Secret Summer Spots: top escapes from the crowds
Don’t follow the crowds; escape the tourist traps with Skyscanner’s top five secret summer destinations
Asturias, Spain
Whilst thousands of British holidaymakers hop on flights to Spain each summer to gather on Spain’s Costas – Asturias is decidedly less well trodden. This little known region on the northern coast offers some of the most scenic and spectacular landscapes in the country. Lacking the often unbearable heat of the south, cool lakes and rivers can be found inland whilst beaches, hidden coves and fishing villages characterise the coastline. Unplagued by mass tourism and over-commercialisation, its rural way of life offers visitors a glimpse of a secret Spain.
Kashmir
Deemed ‘heaven on earth’, Kashmir’s high mountains are a cool retreat from the plains during the hot sub-continent summer. Civil unrest in the area has meant that development of tourism has been slow, but increasing stability is leading intrepid tourists to go against FCO advice and visit what is one of the India region's most dramatic areas. Visitors can stay on an ornate house boat on Dal Lake, a crystal clear body of water with a Himalayan backdrop and watch eagles dive for fish. Kashmir can be reached with flights to Delhi followed by a flight to Kashmir’s capital: Srinagar.
Melbourne, Australia
One way to escape the heat of summer is to travel to a place where it’s still winter. Flights to Melbourne will deliver you into the arms of this cosmopolitan city where skyscrapers sit alongside opulent theatres and galleries. Lavish parks, gardens and waterways give Melbourne an air of calm, whilst Melbourne’s beaches and river Yarra provide outdoor enthusiasts a place to escape from the city’s lively centre.
Bohinj, Slovenia
With just two million people, this little country is little trodden by the tourist masses. An alpine gem, Slovenia offers jagged peaks, glacial lakes and a short stretch of coastline. Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest lake and is found in the Triglav National Park in the west of the country. A haven for hikers, bikers, anglers, horse riders and water sports enthusiasts, there are also ample spas and wellness centres for those who prefer a spot of pampering. Find cheap flights to Ljubljana.
Lakeland, Finland
The largest lake district in Europe, Eastern Finland is so punctuated with water there is almost more lakes than land! It’s a labyrinth of islands, rivers, pools and canals, interspersed with forests and rugged ridges, stretching for hundreds of miles in a staggeringly beautiful expanse. With a population of less than six million, visitors can easily escape the tourist masses and immerse themselves in the natural splendour of this beautiful region. Find cheap flights to Finland.
