Travelling is my favourite thing to do — what isn’t great about it?
Meeting locals and learning about the history and culture of the destination, seeing natural beauty all over the world, and taking in art made by artists we still learn about in schools; nothing else compares!
However, there’s one thing that I would do away with altogether if I could, and that’s the crowds associated with travel.
I know this might seem a little ironic because in someone else’s monologue, I’m probably part of the crowd that they want to get rid of, but it’s true for most travellers.
If you want to explore new places without the hassle of overcrowding that the world’s best-known destinations bring, read on for my crowd-free travel guide.
How To Avoid Crowds (As Much as Possible)
Crowds will be a part of travel for as long as travellers are going from place to place, but if you take the time to plan properly before your trip, you can minimise your exposure to them.
1. Book a Private Plane: Jet hire may seem daunting, but if you’re a particularly anxious traveller, sensitive to crowds and noise, or just want to provide yourself and your party with the best possible flight experience, it’s the way to go.
It may seem daunting to start with, but it’s a simple process and provides you with an incredible set of benefits.
You don’t need to worry about your bags getting lost because you won’t be changing planes even if there’s a stopover.
Only you and your party will be in the cabin, so there will be no need for awkward small talk or for sharing armrests with strangers.
The schedule is arranged to suit you, not the airline. The food and service are both infinitely better on a private plane.
You avoid airport stress and check-in lines completely. You’ll arrive at your destination refreshed instead of tired and grumpy. What’s not to love?
2.Do Your Research: You are already starting this step of the process.
Well done! Knowing what all your options are instead of choosing from the best-known destinations only will open up a whole world (literally) of options and choices that not all travellers stop to consider.
3. Travel in the “Off” Season:Instead of booking your holiday over Christmas or when your destination is having high summer, choose the off or shoulder seasons to travel. Peak-season travel is very costly but also very busy.
Off-peak and shoulder seasons may still offer you excellent weather depending on where you want to go and what kind of weather you like, but they’ll be far less crowded and hectic.
Crowd-Free Destinations
This is my list of crowd-free destinations. They’re guaranteed to help keep you calm, provide you with the space and opportunities you’d lack in more bustling destinations and leave you feeling like you can’t wait to go back.
Laos
This naturally idyllic combination has an allure like no other place on the planet. Laos borders both Thailand and Vietnam but is blessedly unbothered by the throngs of tourists that descend on both these countries for most of the year.
This stunning destination has been marked by war and struggle throughout history, but the people there are still a welcoming and friendly bunch; this is partly what makes it such a special place to visit.
The autumn and winter months are the coolest, but not even remotely cold compared to the places that get frost and snow, so they are the best months to visit if you want to avoid the humidity.
If you enter through Vientiane, as many first-time visitors do, you’ll get to experience a unique blend of Asian and French culture and architecture.
Visiting Vang Vieng is a must for the incredible views, as are Luang Namtha and Luang Prabang.
To the east, you’ll find the limestone karsts of Khammouane province, which are best seen by cycling.
You’ll also find Belowground, one of the world’s longest river cave systems. The adventure and excitement to be found here springs eternal.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
If you’ve ever thought about visiting Venice, skip it and give Ljubljana a try instead.
Slovenia is about as “off the beaten path” as you can get when compared to destinations like Venice which throngs with tourists (and interesting smells) all year long.
Choose instead a peaceful journey through rolling hills, gorgeous wine country and an overflow of natural and cultural beauty.
If it’s the waterways of Venice that call you, then Ljubljana is the place for you.
This capital city is far more laidback than most, perhaps thanks to the fact that it’s one of the greenest capitals in all of Europe.
In the city centre, car traffic is heavily restricted, but once you look at the surroundings, you’ll know car travel would have marred the beauty of the experience anyway.
The banks of the Ljubljanica River are leafy and clean, giving you the perfect excuse to follow it through the heart of the city on foot for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
In the summer months, the cafés open up terraces along the river’s edge and every night can be spent sipping and savouring delicious Slovenian fare that almost feels like an orderly street party.
Ghent, Belgium
The quirky city of Ghent is a fascinating combination of classically European and Belgian culture and aesthetics and people who just want to enjoy life as much as they can.
Here, you’ll have access to both history and modern conveniences and antecedents that will have you booking a return before you leave.
You’ll find yourself spoiled for choice regarding what to see and do in Ghent.
Of course, you can’t miss the Castle of the Counts with its serene mat and incredibly intact defensive system.
Then there’s the beloved Ghent Altarpiece: “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, painted by the Van Eyck brothers in 1432.
This magnificent painting has been called one of the most influential ever painted.
Take a romantic stroll along the river Lys and see the place where ships have docked since the 11th century — Gralise.
Time seems to move much more slowly when you’re gazing at the mirror-like surface of the water, and the calm, relaxed vibe that everyone brings to the area is a definite plus.
Yoho National Park, British Columbia
This one is for travellers that like to get up close and personal with nature.
Instead of choosing somewhere like Banff, which is teeming with tourists until the blizzards keep everyone away, choose Yoho in Alberta.
The Canadian Rockies are picture-perfect wherever they’re viewed from, so don’t worry about that. This pace is essentially paradise.
Here, you can become one with the gorgeous surroundings as you hike, kayak, or snowshoe your way to discovering wild orchids, a wide array of wildlife, the pristine Emerald Lake and the fascinating Burgess Shale Fossil Beds.
The fossil beds are a particularly huge draw for those who love all things dinosaurs, as the fossils are preserved in incredible detail, often with soft body parts like gills still completely visible.
The area’s unique topography provides dramatic contrasts from stony towering peaks to deep and verdant valleys.
Since the climate is subarctic, you can visit in the summer and rest assured that you won’t feel flat from heat exposure.
The Road Less Travelled
Choosing your destination with care and opting for somewhere a little unusual will pay off, trust me!
Armed with these tips and a few more destinations to choose from, you’ve got all the information you need to craft crowd-free getaways.
