Latest news with #Austro-Hungarian
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
8 landlocked countries to add to your bucket list
Landlocked countries are countries that do not have any coastlines, and therefore no direct access to the sea. These countries are instead surrounded by mountain ranges, like in Central Asia and parts of Europe. The only two continents that do not have landlocked countries within them are North America and Oceania. There are also two places – Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein – that are 'doubly landlocked', meaning they are neighbours to other landlocked countries. With as many as 44 landlocked countries around the world, there's no shortage of inland destinations to discover. Here's a list of landlocked nations that are worth adding to your travel plans. Wachau valley is along the Danube river and is a great place for wine touring. — Unsplash Austria Austria's most popular known exports may be wine and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but if you dive deep enough into the country's history you will learn some truly fascinating facts about the Austrian (and later, Austro-Hungarian) empire. Ruled by the Habsburg family for centuries, the empire of Austria back in the day was vast, stretching from Eastern Europe to Central Europe. Most non-European tourists who travel to Austria today will go for its cultural experiences, visiting its comprehensive art museums, palaces and centuries-old monasteries. There's also classical music, where festivals, concerts and orchestras feature the works of famous Austrian composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert and Joseph Haydn. But back to the wine. The country has several wine regions, many of which offer vineyard or cellar tours and tasting experiences. Wachau valley in Lower Austria, Steiermark and Burgenland are some of the wine-growing spots to look out for. The best time to visit is in spring, when there are usually plenty of festivals being held all around the country. Vienna itself hosts the Vienna Spring Festival and Vienna Blues Spring every year. The former, founded in 1992, features classical music, while the latter is a two-month long event that takes place at Der Reigen. In winter, head to the mountains for some skiing. The Punakha Dzong is the second oldest dzong in Bhutan. — Unsplash Bhutan If you're planning to visit Bhutan, the first thing you need to know is its tourism tax or sustainable development fee (SDF), and what it entails. Basically, the SDF – which is different from the Bhutan entry visa (US$40/RM171) – is a daily fee charged to all foreign tourists, regardless of nationality or method of entry. Currently, the rates are US$100 (RM427) per person, per night, 'discounted' from US$200 (RM854) until 2027. Visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives are charged a lower fee of 1,200 Bhutan rupees, or about RM60 per person, per night. The SDF is not a service fee, rather it helps the government of Bhutan with forest and wildlife conservation/protection, cultural preservation, waste management and more. Except for Indians, Bangla-deshis and Maldivians, all tourists must have a registered guide with them at all times. This means that you would need to book a tour package in advance. There are only two areas in the whole of Bhutan that tourists are allowed to visit independently, and these are the more 'touristy' spots (read: crowded). Of course, the one place almost all tourists would want to visit in Bhutan is the Paro Taktsang or Tiger's Nest, and you would definitely need a guide for this hike. Bhutan is also famous for its vibrant festivals, which usually take place in autumn. Festivals like the Thimphu Tshechu and Paro Tshechu feature colourful costumes, traditional dances and centuries-old rituals. The Black-Necked Crane Festival is another fascinating celebration worth checking out. It is held yearly in the Phobjikha Valley to celebrate the arrival of the endangered black-necked cranes, who head to the valley from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau after mating and breeding season. Laos Head to Laos between November and April, when the weather is warm and dry, for some adventures in nature. Hike through the Luang Namtha forests and scenic mountain trails, or try the unique 'Gibbon Experience' in Bokeo Nature Reserve. Those interested in cave exploration can also venture into the massive Kong Lor Cave stretching 7.5km, or paddle through the mystical Tham Nam, a water cave. The warm season is ideal for water adventures – kayak through the rivers or take a peaceful cruise along the famous Mekong River. Of course, Laos is a nation brimming with culture and history, too. The Plain Of Jars in Xieng Khouang Province, for example, is believed to be between 2,000 and 2,500 years old. Today, as many as 2,100 massive stone jars scatter across a landscape in more than 90 sites. The history of this archaeological site remains a mystery to this day. In 2019, the Plain Of Jars was recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is fast developing. — Pixabay Kazakhstan Thanks to continental climate, Kazakhstan is a winter wonderland. Parts of the country experiences dramatic weather, meaning winters are seriously cold and summers are incredibly windy. But Kazakhstan is a very big country – the ninth largest in the world, in fact. So there are many places there you can visit for different