Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Less Crowded Attractions at Popular Vacation Spots Part Two

The summer months are the most popular times to travel. You may have big dreams to see big locations across Europe, Asia, and America. But you may also find yourself nervous about the huge crowds you will face at these locations. While we certainly wouldn’t advocate that you head to Rome and skip the Coliseum, we’re here to give you some less popular but equally spectacular attractions you can visit when you need a break from the huge crowds.

Rome, Italy

Like we mentioned, don’t skip seeing the various sights of ancient Rome. They are well worth the crowds, but you can still experience some amazing, less busy sights after you’ve checked off those bucket list items. Our first piece of advice is to go to some of Rome’s smaller museums. You will find amazing art, historic artifacts, and beautiful sculptures without the crowds. You can also find many less-visited Roman ruins that are beautiful, but less known. Some examples include Ostia Antica, catacombs, and the Caracalla Baths. With over 1,000 churches in Rome, you can visit plenty of beautiful, smaller churches to escape the tourists. Rome does have some green spaces, so if you need a break head to Rome’s parks for some peace. If you want an alternative neighborhood, San Lorenzo is a hip area where you will find cheap bars, tons of students, and street parties. Trastevere is a charming neighborhood that doesn’t have many sights, but has an old-world feel. Go here to explore with no goal in mind, except to see some beautiful buildings, great restaurants, and unique shops.

Prague, Czech Republic

This beautiful city has become more and more popular in recent years. Luckily there’s still plenty of amazing sites to see that aren’t crowded by tourists. While the Prague Castle is beautiful, a lesser known, equally beautiful option is Vyšehrad, a castle with grounds that are perfect for a picnic. While of course you will want to see Old Town, walk around residential neighborhoods to see beautiful architecture and quiet, lovely streets. Strahov Monastery is absolutely beautiful, and has much less tourism than other areas of Prague. Get away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the Botanical Gardens. If you want to enjoy the waterfront in a quiet place, head to the Rašín’s waterfront to watch swans, sail boats, and simply to enjoy the view. Want to explore a beautiful area without the crowds? Head to Zbraslav Chateau, which feels like it’s miles and miles away from Prague.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin has a lot of history, and some main places you are going to want to see. But once you’ve gotten past those, there’s tons of things in Berlin to do that will keep you away from crowds of tourists. Don’t skip a beer garden, but do find one that is in a less tourist-central area. Do head over to Museum Island, which has not only the most visited museums, but small, strange museums you’ll be surprised to see exist. If you want to enjoy a flea market without the crowds, head to the lesser known RAW Flohmarket, where more of the locals shop. Looking for something unique? Tempelhofer Feld is an abandoned airfield that is now used for grill parties, picnics, and even wind surfing. Berlin has a huge underground scene, so if you feel a bit more daring, go looking for it! (But please, be safe).

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand is an extremely affordable vacation, meaning every year it gets more and more crowded. There’s tons to see in this busy city, and plenty to do off the beaten path! The first thing you can do is simply walk and explore without a destination in mind. You’ll find tons of culture, street food, shops, and markets just by walking around. There’s plenty of unique museums which will be less crowded than the traditional museums. If you’re looking for a quieter beach scene, head to Hat Tri-Triang to avoid some of the bigger, louder crowds.

New Orleans, USA


New Orleans has a reputation as being a big party city, and is filled with tourists at many different times of the year. There’s plenty to see, and plenty of ways to avoid the touristy crowds. See the French Quarter, but then get exploring. The Garden District is a beautiful area filled with parks and gardens to explore. And there’s many other unique neighborhoods to explore outside of the French Quarter. The cemeteries may be morbid, but are fascinating, but be careful as some of them are in not-so-safe neighborhoods. Try heading to Frenchmen Street to get a less touristy street filled with clubs and bars. And of course, like most cities, check out some of the more obscure museums such as the Pharmacy Museum or the Voodoo Museum.