The best way to avoid the crowds is to go somewhere off the beaten path, looking for corners of Europe free of mass tourism.
If last summer is anything to go by—and bookings for 2024 suggest it is—parts of Europe will be as inundated with crowds as they were in 2023. The best way to avoid the crowds is to go somewhere off the beaten path, looking for corners of Europe free of mass tourism.
Here are five European trips for those seeking a respite from the maddened hordes.
Lithuania and Latvia: From Vilnius to Riga
Rural hikers pair two of the Baltic’s most beautiful destinations on this eight-day trip, blending rural traditions and history. With easy/moderate rates, it includes visiting historic castles and palaces and exploring some of the scenic trails of the Trakai, Curonian Spit, Žemaitija, Gauja and Kemeri national parks . A visit to an amber museum and a tour of one of the largest markets in Europe, guided by a Latvian chef. There is availability in June, July and August and the cost is $4,545 (prices indicated are per person, based on double occupancy, land only).
Albania
Hinoki Travels chose Albania for its farm-to-table splendor, less-explored mountain trails, and warm hospitality. He organized a small group trip to southern Albania with the theme of Provence. Celebrating the region’s varied cultures, food and agriculture, and vast scenery, this nine-day trip focuses on being welcomed by local farmers, food producers, shepherds, local guides and small business owners.
Accommodation is in guest houses in the villages, and one of the highlights is tasting local food and wine. Adventures include hiking five to six hours a day over winding, uneven terrain with varying elevations. There is also a rafting excursion on the wild Vjosa River. The trip supports the efforts of EcoAlbania and Albanian citizens dedicated to protecting this river, one of the last wild rivers in Europe. There is one departure, from September 14 to 22, 2024, and the cost is $3,250.
Hidden towns in northern Greece
Crowds may flock to the Greek islands, but you’ll find far fewer tourists if you head north. Traditional Greece can still be seen in Zagoria, where stone villages sit above the Vikos Gorge. On this 12-day trip from Wilderness Travel, there are excursions along shepherd’s trails and across arched stone bridges spanning the gorge.
The itinerary includes the monasteries of Meteora, which date back to the 13th century. The trip concludes with a climb to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods for the ancient Greeks. Classified as level 4+, moderate to strenuous, this trip includes daily hiking, with accommodation in simple hotels and guesthouses. The walks are mainly along old bridle paths and vary from 3 to 5 hours daily at an altitude of 900 to 2800 meters. There is a release in October 2024, and the price is $4,595.
Walking and Hiking Tour of Poland and Slovakia
Backroads organized this six-day adventure through national parks from Krakow to the Tatra Mountains, the dramatic natural border between Slovakia and Poland. Rated at levels 1-4 (out of 5), it is a hike through mountain passes and lakes in a region dominated by the 25 peaks of the Tatras reaching over 2,400 metres. You’ll trek from Poland to Slovakia as you take in the dramatic landscape of the Pieninys mountain range, explore the region known as Lesser Poland, and hike among mountain lakes, waterfalls, and sheep fields in the Slovak High Tatras. The trip concludes in Krakow, a city declared a World Heritage Site. There are departures in August and September, and the price is $4,499.
Romania: Transylvania and beyond
This Wild Frontiers journey begins in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and enters the heart of the great Carpathian mountain ranges. A cultural crossroads of central, eastern and south-eastern Europe for centuries, Romania has an abundance of well-preserved medieval towns, castles and churches. The journey crosses the Transalpina, visits the World Heritage-listed Horezu Monastery, and passes through the ancient Saxon heartland of Transylvania.
It includes a visit to the well-preserved city of Sibiu and the rural villages of Maramureş before crossing the Carpathians again to see the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. In Moldova, guests will hear the vampire legends and myths of Sighişoara and Bran, the latter associated with Bram Stoker and the legend of Dracula. There is also time to visit the UNESCO monument of Viscri and the medieval heart of Brasov. This 15-day trip departs in September and is rated Low/Moderate for fitness, costing $4,138.