experiences. Winter in Almaty, for example, is great for folks who love snow activities like skiing and snowboarding. The Ile-Alatau National Park, which is also in Almaty, is gorgeous in autumn and winter and perfect for hikers. The Issyk Lake can be found within the park, and its teal blue waters are best viewed in spring. Meanwhile, Astana is where one goes to learn more about Kazakhstan's colourful history, and nomadic traditions. Staying at community homestays in Nepal is a great way to immerse yourself in local culture. — MELODY L. GOH/The Star Nepal With clear skies, mild temperatures, and stable weather, the months of September to November are perhaps the best times to go trekking in Nepal. Whether you're up for a leisurely day hike or a challenging one-month adventure, there's a trail for everyone in this country. For example, beginners can start with scenic routes like Champadevi Hill and Nagarjuna Hill near the Kathmandu Valley. If you seek a quieter, off-the-beaten-path experience, the Langtang Valley trek is a good choice, rewarding trekkers with wonderful views and the dramatic peak of Langtang Lirung. But these mountainous pursuits can be even more spectacular in the months of March and April, which are great for seeing Nepal's national flower – rhododendron – in full bloom. But Nepal isn't just only about trekking. Cultural tourism is a big thing here, and the best way to experience them is to head to a homestay. Nepal's Community Homestay Network connects tourists with locals in the best way possible. You can get access to numerous community-led homestay villages that are scattered around the country. At these homestays, you can learn about the many Nepali ethnic groups and their traditions, cultures and cuisine. Switzerland Dominated by the Swiss Alps and the lakes, Switzerland is renowned for ... being neutral when it comes to foreign policies. But of course, there are other things that the country is famous for, like chocolates, the cuckoo clock and luxury watches in general, its very high cost of living, and the Swiss Army knife. For tourists, though, there is mostly just skiing and hiking. The city of Lucerne is ideal for autumn and springtime explorations, where you can stroll by the beautiful lakes, check out lively markets and just sit in the middle of the square and watch breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains. If you are at Lake Lucerne, hop on a boat for some extra fun. For a taste of medieval charm, venture to the vibrant Old Town, or Altstadt, which has a history that traces back to the eighth century. As you wander through its squares, you will discover many historical landmarks, including the Chapel Bridge. The nearly-700-year-old wooden footbridge is recognised as the oldest in Europe. While in Zermatt, embark on a rail excursion on the Gornergrat Railway to admire the famous Matterhorn mountain. St Moritz and the Jungfrau region are home to various ski resorts, but if you're on a tight budget, you may want to skip this. Head instead to Zurich, and check out the many museums there, like the Swiss National Museum. The Namangan International Flower Festival in Uzbekistan has been celebrated since the early 1960s. — Wikimedia Commons Uzbekistan Every March through May, the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan attracts flower enthusiasts with its stunning spring florals, such as tulips and poppies. At the heart of this seasonal celebration is the Namangan International Flower Festival, an event that has been held since the early 1960s. Here, Uzbek artists and visitors gather to showcase their artistic floral arrangements, honouring Uzbekistan's rich botanical tradition. The streets will also usually be lined with vehicles creatively adorned with a bright array of spring blossoms. But the festival offers more than just visual delights, as attendees have the opportunity to participate in gardening workshops, where they will learn to craft their own floral masterpieces while enjoying traditional music and dance. In autumn, different regions in the country celebrate bountiful fruit harvest. Start your agricultural tour in the capital city of Tashkent. From there, board a five-hour train journey to Fergana Valley – known for its fertile soils and abundant fruit orchards – for a vineyard walk and wine-making tour. This is also when a delightful variety of fruits are perfect for the picking, from plump grapes, to juicy peaches and apricots. Take a leisurely stroll at the Vatican Gardens with St Peter's Basilica in the background. — Unsplash Vatican City Vatican City, the smallest country in the world nestled within Rome in Italy, is a popular destination this year. For Catholics, 2025 is Jubilee year, a great time to visit the holy city. Of course, the recent passing of Pope Francis and the pontification of Pope Leo XIV, have also put Vatican City in the news and on the map. If you wish to visit, autumn would be your best bet, as Christmas tends to be – not surprisingly – very crowded, while summer may get too hot. Despite covering just over 40ha, Vatican City has plenty to offer visitors. Don't miss the Vatican Museums, home to the beautiful Sistine Chapel and the fascinating Gregorian Egyptian Museum. For one of the best views of Rome, climb the dome of St Peter's Basilica. You can also book a guided tour of the Vatican Gardens, where the beautifully manicured green spaces take up more than half the country.
