EMBRACING UNDERTOURISM

We’ve seen a spike in use of the term ‘overtourism’ - perhaps it’s time to reconsider where we jet off to when we’re in need of a holiday. Instead of visiting the frequented easy options, this year, we’re opting for ‘undertourism,’ and taking a trip into the unknown. This doesn’t necessarily call for having to search for completely remote, barely reachable hidden villages (though we certainly won’t discourage that) but rather digging just a little deeper, exploring lesser known corners of the countries we know and love. 

As tourism surges in capital cities like Lisbon, infrastructure struggles to keep up, locals are met with noise and litter issues and we run risk of ruining the very aspects that make these places so desirable as tourism destinations. To champion undertourism is to swap bucket-list places or capital cities for less appreciated gems, giving the residents their home back, and giving ourselves the opportunity to unearth entirely new experiences.  

Barcelona, for example, is struggling with the repercussions of endless streams of tourists, with many residents opting to leave as a result. So, why not visit a quieter corner of Spain: the stunning port towns like La Coruna or Valencia, or the breath-taking medieval architecture of Girona, where you’ll be treated to a far more authentic experience?

France fears of a similar issue, with key tourist destinations close to saturation. Try Lyon or Montpellier, with its blend of beautiful beaches and awe-inspiring landmarks instead, for an equally vibrant combination of art, architecture and fine food, but minus the crowds and queues. 

In Italy, it’s worth swapping Venice for Verona. While all but around 50,000 of Venice’s residents have fled the city, Verona is miraculously unappreciated and promises a far more authentic experience. You’ll find a remarkable Roman amphitheatre, medieval churches, Renaissance art, designer shops and fine wines - the surrounding Valpolicella region rivals Chianti.

Even the US has fallen victim to overtourism, despite 50 states offering unendingly different experiences. Take Oregon as a fitting alternative to the national parks of California. Though that state’s biggest city, Portland, has a rising reputation as the USA’s hipster capital, it’s still relatively underappreciated and combines this cool reputation with 296 miles of shoreline, volcanic vistas and incredible national parks.

 There are endless options when considering where to go to help tackle overtourism, making your travel experiences more enjoyable. Change it up this year and experience something enticingly new and undiscovered.