Travel insider tips without mass tourism: These places offer peace and seclusion

Quiet places to relax have become rare in a world where more and more countries and places are complaining about overtourism. Popular holiday destinations, including Mallorca and the Canary Islands , are particularly suffering from too many travelers, as are top global tourist attractions. Are you tired of fighting with thousands of visitors for the best selfie spot at places like Uluru in Australia or Machu Picchu in Peru ? Then we have some special travel tips for you.

Eight destinations around the world where you can truly find peace and relaxation. Here are our top travel tips for places that aren't yet on the radar of many travelers – from Europe to Australia. And the best part: travel reporter Bernadette tested them all herself in terms of peace and tranquility!

The Jyväskylä region in Finland is one of the country's quiet insider tips.

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While the fjords in Norway and southern Sweden become increasingly crowded, especially in summer, there is one region in Finland that many travelers only pass through – on their way to Lapland or the North Cape. This is the region around the city of Jyväskylä, about three hours by train north of Helsinki. There, you can expect not only untouched nature and tranquility, but also very special cultural and sauna experiences without the crowds.

The university city of Jyväskylä is nestled amidst countless lakes, surrounded by four national parks—and numerous saunas. Since there are said to be around 140,000 of them in the Jyväskylä region, it's nicknamed the "Sauna Region of the World." Our special tip: Tupaswilla in Laukaa, the world's largest smoke sauna. With a bit of luck, you might experience a "peat treatment" there, a type of mud cure. Equally relaxing is a visit to Saunakylä, the "sauna village" near Jämsä, where some of the 25 historic saunas are open for sauna use every Saturday between June and August.

If you enjoy hiking in solitude, any of the region's four national parks is the right choice - from the ancient primeval forest in Pyhä-Häkki National Park to the boggy paths in Leivonmäki National Park and the fjord-like rocky shores in South Konnevesi National Park.

Monte Saccarello is Liguria's highest peak and yet rarely visited.

Source: Bernadette Olderdissen

Many places in Italy – not just Venice, but also many beaches on the Mediterranean or Adriatic – suffer from mass tourism, especially in summer. Many of the Ligurian beaches in northern Italy are also hopelessly overcrowded during peak season. But you don't have to miss out on a summer trip to Liguria : In the hinterland, the region hides beautiful places that few foreign tourists visit. Among them is our personal favorite: Monte Saccarello, Liguria's highest peak at 2,201 meters.

The best way to reach the area on the Italian-French border is by car. The starting point for hikes to the summit is the cozy mountain village of Verdeggia, at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters. The round trip to Monte Saccarello is approximately ten kilometers, with a total elevation gain of 1,100 meters.

The trail is well-marked and initially leads uphill through shady forest passages to Passo Collardente at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. You then follow the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, a long-distance hiking trail that runs through the whole of Liguria. The trail markers are red and white and marked with the letters "AV." A visit to the summit awaits you. a bronze statue of Christ from 1901. On clear days, the view extends as far as France.

If you don't want to do the same round trip, there's a slightly longer round trip of around 15 kilometers: The route leads over the Garlenda Pass, the Sanremo Refuge (the highest mountain hut in Liguria), and the Guardia Pass. If you want to enjoy the tranquility and stunning views for longer than just a day trip, you can stay overnight in one of the mountain huts.

The Addo Elephant Park in South Africa is a top destination for a tranquil safari.

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Do you dream of a safari in Africa and the first place that comes to mind is Kruger National Park inSouth Africa ? It's undoubtedly beautiful and home to the "Big Five" – but you'll rarely find true peace and quiet there due to the sheer volume of visitors. That's why we have an alternative travel tip for you: Addo Elephant National Park in southeastern South Africa, about an hour from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

The name might suggest that you'll mostly see elephants there, but that's misleading: Addo Elephant Park is home to all of the "Big Five." Sometimes people even refer to the "Big Seven," if they include the whales and great white sharks off the coast. When the park was founded in 1931, it was initially intended to protect the then-endangered Cape elephants. Today, around 600 live in the park, alongside lions, buffalo, rhinos, hyenas, and antelopes, among others.

Since many travelers haven't yet discovered the national park, it's generally a very relaxed place. You can easily reach Addo Elephant Park via fairly well-maintained roads, even in a standard rental car. You can explore the park on your own – or you can join a guided safari with a ranger. For overnight stays in the park, there are simple cottages as well as stylish safari lodges.

A hike through the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan guarantees peace and quiet and few other people.

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In the heart of Jordan , between the capital Amman and the popular Wadi Rum desert, lies a quiet insider tip: the Dana Biosphere Reserve. In many places there, you'll enjoy the feeling of being alone with the vastness of nature – a landscape of rocks, canyons, and deserts that is home to more than 800 plant species and over 200 bird species. In addition, there are 38 endangered animal species, such as the Nubian ibex and the Arabian wolf.

The Dana Nature Reserve covers approximately 300 square kilometers, making it the largest nature reserve in Jordan—and also the oldest. It was established in 1989. The best way to reach Dana is by car from Amman or Aqaba (about three to four hours each way). Accommodation is available in the village of the same name, Dana, beautifully situated on a rocky plateau above Wadi Dana.

The best way to explore the reserve is on hikes where you'll encounter few other people. The Wadi Dana Trail, for example, is particularly beautiful. It's approximately 14 kilometers long and starts near the village of Dana. It leads to the Feynan Eco Lodge, where you can stay overnight. Those looking for a shorter route can opt for the Rummana Camp Loop, which is only 2.5 kilometers long and particularly recommended for sunset. The approximately 17-kilometer Wadi Ghwair Canyon Hike should only be attempted with a guide, as it's an adventurous canyon hike that involves waterways, narrow rock passages, and climbing sections.