The Courier
5 days ago
- General
- The Courier
Tributes to former Perth planning chief and ‘fabulous storyteller' Denis Munro who's died at 81
Warm tributes have been paid to former Perth and Kinross Council director of planning and development Denis Munro, who has died at the age of 81. His funeral takes place at St John's Kirk in the heart of his beloved Fair City on Monday June 2 at 1pm. Born and bred in Perth, Denis recently followed up his 2001 book 'A Vision for Perth' with a history of the steamies, or washhouses, which once played an integral role in the lives of working-class families. He recalled fondly boyhood hours whiled away trainspotting at Friarton, fishing for eels at the harbour – where his father David worked for the Dundee, Perth and London Shipping Company – and helping mother Nan at the public washhouse in Canal Street. Following several years south of the border Denis embarked on his career as a trainee town planner with Fife County Council in 1961 after leaving Bell-Baxter High School in Cupar. He joined Perth Town Council four years later as an assistant planning officer. He was recognised by the Town Planning Institute for gaining the top marks in Scotland in their intermediate exams. Denis remained with the local authority, in its various guises, until taking early retirement in 2003 from the director's role he had held since 1984. His love of his native city was reflected in 'A Vision for Perth' – published while he was planning director – which lamented the loss of various historic buildings in the name of modernism. Never one to shy away from controversy, Denis advocated demolishing most of Perth City Hall – now the Perth Museum hosting the Stone of Destiny – in favour of creating a civic square, retaining only the King Edward Street building's facade. He firmly believed that would benefit the city and better showcase St John's Kirk, the oldest building in Perth. However, the demolition proposal was rejected in favour of being repurposed. Denis helped pave the way to Perth's Cafe Quarter and in retirement became 'part of the family' at Willows, where his morning routine included catching up with the news over a coffee. Architecture, culture and art were lifelong passions, often combined with a love of travel and, latterly, cruises. His last foreign holiday took Denis to admire the Austro-Hungarian legacy of Vienna and Budapest. He had recently completed 'The Perth Steamies: The Story of the Fair City's Public Washhouses (1846-1976),' published by Tippermuir Books. Tippermuir director Dr Paul Philippou said: 'I was familiar with 'A Vision for Perth.' It is a book that combines architecture and history with the author's strong opinions on Perth's architectural direction. 'As director of planning, Denis was certainly in a position to offer his thoughts on the subject. 'Twenty-three years later, in 2024, I was intrigued to be contacted by Denis, regarding a new book he had in mind on the long-gone Perth Steamies. 'Working with him on the book was a delight. 'It is a pity that Denis did not live to see the book – he died a few days before it was delivered by the printer – and did not have the opportunity to enjoy a book launch. 'The book's subject, however, is a popular one, and Denis's words will no doubt be debated, repeated and read for many decades to come. 'A great dog lover, Denis had directed that all his royalties from the book be given to Perthshire Abandoned Dog Society.' Local housebuilder and honorary president of St Johnstone, Geoff Brown, chairman of GS Brown Construction, knew Denis for decades. He said: 'In his days as director of planning, Denis was prepared to meet developers large and small to discuss proposals which would have a bearing on Perth and Kinross and the quality of life of its citizens. 