Where To Travel Now: 12 Crowd-Free Luxury Destinations, Curated By The Experts

Planning an escape? If you wince at the thought of crowded beaches and overtourism, we know how hard it can be to pin down your next destination of dreams. That’s why we lean on the leading travel experts to do the hard part for us; they’ve been almost everywhere, and come brimming with insight into the must-visit yet still crowd-free luxury destinations dotted across the globe. Below, we share their secrets.

Ischia, Italy

Al dente pasta, sun-soaked spritzes and hilltop towns tumbling down to the sea: there’s a reason Italy is always a good idea. But this popular European holiday destination with its boot-shaped coastline attracts tourists in droves. Better to avoid the hotspots and find a quieter spot, recommends Joanne Popple, Luxury Travel Designer at Carrier. ‘While many travellers gravitate towards Italy’s better-known coastal destinations, Ischia rewards those willing to look beyond the obvious. It offers a wonderfully authentic atmosphere where wellness, food and local culture are woven into everyday life, creating a slower, more restorative experience. For many of our clients, that sense of genuine connection and understated elegance has become the ultimate luxury,’ Joanne says. Earlier this year, C&TH Digital Director Rebecca Cox experienced first-hand the joy of quieter Ischia. Find out more about Carrier’s luxurious Amalfi Coast and Bay of Naples holidays here.

Nihi Sumba (© Tanveer Badal)

Sumba, Indonesia

Looking to venture further? ‘Guests are rewarded with a truly remote wilderness away from the more traditional beach locations of Indonesia,’ recommends Pete Trangmar, Head of Global Sales at True Travel. And the where to stay question is easy: Nihi Sumba is the original castaway, barefoot luxury property in Indonesia, known for its stable of horses. ‘The property sits on a mile long beach and offers total seclusion, which makes the extra flight from Bali completely worthwhile. The property offers a range of incredible experiences including world class surfing opportunities and horse riding on the beach,’ Pete concurs. Find out more about True Travel’s tailor-made Sumba adventures here.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay, BVI

British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

It does not take many visitors to transform what once felt like a castaway island holiday into a budget beach escape packed with other visitors. Such is the case in the Caribbean – unless you know where to go. ‘We’re seeing a growing number of luxury travellers prioritising privacy, flexibility and a genuine sense of escape over headline destinations,’ says Caroline Hutchinson, Head of Luxury and Private Clients at Carrier. ‘The British Virgin Islands deliver that beautifully, offering the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover places that still feel remarkably untouched. It’s the sort of Caribbean experience that has become increasingly rare.’ Find out more about BVI holidays with Carrier here.

Eleven Rio Palena

Northern Patagonia, Chile

Prefer to go somewhere you had never even considered? You definitely won’t bump into any acquaintances in Eleven Rio Palena, a luxury lodge located ‘within a totally hidden little corner of Chile’ – but totally worth it, says True Travel’s Latin America Programme Manager Evie Oswald. Imbued with ‘that true off the beaten path feeling,’ it’s Evie’s top pick for adventure lovers. It’s perfect for ‘hiking, mountain biking, helicopter skiing, great for fishing… And just connecting with nature!’ she says. Find out more here.

OIÁ Casa Lençóis is a stone’s throw from Lençois Maranhenses.

Lençois Marenhenses National Park, Brazil

It’s no exaggeration to say Brazil’s Lençois Marenhenses National Park feels otherworldly: this vast field of rolling quartz sand dunes may look like a desert, but 50 inches of rain per year (twice that of London) creates unique aquamarine lagoons, the kind found nowhere else on the planet. Only dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, though, it remains relatively unknown. With most rain falling from January to May and drier weather causing the lagoons to dry up by October, peak season falls from May to September. ‘Even during these peak months, it’s not somewhere that is widely known about and isn’t very easily accessible, so makes it a good destination to beat the crowds and explore something truly unique,’ Evie says, recommending a stay at OIÁ Casa Lençóis. Find out more about Brazil holidays with True Travel here.

