Intrepid Travel’s places less trodden list for 2018
The ‘Not Hot’ Travel List for 2018
Intrepid Travel has released its inaugural ‘Not Hot Travel List’ along with its new 2018 Europe brochure, in response to over-tourism issues across Europe.
The responsible travel specialists are offering travellers a unique bucket-list of brand new and less-trodden destinations. This is to combat the escalating issue of over-tourism in parts of Croatia, Iceland, Italy and Spain, and promote sustainable travel.
More than 799,916 tourists from 539 cruises visited the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Dubrovnik in 2016, a 13.5% increase on the previous year. This has led to growing tensions among locals and tourists on the over-crowded streets. Cities like Barcelona and Venice, and numerous other tourist hot spots around the world are also affected.
Intrepid’s 2018 Alternate Travel List:
North Cyprus – instead of Croatia, bask in the warm hospitality, hunt for castles and monasteries and swim off the shimmering northern coastline of Cyprus. Intrepid Travel’s first Cyprus tour is an 8-day itinerary taking in castles and monasteries, idyllic swimming spots, the Tree of Idleness and traditional bread and cheese making.
There is also the chance to stay in a traditional Cyprus village to enjoy local culture and heritage, priced from $1224* per person twin share, including a 10 per cent earlybird discount on sale until 13 October 2017.
Calabria & Sicily – instead of Venice, discover Italy’s vibrant south, a hidden gem starring dramatic cliffside villages, clear waters and delicious seafood. A 15-day tour from the Amalfi Coast to Palermo combines the best of Calabria and Sicily with the chance to meet an anti-mafia movement in Palermo. Travellers can immerse in the culinary delights of Calabria while it still has relatively low tourist numbers. Priced from $3748*, the tour runs throughout summer.
Portugal & Azores – instead of Spain, experience the food and wine culture of Portugal, or go Island hopping and hike around Sao Jorge or Faial Islands in the Azores. A 10-day tour offers the chance to discover a new side to ancient Portugal, island-hopping from mainland Lisbon and ending in Sao Miguel with the rolling blue hydrangeas of Faial. Also the steep cliffs of Sao Jorge and the vineyards of Pico in between, priced from $3501* per person twin share, including a 10 per cent earlybird discount on sale until 13 October 2017.
Finland – instead of Iceland, explore Finnish Lapland in winter, home of the indigenous Sami people, it’s a magical Arctic wonderland of pristine peaks and snow-dusted woodlands. From the docks of Helsinki to mountainous Yllastunturi and Santa’s workshop in Rovaniemi, an eight-day tour of Lapland includes hiking through Finland’s spectacular taigas, getting cosy with the locals over a glass of salmari and experiencing the rush of a real dog-sled. Priced from $3395* per person twin share, including a 10 per cent earlybird discount on sale until 13 October 2017.
Moldova – instead of Tuscany, enjoy the largest quality wine collection in the world without the crowds. A 13-day tour takes in the best of Romania’s remote Danube Delta, the Ukraine’s atmospheric abandoned Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and highlights of Moldova from a breakaway strip of land called Gagauzia. There’s also a guided wine tour of Mileștii Mici which sits on top of the world’s largest wine cellar, and Transnistria, a breakaway republic in the east of the country, from $2682*.
Tatra Mountains – instead of the Alps, combine a traditional sleigh ride, village visits and traditional cooking in this winter wonderland. An eight-day winter itinerary featuring the Tatra Mountains combines beautiful scenery, local culture and food activities such as a traditional sleigh ride in Zakopane. There is also snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Jasna, a Zalipie village visit and cooking class in Krakow, priced from $1520*.
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