'We might not always have agreed when it came to development and the best way forward, but Denis was always prepared to meet with developers and listen to what was being suggested. 'I knew Denis long before he became the director of planning, and when he retired from the council, I knew his in-depth knowledge of the planning process would prove a huge asset in his role as a consultant with GS Brown Construction. 'As a local man, Denis had a deep and abiding affection for the city and the wider area, and his death will have come as a shock to his many friends.' After taking early retirement, Denis also went on to play an interim but influential role as planner for the embryonic Cairngorms National Park Authority. Gavin Miles, director of planning and place, said: 'Denis was a lovely chap. 'He'd obviously had a long career by the time he joined us. 'Denis said he had started as a tea boy at Perth City in the distant past, but you could never quite tell whether his tales were true or embellished – he was a fabulous storyteller! 'He was very relaxed in his approach to setting up the planning service at the Park Authority and he was very good at helping us to think through the issues we encountered and in supporting us. 'Denis was good at getting the best out of us. He had a wicked sense of humour that could make you cry with laughter and his tales of council politics, and his planning career, would have made a great comedy series! We all loved him.' Denis, who was divorced from his late wife Kate, is survived by his sister Dorothy and niece Kareen.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Once A Medieval Village, Now a Rustic Wedding Hideaway in the Istrian Hills of Croatia
Tucked into the hills of olive trees near Buje, San Canzian Village & Hotel offers a secluded yet sophisticated setting for destination weddings in the Istria region of Croatia. The property occupies the site of a once-abandoned medieval village, now thoughtfully restored into a design-forward retreat that honors its rural heritage. Located near the Slovenian border, the region is steeped in a rich blend of Roman, Venetian, and Austro-Hungarian influences, which lend the area its layered character and slow, sun-warmed rhythm. San Canzian accommodates celebrations both small and large, with full buyout options of the full estate. Across 24 rooms, suites, and villas, guests are invited to stay in understated luxury, surrounded by vineyard views and modern interiors rooted in local craftsmanship. Ceremonies and receptions can be held in a choice of serene garden courtyards, stone-lined terraces, or a cozy indoor setting. San Canzian's fine-dining restaurant can handle catering needs. They offer a world-class culinary experience showcasing the best of Istrian cuisine, a Mediterranean-influenced tradition known for its use of truffles, olive oil, seafood, and locally grown produce. Couples can tailor the food selection to reflect personal preferences and dietary requirements. Pre-wedding gatherings or farewell brunches can also be arranged, making the property well-suited to multi-day celebrations. Croatia is fast becoming one of the most popular countries for destination weddings. With on-site coordination available and an elevated setting that also feels immersive in the surrounding culture, San Canzian quietly delivers the hallmarks of a romantic European wedding: beauty, privacy, and an authentic connection to the land. Istria, Croatia's heart-shaped peninsula, blends Mediterranean romance with old-world charm. Rolling vineyards, hilltop villages, and a dramatic Adriatic coastline create a naturally cinematic setting for weddings and honeymoons. With its fusion of Italian and Croatian influences, couples are drawn to Istria for its relaxed pace, stunning views, and culinary excellence—from truffle-rich pastas to fresh-caught seafood under the stars.
