Abandoned beaches where you can take a deep breath, a hiking trail to enjoy the silence and old alleys just waiting to be discovered – those who want to escape mass tourism can choose to travel anticyclically. Any time of year is off-season somewhere and it is worth discovering the benefits of it.
Overtourism is simply no fun – neither for the holidaymakers, the locals nor the environment. Due to the high number of tourists the cities are crowded, prices rise and the housing situation for the inhabitants worsens. Wild animals and plants are displaced or destroyed and nature can no longer recover and suffocates in the garbage that people leave behind everywhere.
Empty beaches, relaxing saunas – winter at the North and Baltic Sea
Why not visit the North Sea in winter instead of summer? It may be too cold to lie in the sun, but you can still listen to the soothing sound of the sea around Juist. The weather is also pleasant in winter and the long beaches around the Strandhotel Kurhaus Juist can be discovered every season. Long walks along the beach will clear your head and afterwards the fireplace bar of the “White Castle by the Sea”, the saunas and the Rasul steam bath are just waiting to warm up frozen guests again.
At the Lifestylehotel SAND the sauna with a view of the Baltic Sea on the roof terrace is a very special highlight – especially in winter. The hotel is close to Timmendorfer Strand and a great location for New Year’s Eve: Guests can welcome the new year with the sound of the sea and toast with a cocktail on the rooftop bar.
Relaxation at the crackling fireplace
The Hofgut Hafnerleiten in Lower Bavaria is the ideal place to enjoy the Advent season and escape the pre-Christmas stress. A fireplace in a small cottage by the lake, a book and delicious food – that’s all we need.
Welcome spring in the mountains
In spring, when the first flowers are blooming and nature comes back to life, it is particularly beautiful to hike in the Alps or discover the mountains by mountain bike. The crisp mountain air is refreshing after a long winter and between the ski season and the summer holidays, there are not so many tourists on the trails.
The Berghotel Rehlegg is located in the heart of the Berchtesgaden Alpine National Park and the heated outdoor pool with breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains is ideal for relaxing after a hike. A network of hiking and mountaineering trails with a total length of around 300 km gives guests a direct connection to the beautiful nature around the hotel. If you want a change of pace, you can travel to the “Mozart city” of Salzburg which is only 30 minutes away and far less crowded in spring. The Hintersee near Ramsau is also particularly beautiful: it lies in the middle of forests and mountains as if enchanted. If the crystal-clear mountain lake is still too cold for swimming, visitors can simply rent a rowing boat and enjoy the dreamlike scenery.
The Genießerhotel Die Forelle is at home on the shores of Lake Weißensee in Austria, the highest swimming lake in the Alps. Even if there is a cold spell in spring: the small health oasis with saunas, fitness and relaxation rooms, a steam bath and massages is a wonderful place to relax after a walk around Lake Weißensee. In the evening, finest slow food is served, always in harmony with the seasons.
Discover Thailand from a different perspective in summer
May to October is rainy season in Thailand, which is why the country is far less visited in summer than in winter. But even then, it is still not cold, the temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees. Away from the streams of tourists, guests can get to know the country from a much more authentic side. This is especially so on Phi Phi Island at the Zeavola Resort. The island is known for its hilly landscape with striking cliffs surrounded by unique beaches and emerald green sea. “A visit to Zeavola is an unforgettable journey of discovery back into nature. Take a step back to simplicity, enjoy unspoiled nature, a pristine beach, exceptional service and feel at home in paradise,” General Manager Florian Hallermann describes the green resort.
Enjoy the autumn hustle and bustle in the mountains
When it gets cooler in autumn and the leaves begin to change color, you don’t need to escape this season. Instead, you could welcome the changes – for example in the Dolomites! At Mi Chalet you can watch the colorful autumn through the large windows by the cozy fireplace. Another highlight in autumn is the Maira valley: in the middle of the wild valley at around 1,700 meters lies the secluded Sagna Rotonda. Surrounded by original forests, guests may even spot some deer during their walks.
The perfect time for a city trip? Low season!
City trips are ideal during the low season: whether spending romantic winter days at Hôtel Le Pavillon in Paris, enjoying the first cocktail on the roof terrace of Hotel Milano Scala in spring, a hot chocolate in the green quarter of Freiburg at Green City Hotel Vauban or a stroll through the old town of Erlangen around Creativhotel Luise – it’s just so much nicer if you don’t have to share the cities with thousands of tourists.
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