THIS SUMMER’S TOP 5 UNEXPECTED HOTSPOTS

While everyone else is packing for Ibiza, booking that same suite in Positano, or chasing Pastis in Saint-Tropez, why not take a left turn? This summer, forget the expected postcards and head somewhere less obvious — and infinitely more rewarding. These off-the-grid destinations won’t be fighting for your attention, but they just might bring you peace. Think fresh air, fewer crowds, and a real sense of exploration. Bonus: you’ll be supporting places that actually need — and deserve — the spotlight. Here’s where to go if you are one of the few ready to break the loop.

1. The Balkans

Forget Croatia (your favourite DJ is already there, and so is everyone else). Instead, go left of the expected. Albania is having a quiet moment — with wild turquoise beaches, mountain hikes that still feel somewhat secretive, all nestled in a compelling post-communist backdrop. Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park blends alpine drama and white-water rafting, while Bosnia’s Mostar will charm you with its Ottoman architecture and Red Bull cliff diving competition off a medieval bridge. In North Macedonia, UNESCO-protected Lake Ohrid’s stillness is reputed to mirror your every thought. And Slovenia? The city of Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and the Triglav trails are akin to stepping into nature-painted wonders.

2. Central Asia

If summer is for big skies and even bigger adventures, Central Asia delivers. Kyrgyzstan’s alpine lakes and nomadic yurts? Majestic. Tajikistan’s Pamir Highway? A road trip for the brave. Mongolia’s golden plains and Kazakh eagle hunters? Goosebumps guaranteed. And Georgia? With its Qvevri wines, ancient churches, and moody Caucasus mountains, the country has well earned its moment top step into the light. Go before the crowds do.

3. Scandinavia

Too cold? Not in July. Tipped as the climate-change alternative to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia is is no longer just cool — it’s also the under-the radar destination for property investors according to Forbes. So, explore while you still can. A pit-stop in Stockholm is a must, but the real trick? Take the train to Åre, Sweden’s mountain resort playground, then cross into Norway via fjords, forests, and Michelin magic in Trondheim (to get a taste of the stars reserve well in advance). Over in Finland, keep an eye on Jyväskylä, — the country’s central town bears comparison to an edgier Vancouver: a university city with a rich cultural scene surrounded by astonishing natural beauty including 3,700 lakes, 5,700 moose, and a staggering 140,000 saunas.

4. Greenland

The furthest from the beaten track? Quite literally. Greenland is opening up — with new direct flights to Nuuk from Copenhagen and New York, and new ways to explore its raw, glacial beauty. July is perfect for midnight sun cruises through Disko Bay, iceberg spotting, and maybe even a polar bear sighting. There are no roads between towns — you’ll travel by foot, boat, or expedition ship. HX Hurtigruten’s hybrid-powered cruises offer a surprisingly plush way to venture into the Arctic frontier.

5. Wales

Wales, not Whales — though you might spot a few of those too. Often overlooked in favour of its flashier neighbours Ireland and Scotland, this corner of the UK is quietly having a moment. The Pembrokeshire Coast brings cinematic cliffs as well as some of the best surfing in Britain. Eryri (Snowdonia) offers moody peaks and mirror-like lakes for serious hikers. Then there’s Portmeirion, a delightfully eccentric Italian-style village that’s more Wes Anderson than Welsh. New this year? Belmond’s Britannic Explorer train (the same Belmond that revived the Orient Express). This slow-travel luxury sleeper dream weaves through the wilds of Cornwall and Wales, with Michelin menus and wild swims on the itinerary. Believe us, you won’t miss the Mediterranean.