Politico
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Michael Anton Was a Menswear Writer — And He Hated Trump's Fashion
The ouster of Mike Waltz as national security adviser — or his 'promotion' to being nominated for a UN ambassadorship, as Vice President JD Vance put it — kicked off a wave of speculation over who would replace him. Steve Witkoff? Sebastian Gorka? Stephen Miller? Ultra-online conservatives floated Michael Anton, a senior national security official in the Trump administration who also served during the president's first term. You'll probably recognize Anton as the author of the infamous 2016 'Flight 93 Election' essay, in which he compared Hillary Clinton's potential presidency to a plane hijacking. But I know his name from somewhere else: the arcane world of classic menswear. Apart from his public persona in Washington policy circles, Michael Anton cultivated a second intellectual life as a menswear writer. Under the handle 'Manton,' he became one of the most prolific contributors to StyleForum, an online community for men so obsessed with the minutiae of tailoring that it recalls a phrase Tom Wolfe once used to describe the fixation on the subject in 1960s America: 'the secret vice.' (Back in 2017, Anton told The Intercept that StyleForum was 'like a dorm room environment where even people like me, who are old, can feel 19 again….') While Anton occasionally weighed in on politics, philosophy and food, the bulk of his 41,000 posts from 2002 to 2016 focused subjects like Neapolitan jackets, English tweeds and Austro-Hungarian shoes. But even when he was writing about fabrics and fits, his political philosophy was on display. And, in what must be an awkward wrinkle for his White House colleagues, his style edicts often clashed with the kinds of outfits his MAGA compatriots wear today — including President Donald Trump's famous red ties. In 2006, writing under the pseudonym Nicholas Antongiavanni, Anton published The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style — a menswear manual modeled on The Prince and written in the voice of a Renaissance court adviser. The book dispenses traditional wardrobe advice while skewering public figures for their aesthetic failures: Tucker Carlson's bow ties read as pretension, Anton wrote; Johnnie Cochran's double-breasted suits are vulgar in their button configuration; Donald Rumsfeld appears in the index as a 'warfighter and wearer of cheap shoes and ill-fitting shirt collars.' Even Dan Rather, whose tailoring is technically sound, is dismissed as 'so slavish in aping his hero Edward R. Murrow — even patronizing the same Savile Row tailoring — that he cannot be said to have any style of his own.' On StyleForum, where I was also a regular, Anton was one of the more respected contributors. He started some of the forum's longest-running threads, such as Unfunded Liabilities, where bespoke tailoring enthusiasts talk about fabrics sourced from remote mills and backchannel jobbers. He introduced the flawed idea of a BlazerSuit, which is a bespoke navy suit made with open patch pockets, lapels with plump edges and brown horn buttons so that the jacket could double as a sport coat (a true business suit would have flapped or jetted pockets, simple pick stitched lapels and tonal buttons for a more formal look). Even mundane discussions were treated with the intensity of Talmudic debates, such as threads on poorly chosen pocket squares and the semiotics of white shirts. In a discussion about whether white pocket squares could be worn with white dress shirts, Anton launched into a disquisition on Aristotelian epistemology, Fred Astaire and Plato's reflections on beauty. In 2012, Anton started a spate of threads in a last-hurrah effort to save the forum from what he perceived as a slippage in taste. Chief among them was the 'Whnay's Good Taste' thread, where members posted photos of their outfits and Anton presided like a high priest, dispensing approval or censure with Delphic certainty — though more often the latter. 'Worst tie I have ever seen,' he told a new member named HopefulGent. 'Way too busy, terrible collar, ugly tie, bad square, start over,' he told another. He reserved his harshest comments for people who violated what he felt were taboos, such as pairing navy trousers with sport jackets. 'Uncuffed navy flannel odd trousers, JFC, I know the world is ending but can you a-holes stop trying to speed it up?' he posted, using the internet abbreviation for 'Jesus fucking Christ.' But Anton's most enduring contribution was an approach to style he called Conservative Business Dress, now so firmly rooted in the forum's culture that it has become a genre unto itself. Originally conceived as satire in response to a well-known forum troll (Kasper, who actually coined the term), Conservative Business Dress — occasionally shortened to CBD — quickly evolved into a serious doctrine. Unlike the sprezzatura of Italian tailoring (a cultivated carelessness) or the theatrical maximalism of English dandies, Anton's vision prized invisibility. The goal was not flamboyance, but fidelity: a modern extension of Beau Brummell, the 19th-century English arbiter of men's fashion, and his ideal of the well-dressed man, defined not by ornament but restraint. 