Escape the Crowds This Summer and Discover the Places the Tourists Don’t Know About

The phenomenon of “over tourism” has been making headlines a lot recently. Amsterdam is fed up with the millions of visitors who trek through each year…in Venice, cruise ships are bringing more tourists than the city can handle…over in Thailand, Maya Bay, the beach made famous by the movie The Beach, was closed due to concerns about too many visitors damaging the eco-system. Lately it seems that old favorites are no longer old favorites.

While we here at International Living still love the old stalwarts, it’s part of our mission to introduce readers to lesser-known spots. And in this month’s issue we point in the direction of some wonderful, affordable locales.

In our cover story, IL Editor Sean Keenan explores Spain’s eastern coast, the Costa Blanca, a region often overlooked in favor of the more southerly and well-known Costa del Sol. He uncovers five Old-World beach resorts worthy of your attention. “Each of the Costa Blanca towns has its own character and ambience,” Sean writes. “From the sleepy, hidden village of Jávea to the cosmopolitan urban living of Alicante, it’s a coastline brimming with choice.”

Staying in Europe, the small archipelago nation of Malta is well known for its superb year- round weather. While most folks visit the main island of Malta, its smaller sister island of Gozo is no less worthy of attention. As Kevin Flanagan says, “it’s a compelling spot to consider for retirement. Everyone speaks English, prices for food and accommodation are reasonable, and the medical facilities are excellent.”

Also in this issue, IL Correspondent Steve LePoidevin takes you on a tour of Santiago, Chile’s capital, where you can rent for $600 a month. Outside of the city’s bustling downtown, Steve says, “Santiago is divided into 26 districts, that in turn are divided into different neighborhoods, each with its own unique character.”

For most people, Portugal is about Lisbon and the beaches of the Algarve. But as IL Portugal Correspondent Tricia Pimental points out, “Portugal holds other delights.” They include the country’s extensive network of often-overlooked praias fluniais (river beaches)—“offering pristine waters, leafy groves, waterfalls, pools, cafes, bars and more to delight and refresh the senses.” Tricia shares her six favorite.

Read on to discover these and more interesting spots where you can leave the crowds behind, all around the world…