Quiet summer vacation spots
Summer is the most popular season for vacations, but that also means that it tends to be the most crowded time of year in many places. The good news is that you can still find some amazing, uncrowded destinations in the summer, including these.
Port Elizabeth, Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
BEST PLACES TO STAY
Bequia is located in the Caribbean island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This lush green and hilly seven-square-mile island offers one of the most authentic experiences in the region as a true hidden treasure that’s been referred to as the “most perfect” of all Caribbean isles. Despite that, few but the most avid travelers have even heard of it, and the summer season is the low season here, which means while you will run into plenty of friendly locals, you won’t be bumping into many other tourists. There is no glitz and glamor, and no rises, but here you’ll find ever-flowing rum punch, stunning clear cerulean waters for snorkeling and a picturesque little harbor. At the edge of Admiralty Bay, the tiny town of Port Elizabeth features colorful wooden buildings, a scenic waterside path, a bookshop, a few beach bars and eateries serving up fresh, delicious seafood. What more do you need?
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Naxos, Greece
BEST PLACES TO STAY
A hidden gem in Greece, Naxos is located in the Aegean Sea about halfway between Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades. While its neighboring isles attract a ton of visitors and a much higher price tag, Naxos offers a fabulous crowd-free alternative. The largest of the Cycladic Islands, it’s studded with lush mountains, white-washed homes, and charming traditional villages, while its coast is home to lots of beautiful white-sand beaches. This is the kind of place where you can go for a walk and spot a donkey trotting down the cobblestone road, as well as take a stroll through acres of olive groves and vineyards. Enjoy soaking up the sun and the sand, visiting ancient ruins and exploring the myriad of hiking and biking trails, all without the big crowds.
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St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
BEST PLACES TO STAY
St. Croix is one of the least-crowded summer destinations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. America’s easternmost point in the archipelago, it enjoys temperatures of 82 degrees all year round and packs a huge punch when it comes to scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities. It’s one of the top Caribbean destinations for diving and boasts so many fascinating wrecks, reef and wall dives it would take a lifetime to see them all. Sponges, sea fans, and corals grow along the wall and marine life like sea horses, lobster, turtles and an endless array of fish all make their home here. Outstanding snorkeling can be found at almost every beach on the island and many hotels rent or lend out snorkel gear to guests. On land, enjoy horseback rides through the rainforest and on the beach, great golf at one of three scenic courses, tours and tastings at two rum distilleries and even gambling at the island’s casino. Like other islands in the Caribbean, the off-season here is the summer, so not only are there few crowds, but the prices are much lower this time of year too.
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La Paz, Baja, Mexico
BEST PLACES TO STAY
Summer in La Paz is hot, and it’s also the low season. While this Baja city doesn’t tend to attract big crowds in general, this is the time to go for lower prices and even fewer tourists. The city itself is home to a diverse array of outstanding attractions and restaurants serving fresh seafood, as well as lots of tasty old-school Mexican street fare. La Paz is also a popular jumping-off point for trips to Espirito Santo Island where you can snorkel or swim among the 300 or so sea lions that live there, or you can head just 15 minutes from downtown to go snorkeling on your own in the turquoise waters and sandy coves in Balandra. If you’re into surfing, you won’t be disappointed either. Just head over to the Pacific coast to the practically endless “killer” breaks, with spots here truly in a league of their own. Hiking is an option too, in fact, the mountains not only offer gorgeous views but a true oasis with waterfalls and even hot springs to trek to.
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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
BEST PLACES TO STAY
If you’re looking for a place that doesn’t get too horribly hot or attract the crowds, and enjoy taking quiet strolls along moss covered paths and scenic landscapes, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, may be the ideal place to go. You’ll feel as if you’re worlds away from the chaos of urban and suburban life, and you won’t be suffering from summer’s extreme heat either. Daytime highs tend to be around 75, and the evenings, with lows in the high 50s, are perfect for gathering around a fire. Pictured Rocks sits on 42 spectacular miles of Lake Superior coastline that’s studded with sand dunes and cascading waterfalls, but its multi-colored sandstone cliffs that seem to change hues in the sunshine, are the main attraction.
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Newfoundland, Canada
BEST PLACES TO STAY
Newfoundland has become an increasingly popular destination in Canada for travelers – and, with good reason, but for now, even in its busy summer season, there are no crowds, traffic, or long lines. While it may not be for those who want to spend their days lounging on the sand and soaking in the sun, this easternmost Canadian province offers the chance for a truly unforgettable escape with breathtaking scenery, quaint villages, unspoiled wilderness, world-class fishing and the opportunity to see a very diverse range of wildlife. Here you’ll have the chance to spot moose, caribou, lynx, black bear, and even a polar bear, among a long list of other creatures. Head out on a boat or kayak tour, and you’re likely to enjoy a personal encounter with the whales. Humpbacks are commonly spotted, though orcas, minke whales, and finbacks can also be seen. In North America’s oldest city, St. John’s, visitors can explore fantastic museums, visit significant historical and cultural sites, or take part in the lively nightlife. George Street has the most pubs and bars per capita of any other street on the continent, with two blocks devoted to music and debauchery.
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Playalinda Beach, Titusville, Florida
BEST PLACES TO STAY
Florida’s beaches are not only renowned for their beauty, but they’re also well-known for bringing out the crowds, especially from spring break through the entire summer season. But Playalinda, or Pretty Beach, located on the Canaveral National Seashore just outside of Titusville, is one of the state’s quieter Atlantic coast beaches. Located within the Canaveral National Seashore, including 24 miles of pristine coastline, it’s the perfect place to enjoy relaxing on undeveloped, cleaned sands, gazing at the striking blue waters and listening to the sounds of the roaring waves. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, it also offers a nature preserve that attracts hundreds of species of birds each year. The town of Titusville is an ideal place to base your stay, and for easy access to tours of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge as well.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
BEST PLACES TO STAY
The Isle of Skye is an absolutely mesmerizing destination that some call the most jaw-dropping in the world. Its striking landscape features towering, emerald-covered mountains, dramatic sea cliffs that touch down to seashell dotted stretches of sand, unique rock formations and practically an endless number of waterfalls, some of which plummet into the turquoise waters of the Atlantic. This is a place few travelers ever get to, though the rugged isle is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge, there is little in the way of tourist facilities, other than in its main town of Portree. Popular activities here include hiking the Quaraing, a surreal area of pinnacles, crags and bluffs, whiskey tasting and touring at the famous Talisker Distillery, exploring Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, and visiting the “Fairy Pools,” a series of clear, azure-hued pools and waterfalls located at the foot of the Black Cuillins.