'If John Bull [everyman] turns around to look at you,' Brummell once said, 'you are not well dressed; but either too stiff, too tight or too fashionable.' CBD was an effort to rein in the visual incoherence often found in the forum's 'What Are You Wearing Right Now' thread, where members shared photos of their outfits for feedback. Many such posters suffered from what Anton called 'offensively bold tailored clothing.' While they paired box-checked, double-breasted linen suits with ancient madder ties, red socks and purple suede double monks, Anton advocated for a more restrained outfit that drew from the stylistic language of mid-century elites. Distinction came not from wearing the loudest outfit, but from the ability to logically and coherently combine subtle signals that only fellow connoisseurs would recognize, all while remaining unremarkable in conservative business settings such as New York finance and D.C. law. The central task of CBD was one of mimicry: to faithfully reproduce the dress codes of mid-century Italian industrialists, Ivy League professors and London's old aristocratic class without tipping into costume or pastiche. A proper CBD ensemble might include a dark suit in H. Lesser Lumbs Golden Bale — a cloth prized by the cognoscenti for its dry hand and springy body. The choice favors structure over softness, marking the wearer as an insider rather than merely a consumer of luxury goods. The jacket should have soft shoulders, balanced proportions and a three-button front with lapels that roll to the second button, echoing silhouettes from 1940s Harvard or Neapolitan ateliers. The shirt might be white poplin with a moderate spread collar, neither the dagger-like points of a disco relic nor the exaggerated cutaways seen in Ralph Lauren ads. The tie could be a four-in-hand Ivy-style rep stripe or a Macclesfield foulard in subdued hues of navy, burgundy or chocolate brown. Footwear, ideally, would be black stitch-cap oxfords or dark brown split-toe derbies in smooth calfskin and with Goodyear welts — or, for those seeking forum acclaim, they'd be fully bespoke and hand-welted. This sensibility also accounted for many of Anton's aesthetic taboos. He abhorred the pairing of navy trousers with sport coats, noting that the look was associated not with the Andover-Harvard set but post-war working-class Americans. Black dress shirts, he argued, should never be worn with tailored jackets, as they had 'always been considered both in bad taste and the mark of the lower, and even criminal, classes.' He reserved particular contempt for bright red ties, especially in satin, such as those Trump has made part of his personal brand. ('trump = don't,' Anton wrote in 2012 as a short style rule). Burgundy, especially in chalky fabrics like ancient madder, still suggested Old Money pedigree. But those festive reds, perhaps more fitting for children's balloons, annoyed Anton so much that he once blew up over it in a thread. In 'Whnay's Good Taste,' Anton envisioned a sanctuary: a thread that would rise above the forum's creeping coarseness. He hoped it might become a curated gallery of well-dressed men, a teaching tool for others to emulate. But over time, he came to see it as being intentionally defaced by forum critics, contrarians and perceived enemies. One poster, known as Tactical, repeatedly uploaded photos of himself wearing bright red ties — an Antonian taboo — even after being told they fell short of the thread's standards. To Anton, this wasn't mere misunderstanding; it was deliberate provocation. He eventually snapped, likening the thread to a monument 'constantly covered with graffiti.' 'They think their graffiti constitutes a beautiful mural,' he wrote. 'Whatever, the outcome is the same. Most of the wall is ugly as shit and cleaning it up would be a full-time job. If there were a Raphael or a Da Vinci underneath, the effort would be worth it, but there isn't, so it isn't.' Anton's menswear writings are genuinely instructive if you share his aesthetic preferences. He possesses a meticulous eye and an encyclopedic command of long-forgotten texts, such as Apparel Arts, a 1930s trade publication that functioned as an illustrated style manual for the American upper class. But his aesthetics tend toward binary judgments: firm distinctions between what is correct and what is corrupt. He's right, for instance, that black dress shirts have long carried associations with the criminal or déclassé, but wrong to assume this makes them illegitimate by definition. His fidelity to the prelapsarian order of Ivy League campuses and London finance often left him blind to the fact that other classes have their own aesthetics, each equally legible and legitimate, even if they did not descend from Mayflower stock. The men wearing black shirts in Goodfellas looked pretty stylish, I think. Anton largely withdrew from StyleForum after Trump's electoral win in 2016. He returned sporadically, but the circle of early posters he had sparred with since 2002 had mostly moved on. Newer members were less reverent; some, in the forum's increasingly charged political atmosphere, called him a Nazi. Threads he once animated — on good taste, on CBD — floated forward without him, their codes still nominally intact but rarely enforced with the same rigor. He resurfaced occasionally to discuss wine, kitchen knives and his growing contempt for San Francisco and New York City, but the era of his online influence had largely ended. Menswear writer Christian Chensvold once met Anton in person and later reflected on the encounter: 'Anton is a pleasant fellow, but when you meet him you feel a cold scrutiny pass over you like an open window in February.' Today, Anton finds himself back in the Trump administration, surrounded by men in made-to-measure suits marred by collar gaps, contrast buttonholes and MAGA-red ties. Symbols of power to some, perhaps, but to Anton, unmistakable signs of sartorial decline.