The Derawan Islands off the Indonesian part of Borneo are a real island insider tip.

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When you hear the phrase "islands in Indonesia ," many people immediately think of Bali. However, there are countless other islands in Indonesia where, unlike most places on Bali, you can find true peace and quiet. One of them, and our favorite, is Derawan off the east coast of Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo. The archipelago consists of around 30 small islands that look like they do in holiday brochures: surrounded by white sand, turquoise water, and coral reefs. This remote region is relatively seldom visited, so you can relax on many of the beaches.

One reason why few travelers discover Derawan is that the journey is a bit of an adventure, taking a flight from Jakarta or Balikpapan to Berau (Kalimarau Airport). From there, it's about a two- to three-hour taxi or minibus ride to Tanjung Batu on the coast, and then a 30- to 45-minute boat ride to the main island of Derawan. But the effort is worth it—especially if you enjoy snorkeling or diving.

The Derawan Islands are located in the so-called Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world, with reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows. They are home to over 870 species of fish and countless sea turtles – which can be easily seen while snorkeling! Another top attraction in Derawan is Jellyfish Lake (Kakaban), where you can swim with non-toxic jellyfish. And if that's not enough, Derawan's underwater world is home to manta rays, which are best seen in the middle of the ocean during a boat tour with a stop for snorkeling or diving.

A hike into the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park not only leads into silence, but also into the history of the earth.

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Compared to many popular vacation destinations in Canada, Newfoundland is relatively under-visited. The country's easternmost province is full of untouched natural beauty, and one of our favorites is located in the far west of the Big Island: Gros Morne National Park. The nearest airport is Deer Lake, from where you can reach the national park in about 1.5 hours by rental car. Because the area is very sparsely populated, you'll be surrounded by tranquility right from the start.

Gros Morne National Park is part of the A UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks in part to its 600-million-year-old rock formations. The best way to experience this unique history is on a hike through the rocky Tablelands. It's often referred to as a "walk through Earth's history." The Tablelands Trail covers approximately four kilometers.

Another highlight for hikers is the Gros Morne Mountain Trail, which is 16 kilometers long and should take six to eight hours. It offers spectacular views from the summit over fjords, forest, and the sea. The Green Gardens Trail is nine to 15 kilometers, depending on the route, a little shorter, but also a highlight of the park visit due to the varied landscape from moors to grassy sea cliffs.

For nature lovers, the national park offers a mix of mountains, high plateaus, forests, and glacial fjords, including the most famous, Western Brook Pond. Excursion boats cruise across the lake, framed by high cliffs. Accommodation in Gros Morne National Park can be found in the small towns of Norris Point and Rocky Harbour. These are often simple and family-run, and there are also campgrounds in the countryside.

On Isla Ometepe in Nicaragua, time seems to stand still.

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Generally speaking, Nicaragua is not yet one of the most over-traveled destinations in Central America – and within the country, there is also a special, under-visited gem: the island of Ometepe, located in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, the largest inland lake in Central America. It is characterized by two volcanoes, which rise up before you as you take the ferry to the island from the town of San Jorge.

Besides the volcanoes, Ometepe is primarily made up of tropical rainforest, black sand beaches, and scattered villages where clocks seem to be nonexistent. Instead of mass tourism and the hustle and bustle, you'll find hammocks under mango trees, the chirping of cicadas, and friendly locals, who mostly get around by bicycle, scooter, or sometimes by oxcart.

The island's main port is Moyogalpa, where the ferries also dock. It's best to rent a vehicle there for your stay. If you're looking for a bit of action alongside relaxation, a hike up the active Concepción volcano or the slightly easier Maderas volcano is one of the highlights of a visit to the island. Both hikes are recommended only with a local guide and are only possible when the weather is relatively dry.

Ojo de Agua promises less effort but more relaxation: two crystal-clear natural pools fed by an underground spring, nestled in the jungle. A kayak trip on the Istian River is also particularly picturesque. With a bit of luck, you might spot monkeys, turtles, or herons on this tranquil tour through mangroves. You won't find any fancy resorts on Ometepe, but there are simple hostels and small eco-lodges, often with stunning views over the lake or surrounded by banana plantations and jungle.

The Flinders Ranges allow you to experience the Australian outback without the crowds.

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Do you dream of a trip to the Australian Outback, but want to experience the "Red Centre" away from the tourist crowds of Uluru and the like? Then we have a particularly tranquil Outback tip for you: the Flinders Ranges. The name refers to a mountain range in northern South Australia that is said to be over 600 million years old and offers a very special, tranquil Outback experience. You'll experience a landscape of jagged rocks, red sand, ancient eucalyptus trees, and quiet gorges. It's home to typical Australian animals such as emus, kangaroos, and wallabies.

The Flinders Ranges can be reached from Adelaide in about five to six hours by rental car or small plane. They officially begin at Wilpena Pound, a vast, natural rock arena. The best way to explore this landscape is by hiking, for example, on the approximately seven-kilometer-long Wangara Lookout Walk. This easy walk offers magnificent views into the interior of the Pound. A more challenging, all-day hike is the 21-kilometer Saint Mary Peak Circuit, with 360-degree views of the Outback.

Particularly interesting: If you're interested in learning more about Aboriginal culture, you can go on hikes with Adnyamathanha guides and learn about traditional symbols and the connection to the landscape. Accommodation options in the Flinders Ranges range from simple campsites to stylish eco-lodges in the heart of the bush. Highlights include the Rawnsley Park Station Eco Villa, with its glass-fronted starlit views, and the historic Arkaba Homestead, a luxurious outback retreat for up to ten people.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter, and the best travel deals on our deals page .

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