(© Jayne Alexander)

Svalbard, Norway

As the founder of unique London bookshop Travellers’ Tales, Jayne Alexander also creates bespoke itineraries to some of the world’s most sought after destinations. From tailor-made holidays to the Azores, a chain of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic, or to Ladakh, a breathtaking high-altitude desert in the Indian Himalayas, her luxury travel wheelhouse is vast. For those in search of a thrill, Jayne is planning an expedition to Svalbard, a Norwegian island set deep within the Arctic Circle. Originally a whaling spot, Svalbard has developed into one of the world’s most important destinations for polar science and expedition tourism. To follow her snowshoe steps, book a stay at Basecamp Hotel where only 16 rustic rooms await. You will be led on cruises through glacier-filled fjords, spot polar bears, walruses and Arctic foxes, and embark on guided glacier hikes and kayaking. (Book through Jayne Alexander on 0203 931 5500 or book an appointment at travellerstaleslondon.co.uk)

Pembrokeshire, Wales

For those who prefer to keep a little closer to home, Gareth Allen’s Big House Experience is your bible for the very best of the British Isles. Its shining star is Bay View House set on the idyllic Pembrokeshire coastline. Sleeping up to 30 guests, the beachside property boasts direct, private access to a sandy bay, while inside a games room, a cinema room and a bar all make for a cosseting home-from-home. Just a 15 minute journey to Tenby, guests can also take a private boat trip to Caldey Island to taste handmade chocolates or dine at the Michelin-starred ANNWN restaurant which champions local, sustainable produce.

Colorado, USA

So vast is the USA, it is a widely held belief that you can experience each and every type of holiday without ever leaving the country. Nestled in the heart of the country, the San Juan Mountain range in Colorado is one of the country’s best kept secrets, and is a firm favourite of travel expert Rob Holmes. At Journeyscape, he specialises in tailor-made holidays to the USA. For a uniquely Colorado experience, a stay at Dunton Hot Springs is a must, he tells C&TH. One of America’s most luxurious retreats, the alpine scenery is dotted with historic log cabins and natural pools. Hiking, flyfishing, horseriding and guided excursions through the wilderness are all available.

Arizona, USA

Twelve hours south of Colorado is another of Rob’s top recommendations. Sedona, Arizona offers some of the most striking scenery in the American Southwest. A stay at Enchantment Resort within the spectacular red rock of Boynton Canyon promises a stay with a view. Rooms are surrounded by towing sandstone cliffs and dramatic desert landscapes. Guests can also enjoy the world class spa and golf course, or partake in one of the many activities offered, whether that’s hiking, mountain biking, tennis or pickleball.

Islas Secas, Panama

For Oliver Browne from True Summit Adventures, nowhere is better than an island retreat, and Panama private island resort Islas Secas gives guests access to some of the richest marine environments in the Americas. Stay in one of the island’s smattering of guesthouses, dive volcanic reefs, search for humpback whales and take part in world class diving in Cohiba National Park — all while feeling totally alone.

Scarborough, South Africa

For Helen Untiedt, founder of Perfect Hideaways, Scarborough on the West Coast Peninsula of South Africa is the ultimate seaside destination sans overtourism. Described as a surfer’s paradise, the area offers hiking in Cape Point Nature Reserve, penguin spotting at the nearby Boulders Beach and swimming in the tidal pools of Buffel’s Bay. Surrounded by ’70s revitalised architecture, when staying at Baskloof House, guests can also enjoy cooking in the outdoor kitchen and swimming with a view of the reserve in its circular pool.

Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore

Though best known for its bustling city life, Singapore is also home to a host of nature and wildlife. Last April, hotelier power couple Ho Kwon Ping and Claire Chiang opened a new venture to the north of the city proper, in the heart of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree has everything you could ever need for a relaxing getaway, especially with little ones in tow: rooms with views over the rainforest, wildlife expeditions to meet Giant Pandas at Singapore’s Zoo, an immersive kids club, plus starlit rooftop dining for when the children are asleep.

Looking for summer destinations in particular? Here four stylish travel experts share their secret escapes.