Puscica, a small town on the island of Brac, “feels like a town which has been lost in time, away from the hustle and bustle of Bol on the opposite side of the island,” he says.
The region of Istria is also largely untouched, according to Carter. “Rovinj is a stunning town on the Istrian coast, with medieval pedestrianized streets, colorful buildings and small cafes and bars which are perched directly overlooking the sea,” he says.
In terms of when to visit, avoiding July and August is best for a calmer trip. “May to mid-June is a great time to travel to Croatia to enjoy less crowds although the water can be cooler for swimming,” says Jan Acorn, vacation consultant at Gateway Destinations. “September is an ideal time as the water is still warm for swimming, yet crowds have dramatically decreased due to students returning to school and European travelers having completed their summer vacation.”
1. Slovenia
Slovenia is the top destination on the rise in Europe this summer, Virtuoso says. Year-over-year sales for summer travel in Slovenia have surged by an astounding 473%, according to Virtuoso’s data.
But just because it’s on-trend to visit the small country, which shares borders with Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary, doesn’t mean you have to trudge through crowds. Plan to visit in late June or early September, according to Matej Knific, founding partner at Luxury Slovenia. “The weather is still beautiful but the tourist flow is lighter,” he says. But “Slovenia is a great destination anytime between April and October.”
Some lesser-known spots that are worth seeking out include the Slovenian side of Istria, which has historic towns, as well as culture and cuisine that’s a combination of Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. The Goriška Brda wine region, is also a hidden gem known as “Slovenia’s Tuscany,” according to Knific.
The country is also known for its astounding nature. “Outside of the delightful city of Ljubljana, I always recommend getting into the Julian Alps,” says Rachel Mendizabal, senior travel expert at Scott Dunn. “In the Alps, such as in Triglav National Park, you have access to an amazing array of alpine activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking, rafting, canyoning and so on, as well as plenty of space to get you away from the crowds.”
Although the country seems to be getting more popular with travelers, crowds aren’t as bad as other tourist hotspots in Europe. “It’s worth noting that even in peak season, Slovenia is far less crowded than places like Venice, Paris, or Dubrovnik,” Knific says. “Compared to those destinations, Slovenia is never truly crowded.”
