Where in Europe can you go and escape the tourists during the summer?

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Liz

Someone above said "move east" and that is true to some extent.

Some of my favourite places to go where the only tourists are other local people:

a) Bohemian Paradise
http://www.ceskyraj.ochranaprirody.cz/?lang=en
Located about 50 miles northeast of Prague. Buy a trail map in Prague of "Cesky raj" (they sell them at all major bookstores), pack your tent and sleeping bag and take a bus to the sleepy provincial town of Jicin. From there it's a 5 mile hike to the area. A wonderful combination of sandstone cliffs, sinkholes, castle ruins and little village cottages. Excellent hiking and plenty of people around. Plan on a three+ day stay here. Chances of meeting another American: 0.1%.

b) Low Tatras (Slovakia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Tatras
Lovely, breathtaking and again -- the only tourists you meet will be Slovaks, Czechs, Poles and the occasional German or Dutch hiker. Excellent hiking and very well-marked trails dotted with little watering (or beering) stops. Take the train to Liptovsky Mikulas (3 1/2 hrs from Bratislava) and then look into a bus that will take you up to the Damanova Valley (or spend the rest of the afternoon and night here in Lipt. Mikulas -- there are plenty of little hotels and usually there is something going on.) You will want at least four days in the Tatras if you are a serious hiker. Better to stay in a small hotel or mountain chalet instead of a tent, unless you would not mind dancing with wolves and bears and... Anyway, your chances of meeting a bear are higher than meeting an American here.

c) Lesser Fatra (Slovakia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_Fatra
Fewer people, fewer bears, lots of sheep and definitely kosher for tenting. This is also a bit more convenient by train -- from Bratislava to Zilina takes about two hours, then take a local train to Strecno and make sure you have one of those hiking maps with you! (If you forget to buy one in Bratislava, remember to get one in Zilina). At least three days here. If you meet an American up in those hills, I'll give you a hundred dollars. No looking in the mirror please.

Of the cities:
a) Dresden. What an amazing city. Twenty years ago it was tragic, now you can again understand why Dresden was once called "thje Florence of the North". The Gemaeldegalerie (picture gallery) is an absolute treat of Renaissance art, topped off by Raphael's Sistine Madonna. The centre of Dresden is thriving and bustling with action, streetside cafes and it seems as though whenever I go there, there is a festival of some sort in full swing. People are generally polite and easy to get along with, but you should have some rudimentary German to communicate. (BTW - In CZ, PL and SK you will be OK with just English with anyone under 30. And everyone in Romania speaks English or French). Chances of meeting another American are somewhat higher here, but still generally low. Most other tourists are Germans. OK for a day trip, but it would be a very long day.

b) Krakow. Another great city. More to see than in Dresden (thankfully this city somehow managed not to be trodden flat in WWII) but there also are more tourists. Even the odd American, whom you will run into but not with as much frequency as in, say, Munich. And no offense to Germany, but Krakow is much more fascinating than Munich. Wear your most comfortable shoes for lots of walking in the Old Town and Kazimierz.
Not the most lovely place to see but probably one of the most important visits you would ever make: Auschwitz / Birkenau is nearby, just over an hour west by train. Do go.
Three days for Krakow and one day for Auschwitz.

c) Bratislava. An hour's ride from Vienna if you need a quick escape from the Sachertorte and Wienerschnitzel. The old town and castle area are the only places worth visiting, but the area is charming and the wealth of streetside cafes, bars and restaurants in the pedestrian-only centre is intoxicating. If you meet any Americans here, chances are they are expats who live in Bratislava. If you go, buy the Slovak Spectator (newspaper in English) to check out cultural and club listings.
I would say a day trip, but Bratislava is nicer at night, in my opinion. So an overnighter here.

Neither city nor wilderness:
Sinaia, Romania, about an hour and a half north of Bucharest, near Brasov. No Dracula Castle here so no tourists. There is a castle, though -- Peles Castle is one of the lovliest I have ever seen (and I have seen plenty). Sinaia is in the Carpathian Mountains and there is a 2,000 metre peak (also accessible by cable car) nearby. All within hand's reach are mountain hiking, sidewalk cafes and restaurants, castles and architechture to gawk at. The direct train from Budapest that takes all day -- 13 hours -- but it's a lovely train ride all the way through Transylvania. Any Americans on the train will get out in Sigisoara to go to "Dracula's" castle. Don't be tempted, go to Sinaia.
I spent a week here and did not get bored.

Have fun!

adrian z

you can go to my moms house jajajajaja :-)

V(^_^')V

You can backpack through Europe. It be very exciting, you get meet all the locals, unhindered by tourists.

Keep moving east, they are all moving west.

Aside from the usual guided tours, numerous monasteries in Germany also offer the opportunity of spending a night, or taking part in relaxation programmes. (Holidays behind Monastery Walls)

zelenikaktus

If you are visiting Europe for the first time, you shouldn't miss some of the tourist attractions, in at least one country. I suggest going through Italy north to south and then cross over to Dubrovnik and go north... all the way to Istria. I think it would be fun. You shouldn't miss: Sienna, Rome, Napoli and in Croatia Dubrovnik, the islands in the south, there are national parks, Split, Å ibenik, Zadar, and of course Istria. (not that Italy has less interesting places to visit, but as I'm not Italian I cant know all of them.). Maybe there will be more tourists i Italy and the south of Croatia, but Istria is just right for a relaxing vacation: beautiful nature, little tourists and its neither too hot nor cold. Plus, the prices are not too high.
Hope this helped!

chr_met

Why dont you fly to Athens, get a bus and tour first Peloponese. Back to Athens and sail to a couple of the remote islands in Aegean or the bigger ones like Chios, Samos but for sure end to Crete. Have fun.

Mari76

I think if you stay away from the large cities, you'll be okay. Look on the web-sites, and see what cities are usually frequented by tourists....stay away from those.

mr T

the uk its my homeland wales is beautifull. i would say that as i am welsh but it is

wichita lol

I cant tell you where but stay out of Italy (Rome) and Florence. There swarming with tuorist. However, they are the two nicest places.

thor_gare

Summer months are always popular with tourists,even the locals go for breaks.LoL ok try this site below.Its Gotland in Sweden,popular with the locals,even i go there sometimes..LoL.. Googled up a site with english for u to check.There is lotsa to do in Gotland,u can browse from the page below.Hope that helps. :)

Oh also u can view a live cam feed from one of the towns in Gotland if u want, on the 2nd link below.

ryee40007

I guess it all depends where in Europe you go. Munich is a fun place to walk around and get lost in. There is also the Italian Alps. Not alot of tourists really. Just take a look at typical tourist websites and avoid what they suggest. Whenever i go abroad I like to go to hole in the wall places. Sometimes you can get the most rewarding experiences going to these types of places

someone s

bosnia.. croatia.. yugoslavia haha
there'll not be tourists there.

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