Last week’s summer solstice was more than a subtle reminder that half of 2025 is already in our rear-view mirrors. As we get older, pages on the calendar just seem to turn faster and faster reminding many of us that it’s time to travel while we still can.

In fact, many of Americans have already responded to their urge to explore the world this summer, with the tourist venues of Europe already crowded. In short, if you do not already have your vacation plans in place for this year, you may have to look at 2026 depending upon your preferred destinations.

PUSH BACK FROM THE LOCALS

A growing number of residents in cities across Europe and other popular destinations are pushing back against growing tourism that disrupts their daily lives. Many such destinations have added hotel taxes to offset the impact of tourism and implemented other restrictions such as visa-like permits to enter some countries. Meanwhile, Venice has imposed an entrance fee for day visitors who are not staying in a hotel. I recently reserved a couple hotel rooms in Tokyo for clients only to discover similar “tourist” taxes, meaning that such practices are not confined to Europe.

Thus far at least, such barriers have not diminished tourism in the world’s most iconic destinations. However, at some point, I wonder when other travel restrictions will make it no longer worth it. For example, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to recommend a cruise that begins or ends in Venice, when the ship is required to dock up to two hours from the city.

Surely, there must be better ways that balance visitor access without such barriers, while preserving the quality of life for residents. I believe European river cruises may be part of the solution because their environmental footprint is small. They also offer a terrific way to visit several countries while unpacking only once, and you won’t have to think twice about where you will enjoy dinner each evening.

BEST DESTINATIONS WITHOUT CROWDS

So, where are the best destinations to visit this summer and fall where crowds will not be an issue? Here are half a dozen ideas that should more than satisfy your travel wanderlust:

• Puglia, Italy, where you will enjoy whitewashed villages, olive groves and turquoise waters. You also will want to visit Lecce, a baroque city in Puglia, rich in history.
• Bristol, England, a vibrant alternative to London with great shopping and riverside adventures.
• Ljubljana, Slovenia, a walkable capital with riverside cafes and vibe like Paris without the chaos.
• Lofoten Islands, Norway, featuring dramatic fjords, midnight sun and peaceful fishing villages that make this Arctic archipelago special.
• Holbox, Mexico, where you can swim with whale sharks and explore bioluminescent waters on this care-free and car-free island near Cancun.
• Edisto Beach, South Carolina, a quiet coastal town where you may find family-owned homes to rent far from the crowds at other east coast beaches.

By opting for such alternative destinations, you will enjoy special experiences while reducing tourism crowds elsewhere. I also recommend visiting the major European capitals between January and March. Hotel prices will be substantially lower and so will the crowds. Just pack winter clothing and you will enjoy uncrowded museums and other venues, as you have a chance to experience these cities as the locals do.

EXTENDED-FAMILY VACATIONS

I also am seeing more extended family vacations this summer with a family group of 10 people currently touring northern European capitals and a family of four now exploring the Pacific Northwest, while another 10-member extended family heads to eastern Canada in July. It’s not uncommon for families to select cruises for such holidays but this season the focus for many of my clients appears to be land-based vacations for extended family vacations.

Speaking of cruises, several new mega-ships are expected to make their debut this summer and fall as the interest in cruising continues to grow. Industry estimates anticipate a 10-percent annual growth rate for cruising extending at least through 2028. For those of us not traveling with children, a better experience might be found on small and mid-sized ships. For example, I highly recommend mid-sized ships built early in the 21st century, and carefully maintained since then, for couples desiring more intimate vacation experience. These include the ships of Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Oceania that accommodate 1,200 to 2,100 guests. For smaller ships welcoming fewer than 1,000 guests, I recommend Viking Ocean, Azamara and Seaborn for their longer itineraries.

And should you be interested in a Caribbean cruise, avoid the summer season when schools are closed at all costs. The best time to cruise the Caribbean for people who can get away would be mid-January through mid-March when the weather back home can be nasty.

Winter is also the time to be looking  at the ABC countries of South American—Brazil, Argentina and Chile—where cruising and land-based vacations are at their best. I also recommend Australia and New Zealand for travel during North America’s winter months. Australia offers cross country rail vacations, New Zealand is perfect for self-drive vacations and cruises are available to travelers wishing to sample both countries.

TRAVEL CLOSER HOME

Also, do not overlook weekend outings and extended trips closer to home. A few years ago, Mary and I set out for Montana to explore the northern U.S. National Parks. Part of that trip included three nights in a 115-year-old hotel in a town of about 8,000 people before visiting Yellowstone. As it turned out, the former railroad center of Livington was a major highlight of our trip.

This fall we are headed to Phoenix as the jumping off point from which to explore half a dozen national parks dotted across the Southwest. We will be traveling by jeep for two weeks in mid-September, spending as much time as possible off the main roads.

Wherever your travels take you stay safe and focus on the experience more than the destination.

Yours in Travel,

Ljubljana, the beautiful capital of Slovenia, represents an uncrowded destination full of culture and history just waiting to be discovered by Americans.

Bob’s original post can be seen at Vacations by Cruise & Travel Experts.