Words by Annabelle Thorpe of 101 Holidays
If holidays are supposed to be relaxing and restorative, it’s amazing how many times we end up somewhere crowded with other tourists, stressing out over sun loungers, dinner reservations and whether there’ll actually be any space on the beach.
The solution? Creative thinking. Every destination – including tourist hot spots like Spain, Greece and Japan – has its quieter corners, and even in this staycation summer there are tranquil backwaters to find in the UK. Here is my choice of the world’s most peaceful spots, with rest and relaxation guaranteed.
It’s easy to assume that no stretch of the Spanish coastline remains undiscovered, but the Galician coast – right on the north-western border with Portugal – is a world away from the crowded Costas. The quiet village of Vilacoba makes an ideal base for exploring both the nearby sandy beaches and the tranquil countryside.
The Canary Islands also draw big numbers, unless you venture to the smallest island, El Hierro, where life is about gentle (or tough!) hikes, dramatic sea views and slowing the pace until you stop.
Italy, too, has its quiet corners; the region of Basilicata sees a fraction of the visitors welcomed by Puglia, with Acquafredda di Maratea, a stunning coastal village with Blue Flag beaches beneath dramatic cliffs.
There are Greek islands, too, that are far less crowded than the likes of Santorini and Mykonos; Alonissos is the most remote of the Sporades islands, and has quiet villages with traditional waterfront tavernas and the largest marine park in Europe.
In Turkiye, the Bozburun Peninsula is home to a clutch of unspoilt seaside villages – Selimiye, Orhaniye and Bozburun – that have authentic charm, while vinophiles should swap busy Tuscany or Bordeaux for little-known Moldova, once known as Russia’s vineyard, and one of the least-discovered wine regions in Europe.
Further afield, there’s no need to battle for pool space if you pick the Caribbean island of Dominica; it’s known as the ‘nature island’ for its active volcanoes, rugged landscapes and black sand beaches.
And a trip to Bhutan guarantees not only incredible scenery and extraordinary history, but the bonus of not having to share it with hordes of other travellers; the country has a ‘high value, low volume’ tourism policy, keeping visitor numbers low.
Japan might have cities that seethe with travellers, but much of the country remains off-radar to most tourists; the island of Kyushu offers historic villages, stunning mountain scenery and preserved samurai residences.
And away from the busy islands in the south of Thailand, and resorts like Phuket, great swathes of the country are relatively undisturbed by tourism, particularly in the north and central regions, with quieter beaches, jungles to explore and local communities whose way of life remains untouched by tourism.
For a truly unforgettable adventure, vast swathes of Argentinian Patagonia remain remarkably unspoilt and little visited; a genuine wilderness, with soaring mountain peaks, dramatic steppes and grassland plains, and luxurious lodges tucked away in between.
And few places can match Canada’s Yukon for an adventure away from the crowds, with high plateaux, gargantuan mountains and a sense of undiscovered wilderness – plus luxury lakeside hotels to return to after a day’s exploring.
Closer to home, while Morocco may have become an increasingly popular destination in recent years, the seaside town of Oualidia remains wonderfully unspoilt, with a tranquil lagoon, oyster farms and a couple of luxury hotels.
And even this summer, when more of us are choosing to holiday at home, there are still places that offer a genuine sense of escape. The wildly beautiful landscapes of Northumberland roll out on such a scale that even in August it still feels barely touched, with miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, a rich seam of Roman history and the chance to see some of the clearest night skies in the country.
Shropshire – one of England’s least visited counties – is home to rolling hills and picturesque market towns such as Ludlow and Church Stretton, and charming rural hotels such as Pen-y-Dyffryn and The Castle Hotel.
Up in Scotland, the Ardnamurchan Peninsula has just one road winding through the spectacular landscapes, no towns, and accommodation such as Driftwood – a stunning, architect-designed cottage – scattered across the lush hills.
And on the far north-western tip of Wales, the Llyn Peninsula rolls out into the Irish Sea; a peaceful world of its own, dotted with chic cottages such as Bryn Benar that make an ideal bolthole for an active family getaway.