NDTV
22-05-2025
- NDTV
6 Overcrowded Destinations To Skip In 2025 (And Where To Go Instead)
Travel is booming again in 2025, but that's not all good news. Some of the world's most iconic destinations are buckling under the pressure of overtourism — with long queues, overwhelmed locals, and fragile landmarks bearing the brunt. If your idea of a holiday doesn't involve shoulder-to-shoulder crowds or battling for a photo op, it might be time to rethink your bucket list. We've picked six overcrowded spots to avoid this year, along with less chaotic alternatives that offer just as much charm, culture, and scenery — minus the stress and sea of selfie sticks. Your sanity will thank you. Here Are 6 Overcrowded Destinations Around The World And Their Alternatives: 1. Venice, Italy The City of Canals has been dealing with overtourism for years, and it's only getting worse. In 2024, Venice introduced a minimal day-tripper fee during peak times — and it's still swamped. With over 20 million visitors annually (pre-pandemic numbers are back), locals are fed up, and you'll feel it. Alternate Destination: Trieste, just two hours away by train, offers waterfront charm, Austro-Hungarian architecture, and a far more relaxed pace. It's Venice without the elbow-jabbing gondola gridlock. 2. Machu Picchu, Peru Peru has announced new daily visitor caps for Machu Picchu (just 4,500 per day) and a stricter permit system. The site has suffered major wear from the hundreds of thousands who visit each year. In 2023, UNESCO even threatened to put it on the endangered list due to overcrowding. Alternate Destination: Choquequirao, dubbed the "sister city" of Machu Picchu, is similarly spectacular but sees a fraction of the foot traffic. It's a challenging trek to reach — which is exactly why it's still peaceful. 3. Bali, Indonesia Bali's tourism boom has spiralled into an environmental crisis. In 2023, the local government introduced new "tourist etiquette" rules after a string of incidents involving disrespectful behaviour. Beaches are crowded, traffic is a nightmare, and locals are pushing back hard. Alternate Destination: Lombok, Bali's quieter neighbour, has similar beaches and surfing without the Instagram-fuelled circus. Or check out Flores for untouched nature and the gateway to Komodo National Park. 4. Santorini, Greece The whitewashed buildings and caldera views may be stunning, but Santorini is bursting at the seams. With up to 10,000 cruise passengers per day during peak season, it's become more of a backdrop for social media than a Greek island experience. Alternate Destination: Head to Milos or Naxos. Both islands have charming villages, turquoise waters, and half the crowd. You might even score a table at a seafront taverna without booking weeks ahead. 5. Kyoto, Japan After Japan reopened in late 2022, tourism surged — and Kyoto bore the brunt. In 2024, Gion residents called for tourists to stop photographing geishas and even restricted access to certain streets. The city is overwhelmed, especially in cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Alternate Destination: Check out Kanazawa, sometimes called "Little Kyoto". It's home to one of Japan's top three gardens, a preserved samurai district, and plenty of traditional charm — minus the crowd control signs. 6. Reykjavik, Iceland Iceland's tourism has grown over 400% in the last decade. Most travellers head straight for Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, leading to packed car parks, overwhelmed hot springs, and serious strain on fragile ecosystems. Alternate Destination: Venture to the Westfjords, one of Iceland's least visited regions. It's rugged, remote, and breathtaking - and you'll feel like you have it to yourself. Tourism should benefit both visitors and the places they visit. As travellers, it's on us to make mindful choices. So skip the overcrowded icons and seek out the next great (but still under-the-radar) spot - you'll have a better trip, and the planet will thank you for it.
