors. Plus the money goes back to the local masai communities which lease them.
In fact, some of the best alternatives are a safari using private camps such as our Masai Mara Sustainable Safari, or the fantastic Lewa House in the Laikipia Game Reserve. Both options mean you will have a peaceful safari with no crowds, as well as the option to get out on foot with highly trained guides for walking safaris.
Or for an incredible experience combine wildlife with the Samburu tribes in northern Kenya for a unique connoisseur safari as far from the crowds as you can get.
